Chapter 33

Hancock was truly on the verge of losing her mind, frustrated beyond belief.

What kind of monster was this man standing before her?!

Why couldn't she do anything to him?

At that moment, Hancock was genuinely curious about Chris.

She wanted to get to know this mysterious man properly.

"Go on, then. I would like to hear what you have to say."

She couldn't beat him in a fight, and her little tricks didn't work either. What else could Hancock do?

Left with no choice, she could only wait and see.

Chris looked at Hancock and said seriously, "I wasn't joking about what I said earlier."

"If you want to take part in the plans ahead, train hard. Don't end up getting slaughtered because you're too weak."

He was mocking her again.

Hancock hated hearing things like that.

She glared at Chris and said coldly, "If you question my strength again, I will never join this Alliance."

"If you don't believe me, you're welcome to try."

Chris paid no mind to her threat and spoke calmly.

"Once I become a Shichibukai, I'll head to the New World and conquer a country to use as a base."

"Then we Shichibukai can share resources and trade goods."

"After all, your country is far too poor. You barely have any resources for training, so it's hard for the people under you to grow stronger..."

Before he could finish, Hancock interrupted him.

She glared fiercely at Chris, anger showing on her beautiful face as she snapped, "What nonsense are you talking about? How is my Kingdom poor?"

"Stop acting so full of yourself. I can't stand it."

As a queen, Hancock was forceful and domineering. How could she allow someone to disparage her country like that?

But she didn't realize that Chris was even more unyielding than she was.

"Boa Hancock, do you know the rules aboard my ship?"

Chris said coldly, "On my ship, strength reigns supreme. Those who aren't strong enough have no right to speak."

"You've been contradicting me over and over since we started."

"I'm warning you now: if you're weak, learn to bow your head. If you keep defying me, don't blame me for killing you."

Rage.

Hancock was furious.

She wanted nothing more than to lash out and have an all-out fight with Chris.

But in the end, she didn't dare do anything.

In her eyes, this man was domineering to the extreme.

No one could defy him, not even her.

If she kept arguing with him, he really might kill her right here.

Whoosh...

A gentle breeze swept past, softly lifting Hancock's black hair.

With her hair fluttering in the wind, her beauty was truly unmatched!

"Fine. Keep talking. I'll listen."

Hancock knitted her delicate brows and gritted her teeth, forcing out each word.

She would remember Chris and this grudge. If she ever became stronger than him...

She would beat him senseless and vent all the anger she had suffered today.

Chris ignored Hancock's resentment and said calmly, "As for the other plans, I'll tell you later."

"Our immediate priority is to improve our strength. That's what matters most."

With that, he took out a Den Den Mushi and tossed it to her.

Hancock also realized that she wasn't strong enough. Furrowing her lovely brows, she said in frustration, "I want to grow stronger too, but how could it be that easy?"

Chris glanced at her and sneered. "You spend all your time in the Calm Belt, without danger or hardship. How the hell do you expect to get stronger?"

"If you want strength, enter the Grand Line and head to the New World."

"As long as you can survive there, do you really need to worry about not becoming stronger?"

Chris wore a mocking expression as he deliberately provoked her. "But with your current strength, I can't guarantee you'll come out alive if you enter the New World."

If Hancock was willing to put in the effort, her strength would certainly improve rapidly.

Her natural talent really was incredible.

Honestly, what kind of stir would Hancock cause by entering the New World?

Chris was really looking forward to finding out.

(Tsk, tsk, the world's most beautiful woman is heading into the New World. Can Hancock survive there? Will they meet there? Will Chris go save her? I can't wait to see what happens next! ︿(￣︶￣)︿.)

Chapter 33

"Are you looking down on me?"

Sure enough, Hancock took the bait. Provoked by Chris, she declared with immense pride, "In a few days, I'll head to the Grand Line and show you what I'm capable of."

"I'll make you understand that the queen of Amazon Lily isn't so easily beaten."

Chris shrugged and scoffed. "Anyone can talk big. Wait until you've actually done it before you brag."

"All right, enough talk. I'll take you back."

With that, he held his hand out in front of Hancock.

Hancock furrowed her slender brows and asked in confusion, "Chris, what are you doing?"

"Give me your hand. That's how I can take you away."

Since they were partners, Chris patiently explained, "To take someone through space, I have to touch their body. Otherwise, it won't work."

"I see. No wonder you grabbed my foot earlier."

Without hesitating, Hancock raised her delicate hand.

He had already seen her naked anyway. What did merely holding hands matter?

With a whoosh, their figures vanished in an instant, leaving no trace...

When they appeared again, they were back where they had started, beside the Bath.

"We'll discuss anything else over the Den Den Mushi."

Chris glanced at Hancock, then prepared to leave through space.

"Wait..."

"There's something I want to ask. Just how strong are you right now?"

That question had been on Hancock's mind for a long time. No matter what, she had to get an answer.

"Admiral level..."

As soon as he finished speaking, Chris vanished, giving Hancock no chance to question him further.

"What?!"

Hancock cried out, her beautiful eyes widening as shock spread across her flawless face.

Although she knew Chris was extremely strong, she had never dared imagine that he possessed the strength of an Admiral.

An Admiral—the Navy's greatest fighting force.

They were the strongest!

Chris was so young. How could he possibly have reached that level?

No, he isn't the kind of man who likes to joke. He must be telling the truth.

Hancock gently shook her head. Though she was full of questions, she still chose to believe Chris.

But that only made her feel even more stifled.

With him being so powerful, how could she ever beat him?

How could she vent her anger?

"No. I have to get stronger, fast."

"I'm going to the New World!"

Determination shone in Hancock's eyes as she finally made up her mind.

Although she had agreed to Chris's suggestion earlier, she had still been wavering inside.

After all, she had never entered the New World. That sea was full of unknowns to her, so of course she felt nervous and afraid.

But now that Chris had provoked her again, all her negative emotions disappeared.

Only one thought remained.

No matter what, she would make her name known throughout the New World.

Swish...

The curtain opened, and Hancock spoke with her usual cold arrogance. "Sandersonia, Marigold, the day after tomorrow, I'm heading to the Grand Line and advancing into the New World."

"Pass the word along."

Both of them froze, unable to process what they had heard.

Why was she suddenly going to the New World when everything was fine?

Marigold looked at Hancock and asked in confusion, "Big Sister, the New World is so dangerous. What are we going there for?"

Sandersonia flicked out her forked tongue, fear showing on her face as she voiced her thoughts.

"I hear the New World is terrifying, and powerful people are everywhere. Is it really a good idea for us to go there, Big Sister?"

Hearing their words, Hancock furrowed her long, slender brows. She suddenly realized that Chris was right.

After spending so long in the Calm Belt without any danger or worries, not only had she lost her fighting spirit, but her two younger sisters had as well.

As for the citizens under her rule, that went without saying.

"If you keep this up, Boa Hancock, you'll truly become useless."

That man's words came unbidden to her mind, and she suddenly realized just how right he was.

If she continued staying in the Calm Belt, the citizens of Amazon Lily would all be finished.

She absolutely could not allow that to happen!

"For no other reason than to get stronger."

After saying that, Hancock paid the two of them no further attention and walked straight toward the Palace.

Sandersonia and Marigold exchanged a glance, neither understanding what Hancock meant.

What did she mean, to get stronger?

Couldn't they grow stronger in the Calm Belt?

Although they were both confused, they didn't dare say anything more and hurried to pass the word along.

After all, they knew very well what kind of person Hancock was.

Immensely proud, domineering, and forceful—how could she possibly listen to their advice?