Pirate: I Can Repel Everything

Hancock was about to lose her mind. She had never felt so frustrated.

What kind of monster was this man?

Why couldn't she do a thing to him?

Hancock was intensely curious about Chris now.

She wanted to learn more about this mysterious man.

"Go on, then. I'd 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 she do?

For now, she had no choice but to hear him out.

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

"If you want to take part in what comes next, train hard. Otherwise, you'll be too weak and someone will kill you."

There he went, insulting her again.

Hancock hated hearing that.

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

"Go ahead and try me if you don't believe it."

Chris paid her threat no mind. He simply continued.

"Once I become a Shichibukai, I'll go 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 Kingdom is desperately poor. It barely has any training resources, so your people will have a hard time growing stronger—"

Before he could finish, Hancock cut him off.

She glared at him, anger flashing across her beautiful face. "What nonsense are you spouting? How is my Kingdom poor?"

"Stop acting as though you know everything. I can't stand it."

As queen, Hancock was proud and domineering. She would never let anyone disparage her Kingdom like that.

What she didn't know was that Chris was even more forceful than she was.

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

Chris's voice turned cold. "On my ship, strength rules. Those without it don't get a say."

"You've contradicted me again and again since we started talking."

"Consider this a serious warning: if you're weak, learn to back down. Keep opposing me, and I'll kill you."

Fury.

Hancock was furious.

She wanted nothing more than to fight Chris then and there.

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

To her, this man was domineering beyond belief.

No one could defy him. Not even her.

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

Whoosh—

A gentle breeze lifted Hancock's black hair.

It flowed around her, making her beauty all the more breathtaking.

"Fine. Keep talking. I'm listening."

Hancock knitted her brows and spoke through gritted teeth, enunciating every word.

She would remember what Chris had done. If she ever grew stronger than him, she would give him a thorough beating to settle today's score.

Chris ignored her resentment. "I'll tell you about the rest of the plan later."

"For now, what matters most is that we each grow stronger."

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

Hancock knew she wasn't strong enough. Her lovely brows furrowed as she said, "I want to grow stronger too, but it's hardly that simple."

Chris glanced at her and gave a cold laugh. "You've spent all this time in the Calm Belt, safe from every danger. It would be a miracle if you got stronger."

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

"Survive there, and strength will come."

Chris deliberately provoked her with a mocking look. "Though with your current strength, I can't promise you'd make it out of the New World alive."

If Hancock put in the effort, she would certainly grow stronger quickly.

Her potential was exceptional.

To be honest, Chris couldn't wait to see what kind of stir Hancock would cause in the New World.

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

"Are you looking down on me?"

Hancock took the bait. Chris had gotten under her skin, and she declared haughtily, "In a few days, I'll set sail for the Grand Line and show you what I can do."

"You'll learn that the queen of Amazon Lily is no pushover."

Chris shrugged and scoffed. "Anyone can talk big. Show off after you've done it."

"Enough talk. I'll take you back."

He held out his hand to Hancock.

She arched an eyebrow. "Chris, what are you doing?"

"Give me your hand. That's how I'll take you back."

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

"So that's why you grabbed my foot earlier."

Hancock raised her hand without hesitation.

He had already seen her naked. What did a little hand-holding matter?

With a whoosh, they vanished without a trace...

When they reappeared, they were back beside the Bath.

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

Chris glanced at Hancock, ready to travel through space again.

"Wait..."

"One question. How strong are you, exactly?"

Hancock had wondered about that for a long time. One way or another, she needed an answer.

"Admiral level..."

As soon as he said it, Chris vanished, leaving Hancock no chance to ask more.

"What?!"

Hancock cried out, her beautiful eyes widening in shock.

She knew Chris was powerful, but she had never dared imagine he was as strong as an Admiral.

An Admiral was one of the Marines' greatest fighters.

One of the strongest people in the world!

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

"No. He isn't a man who jokes around. He must have meant it."

Hancock shook her head slightly. Despite her doubts, she chose to believe him.

But that only made her more frustrated.

How could she ever beat someone that strong?

How would she settle the score?

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

"I'm going to the New World!"

Resolve shone in Hancock's eyes. She had finally made up her mind.

She had agreed with Chris earlier, but deep down, she had still been wavering.

She had never entered the New World. That unknown stretch of sea naturally made her nervous and afraid.

Now that Chris had provoked her again, all those feelings vanished.

Only one thought remained.

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

Swish—

Hancock pulled aside the curtain and said with her usual cold pride, "Sandersonia, Marigold. The day after tomorrow, I'm setting sail for the Grand Line and heading into the New World."

"Spread the word."

Both women froze, struggling to take it in.

Why had she suddenly decided to go to the New World?

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

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

"I've heard the New World is terrifying and full of powerful people. Should we really go there, Big Sister?"

Hearing them, Hancock furrowed her brows. She suddenly realized Chris had been right.

After so long in the Calm Belt without facing danger, she had lost her drive. Her two younger sisters had too.

And the Citizens were no different.

If this keeps up, Boa Hancock, you'll be finished.

That man's words came back to her unbidden. Now she saw how right he had been.

If she stayed in the Calm Belt, the Citizens of Amazon Lily would lose their edge as well.

She could not allow that to happen!

"For no other reason than to grow stronger."

With that, Hancock left the two of them and walked straight toward the Palace.

Sandersonia and Marigold exchanged glances, neither understanding what she meant.

What did growing stronger have to do with it?

Couldn't they grow stronger in the Calm Belt?

Though they were puzzled, neither dared say more. They hurried to spread the word.

After all, they knew Hancock well.

She was far too proud and domineering to listen to their advice.