Susanoo!

Hancock's pupils contracted as she saw Xi Yan appear beside her, her face filled with disbelief.

This guy... he's actually planning to attack her?

In that brief moment of distraction, she lost her chance to dodge and could only use Armament Haki to protect her vitals.

The next moment, Xi Yan manipulated the Susanoo he had summoned and punched Hancock hard!

"Bump!!"

The giant skeletal fist slammed into Hancock, sending her flying through the window and crashing into the forest behind her.

"Boom!!"

Looking at the window shattered by Hancock, Xi Yan paused for a moment, then said, "I'm sorry, Shakky-jie..."

This girl is just too damn annoying. Xi Yan feels he can't swallow his anger without giving her a good beating.

Let's beat this guy half to death first, then let her remove the petrification effect.

Glancing at Aini Xida and the others whom he had subdued, Xi Yan coldly said, "Keep a close eye on Grandma Za's stone statue."

"Yes!"

"Whoosh~"

The next moment, Xi Yan, having activated the Instant Body Technique, vanished from his spot.

A moment later, Sander Sonia and Marigold ran in.

"What's wrong?"

"What happened?"

Looking at the situation inside, Marigold frowned and asked, "Where is my Older Sister Lord?"

"And why did Grandma Za turn into a stone statue?"

They were only a little late coming back, why did this happen?

"Hey, Aini Xida, I'm talking to you!"

Unfortunately, Aini Xida didn't answer; she just stared at Marigold with a blank expression.

Marigold:???

What does this mean?

Why are these people all silent? It's as if... they're being controlled.

Marigold didn't question whether the other party had betrayed them, after all... those who stayed with her Older Sister Lord were the most loyal!

"My Grandma Za just brought a man in," a woman said as she walked in. "I don't know what happened, but... it's very likely related to that man."

After all... that man isn't here right now!

Marigold was silent for a moment, then exchanged a glance with Sander Sonia.

Finally, the two focused their attention on the broken glass.

"My Older Sister Lord... did you go out to hunt down that man?"

"That's possible."

Sander Sonia said, "Aini Xida and the others look a bit strange; perhaps they're being controlled by some kind of force."

"Let's go find my Older Sister Lord first."

"Profound!"

Although I don't know exactly what happened, as long as I can find my Older Sister Lord, all the problems will be solved.

In the forest Back Mountain, Hancock covered her forehead, her face looking rather pale.

She never expected that this man would actually attack her.

"What a... cold-blooded man..." Hancock murmured.

It was quite a surprise that even her charm could resist it.

After dusting herself off, Hancock stood up again and began to look around.

"Is this... the woods Back Mountain?"

Although her house was located at the highest point in the city, being thrown so far away in one go was still somewhat unexpected.

Recalling the skeleton that had appeared on the other person earlier, Hancock frowned and asked, "What was that just now?"

The pale gold skull, its color resembling the sand in an hourglass... is it the power of some kind of Devil Fruit?

"I don't know what happened, but... once we defeat that man, we'll figure things out," Hancock said.

Having made up her mind, Hancock quickly ran back the way she came.

However, after running a short distance, she saw the man who had just knocked her flying.

"Have they caught up...?"

"Ah."

Standing on the tree trunk, Xi Yan crossed his arms and looked at Hancock, saying, "Since you flew over, of course I had to come find you."

This area is part of the primeval forest of Amazon Lily, so fighting here won't harm others.

Ultimately, he didn't really want to destroy the city.

After all... it's Hancock who's sick!

"What kind of ability is that?" Hancock asked, frowning.

"Guess~" Xi Yan grinned and said, "If you guess right, I'll tell you."

"Hmph, boring."

If you're not going to tell me, then don't. Why guess? Do you think I'm a child?

Isn't it obvious that he doesn't want to tell her?

"Alright, let's continue the fight," Xi Yan said. "I will fight until you are willing to remove Grandma Za's petrification."

Hancock frowned as she looked at Xi Yan. Was this the reason he was fighting her?

What exactly is the relationship between my Grandma Za and him?

Forget it, things have come to this point, it's simply unacceptable not to have a fight.

With that thought in mind, Hancock tossed her hair and said, "Let's give it a try."

"As one of the Shichibukai, I have never been afraid of men!"

As soon as she finished speaking, Hancock vanished from the spot.

"Um?"

Seeing Hancock rushing towards him at an extremely fast speed, a hint of surprise appeared in Xi Yan's eyes.

'At this speed...'

As expected of Shichibukai!

The next moment...

"Boom!!"

Hancock raised her long leg and kicked the several-meter-wide tree, easily snapping it in two!

"Their strength is considerable..."

Xi Yan, who had jumped out of the tree, glanced at the broken tree and said, "And this was without any imposing Haki..."

If the opponent were to be imbued with Haki, the attack would surely be even more terrifying.

Then, Xi Yan turned around, crossed his arms, and wrapped his arms with Haki.

The next moment...

"Clang!!"

Hancock's Haki left leg kicked Xi Yan's arm directly.

"Haki?"

A hint of surprise flashed in Hancock's eyes; she hadn't expected this unknown kid to have mastered Haki.

Could it be... that this kid comes from New World?

"Heh, Haki isn't something you're the only ones who can pull it off," Xi Yan said with a sneer.

"That's true."

"However... even if you master Haki, you are no match for me!"

As soon as she finished speaking, Hancock retracted her left foot, simultaneously launching herself into the air and delivering a powerful kick to Xi Yan's waist with her right foot.

"Fragrant Foot!"

"Bump!"

"Click click click..."

The area that was kicked was petrifying rapidly at a speed visible to the naked eye, and it was showing a tendency to spread to other parts of the body.

However, the process stopped after half of Xi Yan's body had been petrified.

"Petrification?"

Xi Yan turned his right eye and glanced at his left side, only to find that his left side was completely petrified.

This puzzled Xi Yan. He clearly hadn't harbored any evil thoughts towards this woman, so why... was he still petrified?

Could it be... that this woman has two ways of releasing her Devil Fruit power?

Does ranged attacks require someone to develop feelings for her, while close-quarters combat doesn't?

Can physical contact petrify a body?

Looking at it this way, this Devil Fruit ability is really quite powerful. I wonder where this guy got this fruit from.

"Tell me your abilities, and release Aini Xida and the others. That way... I might grant you a quick death," Hancock said coldly, looking at Xi Yan.

If she hadn't wanted to save her subordinates, that kick would have petrified more than just half her body.

As for why they didn't just kick the other person to death...

Hancock feared that the other person's Devil Fruit ability was the same as hers, and that even if she died, she wouldn't be able to break free from the control.

"Ha, you actually care about your subordinates?" Xi Yan sneered. "Didn't you just say they would willingly sacrifice themselves for you?"

But this time, Hancock did not answer; she simply looked calmly at Xi Yan.

That look seemed to say: Are you going to do it or not?

"Tch, an arrogant emperor, huh..." Xi Yan spat, then his body twisted and disappeared from Hancock's sight.

The Kido Mitama Son is still active!

Hancock:!!!

Hancock stared in disbelief as she watched the vanished Xi Yan.

Where are they?

After being petrified by his own power, he actually... managed to escape?

Just then, Hancock's Observation Haki caught sight of Xi Yan's figure. She quickly looked to the side and immediately spotted the man leaning against the tree.

"You're actually alright?!" Hancock looked at Xi Yan in shock and said, "Why was the petrification lifted?"

The other person's body had returned to its previous state, as if... the damage she had caused was merely an illusion.

But she clearly remembered that she had petrified half of the other person's body!

But now... what exactly is going on?

Hancock was somewhat stunned. After all these years, this was the first time she had encountered someone who could actively remove her petrification ability.

Her worldview was shaken.

"Because I am invincible," Xi Yan said.

"Impossible!"

"There is no such thing as absolute invincibility in this world!" Hancock said.

Every Devil Fruit ability has its own set of drawbacks!

For example, her Mero Mero no Mi- Devil Fruit's power would be greatly diminished if she weren't so incredibly beautiful.

And that is the drawback of this Devil Fruit.

Therefore... she doesn't believe that Devil Fruit abilities without any drawbacks exist in this world.

"Believe it or not is up to you." Xi Yan shook his head and said, "Alright, let's continue."

Perfect timing! I'll take advantage of this time to hone my skills.

Whether it's increasing the intensity of his Haki or enhancing his proficiency with the Mangekyō Sharingan, it will benefit him.

After all... we're going to Navy Headquarters to participate in that level of war next!

Thinking of this, he glared and shouted, "Susanoo!"

"Phew~"

The next moment, pale golden Chakra appeared on Xi Yan's body, which then transformed into a skeleton and skeletal arms, firmly protecting him inside.

"Forehead..."

After releasing Susanoo, that indescribable pain once again swept over Xi Yan's entire body.

However, after experiencing the Susanoo twice, his pain was less than the first time.

'Tch, it hurts this much in just the first stage, what will it feel like if it continues to be strengthened?' Xi Yan murmured to himself.

No wonder Uchiha Itachi died so young; with his body so damaged, it would be strange if he lived a long life.

But it's okay, I have a cheat code, so there's no need to worry about my health.

Upon seeing the changes in Xi Yan, Hancock immediately exclaimed, "This is it!"

Hancock recognized it immediately; it was the very thing that had just punched her and sent her flying!

So this thing is called Susanoo?

But... what Susanoo?

"That's right, that's the power that sent you flying just now." Xi Yan suppressed his anger, a smirk playing on his lips. "Hancock, you..."

"Who gave you permission to call me so intimately!" Hancock glared at her. "Call me Snake Princess!"

Xi Yan:...

At a time like this, is this guy still putting on airs?

He's truly... beyond redemption!

"Woman..."

"You're not my emperor!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Xi Yan charged towards Hancock with Susanoo.

At the moment of approach, Xi Yan manipulated Susanoo raise its arm and strike Hancock!

Watching this scene, Hancock recalled the time she had been knocked away earlier.

That time, she was so shocked that she didn't have time to react and was sent flying.

But this time...

"I won't let something like that send me flying!" Hancock shouted.

"Buzz~"

Armament Haki quickly enveloped his long legs, and then he lashed out fiercely at the Susanoo that was attacking him.

"Clang!!"

"Boom!!"

The moment the attacks collided, an incredibly terrifying shockwave erupted.

"Boom!!"

Some small trees were snapped in two by the shockwave, and the rocks were blown away.

"As expected of Shichibukai."

"Don't talk like that," Hancock said. "I'm not just this weak."

As soon as she finished speaking, Hancock quickly retracted her long legs.

Xi Yan seized the opportunity and threw a punch without any mercy!

"Armed Monster Strength Fist!"

"Varied...?!"

Hancock, who only had time to cross her arms in front of her, looked on in disbelief.

'This guy can not only control the skeleton to launch attacks, but his own body can also launch attacks?'

No, isn't this a bit too much of a cheat?

Isn't that equivalent to having four arms?!

Just then, Hancock noticed that Xi Yan's Susanoo was collapsing, which startled her.

'This is... a backlash from the power?'

With that thought in mind, Hancock's body quickly slid backward, stopping only after traveling a distance.

Xi Yan ignored Hancock's gaze, instead looking up at the gradually dissipating Susanoo, and his brows furrowed.

"Is it because I'm not skilled enough...?"

Uchiha Madara was able to use Susanoo while simultaneously using Ninjutsu, which means this is a viable path.

The reason he can't do it now is probably because he's not skilled enough.

Thinking about it carefully, Susanoo only in its initial stage right now; I haven't even summoned the upper body of the skeleton yet. It's normal that I can't reach that level yet.

Thinking of this, Xi Yan calmed down.

He then activated the Dojutsu in his left eye.

"Takemitsuhiko no Mikoto!"

"Clang!!"

The next moment, Xi Yan's own time began to rapidly rewind, restoring all his states until he was back to full strength!

"Um..."

After clenching his fist, Xi Yan said, "It really feels so good to have full Chakra like this."

After smiling, Xi Yan turned his gaze back to Hancock and then activated his Dojutsu.

"Susanoo!"

"Boom!!"

The pale gold skull and arms reappeared, protecting Xi Yan inside.

"This guy..." Hancock frowned. She felt as if the other person's aura had suddenly become stronger.

Is it just my imagination?

No... it's definitely not a misperception. Something must have happened to this guy that she doesn't know about!

Looking into Xi Yan's eyes, Hancock murmured to herself, 'Is it because of... these eyes?'

If you think about it carefully, the other person's eyes weren't like this when you first met them.

The change only occurred the moment I activated the Mero Mero Mellow.

But Hancock still couldn't understand what kind of Devil Fruit power this was.

After shaking her head to dispel the thoughts in her mind, Hancock began to raise her aura, wrapping her two long legs with Haki.

"I don't know what that thing of yours is, but... I refuse to believe it can't be broken!"

As soon as she finished speaking, Hancock rushed towards Xi Yan.

And as she moved, her aura gradually increased!!

As she approached Xi Yan, Hancock's aura reached its peak, and she leaped up, kicking at Xi Yan's skeletal frame.

"Big, Fragrant Foot!!!"