Chapter 30

Honey Queen glanced at him and said in a mocking tone, "Well? Quite a surprise, wasn't it?"

"Disappointed that Doflamingo ran away? Still think he would have won?"

Baccarat patted her shoulder and chided her, "We're all on the same team now. Don't talk like that."

"Law barely knows Chris. It's perfectly normal for him to have doubts."

Belo Betty nodded in agreement. "But after this, he knows exactly how strong Chris is. I doubt he'll question him again."

Just then, a voice came from up ahead.

"Let's go."

With that, Chris strode straight toward the island's shore.

The others hurried after him without hesitation.

Law was no exception, of course.

He was already a member of the Chris Pirates.

Soon, everyone boarded the Chris and set sail.

"Lafitte, fill Law in."

Chris had never been interested in these matters. After giving that instruction, he headed for the Training Room.

Baccarat looked at the other women and smiled. "Let's go spend some time in the Training Room, too."

With that, the beautiful women left as well.

"Bepo, come on! Let's go fishing!"

Pato bounced along with a fishing rod. "Fishing is so much fun! Come on, heeheehee!"

Since they were both animals, Bepo didn't feel shy and hurried after Pato.

"Pato, I don't know how to fish. You'll have to teach me."

Just then, Law noticed the words on the mast and asked in his usual cool tone, "What do these ship's rules mean?"

Lafitte planted his cane in front of him and spoke politely.

"First of all, Law, welcome to the Chris Pirates."

"I am the crew's first mate, Lafitte."

"Now, let me explain how things work aboard this ship."

Lafitte smiled slightly. "On this ship, strength determines how much say you have. There are three kinds of challenges."

"The Captain Challenge, the First Mate Challenge, and the Division Commander Challenge."

"You can forget about the first one. The captain's position will never change, so I won't dwell on that."

"I'm the first mate. If you wish to challenge me, I'll oblige you anytime."

Lafitte adjusted his top hat and continued courteously, "As for the Division Commander Challenge, that's between you and Burgess."

Burgess looked at Law and burst out laughing. "Well? Want to have a fight? I'd like to settle the division commanders' rankings as soon as possible."

Doc Q coughed. "Me too... I love watching the challenges."

"Three kinds of challenges?"

With the Demonic Sword Kikoku resting on his shoulder, Law said coolly, "This ship's atmosphere suits me."

"No restraints. Strength settles everything."

"But I have no intention of competing for a position just yet. Give me a few days."

Burgess shook his head and grumbled, "I thought we'd finally gotten someone who loved a good brawl. Didn't expect him to be such a wimp."

Lafitte looked at Law and said politely, "Next, I'll explain our voyage ahead, including our goals."

Inside the Training Room.

Click!

Chris stood by the window, lit a cigarette, and silently watched the blue sky and white clouds outside.

Seeing him act so out of character, the women exchanged puzzled glances and began whispering among themselves.

"What's wrong with Chris? Why isn't he training?"

Honey Queen watched his figure curiously.

Belo Betty exhaled a cloud of smoke and said flatly, "It probably has something to do with Doflamingo. The Seven Warlords Alliance, most likely."

Baccarat nodded and smoothed her hair, looking gentle and composed as she spoke.

"Plans can't keep up with change. None of us expected to run into such a major figure out of nowhere."

"Chris must be making new plans. Let's not disturb him."

Silence fell over the Training Room.

The women all knew better than to interrupt his train of thought.

After an indeterminate stretch of time, Chris flicked his cigarette butt out the window and suddenly spoke.

"I'm heading out. I'll be back within two days."

The moment he finished speaking, he vanished without a trace.

The beautiful women froze. They wanted to ask him something, but never got the chance.

"Our captain really is decisive. Not a single unnecessary word, and not a word of explanation."

Honey Queen shook her head with a wry smile.

Belo Betty took a drag on her cigarette and said evenly, "Chris has always been like that. You'll get used to it."

Perona flew back and forth through the air, scrunching up her little face. "That's why this princess doesn't like spending time with him. He's so boring."

Listening to their conversation, Baccarat smiled without saying anything.

Her lovely eyes turned toward the sky outside the window as she thought, Judging by this, he must be going to contact another Shichibukai. That's the only possibility.

Sure enough, Baccarat had guessed correctly. Chris was heading toward the Calm Belt to find the most beautiful woman among pirates.

Boa Hancock!

(Folks, I don't need to introduce the picture above. In the next chapter, Chris will meet the Empress. What will happen between them? Looking forward to it, aren't you? ︿(￣︶￣)︿.)

Chapter 30

Amazon Lily, in the Calm Belt.

Dong, dong, dong...

A series of clear bell chimes rang out across the island.

"Lady Snake Princess is about to bathe!"

The announcement came from inside the Palace.

Immediately, everyone in the city, whether they were fighting, eating, chatting, or doing anything else...

Withdrew at once. No one was allowed to remain in the city.

A security cordon was set up around the bathing area. Numerous female warriors stood or sat on guard, strictly barring anyone from entering.

With a swish, the curtains were drawn to either side.

"I'll leave the guard duty to you."

Hancock looked straight ahead and gave the order in a slightly cold voice.

"Yes, Sister."

Sandersonia and Marigold answered respectfully.

Without another word, Hancock walked slowly toward the Bath, her expression proud and cold, her steps graceful and regal.

Some time later, a voice rang out.

"Excuse me, Boa Hancock!"

"Please spare me a little time. Let's talk about the Celestial Dragons."

As the words fell, a figure flashed into view. Chris appeared beside the Bath.

His arms were folded across his chest, his expression impassive, and his gaze utterly calm as he looked at Hancock.

Shock.

Utter shock.

Why was there a man's voice here?

With no time to think, Hancock hastily crouched down and hid beneath the water.

Holding her hands in front of her body, she quickly turned toward the voice.

What met her eyes was a strikingly handsome young man dressed in a black shirt and trousers, roughly some unspecified number of centimeters tall.

"Who are you?"

A cold glint flashed in Hancock's lovely eyes. Murderous intent filled her beautiful face, and her voice was icy.

This man saw the mark on my back. I absolutely cannot let him live.

I have to kill him!

"Allow me to introduce myself. I'm Chris, captain of the Chris Pirates."

Looking at Hancock's fair skin, Chris said calmly, "Before long, I'll become a Shichibukai."

"My reason for coming to you is simple. It concerns the upcoming Seven Warlords Alliance."

Hancock wasn't listening to a word he said. Right now, she was utterly bewildered.

Why haven't my sisters come in?

How am I supposed to stand up like this?

"Sandersonia! Marigold!"

Hugging her body, Hancock turned toward the entrance and called out.

Her voice was filled with fury!

"Sorry, Boa Hancock."

As calm and composed as ever, Chris said evenly, "I've already repelled all the sound in this area."

"So no one outside can hear what's happening in here. That's why."

Repel sound?

He can actually do something like that?

Hancock was shocked once again. She realized that no matter how long she waited, her sisters wouldn't come in.

This man has already seen me anyway. It doesn't matter anymore.

With a whoosh, she stood, leaped straight to the edge of the Bath, and threw on her clothes.

"You damned man! How did you get in here?"

Hancock's beautiful face was frosty, her voice thick with murderous intent.

When have I ever been so humiliated? Not only was my slave mark exposed, he even saw my body.

At that moment, the fury in her heart...

Could have burned the entire world to ashes!

"How I got here doesn't matter."

Chris said evenly, "Now, let's talk about the Celestial Dragons."

"You were once their slave. You must hate them more than anything."