"You… you… you… y-you're inviting… me?"
The Empress stammered, staring wide-eyed at Jiang Lin. She never imagined that just by quietly watching from the sidelines, the storm would suddenly sweep her up. A moment ago, she had been relieved that Jiang Lin hadn't pressed Ace any further—yet in the blink of an eye, he was standing before her, extending the very same invitation.
"That's right. Will you accept?"
Jiang Lin looked at her with a gentle smile. His eyes carried no trace of jest; his expression was nothing but earnest.
Of course, there was a personal reason behind inviting Boa Hancock. For a One Piece fan like him, beyond chasing after the One Piece itself, becoming comrades with Boa Hancock was probably the dream of countless fans.
Hancock's face reflected deep turmoil. Behind her stood Amazon Lily and her duty to its people. If she were to become Jiang Lin's companion, she would inevitably be forced to abandon her title as Shichibukai. Without that title, what fate would await Nine Snake Island? The mere thought was terrifying.
"I… refuse—"
Her hands clenched tightly at the hem of her dress, mustering the will to voice her rejection.
But Jiang Lin stepped forward before the words could leave her lips. He gently took her hand from her skirt, holding it tenderly. Standing at her side, he raised his voice for the world to hear:
"From this day forward, Nine Snake Island and the kingdom of Amazon Lily shall be under my protection. Anyone who dares lay a hand on them will be making an enemy of me, D. Jiang Lin. No matter where you are, I will come for you—and wipe you out and all who stand with you!"
"What?! Jiang Lin is declaring his protection over Nine Snake Island? Does that mean the Empress is about to join his crew?"
On the Sabaody Archipelago, reporters gripped their pens tightly, holding their breath as they watched the live broadcast. The slightest word or gesture from Jiang Lin or Hancock would be hastily scribbled down and spread across the world in moments.
"Hahaha… D. Jiang Lin, so that's your name?"
Whitebeard stroked his mustache with a smile. His eyes carried a trace of affection. Though Jiang Lin wasn't one of his 'sons,' he was undeniably one of those who had inherited the most from him.
"Jiang Lin! To declare your name before the whole world—what's your real motive?"
Sengoku narrowed his eyes, his mind racing. For someone who drew so much attention, the later his personal information became public, the better.
Once a strong man's details became known, so would his weaknesses. And a mysterious powerhouse was far more daunting than one whose flaws could be studied.
So why reveal his name now? Sengoku strained to uncover Jiang Lin's purpose.
Yet how could Sengoku possibly know that Jiang Lin wasn't even of this world? He had crossed over from Earth. Even if he made his name public, no one could dig up a past that never existed.
"So you're Jiang Lin, huh? A strong—and utterly infuriating brat!"
Kizaru's face twisted with annoyance. To be targeted so many times by Jiang Lin, only to learn his true name now—it grated on him immensely.
When Kizaru first issued Jiang Lin's wanted poster, he didn't even know his name. At first, he was about to label him "Copy Boy," but switched it at the last second to "D" after catching wind of the whispers.
"D. Jiang Lin… I won't forget."
Aokiji's gaze was grave, cold mist still swirling from his body. His thoughts toward Jiang Lin remained unreadable.
"D. Jiang Lin!"
"D. Jiang Lin!"
Voices rippled across Marineford, whispered between clashing swords and booming cannons. From this moment on, Jiang Lin's name had truly shaken the world.
"What do you think? Whether you agree, I won't take back what I just said."
Jiang Lin smiled warmly at Hancock. He wasn't trying to force her into anything—he was simply removing the burden that weighed on her heart, so that when she did decide, it would be a choice free of fear for Nine Snake Island.
"I… I…"
Hancock pulled her hand away, but words failed her. Though Jiang Lin had eased her greatest concern, becoming another's crewmate—especially to a man—was no small hurdle. The barrier she had to cross was far higher than her duty to Nine Snake Island.
Behind her lay secrets she had never revealed to anyone. The torment she carried, shared only with her two sisters, and on rare occasions glimpsed by Gloriosa, was a wall she had never dared lower before another soul.
"Don't you want to see the Grand Line with your own eyes? Don't you want to sail as a crew member of the Pirate King? Or do you intend to spend your whole life shackled by your past?"
Jiang Lin's words grew quieter as he spoke, until only Hancock could hear them.
"You… how do you know?"
Her eyes widened in shock. She had never spoken of that secret to Jiang Lin—how could he possibly know?
"Oda told me. That part doesn't matter. What matters is this: I'll take you to Mary Geoise itself—to the place of your sorrow. Together, we'll make those so-called Celestial Dragons live their lives haunted by nightmares."
Jiang Lin's voice, low but resolute, pierced straight into her heart.
"You… you…"
At the mention of the Celestial Dragons, Hancock's composure broke. Tears welled up uncontrollably.
The Celestial Dragons were the ruling class of the world. Even the Yonko had never dared to openly defy them. To raise a hand against them was to invite destruction; to march into the Holy Land of Mariejois to strike at them was unthinkable, a direct challenge to the World Government itself.
The consequences would be catastrophic. No one—no nation, no pirate crew—had ever dared shoulder such a burden.
And yet Jiang Lin had said it with unwavering resolve. That single promise shattered the last wall around her heart.
"Th-this concubine… this concubine agrees! D. Jiang Lin… my Captain! From now on, you must protect me well!"
Her face flushed red, Boa Hancock grasped Jiang Lin's hand once more. Raising her voice for all the world to hear, she declared her choice.
"Ehhhhh?!"
Her decision thundered across Marineford, Sabaody, and every corner of the world where the broadcast reached. Shocked cries erupted everywhere. No one could believe what they had just witnessed.