A cold, commanding voice rang out from behind the crowd.
The assembled Kuja warriors froze, quickly parting to form a path.
Striding forward with regal grace was none other than the Pirate Empress — Boa Hancock.
The moment she appeared, many in the plaza gasped audibly.
Those with weaker wills instantly fell into a daze.
Garp, Tsuru, and the others immediately grew serious.
Among the Seven Warlords, aside from Dracule Mihawk, Boa Hancock was undoubtedly the most dangerous.
She had earned an 80 million Berry bounty on her very first expedition — a feat that even Fleet Admiral Sengoku had taken seriously, prompting him to issue a Warlord invitation on the spot.
That alone spoke volumes about her terrifying strength.
"Tashigi," Tsuru barked, "get anyone with weak mental resistance out of here. If they can't snap out of it, knock them out. If they get petrified, we'll be in serious trouble."
Tashigi and the others snapped back to their senses. After one more glance at Hancock, they turned and began evacuating the vulnerable.
Even as a fellow woman, Tashigi couldn't deny it — Hancock's presence was overwhelming.
No one had expected her to show up like this.
Now, everyone left in the plaza was on edge, waiting to see how the infamous Empress would respond to yesterday's events.
"Heh… Admiral Luo Yu," came Crocodile's dry chuckle from the corner, still cuffed. "That woman's a beast — not someone you can handle easily. My offer still stands. Let me go, and I'll take her place. You won't have to worry about trouble anymore."
But his eyes betrayed a flicker of unease.
There were only two women in the world he feared: Big Mom… and Boa Hancock.
A woman with Conqueror's Haki was never weak.
"Crocodile, shut your mouth!" Granny Nyon snapped, then turned to Hancock in a panic.
"Hancock, you're here too? We're not rebelling — we just came to repay Admiral Luo Yu's kindness. This is all for the good of Amazon Lily."
"Hancock," Tsuru added sternly, "Granny Gloriosa is right. Yesterday, Admiral Luo Yu helped your crew avoid a confrontation with the Celestial Dragons. If you pursue this any further, it would be… dishonorable."
"I personally delivered your Warlord summons back then. We have some history. Why not let this go — as a favor to me?"
"Do you want me to do you a favor?" Hancock's long legs came to a sudden stop, just a few meters away. She raised her chin proudly.
"I am so beautiful that no one would ever blame me for anything I do. Why should I do you a favor?"
"But… Granny was right. We Kuja never leave debts unpaid."
"So whatever you were just discussing — count me in."
"Come, let me see who you choose."
Her voice rang out across the plaza, echoing like a royal decree.
The entire plaza fell silent. You could hear a pin drop.
Everyone's hearts clenched. Eyes widened. Faces froze in disbelief.
"Ha-Hancock… did you just call me Granny? No — did you just say 'count me in'? You want to repay the favor… with yourself?" Granny Nyon stammered, utterly flustered.
No.
Actually — the entire plaza exploded.
This was the Pirate Empress Boa Hancock — the most beautiful woman in the world.
To most people, she was a goddess beyond reach.
And now, this living legend had just declared she would offer herself in gratitude?
Was this a joke?
If so, it was the most outrageous joke they'd ever heard.
Even Crocodile's face froze. His eyes were filled with disbelief.
The woman he had always seen as a ferocious predator… had just submitted to a rookie admiral?
If his hands weren't cuffed, he would've slapped himself twice to make sure he wasn't dreaming.
Tsuru's bark-like face twitched. She turned away from Hancock, her expression dark.
"Admiral Luo Yu, from now on, I won't try to pull rank on you. I've been slapped in the face enough for one day."
"This is your mess now. You deal with it."
"But if you've got a chance to have Boa Hancock offer herself to you… I suggest you take it."
The crowd stirred.
Even the most stoic Marines couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy.
Even Tashigi and Chaton weren't immune.
They were women, yes — but faced with a goddess like Hancock, who could resist such a bold confession?
As the atmosphere shifted, Hancock's haughty expression grew even colder.
"Admiral Luo Yu, rest assured — to love me, to accept me, is an irresistible temptation. Whether man or woman, no one can resist me. You are no exception."
"So don't be shy. Say your choice out loud."
Her voice was laced with hypnotic charm.
Even the veterans stationed hundreds of meters away — those who had been holding firm — suddenly cracked.
Their eyes turned into hearts. They fell into a trance.
"Lady Hancock, pick me! I'll be your loyal servant!"
"Lady Hancock, I'll be your dog!"
"Lady Hancock, I'll be your caterpillar!"
…
The plaza erupted.
Veteran Marines from all directions began shouting like madmen.
Garp and Tsuru's faces turned dark. Tsuru shouted in alarm:
"Hancock! Control your Devil Fruit powers! Stop bewitching our Marines! That won't work on Admiral Luo Yu!"
"He won't become your slave!"
Tsuru knew Hancock's power all too well.
On her very first expedition, she had stormed a small kingdom alone, turning tens of thousands into stone just to seize the Heavenly Tribute.
Tsuru had faith in Luo Yu's strength.
But in her eyes, he was still too young.
And against a woman like Hancock — a walking, talking weapon of mass seduction — even the strongest might fall.