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Time flies.
In the blink of an eye, three days had passed.
Shaka's Six Paths Staff was finally complete.
With the help of the panda, White Dragon, and his Swallow-Swallow Fruit ability, the newly forged Six Paths Staff was seamlessly fused with the Mythical Zoan power of the Eight-Headed Serpent. It had undergone an entirely new transformation.
"Hancock, I really have to go!"
Inside the palace, Shaka looked helplessly at Hancock, who was clinging to him like a serpent, her expression pitiful and reluctant to let go.
Truthfully, the Six Paths Staff had been finished the day before. He had already stayed an extra day for her.
"Mmm... Husband, can't you stay just one more day?"
The usually proud and regal Hancock was now acting completely different—clinging to him, her voice soft and hesitant. Her large, watery eyes gazed at him with sorrow.
"I can't. I have to leave by this afternoon at the latest."
Shaka had no choice but to harden his heart.
Facing the affectionate and delicate Empress, he swiftly changed the subject. "By the way, didn't you say you needed to speak with Kikyo and the other guardian warriors? They should be waiting outside, right?"
Though his advanced Observation Haki allowed him to hear the thoughts of others at all times without straining his mind, he didn't make a habit of constantly prying into people's hearts. He only did so occasionally.
So, he wasn't sure what Hancock had planned.
However, he had been straightforward with her earlier—he intended to take Kikyo and the others with him.
At first, Hancock had been upset, her gaze filled with grievance, looking at him as if he were a heartless man abandoning her.
But who was Shaka?
A man destined to become the king of a grand harem!
Handling situations like this was second nature to him.
With his eloquence, he soothed her both emotionally and logically, using both persuasion and affection.
In the end, the world's most beautiful woman couldn't help but smile and nod in agreement.
"It's fine. Let them wait a bit longer."
Hancock waved off the matter casually.
Seeing that Shaka was willing to stay a little longer and hadn't left immediately, she beamed with joy.
Sitting gracefully in front of him, she crossed her arms, lifting her chin. "Before you leave, I want to challenge you one more time!"
She was full of confidence, looking down at him. "This time, I'll definitely make you surrender!"
"Make me surrender? That's impossible!"
Shaka confidently smirked, gripping her slender waist firmly.
As Hancock swayed unsteadily, nearly losing her balance, her cheeks flushed.
"You think a mere Warlord of the Sea can make me give in so easily?"
"Oh?"
Hancock's lips curled into a knowing smile.
She clapped her hands lightly. "You three... come in!"
At that moment, three warriors waiting outside heard her command.
Kikyo, Marguerite, and Aphilandra had been standing by since morning, wondering why the Empress had summoned them so early.
Confused and uncertain, they entered the room.
But the scene before them made them freeze in place, their expressions blank with shock.
"Lady Hancock...?"
"Lord Shaka...?"
"What... what is going on here?"
Marguerite and Aphilandra, who were still somewhat naive about the world, couldn't believe what they were seeing.
As for Kikyo, though she had experienced something similar before, even she was momentarily dazed.
"Hancock, what are you planning?"
Shaka raised an eyebrow.
With his ability, he instantly understood her intentions.
He was momentarily speechless but also pleasantly surprised.
"Hmph, husband, you've already claimed Kikyo, haven't you? And didn't you tell me you wanted to take these two with you as well?"
Hancock smirked.
Her gaze flickered between amusement and mischief as she looked at Shaka. "Since they won't escape your grasp in the end, it doesn't matter whether it happens sooner or later."
"Consider this my farewell gift to you!"
With that, she turned to the three warriors, who were still overwhelmed with shock and confusion.
"You three, come here."
"Yes, Lady Hancock!"
Their faces flushed red as they hesitated, but none of them dared to defy the Empress's command. Slowly, they stepped forward.
"I'm giving you a chance to challenge Lord Shaka. If your performance satisfies me, I'll allow you to leave Amazon Lily and follow him on his journey."
"What?!"
"Lady Hancock, do you really mean it?!"
"We... we can go with Lord Shaka?!"
Hearing this, Kikyo, Marguerite, and Aphilandra were overjoyed.
The chance to explore the outside world alongside such a powerful man—who wouldn't want that?
"Enough chatter! I am the Empress of Amazon Lily. My word is final!"
Hancock's voice carried the weight of authority. "Now, I expect you to give it your all in this challenge against Shaka. Push him to the limit! Do not stop until he surrenders! Understood?"
"Uh...?"
"This..."
The three warriors hesitated, stunned by her words.
Hancock frowned, exuding an air of absolute command. "Hmm? Did you not hear me?"
"N-No! We heard you, Lady Hancock! We'll do our best!"
Under the immense pressure of the Empress's presence, the three warriors had no choice but to nod obediently.
"Then... forgive us, Lord Shaka!"
Kikyo's eyes gleamed with excitement, eager for the challenge.
Meanwhile, Marguerite and Aphilandra, though still anxious and uncertain, clenched their fists, steeling themselves for what was to come.
After all, this was an order from the Empress.
And this was a rare, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—one they were unwilling to miss.
"Husband, prepare yourself!"
Hancock struck first.
She didn't hold back in the slightest, throwing herself fully into the fight.
Her blood surged, her body hardened like iron.
She sat down. "Iron Body!"
"It's useless, Hancock. You've already experienced my strength..."
Shaka smirked. "Finger Gun!"
He launched a counterattack without hesitation.
At the same time, his hands formed a claw, reaching toward Kikyo and the others, who were still standing there hesitantly.
"Dragon Claw Hand!"
This was one of his personal techniques.
He struck toward Kikyo first, leaving her with no chance to escape.
Had he not held back, she would have been defeated instantly.
"....."