Chapter 43 / Chapter 44

A heavyset woman nearby hurriedly scooped up the white cat, knelt, and apologized. "I'm very sorry, Snake Princess. I'll be more careful from now on."

Hancock ignored her. Wearing a cold, haughty expression, she strode toward the harbor with regal grace.

"Snake Princess, please let me go to sea with you!"

"Your Majesty, take me with you! Waaah!"

"Snake Princess, the sea is where a woman belongs! Please take me with you, I'm begging you..."

"I can still fight! I still want to serve our country! Please don't leave me behind, Snake Princess..."

"No! I want to go to sea too!"

Marigold looked at Hancock and said respectfully, "Elder sister, everything is ready."

Sandersonia nodded. "The food, the weapons, everything we need to bring—it's all aboard."

"Snake Princess, the Grand Line is nothing like the Calm Belt. It's full of danger. You must be careful."

Leaning on her cane, Elder Nyon gave her an earnest warning. "Especially in the New World. Almost everyone there can use Haki."

"If you meet an opponent who's too strong, be on your guard. If you can't win, then—"

Hancock cut her off before she could finish.

"Silence!"

Hancock shot Elder Nyon a cold glance and pointed at her. "Gloriosa, are you telling me to run without a fight?"

"I am a Shichibukai and the queen of Amazon Lily. How could I possibly lose to anyone?"

"You traitor who abandoned your country. Just stay here and look after Amazon Lily, and stop saying such foolish things."

With that, she swept her hair behind her head and strode aboard the ship.

Elder Nyon nearly lost her temper. "Snake Princess, you can't always be so proud! If you face someone you can't defeat, you must avoid them!"

"Don't worry, Elder Nyon. We'll be careful."

Marigold and Sandersonia spoke in unison, then hurried after Hancock.

Elder Nyon shook her head. Her weathered face filled with resignation as she murmured to herself, "It seems the Snake Princess needs to learn the hard way."

"Perhaps that's for the best. Once she enters the New World, she'll see where she falls short. A setback might do her good."

Before long, the great ship set sail, slowly leaving the harbor and heading out toward the deep sea...

Inside the lounge.

What should I do? I want to call Chris so badly.

Sitting on Salome, Hancock cupped her cheeks in her hands and murmured shyly to herself, "No, I can't. Chris must be busy right now. I mustn't disturb him."

Marigold and Sandersonia exchanged helpless looks.

Hancock had been like this for the past two days.

Whether sitting or standing, she kept talking to herself.

And every time, the name on her lips was Chris.

At first, neither of them understood what was going on. It was only after Elder Nyon explained it that they realized Hancock had fallen in love with Chris.

But everyone on Amazon Lily was a woman. Neither of them had any idea what it meant to be in love.

So Hancock's behavior utterly baffled them.

"Elder sister, if you want to call him, just do it. I'm sure he won't be angry."

Marigold smiled at Hancock. "After all, you're the most beautiful woman in the world. He's sure to forgive you."

Sandersonia nodded in agreement. "That's right, elder sister. You're sitting here thinking about him, but Chris has no way of knowing that."

"Why not call him and tell him we're heading to the Grand Line? Wouldn't that be nice?"

In truth, the main reason was that both sisters wanted to see what this Chris looked like.

How had he managed to leave their elder sister so distracted that she could barely eat or sleep?

(Everyone, Hancock is far too proud and looks down on everyone, but she isn't all that powerful. Trouble is definitely coming her way. Who will her opponent be? Will Hancock be beaten to a pulp? Will Chris come to save her? The good stuff is still ahead! ︿(￣︶￣)︿)

"That's right. I'm about to set off for the Grand Line. I should at least tell him."

Hancock's beautiful eyes lit up. Excitement spread across her flawless face as she murmured, "I must let him know that I'll be the first to enter the New World."

Without another moment's hesitation, she took out her Den Den Mushi and made the call...

Aboard the Chris, inside the Training Room.

"I just reported Chris's strength to them."

Reiju leaned back in her chair and crossed her legs. Touching her pale chin, she smiled. "My father and the others were stunned."

"They never imagined Chris could be this strong."

Perona floated over to Reiju. She was especially fond of this gentle older woman.

"Reiju, why didn't you say anything earlier? I wanted to hear how shocked they were!"

"It must have been so funny! Horo horo horo..."

Honey Queen rolled her eyes at her. "All you ever think about is having fun. Was that a conversation you should've listened in on?"

"She was making a call. You can't just stand beside her and eavesdrop."

Belo Betty glanced at Reiju. "Chris trusts you. You should know what you can tell them and what you can't."

Baccarat waved a hand and smiled warmly. "What are you saying? Reiju is so gentle and proper. She'd never do anything to hurt us."

"Besides, none of that is top secret. Why shouldn't she report it?"

Of everyone there, Baccarat undoubtedly knew the most.

If Chris had wanted to keep things from Reiju, he certainly wouldn't have let her learn so much.

Anything Reiju had heard was something Chris was willing for her to know. It was that simple.

Momousagi's status as his partner, on the other hand, was a closely guarded secret.

No one but Baccarat could know.

"Baccarat, the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia."

Chris stopped training and walked over.

The women were startled by his request.

Chris had never shown any interest in such things. Why did he suddenly want to look at it?

"Chris, can I ask? Have you figured something out?"

Honey Queen gazed at him, curiosity written all over her pretty face.

Belo Betty took a drag on her cigarette. "There has to be something unusual going on."

Baccarat took the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia from a drawer and handed it to Chris with a sweet smile.

"Once someone eats a Devil Fruit, they can't eat a second one."

Chris opened the encyclopedia and explained patiently, "Ever since I obtained the Repel-Repel Fruit, I've been working on a question."

"How can I use its power to let myself eat two Devil Fruits—or even more?"

"Now I've found a way. I can keep two Devil Fruits apart so they won't clash, and use the powers of both."

The women froze.

They were stunned.

Chris's revelation had shaken them to the core.

Everyone knew a person could eat only one Devil Fruit.

That was an iron rule. No one could change it!

And yet the man before them claimed he had found a way.

How could they not be shocked?

"Chris, is that true?"

Honey Queen's eyes widened in surprise. "I know you don't joke about things like this, but it's almost impossible to believe."

Belo Betty was usually composed, but even she couldn't stay calm. "Chris, are you sure it'll work?"

"This is no joke. If you eat two Devil Fruits and they start fighting inside you, you'll explode."

Belo Betty looked at Chris gravely. "I'm telling you, don't try it. It's far too dangerous, and there's no going back."

Perona nodded. "Something that scary is better left alone. If you really exploded, it would be terrifying."

"Chris, I know you're not reckless, but I still think you should consider it more carefully."

Reiju looked at Chris with concern in her eyes. "No one in history has ever eaten two Devil Fruits."

"The danger is simply too great."

Baccarat looked at Chris. A sweet smile appeared on her elegant face as she spoke with certainty.

"Don't worry. He'll be fine."

"My intuition tells me Chris will succeed."

At Baccarat's words, all the women turned to stare at her.

This was Baccarat, the goddess of luck.

If she said so, then one thing was clear.

Chris really could eat two Devil Fruits!

"If Baccarat says so, I'm sure it'll be fine."

Belo Betty shrugged, sounding casual again.

Honey Queen nodded, though surprise still lingered on her face. "How is that possible? One person eating two Devil Fruits..."

"If word gets out, it'll cause an uproar!"

Reiju touched her delicate chin. "If this gets out, the whole sea will be in an uproar."

"Don't worry. I won't report it. I'll act as though I never heard a thing."

(Everyone, Chris can eat two Devil Fruits now. What would you suggest? Should he choose the Dark-Dark Fruit or a Mythical Zoan? Leave your ideas in the comments. I'll consider them!)

Blu blu blu...

Just then, the Den Den Mushi on the boulder began to ring.

Chris walked over without hesitation.

He knew exactly who would be calling him: Hancock, the most beautiful woman in the world.

Honey Queen and the others exchanged curious glances.

Since they had come aboard, the Den Den Mushi in the Training Room had never rung.

None of them said a word. They watched closely, eager to find out who was calling.

Chris reached the boulder, picked up the Den Den Mushi, and answered.

"Chris, I'm not disturbing you, am I?"

The Den Den Mushi had taken on Hancock's likeness, with flowing hair and a deep red outfit.

She truly was the most beautiful woman in the world. Even the Den Den Mushi's imitation of her was gorgeous.