The moon was bright, and the wind carried the endless scent of the sea.
Pirate Empress Boa Hancock's tone was firm:
"Marineford? Absolutely not."
Luffy clutched Ace's vivre card, his eyes blazing with anger.
Granny Nyon's face fell. If Victor didn't say anything, Hancock would definitely refuse the summons—and that could put Amazon Lily in danger.
"Hancock, Marineford… sounds pretty interesting. Let's go together. Just think of it as a trip!"
Victor's excitement was impossible to hide. He held Hancock's slender jade hand, his face full of affection.
Goro Goro no Mi!
The Thunder Fruit!
With that fruit, he could even take Hancock to the moon!
"Eh!?"
"Ah!?"
Both Hancock and Granny Nyon were stunned by his words.
Luffy's eyes shone even brighter. To head straight to Marineford—now that was the spirit of a man!
Though puzzled, Hancock's hand was firmly held by Victor, and her body went soft as she nearly fell into his arms. How could she refuse?
"Since my husband wishes it, I'll naturally agrees."
Hancock's icy expression softened, her beautiful face almost tinged with blush.
"This old woman thanks Lord Victor on behalf of the kingdom's people," Granny Nyon said with relief. She had once failed Amazon Lily, and she couldn't bear to see it fall into danger again.
"You're welcome, Granny Nyon."
Victor smiled lightly but was already waiting for the system's reward notification. He couldn't wait to transform into the God of Thunder.
But…
One minute passed.
Two minutes.
Three minutes.
Still nothing.
Meanwhile, Luffy was already pestering him.
"Oi, oi! Take me to Marineford too! I need to save Ace!"
"Say something! I'll have Sanji cook for you! Sanji's food is delicious! Or I can introduce you to Nami—"
Luffy buzzed around Victor, poking at him nonstop.
Victor ignored him, grinding his teeth.
Damn system! Where's my Thunder Fruit!? Without it, how am I supposed to show off—cough, I mean, protect my wife at Marineford!?
"Don't be stingy!"
Luffy pouted, clearly frustrated. But he knew he couldn't possibly reach Marineford before Ace's execution without Victor's help.
[Ding! Choice Triggered!]
[Choice One: Refuse Luffy's request. Reward: 1 million Berries.]
[Choice Two: Accept Luffy's request. Reward: Navy Six Styles (Advanced), Shrinking Pill x1, Invisibility Pill x1.]
Victor froze.
What the hell, system!? You didn't even give me my last reward, and now you're piling on another choice!?
[Ding! Host, please check mission completion status.]
A glowing screen appeared in Victor's mind.
[Mission: Accompany Empress to Marineford. Reward: Goro Goro no Mi. Completion Progress: 10%]
"…Completion progress? Are you kidding me?" Victor nearly coughed blood. So, I've only received one-tenth of the Thunder Fruit!?
[Host must fully complete the mission to receive the reward.]
Victor's face darkened. This damn system is a scam! But then he remembered—he'd only gained the Three Colors of Haki after helping Luffy pull out those poisonous mushrooms earlier.
It seemed the Goro Goro no Mi would take time.
"Alright, Luffy, stop bouncing around. I'll take you with us tomorrow."
"Hehehe, really!? You're such a good guy, Vertor!"
"It's Victor!"
Victor's face twitched.
"Ah, okay, Vetor!"
Bonk!
Victor flicked Luffy's forehead with Haki, sending him spinning in pain.
Victor decided to accept the choice. Besides the reward, there was the issue of secrecy—Hancock had been summoned alone as a Warlord of the Sea. The Marines had forbidden her from bringing anyone else.
Victor was too tall to hide, but Luffy… well, the Shrinking Pill and Invisibility Pill would be perfect. He strongly suspected the system had planned it this way.
[Ding! Congratulations, Host, for completing the choice mission. Reward: Navy Six Styles (Advanced), Shrinking Pill x1, Invisibility Pill x1.]
A powerful energy instantly flooded Victor's body. The advanced Navy Six Styles were etched into his mind—Soru, Tekkai, Kami-e, Moonwalk, Rankyaku, and Finger Pistol—each technique refined to its highest level.
These techniques, rarely mastered even by Marine Vice Admirals, now flowed naturally through him.
Combined with his mastery of Haki, Victor's strength now surpassed that of an average Vice Admiral. By the system's reference, he had reached Diamond-level combat power—the same tier as Boa Hancock, Crocodile, Jinbe, and Doflamingo.
Of course, levels were only references. Actual battle strength varied.
That evening, Amazon Lily held a grand banquet for the Kuja Pirates.
Luffy, the eternal party-starter, kept the atmosphere lively. Yet Victor's popularity was equally high.
His mushroom-pulling heroics had already spread through Margaret and the others, and his strength shown against Sea Kings and Straw Hat Luffy had earned the respect of Hancock's sisters, Sandersonia and Marigold.
For the first time, they regarded him not just as the man Hancock had chosen, but as someone worthy.
The next morning.
The Sandersonia sisters, Margaret, Granny Nyon, and many of the Kuja warriors stood on the shore, seeing off their Empress. Beside her were Victor—and a very fidgety Luffy.
The warship was waiting off the coast.
"You've finally arrived, Pirate Empress Boa Hancock!"
Vice Admiral Momonga exhaled with relief at her arrival. His mission was complete.
"It's just you, aren't it, Hancock?" he asked cautiously as she boarded.
"Do you see anyone else? I have no desire to waste words with you."
Hancock's tone was cold, though a faint blush touched her face.
Why?
Because hidden inside her robe… was a very tiny man.