195 191. Newly Promoted Shichibukai
"What an attractive lady! I've never seen someone so beautiful!"
"How can there be such a stunning woman in the world? I'm genuinely..."
After glimpsing Hancock's face, the non-executive members of the Bernal Pirates immediately turned red-eyed and contorted their bodies wildly, as if they were possessed.
"What impolite, unpleasant guys, huh!"
On the Kuja Pirates' ship, Hancock leaped onto the bow, casting a disdainful gaze down at the Bernal Pirates.
This blatant hostility brought back unpleasant memories from her past. Adding to that, Hancock now considered the group of pirates before her as her first targets after setting sail!
"It's unusual to encounter folks from Kuja Island. How about you let us, brothers, enjoy ourselves for a bit?"
Bernal is a muscular, bald man, sporting a thick beard and large yellow teeth that complement his wild laughter. As the saying goes, if fate wants to ruin someone, it drives them mad.
Hancock was visibly furious, yet she refrained from uttering any more nonsense.
"Mero Mero Mellow!" (Falling in Love Sweet Wind)
With hands posed in a loving gesture, cape and long hair flowing behind, a heart-shaped radiance instantly surrounded the Bernal Pirates.
Swish!
The pirates who were previously contorting wildly suddenly froze, and their bodies swiftly turned to stone, as if they were caught in the gaze of the legendary Medusa.
"Huh? What kind of strange power is this?"
Bernal was stunned. The most terrifying aspect at sea was the uncertainty of the enemy's abilities. With various strange fruit powers around, encountering an inexplicable ability could lead to immediate danger and possible death.
Before the enemy could recover, Hancock lightly touched her lips with her finger, and a small peach-colored, heart-shaped substance instantly materialized, enveloping her index finger!
Pistol Kiss
Similar to the impact of Shigan, but harnessing the distinctive petrification ability of the Love-Love fruit, it can render the victim's body rigid for a specific duration.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
Successive Pistol Kiss surged towards the Bernal Pirates with an overpowering force. The pirates, once petrified, were instantly shattered into stones of varying sizes. Even the cadre members not petrified by Mero Mero Mellow were incessantly struck, experiencing a sudden physical paralysis that brought forth a foreboding sensation.
Perfume Femur!
Seizing the moment with a series of precise maneuvers, Hancock wouldn't overlook this golden opportunity. Her slender thighs shot up, and the pointed tips of her shoes swiftly swept across. Several cadre members were instantly struck, and the areas in contact with the shoe uppers swiftly petrified and shattered. They clearly lost their ability to fight.
Perfume Femur differs from Mero Mero Mellow. Regardless of whether the enemy harbors feelings for Hancock or not, it can petrify upon contact unless the opponent surpasses Hancock in strength.
"Damn woman!!"
Bernal, a renowned pirate with a bounty exceeding 100 million, proved his worth. Despite his crew being somewhat overwhelmed, he finally responded amidst Hancock's rapid and relentless assault.
He could have ventured into the New World earlier, but his fear of Atlas kept him in the park for several months. Unexpectedly, before entering the New World, he found himself at the mercy of a woman, causing him concern and irritation.
"Gear Crash!"
His feet swiftly transformed into massive gears, and with a fierce expression, Bernal lunged at Hancock who was assaulting him.
"A fruit ability user?"
While slightly surprised, Hancock remained composed. Achieving a bounty exceeding 100 million in the park typically involves something extraordinary, often related to fruit abilities, which are quite commonplace.
Even though he hadn't possessed abilities for a long time, Bernal wouldn't easily land a hit on Hancock. She simply shifted her body slightly to the side, and Bernal, unable to brake, collided directly with the fence!
Bang!
Seizing the opportunity, Hancock delivered a horizontal kick!
Perfume Femur!
Bang!
Bernal's reaction was swift. He lifted his right arm with the crossbar in front of him. Despite the force of the powerful and heavy kick, he held his ground steadily, and his arm showed no signs of petrification.
"Hehe, I'm a Gear Man who consumed the Gear-Gear Fruit!"
Bernal smiled arrogantly. His entire body resembled a precision gear machine, granting him substantial kinetic energy. This allowed him to unleash powerful force even in urgent situations.
"What Gear Fruit? I'll make you bow down to my beauty!"
Hancock remained unfazed. Despite it being her first time at sea, as the new empress of Amazon Lily, she needed to overpower the enemy with sheer force because... she is the perfect empress!
Armament Haki entwined itself, and her feet turned as black as ink. On Amazon Lily, with its rich Haki heritage, as the empress, she naturally mastered the use of Armament Haki.
Hancock leaped into the air, utilizing the momentum of her descent to deliver three kicks!
"Perfume Femur!"
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The strikes were incredibly precise, each landing on the exact spot of Bernal's body. Bernal sensed a more formidable force than before, and his arm, initially only slightly numb, was swiftly petrified.
Then... it shattered!
"What the hell is this?"
Bernal was horrified, cold sweat dripping from his forehead. With the loss of an arm, his combat prowess was significantly diminished, and his impending fate was evident.
...
Holy Land Mariejois, within Pangaea Castle.
In the bright and spacious office, the Five Elders gathered once more, creating a very relaxed atmosphere.
"The empress of the Kuja Pirates vanquished a prominent pirate with a bounty exceeding 100 million on her maiden voyage. The World Government is eager to extend an invitation for her to join the Shichibukai."
Said Saint Saturn, donning white hair and a black hat.
After some contemplation, the bald and bespectacled man Saint Nusjuro reminded, "Are you certain that the Kuja Pirates are willing to join the Shichibukai? I've heard their new empress is quite antagonistic towards the World Government."
"Hmph! It's not for her to decide. The Calm Belt won't serve as their protective barrier."
The cold voice of Saint Peter, sporting yellow hair, resonated.
With the assistance of Vegapunk, the World Government has long since conquered the Calm Belt. Whether it's the issue of power or the threat of Sea Beast, it has been effectively addressed. If Kuja Island doesn't act wisely, it could face complete obliteration.
"Alright, then inform Sengoku that her bounty is set at 80 million, and afterward, the World Government will extend an invitation to join the Shichibukai."
"Eighty million? Is that amount sufficient to serve as a deterrent for other pirates?"
"After all, it's her first time setting a reward, but her track record of defeating pirates with bounties over 100 million speaks for itself. I believe other pirates will grasp the message."
"Alright, but..."
Saint Nusjuro interjected, "The Hawkeye swordsman Dracule Mihawk voluntarily became a Shichibukai, even presenting a few heads to the Marines."
"Alright, it just so happens that the Shichibukai position has been vacant for too long, and the invitation to Moria failed some time ago."
----------
Bonus for reaching 1.3 million views
Read 35 chapters in advance in Patr*on: patr*on.com/Cosmic_Kaminari
