One Piece: I Can Repel Everything

Honey Queen shot him a sidelong glance and said in a strange tone, "Well? Surprised?"

"Doflamingo ran away. Disappointed? You thought he was going to win, didn't you?"

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

"Luo hardly knows Chris. It's only natural for him to have doubts."

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

A voice came from up ahead.

"Let's go."

With that, Chris headed straight for the edge of the Island.

The others followed without hesitation.

Luo was no exception.

He was a member of the Chris Pirates now.

Soon, everyone was aboard the Chris, and they set sail.

"Lafitte, fill Luo in."

Chris had never cared much for such things. After giving the order, he headed for the Training Room.

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

The beautiful women left together.

"Bepo, come fishing with me!"

Pato bounced along with a fishing rod in hand. "Fishing's really fun! Come on, hee-hee!"

They were both animals, so Bepo felt no embarrassment and hurried after him.

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

Luo noticed the words on the mast and asked in his usual cool tone, "What do these ship rules mean?"

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

"First, Luo, welcome to the Chris Pirates."

"I'm this crew's First Mate, Lafitte."

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

Lafitte smiled faintly. "Strength determines who has a say here. There are three kinds of challenges."

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

"You can forget the first one. The captain's position won't change, so there's nothing more to say about it."

"I'm the First Mate. If you want to challenge me, I'm ready whenever you are."

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

Burgess looked at Luo and laughed. "How about it? Want to fight? I'd like to settle the division commanders' rankings soon."

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

"Three kinds of challenges?"

Luo rested Kikoku on his shoulder. "This ship suits me."

"No restrictions. Strength decides everything."

"But I'm not interested in fighting for a position yet. Ask me again in a few days."

Burgess shook his head and grumbled, "Thought we'd gotten someone who liked a fight. Turns out he's all talk."

Lafitte turned back to Luo. "Next, I'll tell you about where we're sailing and what we're after."

Inside the Training Room.

Click!

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

The women exchanged puzzled looks at his unusual behavior and began whispering among themselves.

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

Honey Queen watched him curiously.

Belo Betty exhaled a stream of smoke. "It's probably about Doflamingo. Maybe something to do with the Seven Warlords Alliance."

Baccarat nodded and brushed back her hair before speaking gently.

"Plans change. None of us expected to run into someone that important so suddenly."

"Chris must be working out a new plan. Let's not disturb him."

The Training Room fell silent.

The women knew better than to interrupt his thoughts.

After an unknown length of time, Chris flicked his cigarette butt out the window and spoke.

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

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

The women froze. They wanted to ask him questions, but he was already gone.

"Our captain makes up his mind so quickly. Not one wasted word, not one explanation."

Honey Queen shook her head with a wry smile.

Belo Betty took a drag on her cigarette. "Chris has always been like that. You get used to it."

Perona floated back and forth through the air, her little face scrunched up. "That's why this princess doesn't like hanging around him. He's boring."

Baccarat smiled at their conversation but said nothing.

She gazed out at the sky. It looks like he's gone to contact another Shichibukai. That's the only possibility.

Baccarat had guessed right. Chris was heading for the Calm Belt to find the most beautiful woman among pirates.

Boa Hancock!

(Bosses, the picture above needs no introduction from this author. Chris meets the Empress in the next chapter. What will happen between them? Excited yet? ︿(￣︶￣)︿)

In the Calm Belt, on Amazon Lily.

"Dong, dong, dong..."

Clear bell chimes rang across the island.

"Lady Snake Princess is about to bathe!"

The call rang out from the palace.

Everyone in the city stopped what they were doing—fighting, eating, chatting...

They all withdrew at once. No one was permitted to remain inside the city.

A cordon went up around the bathing area. Female warriors stood or sat at their posts, guarding it strictly and barring entry.

With a swish, the curtains were drawn apart.

"I'll leave the guards to you."

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

"Yes, Elder Sister."

Sandersonia and Marigold answered respectfully.

Hancock said nothing more. With a proud expression, she walked toward the bathing pool, every step graceful and regal.

After some time, a voice sounded.

"Excuse me, Boa Hancock!"

"Give me a moment. Let's talk about the Celestial Dragons."

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

Arms folded across his chest, he looked at Hancock with perfect calm.

Shock.

Utter shock.

How could there be a man's voice here?

Hancock had no time to think. She quickly crouched beneath the water.

Holding her arms in front of her, she spun toward the voice.

She saw a young man in black shirt and trousers, roughly ___ centimeters tall and strikingly handsome.

"Who are you?"

A cold glint flashed in Hancock's eyes. Murderous intent filled her face and chilled her voice.

He saw the mark on my back. I can't let him live.

I have to kill him!

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

Chris looked at Hancock's pale skin and said calmly, "Before long, I'll become a Shichibukai."

"I came to you for one simple reason: the upcoming Seven Warlords Alliance."

Hancock wasn't listening to a word Chris said. One question consumed her.

Why haven't my sisters come in?

How am I supposed to stand up like this?

"Sandersonia! Marigold!"

Hancock clutched herself and turned toward the entrance, calling out to them.

Her voice rang with fury.

"Sorry, Boa Hancock."

Chris remained as composed as ever. "I've shut out every sound from this area."

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

He shut out sound?

He can do that?

Hancock was startled again. Even if she kept waiting, her sisters would never come in.

That man has already seen me. It doesn't matter now.

She sprang from the pool, landed at its edge, and threw on her clothes.

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

Hancock's beautiful face was icy, her voice filled with murderous intent.

When have I ever been humiliated like this? He saw my slave mark—and my body.

The fury burning inside her at that moment

could have set the whole world ablaze.

"How I got here doesn't matter."

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

"You were once their slave. You must hate them deeply."