"That's the Snake Princess of Kuja, right? Hey! Look over here!"
"Miss Hancock!"
"Look at her, she's absolutely stunning..."
The deathly silence of Level 6 was shattered by sudden commotion. Prisoners went wild, clinging to iron bars and screaming, their eyes burning with fanaticism as the clanking of chains grew more frantic.
Bahr leaned against the stone wall, frowning at the disturbance, yet his heart suddenly skipped a beat.
The Pirate Empress was here?
He looked up and saw a group walking down the prison corridor. Leading them was Impel Down's warden, Magellan, with the obsequious deputy warden Hannyabal beside him. Assistant Chief Guard Domino followed slightly behind, sternly recording something. There was also a man in a Marine vice admiral's uniform—Moles, who had escorted the Empress here.
And at the center of the entourage stood the Pirate Empress herself—Boa Hancock.
Bahr's gaze was involuntarily drawn to her. Her jet-black hair was styled in a hime cut, the ends slightly curled. Her deep blue eyes resembled gems submerged in the ocean, naturally exuding an air of haughty superiority. A pair of golden serpent-shaped earrings swayed gently with each step, accentuating the elegant curve of her neck.
Her signature red backless dress was impossible to ignore, adorned with golden patterns of flames and flowers—the unique emblem of the Kuja tribe. The form-fitting design clung to her voluptuous figure, highlighting her ample bust, slender waist, and the long legs revealed by the dress's high slit, showcasing her allure in its full glory.
The dress seemed tailor-made for her, further enhancing her queenly stature while perfectly blending her Haki with her beauty. Every step carried an innate, imperious aura that made it impossible to look away, even as it commanded reverence.
"Truly the most beautiful woman in the pirate world," Bahr mused inwardly. The title of "Empress" added an untouchable majesty to her charm, making even him—battered and bruised as he was—feel a flicker of admiration.
But that fleeting emotion quickly faded.
The Pirate Empress was notoriously capricious and self-absorbed, a hopeless romantic. Her presence in Impel Down could only mean one thing: she had been completely smitten by Straw Hat Luffy and had risked sneaking him in.
Right now, Bahr had no time to dwell on such trivial matters. His attention was seized by another thought.
If the Empress was here, then Straw Hat Boy had already infiltrated the prison—which meant today was the day he could escape.
"Fire Fist Ace, you have a visitor!" Hannyabal rubbed his hands together as he approached Ace's cell, though his eyes kept darting toward Hancock, his face plastered with an ingratiating smile.
Ace leaned against the stone wall and looked up at Boa Hancock. "What do you want with me?"
"Nothing. I merely wished to see you," the Empress replied coolly. She stepped closer to the bars, her deep blue eyes sweeping over Ace. "So, you're the one who forced me into this tedious war?"
"What a fine joke," Ace chuckled darkly.
Hancock paid him no mind. Her gaze drifted absently before suddenly locking onto Bahr. A ripple of shock coursed through her. "So this is the 'Blasphemer' Bahr."
Bahr met her eyes, shamelessly scanning Boa Hancock's figure before grinning. "Tsk tsk tsk, the Pirate Empress lives up to her reputation. Truly breathtaking."
That Straw Hat brat really hit the jackpot!
"!!!"
Hancock's ears buzzed. A faint blush spread across her cheeks, even tinting the tips of her ears pink.
B-Bahr-sama... called me beautiful?
Could this be... a confession of love? Or even... a marriage proposal?
Her mind exploded with visions of pink bubbles. She saw herself in the most lavish Kuja bridal gown, a veil draped over her head, Bahr-sama leading her down the aisle as her people cheered and even the snakes hissed their blessings...
"Miss Hancock!" Domino called out in a hushed voice, noticing her dazed expression and unsteady stance.
Hancock snapped back to reality, nearly collapsing from sheer exhilaration. She gripped the cell bars to steady herself, her heart pounding wildly.
Taking a deep breath, she forcibly suppressed the storm of emotions inside her, her gaze fixed on Bahr's face as if she wanted to carve his image into her very bones.
But as she looked, her attention was drawn to the crisscrossing scars covering his body—old and new whip marks marred his neck and wrists, the Seastone Shackles had rubbed his skin raw, and a fresh cut still lingered on his cheek.
A surge of fury erupted in her chest.
Who? Who dared to harm Bahr-sama like this? Those wretched jailers?
Hancock lowered her lashes, concealing the murderous intent swirling in her eyes.
No, she couldn't act rashly. Not when Bahr-sama was still trapped here. The priority was to get him out.
Even so, Boa Hancock's fingers tightened around the iron bars, her nails nearly digging into the cold metal, her knuckles turning white.
Just wait. Whoever laid a hand on him will know the agony of being turned to stone and dust!
The prisoners continued their frenzied howls over the Empress's beauty, but Hancock's world had narrowed to that wounded figure. Even her breathing softened.
The uproar grew more deranged, the inmates shaking the bars as if possessed, the very stone walls of Level 6 trembling under the chaos.
Magellan's brow furrowed, purple-black poison swirling around him. "Disgusting noise."
Before anyone could react, he spread his arms wide. Thick, ink-like venom coalesced into several ferocious Poison Dragons, their fangs bared as they lunged toward the loudest offenders.
"Magellan! Stop!"
"Don't!"
The prisoners' pleas turned to shrieks of terror. The venom burned through the bars like acid, leaving charred holes in its wake. Those splashed by the poison screamed as their flesh visibly rotted away, the stench of decay filling the air.
Chaos flooded the corridor. Seizing the distraction, Hancock subtly shifted closer to Bahr's cell, whispering words meant only for his ears.
She even threw him a quick, flirtatious glance before retreating, her regal demeanor restored as if nothing had happened.
The Poison Dragons raged for a moment longer before dissipating, leaving behind a trail of wails and scorched wreckage. Magellan withdrew the venom, his icy gaze sweeping over the now-silent cells. "That's better."
Turning to Hancock, his tone softened slightly. "Now, Empress Hancock, you may proceed."
"I have said all I needed to say," Hancock replied coolly before striding away, her red heels clicking against the floor, her golden earrings swaying gently.
Magellan frowned slightly, puzzled, but seeing her unwillingness to elaborate, he chose not to press further.
As the Empress and her entourage departed, the prison fell into complete silence, broken only by the moans of the injured.
Jimbei turned to Bahr, noticing his dazed expression. "Bahr-san, what did the Empress say to you just now?"
"Nothing important," Bahr muttered dismissively, though his face still bore traces of bewilderment.
Hancock had told him that Straw Hat Boy had infiltrated the prison—to rescue him. She urged him to wait patiently and not act recklessly.
But wasn't Straw Hat here to save Ace? Why would he be rescuing him instead?
Even more baffling was the way Hancock had spoken—her tone almost reverently soft, ending with a clear "Bahr-sama."
What the hell was going on?