One Piece: Devour Fruit, Main Story Arc, Chapter 243: Hancock. On the battered warship, just as Dawn lay on the deck contemplating his next move, the lookout suddenly sounded a piercing alarm.
The Marines reacted at once, racing back and forth across the deck with blades and firearms in hand, every face grim.
For this was no ordinary pirate they had encountered, but the Empress Hancock, one of the Shichibukai!
The title of Shichibukai alone was enough to make them extremely vigilant.
A man's reputation was like a tree's shadow. Before being recruited, every Shichibukai had been a brutal pirate whose name resounded across the seas.
They had just fought a fierce battle with Edward Weevil, and now they had run into the Empress Hancock.
Though she was a Shichibukai recognized by the World Government, there was no common ground between Marines and pirates.
However, while the soldiers present held their weapons warily, they remained calm.
For no other reason than that Zephyr and Dawn stood at the bow!
"A Shichibukai, huh? Those people aren't exactly well-behaved pirates." Zephyr frowned at the pirate ship ahead, which was being pulled by giant snakes.
"The Empress is the ruler of Amazon Lily, backed by an entire nation where everyone is a warrior. That is probably why the World Government made her a Shichibukai—they value the strength of the country behind her."
Dawn smiled. "Their ship is heading this way. It seems they intend to come over. I'll go send them away."
"Be careful. Although they're Shichibukai recognized by the World Government, I heard that this generation's Empress is an unreasonable woman. Don't hold back when it's time to act," Zephyr said seriously.
"Don't worry. I know what I'm doing." Dawn nodded, though there was not the slightest ripple in his heart.
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