"Leo! You will pay for your insolence!!" Hancock's gaze sharpened. The power of the Love-Love Fruit activated as her slender hands formed a pink heart, taking aim at Leo.
"Wait a moment~!" Just as Hancock was about to fire the pink arrows, Leo suddenly raised a hand to interrupt.
"Hm?!" Hancock's beautiful eyes narrowed, but inwardly, she felt a flicker of triumph. So now he feels fear? Now he wants to beg for mercy?! Unfortunately for him, it was far too late! Any man who offended her would turn to stone!
"Hancock, don't be so hasty. I didn't come empty-handed this time. I've brought you a gift." Leo's tone was calm. "Once you see him, you will certainly—"
"Enough! This (queen) has no interest in your so-called gift! And do not foolishly believe such a method will earn you my forgiveness!!" Hancock ruthlessly cut him off.
Leo wasn't angered, merely looking at Hancock with a peculiar expression. She truly lives up to her reputation as the legendary Pirate Empress—wilful and self-absorbed. Of course, this was also Hancock's way of protecting herself. But she was indeed a bit in need of... training. Leo decided that after subduing this proud rose, he would first turn her ass bright red, then have her serve him on her knees for a good two hours!
With that thought, Leo vanished from the hall. Before anyone could react, he reappeared the next second. This time, however, he wasn't alone. A squirming burlap sack landed with a thud beside him.
"AAAGH!!" A pig-like squeal of agony erupted from the sack as Charlos, his limbs broken and his collarbones pierced, was unceremoniously dumped onto the floor.
The sudden appearance shocked everyone present.
"Another man?!" Hancock was furious. Was there no end to this? She prepared to fire her Pistol Kiss, intent on turning both men before her into stone.
"Hancock! Take a good look at who he is!!" Leo's voice, thunderous and commanding, boomed in her ears. The action in her hands stalled.
Her furious gaze snapped downward. The next moment, her entire body trembled violently as if struck by lightning. Her beautiful eyes widened in disbelief, fixed on the distinctive, bubble-like helmet and the robes of a World Noble.
"It's... it's him!!" The faces of Hancock and her two sisters, Sandersonia and Marigold, instantly drained of all color. The traumatic memories sealed deep within their hearts surged forth like a tidal wave. The humiliation, the pain, the branding iron... scenes from their past slavery played out vividly before their eyes. Cold sweat drenched their bodies in an instant.
"That's right, it's him. Charlos." Leo's voice was calm as he stated the name. He looked at Hancock, whose body was trembling slightly. "If I looked down on you, I wouldn't have gone through the trouble of bringing him here."
His words struck Hancock's heart like a heavy hammer. She stared blankly at the Celestial Dragon writhing on the ground, then at Leo. Had this man... had he truly gone against the entire world, capturing a Celestial Dragon, just for her? Was such a man real?!
Hancock's mind was in turmoil. She subconsciously gripped the armrest of her throne, her knuckles white. Her breathing became rapid and shallow. Her beautiful, watery eyes, when they looked at Leo, couldn't help but ripple with complex emotions.
Leo smiled inwardly. The 'Kill a Celestial Dragon' strategy is always effective against Hancock, but I didn't expect it to be this effective. A classic move, tried and true.
He glanced dismissively at Charlos. The Celestial Dragon had outlived his usefulness. Consider it a service to all transmigrators. Getting rid of trash while winning Hancock's affection was killing two birds with one stone.
Seeing Hancock's gaze growing increasingly dazed and captivated, Leo quickly cleared his throat. He was eager, but not that eager. He changed the subject. "Hancock, besides the Celestial Dragon, there's one more thing. If I'm not mistaken, the three of you sisters have the mark of the 'Hoof of the Soaring Dragon' on your backs?"
Hancock nodded slowly, her eyes gradually regaining their focus. There was no point in hiding it now. Suddenly realizing what Leo's question implied, her voice became urgent again. "Leo! Do you mean... you have a way to remove our marks?!"
The eyes of Sandersonia and Marigold beside her also lit up with desperate hope.
Under the trio's fervent gaze, Leo nodded slightly.
"You... you can really do it?!" Hancock nervously grabbed Leo's arm, her voice trembling. It had been a long time since she had been so emotionally undisciplined. But now, she truly couldn't control her feelings.
"I can remove the marks on your backs," Leo affirmed once more, his tone confident. With the power of the Heal-Heal Fruit Kaya shared with him, a mere brand was nothing.
"Then come with妾身 (this queen) to my room! Remove the mark from my body now!" Hancock, gripping Leo's arm, tried to pull him towards her private chambers without further discussion.
"Wait," Leo stopped her, a faint, cold smile touching his lips. "I think we should deal with Charlos first. You don't want him screaming here forever, do you?"
Charlos, who had long been scared out of his wits, was now kowtowing repeatedly, his head hitting the floor with loud thumps
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T/N :
Support me and Access 25 chapters in Advance on my P@treon: [email protected]/GodFic