Chapter 306
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Abel had waited so long, and finally, the "Thief's Left Hand" appeared. If ever he coveted a Devil Fruit ability, he could steal it with this item. Although expensive, he still purchased the "Enhancement Protection Ticket."
This miraculous item that protects enhancement tools and items from damage and increases the success rate of strengthening is too valuable not to buy. For now, he only had one "Advanced Curse Tool Creation Scroll" to use it with. Not having decided how to utilize it yet, he neatly stored it away.
There's not much to say about the "Little Chef's Gourmet Gift Pack"; he devoured it all on the day of purchase, progress bar for gourmet cell evolution included. Despite its lavishness, the trade points were well worth the expenditure. The "Behemoth's Fur," initially acquired as a quest item, became an inspiration when he remembered he had a talent called "Might of the Colossus."
He wondered if he could extract the Behemoth's template from the few strands of hair. Logically, it should be possible since the fur contains essence, and Behemoths definitely count as colossi. The only worry was whether the world would oblige scientifically. In the end, he succeeded thanks to the "Rapid Digestion" talent, securing the Behemoth's template with ease. Together with the three existing colossus templates, the evolution condition of 'registering 12 different colossus templates' was one-third complete—a happy accident.
...
"Abel, I've brought today's newspaper for you~"
"Alright, just place it there; I'm almost done with this training set."
Abel responded to Baby-5, who had run over, then immersed himself once again in the training. A customized, massive barbell moved in his hands as if weightless, continuously performing chopping motions.
Only after reaching ten thousand reps did he exhale heavily and set down the barbell. He then sat down on a nearby chair and wiped off sweat with a towel. By that time, Baby-5 had already prepared a cup of tea for him. Abel naturally took a sip, complimented the young girl, and then picked up today's newspaper.
It was peculiar; despite three years passing since he joined the family, Baby-5's height hadn't changed, still bearing a lolita's appearance. If he didn't already know that she would grow into a busty, charming, and somewhat ditzy maiden, he might wonder if she would always remain so short. Aren't girls supposed to mature faster than boys? But considering that Baby-5 was two years younger, perhaps she'll be a late bloomer.
Shaking his head to dismiss these trivial concerns about Baby-5, he started to seriously scan today's newspaper. It had become a habit for him in this life. With no internet in this world, the newspaper was essential to staying informed about events on the grand seas. Although he had an omnipotent view and knew some of the world's directions and significant events, he couldn't remember every specific detail, not to mention important occurrences he wasn't aware of.
Then he saw a familiar name on the front-page headline of today's paper.
"Empress Hancock joins the Shichibukai (Seven Warlords of the Sea)!"
The article mainly discusses the current Empress of the Pirate Nation, Amazon Lily, and the present captain of the Kuja Pirates, Boa Hancock, who has answered the summons of the World Government to become another member of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
What agreement Boa Hancock reached with the World Government remains unknown.
It's not written in the newspapers, and it's probably impossible to find out.
The report also includes several photos of Boa Hancock.
Even though the pictures were taken secretly, from the angles, you can tell that this Empress of the Kuja is beautiful from every direction, not a single flaw in sight!
The article then causes quite a stir.
The Empress was rated as the "World's Most Beautiful Woman"!
It even included a submission address, inviting those around the world who disagree to send in photos of who they believe to be the world's number one beauty.
They claim that if they find a woman more beautiful than Boa Hancock, they're willing to publicly apologize to everyone, staking their entire fortune!
The report was already eye-catching, but this editor took the discussion from "Does the Empress have the strength and achievements to be one of the Seven Warlords?" to debates over "The Empress is the most beautiful, no objections allowed" and "She may be beautiful, but not the most beautiful woman in the world."
It seems someone with great influence subtly affirmed Boa Hancock's position as a Warlord while managing to stir up a major buzz and gain traffic, conveniently crowning her the world's number one beauty.
Killing several birds with one stone, truly diabolical!
Otherwise, there would definitely be countless doubts about the reasons for her being appointed as a Warlord.
After all, who had heard of the name Kuja Empress or Boa Hancock before this?
What tangible achievements does she have?
Has she challenged Whitebeard, defeated a Navy powerhouse, stepped onto the Red Line, freed slaves, or plundered 'Sky Gold'?
None of these.
In fact, she was once one of the slaves herself.
Of course, that's something only a few people know.
Although it's ultimately up to the World Government to decide the qualifications for being a Warlord, if they do it too casually without 'winning the people over', it could become a super big joke.
Abel, with a sense of unsatisfied curiosity, set down the newspaper, feeling like he just witnessed a huge revelation.
But this Empress is indeed beautiful.
Apart from her nasty personality and being a bit boy-crazy, she seems to have no other flaws.
No wonder she's a staple in so many fanfictions where, as soon as a harem is involved, she cannot escape the clutch.
Anyone would be pleased to have her!
Then, the Den Den Mushi in his arms rang, and Abel fetched it to see that it was Doflamingo trying to reach him, so he answered immediately.
"Is that you, Abel?"
"It's me, Captain Doflamingo."
"The family has welcomed two new members. I plan to call everyone back to get acquainted."
Abel looked surprised, "New members? Okay, I'll make a trip back."
After hanging up, he wondered where Doflamingo had recruited new members from.
"Calling everyone back means they've passed the test and have gone from rookies to official members? Who could these two be?"
"Never mind, I'll find out once I get back."