Pirates: I Can Repel Everything

What left them speechless was that Elder Nyon simply said this:

"There's a saying in the East Blue: love is always a raging storm!"

Since Elder Nyon had put it that way, the two of them could hardly say anything more to Hancock. They let their sister talk to herself every day.

After who knew how long, Hancock's beautiful eyes shone brightly. Delight spread across her flawless face as she said with a radiant smile:

"How incredible..."

"Chris really is the best. He's so much more impressive than I am."

"My first bounty was only eighty million."

Admiration filled Hancock's lovely face as she murmured, "I've never heard of anyone in the four seas receiving such a high first bounty."

"Chris, you're one of a kind. You'll always be the greatest. No one can compare to you."

"I love you. I love you so much. I want to throw myself into your arms."

As she spoke, she drifted into another daydream, a shy look appearing on her delicate, fair face.

Who knew what she was imagining?!

This time, Marigold and Sandersonia did not interrupt. They let their sister dream.

"Ahem..."

A while later, Hancock came back to herself. She looked at the two of them and said firmly, "Marigold, Sandersonia, we need to pick up the pace."

"Chris's name has spread across the four seas. The whole world knows who he is."

"I can't fall behind. I must match him and follow close in his footsteps."

"Next, we'll make a name for ourselves too. Everyone will know the might of Amazon Lily."

Hancock slowly turned toward the blue sky and white clouds outside the window. Resolve filled her eyes as she continued, "I absolutely will not hold Chris back. Never!"

Marigold and Sandersonia nodded together and quickly agreed.

"You're right, Sister. We'll go tell everyone to speed up and head for the New World!"

With that, the two of them headed straight for the door.

Hancock sat down on Salome, unfolded the newspaper, and began reading it again.

Anything concerning Chris mattered deeply to her, and she committed every detail to memory.

She would not forget a single word!

It was news about the man she loved. Of course she had to read it several more times.

"Black-Clad Chris... I love that name..."

"Oh, the angle of this picture makes Chris look so charming..."

"That's right. I wonder what Chris would look like in white..."

"One day, I'll wear a white wedding dress, and Chris can wear a white suit. Oh, how embarrassing..."

For the rest of the day, Hancock's murmurs continued to drift from the room...

(Readers, it's not that I wanted to pad this out. I just wanted to show more of the beautiful Hancock. I can't help it—she's so gorgeous, and I like her so much that I've even dreamed about her. That's why I wrote a little more. Here's a picture of Hancock in a wedding dress. Do you like it? Please forgive me, everyone. o(╥﹏╥)o)

In a stretch of sea in the New World...

A large ship called the Moby Dick sailed swiftly across the water.

"Come on, come on! Today's papers are here. If you want one, come get it."

Marco approached Whitebeard with a stack of newspapers and a faint smile.

Vista, wearing his usual gentle smile, said calmly, "Marco, it's always the same old things happening at sea. What's worth reading?"

Izo wiped down his flintlock and added, "The sea's been quiet for so long. What news could there be?"

"You never know."

Marco sat on the deck, his eyes half-lidded as though he had yet to wake up.

"There's something new right here: a pirate with the highest bounty in the four seas."

"One hundred million for his first bounty. Can't say I've seen that before."

At those words, the division commanders froze. One by one, they stopped what they were doing and began asking questions.

Jozu, who rarely spoke, said, "Marco, are you sure you read that right?"

"How could anyone in the four seas have a bounty over a hundred million? I've never heard of it."

Thatch nodded, looking every bit the gentleman. "Neither have I. The four seas are too weak. Bounties there never get that high."

Teach came over then. When he saw the bounty printed in the paper, he burst out laughing.

"It really is a hundred million Beli! Zehahahaha..."

Fossa shook his head, still looking puzzled and unconvinced. "A hundred-million-Beli bounty without even entering the Grand Line? That's terrifying."

Blamenco folded his arms and gave his opinion with a smile.

"The Marines have always taken bounty amounts seriously. They don't assign them at random."

"In other words, this young man named Chris poses a serious threat to them."

Rakuyo shrugged and said casually, "Maybe so, but the Marines have been awfully generous this time."

"A man from the four seas gets a hundred million for his first bounty. What are the other pirates supposed to make of that?"

Marco finished reading the article and said drowsily, "He took down the North Blue Overlord. And when he faced the East Blue Overlord, the fight ended without him even lifting a finger."

"Even after issuing his wanted poster, the Marines still don't know what his powers are or whether he ate a Devil Fruit."

"Interesting. What a mysterious kid."

Kingdew said with a cold expression, "Every one of his crew has a bounty in the tens of millions."

"Together, they're worth over four hundred million Beli."

"That's no small sum, even in the New World."

Vista nodded in agreement. "A Logia Miasma Fruit and a Paramecia Sound Wave Fruit are both excellent Devil Fruits."

"If this crew enters the Grand Line, they're bound to stir things up. There's no doubt about it."

"And if they reach the New World, they'll certainly be counted among the Supernovas."

Jozu folded his arms and said steadily, "Another promising contender. We'll see whether he grows into his potential."

Haruta smiled. "I don't think this crew will fall anytime soon. One day, we're sure to hear their names again."

Then Whitebeard, seated on his throne, spoke in a deep voice. "Marco, bring me the paper."

"Pops is interested too! Zehahahaha..."

Teach stood with his arms spread wide and his head thrown back, laughing at the top of his lungs.

Fossa smiled. "Chris has caught Pops's attention. Even if someone takes him down now, he'll have nothing to regret."

Still cleaning his flintlock, Izo agreed. "You can say that again."

"Pops, what do you think of this young man Chris? How much potential does he have?"

Marco handed Whitebeard the paper, his eyes half-open as always and his face heavy with sleep.

Whitebeard did not answer. Hooked up to an IV, he lowered his gaze to the article.

After a while, he tossed the paper aside, looked at his sons, and laughed. "You've all misjudged him! Gurararara..."

They glanced at one another, unsure what Whitebeard meant.

Did he mean Chris was not that strong after all and had little potential?

Vista looked at him with a courteous smile. "Pops, do you mean this young man doesn't have much potential and will fall soon?"

"Judging by his expression, that must be it."

Kingdew nodded, his face serious.

Haruta frowned. "Was I wrong? I really thought this young man was strong and had a lot of potential."

Marco waved a hand and said casually, "I think Pops means this young man is anything but ordinary."

"He thinks we've underestimated him, and that his potential is even greater than we imagined..."

Whitebeard grinned, anticipation on his face. "That kid is more formidable than you think."

"It's been a long time since I saw the eyes of a true powerhouse in someone so young."

"That kid Chris has a sharp gaze. He carries himself like a strong man."

"What an interesting kid. The sea will have another name to reckon with soon. Gurararara..."

They were stunned.

Every division commander was shaken.

This was Whitebeard—the World's Strongest Man.

There was no need to explain the weight his words carried.

Chris, then, was truly someone extraordinary.

"I knew it. There's something special about that young man."

Haruta smiled, delighted to hear Whitebeard's assessment.

A rare look of anticipation appeared on Jozu's rugged face. "Pops has never been wrong about people."

"Looks like this young man is worth keeping an eye on."

Vista nodded, his usual smile still in place.

"How long has it been since Pops praised a young man like that?"

"I'll definitely keep watching Chris to see how far he can go."

Marco leaned back in his chair, struggling to stay awake. "Pops hasn't praised a newcomer in at least ten years. Chris really is one of a kind."

"With Pops speaking so highly of him, that kid could reach the level of a Sweet Commander someday."

Teach looked at the division commanders and laughed. "Doesn't that make things more interesting? A new era ought to have some new faces! Zehahahaha..."

Fossa shrugged and gave a wry smile. "I don't know why Pops is so certain, but if he says it, I trust him."

"It's frightening that a kid so young has so much potential. Makes the rest of us feel old."

Blamenco smiled. "No need to rush. We'll wait for them in the New World. I'm sure they'll be here before long."

(Readers, I found this picture especially to remember Pops. I wrote this chapter entirely for him, so it may be a little drawn out. I just wanted to remember him and pay tribute to that imposing old man I admire. ︿(￣︶￣)︿)

Tylinia, in the New World.

Few people ever visited this island, but many had gathered there today.

Footsteps approached. A dark-skinned man carrying a stack of newspapers hurried over.

Rockstar looked at Shanks and laughed before speaking respectfully. "Captain, the papers are here."

"You fool, does the captain ever read the paper? Give it to the First Mate!"

Lucky Roux took a bite of roast meat and looked at Rockstar with a broad smile.

Leaning against a tree, Shanks burst out laughing. "The moment I see a wall of words, my head starts killing me. How am I supposed to read it?"

"Beckman's here anyway, so there's nothing to worry about. I can just get some sleep! Hahaha..."