Chapter 257
Sanji sniffed, his face full of anticipation, "I wonder what the difference is between the real person and the one in the newspaper!"
"Everyone got back into the cabin before that woman arrived."
Naito said calmly.
"Huh?"
Binz was taken aback, then said angrily, "Naito, don't go too far! Even though she's a pirate, can't we just admire her beauty?!"
"Fool, someone like you exposing yourself to that woman is already a burden to me."
Naito's lips twitched slightly. "Do you want to turn into stone?"
"Stone?"
Binz, who had been somewhat indignant, suddenly broke out in a cold sweat. "Could it be that the rumors about the Pirate Empress are true?"
Legend has it that all the ships attacked by the Kuja Pirates had many stone statues on them, supposedly because the Pirate Empress used her magic to turn the crew members into stone.
"Is it that woman's ability?"
Ain nodded knowingly. "Understood. I'll have everyone return to their cabins immediately."
As for whether Naito can handle this problem by himself, well...
So, no matter how unwilling they were, the sailors on board could only hide inside the cabins.
In that case, if Boa Hancock wanted them to turn to stone again, she would have to hit them directly with her attacks.
Shortly thereafter.
Naito, who was sitting on the ship's railing lost in thought, slightly raised his eyelids.
It's finally here.
In the dense forest, figures rode on the backs of long serpents, speeding forward.
These Orochi, a specialty of Amazon Lily, possess astonishing strength and speed, and are the closest and most capable partners of the Kuja warriors.
Boa Hancock took the lead.
Her gaze was quite solemn. Judging from the Conqueror's Haki she had just displayed, the person who came this time was ridiculously strong.
Who is it?
The dense forest had come to an end.
The view ahead suddenly opened up.
Boa Hancock's pupils contracted as she saw a massive warship.
Navy?
"Finally, Boa Hancock has arrived."
Chapter 175 A Powerful Strike
Naito observed the woman with great interest.
I must say, she is truly beautiful.
When I read comics in my past life, I didn't really feel that there was much difference in appearance between this woman and the other female characters.
But now that I've seen her in person, well, she truly lives up to her reputation as the world's most beautiful woman.
Since his time travel, Naito has seen many beauties on this vast ocean, but none of them can compare to the woman before him.
She may not actually be much prettier Ain, Yamato, or Luna, but this woman gives off a feeling of perfection, without any flaws, a unique kind of perfection.
However, such perfection wasn't anything special for Naito.
He has created countless exquisitely beautiful women in his Dream World.
Even without Future Sight Observation Haki that allows for foresight, I would absolutely not fall for the Empress's petrification.
Brother Naito has seen it all.
Well, sooner or later the Dream World will become reality, so eating it in a dream certainly counts as eating it.
As Naito sized up the Empress, Boa Hancock and the Kuja Pirates members following behind her were also looking up at him.
"This guy is—"
Boa Hancock's second sister, Boa Sandersonia, with her large head and green hair, narrowed her eyes, "Thousand Shadows Naito!"
"That new naval hero?"
The third sister, the somewhat chubby Marigold, was quite shocked. "So, that was this guy's Conqueror's Haki just now?"
"How could such a thing happen!"
Gloriosa, a former member of the Kuja Pirates who had accompanied them, now aged and frail, stared at Naito in disbelief. "How could it be this brat!"
How old is this little brat?
Even if we're talking about naval heroes, it should be Garp who's the one!
How could that level of Conqueror's Haki have been released by this brat?
If he truly possessed that level of strength, why would he have needed to team up with another Marine when fighting Golden Lion in the New World?
The three of them were already utterly shocked, and the other members of the Kuja Pirates were even more on high alert.
Is the enemy the navy?
This is not good!
After all, even if we manage to defeat this guy, we'll likely face an encirclement and suppression operation from the Marine Headquarters next!
"You rude person!"
Boa Hancock looked up at Naito, her tone cold and sharp, "Was it you who just provoked me? How dare you! You have violated the agreement between me and the government!"
"Tsk,"
Naito smirked. "Stupid woman, weren't you the one who refused the government's conscription first? Why do you think I'm here?"
"Stupid, stupid woman?"
The Empress couldn't help but widen her beautiful eyes, even stammering slightly. Since returning to Amazon Lily, no one had ever spoken to her like this before!
What an arrogant man!
Boa Hancock was never a woman with a good temper; on the contrary, she was arrogant and eccentric, and her willfulness was second to none in the world.
The woman's long black hair began to fly, and an invisible aura flowed from her.
"How dare you insult me! I will never forgive you!"
The rest of the Kuja Pirates instantly prepared for battle.
Although going to war with the Navy would be troublesome, since it's Snake Princess Hancock's decision, they have no choice but to comply!
"Wait! Wait!"
Gloriosa quickly jumped forward, blocking Naito and the Empress; the old woman's forehead was covered in cold sweat.
Thousand Shadows Naito, that kid is the Navy's future star.
No, he's not even a rising star anymore; he's already a mainstay of the Navy!
Going to war with a guy like that, if you lose, the outcome will obviously be very bad.
But if you actually win, it's even more terrifying!
"Calm down, everyone, Vice Admiral Naito, and Snake Princess!"
Gloriosa wiped the sweat from her brow with a forced smile, "In the end, there's no conflict that can't be resolved, is there?"
"Vice Admiral Naito, your purpose in coming here is simply to get Hancock to accept the government's orders. There's no need for such a tense atmosphere."
"That makes sense."
Naito nodded slightly.
He's not a battle maniac; fighting is just a means to an end for him. If there's a simpler way to solve a problem, he certainly wouldn't mind.
But Gloriosa's good intentions really work?
Naito looked at the Empress with great interest. "Boa Hancock, what is your answer?"
"I refuse!"
The arrogant woman said this without hesitation.
"Snake Princess!!"
Gloriosa almost screamed, "What on earth are you thinking, you little brat?!"
"I don't want to be manipulated by the World Government, but I also don't want to lose my status as Shichibukai, and I certainly don't want this country to be destroyed."
The Pirate Empress tossed her long, black hair with a flick of her wrist. Her incredibly smooth hair fluttered in the wind, and Naito's exceptional eyesight allowed him to distinguish each strand clearly.
The woman stretched out her arms and clasped her hands together in front of her chest, forming a heart shape.
"Snake Princess!!"
Gloriosa's eyes were practically bloodshot.
That disobedient brat!
However, she could actually understand Hancock's thoughts.
Given her tragic past, how could she possibly be willing to accept the control of the World Government again?
But isn't it too reckless to just take action against Lieutenant Vice Admiral Naito Knight like this?
Naito didn't react much, simply looking down calmly at the Pirate Empress.
"Don't worry, Gloriosa,"
Boa Hancock smiled gently, "Everything will be fine. I will still be Shichibukai, and this country will still be protected."
"Because no one has ever seen this group of sailors; they disappeared into the vast Calm Belt."
"Thousand Shadows Naito, you should forgive my willfulness, right?"
"That's right, everyone will forgive me, because,"
A peach-pink light was already shimmering between the Empress's hands. "I am simply too beautiful."
"Mero Mero Mellow!"
One by one, red hearts flew out from between her hands, and as the distance increased, they spread towards Naito like rays.
A red light flashed in Naito's eyes.
Is that really the case?
Then there's no need to hide.
The red ray pierced through Naito's body in an instant.