"Huh?! What did you say?!"
Luffy seemed to hear Hancock whispering something, but he couldn't quite make out what she was saying. He could only vaguely make out that she seemed to have forgiven him for trespassing on Kuja.
"Nothing, huh?! How dare you, you Savage and rude man, speak to me so loudly just now?"
Hancock quickly fell silent again, but seeing Luffy dare to speak to her in such a disrespectful manner, she couldn't help but reprimand him once more.
"Ah, I'm so sorry!!"
He only offered a half-hearted apology to Luffy before turning to Rayleigh, ready to ask him a question.
"No need for further explanation, Luffy- kun. I know what you want to say. You want me to take you to rescue Ace, right? Don't worry, that's exactly what I'm thinking too. However, to prevent things from escalating beyond repair..."
Therefore, I still suggest that we first go to Impel Down Ace is being held, Vice Admiral rescue him. This will benefit all of us!
Seeing that Luffy seemed about to ask him more questions, Rayleigh immediately raised his hand to indicate that he knew, and then spoke to him after Luffy stopped talking.
" Rayleigh, your idea is good, but the most important question is how to get to Impel Down. Without the government's permission, we can't even get through those three Gates of Gate of Justice, let alone reach Impel Down."
Seeing Luffy so excited, rubbing his hands together as if ready to make a big splash, Granny Nyon couldn't help but speak up and discourage him.
"That's a problem... If it were just me alone, I could cross that whirlpool around the island, but without any direction, I might get lost at sea and have no way to get into the Impel Down..."
Hearing his Granny Nyon's voice, Rayleigh stroked his beard and pondered.
Indeed, he had a better idea in mind: to use Hancock's status Shichibukai to ask the Navy to take her to Impel Down, and they would secretly follow behind. However, he knew that Hancock Hancock willing to do so, and he couldn't guarantee that she would. So he didn't say anything.
" Rayleigh, did you just say that man named Luo Chen also became one of the Shichibukai, just like me?"
Hancock naturally saw through his intention, but instead of immediately saying whether she was willing or not, she turned the conversation to him and asked a question that was quite confusing.
"Yes, I did say that. What's wrong? Is there some problem?"
Rayleigh didn't know what Hancock was thinking, and no one could figure out the woman's intentions.
"Speaking of which, it seems my sister previously told us to pay close attention to that man named Luo Chen..."
"Yes, my sister seems to have said something like that, but I was so busy that I forgot about it. I only remembered it now because Mr. Rayleigh mentioned the name."
Upon hearing the name uttered by Snake Princess, her two younger sisters behind her suddenly remembered that their sister Hancock had previously instructed them to closely monitor Luo Chen's movements and report back to her at any time.
The two whispered to each other.
"Hmm... I see, that makes things much easier..."
The two women thought they hadn't been overheard, but Rayleigh, with his incredibly powerful ears, naturally had a keen ear. After hearing their whispered conversation, his ears twitched slightly, and he thought to himself...
" Hancock, as far as I know, all the current Shichibukai will be heading there for this Shichibukai summons, and he's no exception. Although I've only met him once, I have some understanding of his character. Judging from his behavior, he seems determined to succeed in this summons, or perhaps that's the real reason he became Shichibukai. If you want to get to know him, now is the best time..."
That's all I can say. Whether you want to heed my advice is up to you.
Rayleigh seemed to have learned of the Snake Princess's secret and immediately explained it to her, outlining the reasons that would most likely persuade her to accept the summons.
"Mr. Rayleigh, isn't that asking too much? My sister really hates..."
Seeing that Rayleigh was trying to persuade Snake Princess to accept the Navy's summons, the two sisters, Sonia and Marigold, stepped forward to speak on her behalf.
"I agree..."
Before they could finish speaking, Hancock behind them made her decision and prepared to accept the forced summons of the Shichibukai, much to the surprise of her two sisters and her Granny Nyon.
"Eh... what's going on? Sister ( Snake Princess ), didn't you hate the Navy and refuse to accept their summons? Why are you changing your mind so quickly now?"
The three women stared at Hancock in astonishment, saying incredulously. As the women who knew her best and were the first to know her initial attitude, Granny Nyon and Marigold were naturally unable to comprehend this; they simply couldn't understand why Hancock would make such a change.
"As expected, it seems even the usually arrogant and aloof Hancock can be moved by a man. But it would be best if she could accept it, saving this old man trouble."
When Rayleigh saw that Hancock had made up her mind so quickly, he was certain of his earlier guess: she had indeed fallen for the man she so vehemently disliked.
"You really agreed, Snake Princess? That's wonderful! Now that you've accepted the Navy's summons, could you do me a favor?"
Rayleigh pleaded with her, his face beaming with excitement.
"No need to say anything more, Rayleigh. I know what you're trying to say. You want me to attach a condition to reaching the Impel Down so you can follow behind and get there, right?!"
If it were anyone else, I wouldn't agree, but you are the savior of my three sisters and me, so I'll use this to repay your kindness..."
Seeing Rayleigh's hesitant expression, Hancock knew his intention. She raised her hand to stop him from saying what was about to come out and said with a knowing look.
"Yes, that's right. I do need your help with this. As for the favor I did to save your lives before, let's not talk about it anymore. I only helped you out of a small way back then. You were able to escape from Mary Geoise even without me. Consider it a favor I owe you..."
Rayleigh smiled wryly and continued, clearly regretting that Luo Chen had told him about Ace's connection to him without his consent, and that he had gone to Shakky to investigate his background out of boredom. If it weren't for that, he wouldn't have been dragged into it and become so passive.
"Hmph!! No one can question my decisions. I say it's one way, and it's one way. Do you think I need a favor from an old man like you who has long since retired from the underworld?"
Marigold, go and get the Den Den Mushi that the navy threw over this morning. I want to speak with him myself!
After Hancock finished speaking, she turned her back to them with an arrogant air and gave instructions to her sister.
"Yes, sister..."
After receiving her instructions, Marigold took out a small Den Den Mushi from her person. The expression on it was almost identical to the Mole's face, equally serious and cold. It was the Den Den Mushi that the Mole had thrown to her last for communication.
"I don't know how to say it, but thank you anyway, Hancock..."
Knowing her arrogant and haughty attitude, Rayleigh didn't want to provoke her and sincerely thanked her.
It has to be said that Hancock is probably the first person to receive such a humble thank you from Dark King Rayleigh, the right-hand man of the Pirate King.
"Snort..."
Hancock still didn't give him a friendly look, snorted coldly, and then took the Den Den Mushi from her sister and dialed.
Dududu...
Dududu...
Click!!
"Hello, this is Mole..."
The Den Den Mushi rang a few times before being answered. A loud and deep voice came from the other end; it was Vice Admiral Mole, who was docked outside the island.