A Fair Exchange

"Enough nonsense. Arrow of Captivity!"

Hancock let out a sharp cry, lightly touching her lips with her fingers and forming a huge pink, heart-shaped substance.

She then pulled it back like a bow and immediately fired a barrage of pink arrows.

This move followed the same rules as Perfume Femur: it could petrify its target whether or not they felt any attraction.

Its range was also extremely broad. With Susanoo's massive body, there was simply no way to evade it.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

A dense rain of pink Arrows of Captivity struck it, producing a crisp patter like rain falling on banana leaves.

Yet every one of them was deflected and shattered by that profound layer of Armament Haki, leaving not even the slightest mark—let alone petrifying it.

The black-and-crimson Susanoo stood tall and immovable, like a war god clad in infernal armor.

"What?!"

A flicker of shock crossed Hancock's breathtaking face.

Her Arrow of Captivity could not even break through his defenses?

The petrification had failed again. That meant her opponent was an expert in Haki!

The black energy coating the giant shared the same origin as Haki, yet it seemed more condensed and resilient, perfectly blocking the Empress's rule-based attack.

Yoru spoke again, his voice carrying through the Susanoo with unquestionable calmness.

"Boa Hancock, your attacks are ineffective against me. Continuing this fight will only be a pointless drain.

"We did not come with destructive intentions. Perhaps we can resolve this conflict another way."

In truth, Yoru had already come to the Pirate World after awakening his Mangekyo half a year ago.

During that time, he had successfully learned Armament Haki.

That had something to do with his right eye's ability, but that was a matter for another time.

In any case, over the past six months, Yoru had tried fusing Armament Haki with Chakra, allowing him to add another layer of Haki over Susanoo.

When dealing with this world's Devil Fruit abilities, he would not be as helpless as Shisui and the others.

It was precisely because of this confidence that Yoru had chosen the Empress as his opponent.

"Empress, stop. Let's hear what he has to say."

Just as the Empress was about to attack again, Granny Niu suddenly hopped out with her cane and stopped her.

She had seen everything clearly from the sidelines. The other side was a troublesome opponent.

Not only was his power bizarre and formidable, but his defense was also impregnable. Even the Empress's most prized petrification ability had become useless.

Under such circumstances, a peaceful resolution would be the best outcome.

"Hmph, what is there to discuss between me and these invaders?"

The Empress remained unyielding in her words, but her momentum for attacking unconsciously halted. Clearly, she was weighing the pros and cons as well.

She was not afraid of continuing the fight, but the Kuja Tribe warriors she had brought with her might be caught in the aftermath.

Seeing that the Empress's attitude had softened somewhat,

Yoru was the first to make a friendly gesture.

With a thought from him, the towering Susanoo covered in Armament Haki slowly receded like a tide before finally vanishing into nothingness.

He stood before Hancock completely defenseless, as if he had cast aside all his weapons.

"Clan head!"

Yashiro and the others behind him cried out in alarm, unable to understand why their clan head would drop his defenses at such a moment.

What if their opponent abandoned all sportsmanship and used that strange petrifying ability again?

Uchiha Yoru raised a hand, signaling them to remain calm.

He looked at Hancock, who had also frozen at his abrupt action, and spoke evenly.

"Actually, we do not have to meet each other with weapons drawn. Our Uchiha Clan came here only to find a new home where we can settle down. We have no intention of becoming enemies with Kuja Island, much less challenging your rule."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the Imperial Guards who had been captured earlier.

Kikyo and the others had already awakened, though their faces were somewhat pale.

While Hancock and Shisui had been fighting, Sandersonia had helped them to the side.

"We captured your warriors, and you injured my clansmen. Let us call it even, shall we?

"At the same time, we promise that we will never voluntarily enter Kuja City without your permission. We only need this coastal valley as a temporary place to stay."

Yoru's proposal was sincere.

Kuja Island was vast. A place for over a thousand people to reside would not have any impact on the Kuja Tribe inhabitants of the island.

"Why should I agree to let you stay here? Hmph, men are not permitted to exist on this island!"

Hancock did not accept Yoru's proposal.

To her, they had already committed a capital offense by setting foot on the island without permission.

Considering that they possessed decent strength, her greatest concession was not holding them accountable for landing on the island.

But agreeing to let so many men remain on the island—

Absolutely impossible!

"So there is no room for negotiation?"

Yoru was not angered by the rejection. He had not even presented his conditions yet, and he believed the Empress would change her mind after hearing them.

"Ahem, Empress, wait a moment. Let this old woman ask a few questions first."

Granny Niu suddenly spoke. Turning toward the absurdly young man across from her, she asked,

"Are you pirates? How did you get here?"

This was what concerned Granny Niu the most.

Kuja Island was located in the Calm Belt and was unaffected by any storms or weather conditions.

The waters around it were also filled with nests of enormous Sea Kings. Ordinary pirates could not enter at all, which had kept the island's residents free from outside disturbance for centuries.

But after the Marines invented Seastone Technology, that natural barrier had long since ceased to exist.

Seastone prevented Sea Kings from sensing the presence of warships, allowing those warships to approach Kuja Island.

To avoid harassment from the Marines, their leader, Empress Hancock, had chosen to cooperate with the World Government and become one of the Shichibukai.

It was to protect the tribespeople on the island.

But now, aside from Marine warships, another group had successfully landed on Kuja Island.

This was no trivial matter.

Granny Niu had to find out how they had reached the island and whether others could use the same method.

She could not simply watch Kuja Island become like those islands on the Grand Line.

A paradise for vicious pirates.

"Oh, that is what you wanted to ask? I was just about to discuss it with you."

Yoru put on a look of sudden realization.

"To be fair, let us make a simple exchange first.

"Have the Empress undo the petrification on the Uchiha clansmen she turned to stone, and I will tell you how we landed on the island."

Yoru pointed at the Uchiha clansmen whom the Empress had petrified earlier.

"Mm, that is indeed a fair exchange."

Granny Niu nodded, glanced at the Empress, who had returned to her throne, and urged her,

"Empress, undo your ability!"

"I refuse. Those who offend me deserve to remain stone forever!"

The Empress turned her head away and haughtily refused.

"Empress, do not be willful. You are the ruler of the Kuja Tribe. Protecting your people is your duty. Their method of reaching the island is very important to us."

"You damned old woman, do not tell me what to do!"

At those words, the Empress suddenly rose to her feet, pointing her right hand at Granny Niu with her chin held high.

"Even if a momentary whim of mine brings about the destruction of the nation, everyone will forgive me!"

"If you ask why—"

"Yes, because I am simply too beautiful!"