Chapter 75: Studying the Body of the Empress, This Empress Will Never Break Her Promise

The corner of Chiba's mouth twitched. He admitted that the Empress was beautiful, but this was too much. Rolling up his sleeves, he said coldly, "You foolish woman. It seems that until I teach you a lesson, you won't talk properly."

As soon as he spoke, Chiba's figure vanished from the spot, reappearing instantly in front of the Empress, and he aimed a punch at her cheek.

Hancock's Observation Haki was powerful, and her reaction was on par with Chiba's. She swiftly lifted her slender leg, countering Chiba's fist with a kick.

"Super Advanced Destruction Magic Smash." While practicing the Black Water True Method on the ship, Chiba had also trained in this potent magic. Now was the perfect time to use it.

A surge of magic energy swept over Hancock's right foot. Instantly, her leg shattered, transforming into miniature versions of herself, each the size of a fist, and soon her entire body fragmented into dozens of tiny Hancocks.

Chiba grabbed one of Hancock's tiny ears, lifting her up as he flicked her smooth forehead lightly, smiling. "Empress, now can we have a proper conversation?"

Before Chiba could finish, the dozens of tiny Hancocks leapt onto him, scratching and biting, all while shouting insults at him.

"Damn Marine! Do you think I, the Empress, will bow down to this?"

"You're dreaming!"

Hancock cursed, but deep down, she was shocked.

With her Haki fully activated, her charm at its peak, and her Devil Fruit ability in full force, she hadn't even managed to affect this man in the slightest.

Is this man even human?

And she had never heard that he ate a Devil Fruit. So, what kind of ability allowed him to transform her into so many little Hancocks?

"My Lady Empress!" Margaret cried out anxiously, rushing at Chiba to help.

Chiba sent a punch her way, turning Margaret and the others into similarly small, doll-sized versions of themselves.

"Hina, give these little ones some cages."

Hina, hearing this, activated her Cage-Cage Fruit ability, creating small cages and placing each miniature version into one. No matter how much they struggled, they couldn't break free.

Hancock finally panicked and spoke up, "Please, don't hurt them."

Chiba responded, "I have no intention of harming anyone, and I hold no love for the Celestial Dragons. My father is the leader of the Revolutionary Army, and my two foolish brothers are Ace and Luffy. Luffy even punched a Celestial Dragon. I stay with the Marines solely because they provide me with resources. That's all."

"So, there's no need for us to be mortal enemies."

"If you'll listen to my proposal, I'll immediately release your subordinates and return everyone to normal."

"And I believe you'll find my offer intriguing."

Hancock stared at Chiba for a long moment. If he had truly wanted to kill them, they'd already be dead several times over.

Moreover, this was the legendary Marine, Chiba. If anyone could remove the Celestial Dragon's Hoof of Shame from her back, it might be him.

If he could indeed remove that mark… she would pay any price.

The miniature Hancocks nodded in unison and said, "Alright, I'll trust you just this once."

Chiba nodded to Hina, who deactivated her Cage-Cage ability, while Chiba dismissed his magic. Hancock, Margaret, and the others returned to their original size.

"My Lady Empress, we're here to save you!" At that moment, Hancock's two sisters, Sandersonia and Marigold, rushed over, armed and ready.

Hancock stopped them. "Don't be rude. These are my guests."

With that, she also lifted the petrification curse on Koby and Helmeppo.

"Master Chiba, please," Hancock gestured courteously and led Chiba and his crew into Amazon Lily's main area.

Hancock prepared a grand feast for Hina and the others, then brought Chiba to a secluded room.

"Master Chiba, we're alone here. Tell me, what exactly do you want?"

"I believe you know a bit about me. I'm passionate about research."

"Don't tell me… you want to study my Love-Love Fruit powers?" Hancock asked, recalling rumors of Chiba's scientific obsession.

"I am interested in your Devil Fruit ability, but what I really want to study is your Conqueror's Haki. The power you used to suppress us earlier—that was Conqueror's Haki, wasn't it?"

Hancock's lips curved into a slight smile. She nodded. "Yes, it's Conqueror's Haki. But Conqueror's Haki isn't something you can acquire through training; it's innate. Only those born with the spirit of a ruler can awaken it. No matter how talented you are, you'll never attain it."

"That doesn't matter," Chiba replied smoothly. "As long as you allow me to study your body and the power of Conqueror's Haki, I'll remove the Celestial Dragon's Hoof from your back."

At his words, Hancock instinctively touched her back, her expression tense as emotions of anger, shame, and sorrow flickered in her eyes.

Years ago, during training to become warriors, she and her sisters were captured by the Celestial Dragons and branded as slaves. That cursed Hoof of the Celestial Dragon had left an indelible mark on them.

As long as this mark remains, it signifies a status lower than that of ordinary people.

The Celestial Dragons indulged in sweet fruits, using her for their entertainment. Since that time, she and her sisters have lived in torment until Fisher Tiger, the merman, liberated them. They escaped the Celestial Dragons' clutches and reunited with their past.

Granny Nyon, the former ruler of Amazon Lily, offered them refuge, which eventually led to the rise of the current Empress.

The three sisters tried countless times to remove the mark on their backs. They used special potions, cut the skin, but nothing worked. The mark was stubborn, as if rooted in their very being, always reappearing.

Up until now, she hadn't even dared to have anyone assist her in the bath, maintaining a cold demeanor to avoid revealing the mark of the Celestial Dragons on her back. If this secret were to be exposed, the Celestial Dragons would surely come after her, and her sisters wouldn't be safe on Amazon Lily or anywhere else in this world.

The mere thought of this made Hancock tremble with fear. Just then, a reassuring hand rested on her shoulder. She looked up to see Chiba's gentle smile. "Don't worry, I'll handle everything," he assured her.

Seeing the confidence in Chiba's eyes and remembering his incredible research breakthroughs calmed Hancock. Perhaps with this man, there was hope.

Hope flickered in Hancock's heart as she gazed at Chiba, her voice softening, "You won't let me down, right?"

"Of course not," Chiba nodded. "Let me see the mark on your back."

Hancock hesitated but eventually removed her clothing, turning her back to Chiba. Her skin was pale and smooth, marred by a large imprint along her spine—a symbol of her past enslavement to the Celestial Dragons.

"I need to take a sample for research. Please bear with me."

Hancock nodded, and Chiba carefully extracted a piece of skin for examination, beginning his in-depth study.

One day later, Chiba had made significant progress.

[You have gained a comprehensive understanding of the Empress Boa Hancock's physiology and the workings of the Celestial Dragons' mark. You have formulated a powerful potion for removing such marks.]

[Powerful Mark Removal Potion: Crafted from rare medicinal ingredients, this potion eradicates even the most stubborn scars...]

A new formula materialized in Chiba's mind, and he smiled at Hancock, who lay resting. Her skin, as pale as milk, was flawless except for the mark.

"All done," Chiba announced.

Hancock grabbed a garment, covering herself, and asked eagerly, "Already? Did you really find a solution?"

"For me, it wasn't difficult," Chiba replied, jotting down the prescription and handing it to Hancock. "Follow these instructions, and I'll prepare a potion that will remove the mark."

With determination, Hancock promised to procure the necessary ingredients immediately.

Three days later, Chiba had brewed the potion, and Hancock lay on the bed once more.

"This might hurt a bit, but you'll need to endure it."

"I've faced worse. Do what you must," Hancock replied bravely.

Chiba applied the potion to the mark, channeling his energy to ensure it penetrated deeply. Hancock felt a searing pain, clutching Chiba's leg in response, but he continued, focusing his power on erasing the mark completely.

After ten long hours, the mark, and every trace of its root, vanished from Hancock's back.

"It's done," Chiba declared, wiping away his sweat.

Hancock covered herself with a towel and looked in the mirror, her back now smooth and unblemished. Tears welled up as she realized the mark of shame was finally gone.

"Hancock, the mark is gone. Why are you crying?" Chiba asked gently.

"Wow..." Hancock sobbed, overwhelmed by emotion. Chiba, unsure of how to console her, simply offered comfort.

"It's okay. The mark is gone, and you don't have to worry about it being discovered anymore. You can wear anything you like."

Suddenly, Hancock embraced Chiba tightly, gratitude filling her voice, "Thank you, thank you so much."

As the towel slipped, Chiba felt the warmth of her body, his heart racing.

"Alright, don't cry. You're an empress, after all," Chiba teased lightly. Hancock laughed through her tears, correcting herself, "You're the one who's a crybaby, not me."

Seeing her playful demeanor, Chiba's heart quickened. Hancock, realizing her state, quickly pulled away, but not before Chiba had seen everything.

"Such a captivating woman," Chiba mused. Hancock soon returned, dressed in a cheongsam, her gaze towards Chiba now filled with a new, indescribable warmth.

"Chiba, my sisters also bear this mark. Can you help them too?"

"Of course," Chiba agreed, spending another day and night removing the marks from her sisters.

The three sisters were overjoyed, and the next day, they celebrated Chiba with a grand ceremony. Hancock personally served him food and drink, her eyes filled with admiration.

"With your skills, why do you stay with the Marines and serve the Celestial Dragons?" Hancock pondered aloud, wishing Chiba could be free of such ties.

"They need me, and let me clarify—Marines are Marines, and Celestial Dragons are Celestial Dragons. Though Marines have their flaws, they protect civilians from pirates, preserving lives and property."

"Hancock, we must judge people and situations individually, not broadly, to avoid misconceptions."

"I understand. So, if you achieve your goals, will you leave the Marines and the Celestial Dragons?"

"As I've mentioned, the Celestial Dragons and I are merely using each other. Leaving the Marines depends on the situation. Who knows? I might even lead them against the Celestial Dragons someday," Chiba laughed.

Hancock smiled, charmed by his words. Granny Nyon, however, was concerned, warning Hancock, "Men are trouble. Don't let them deceive you."

"Ai know, Granny," Hancock replied, still watching Chiba with a silly smile.

"Men are dangerous," Granny Nyon sighed, seeing Hancock so smitten. "Hancock, let's talk."

"What is it? Can't it wait?"

"No, it can't."

Reluctantly, Hancock followed Granny Nyon, who cautioned, "You're the Empress. You can't fall for a man. You must understand this."

"Got it, got it. Anything else?"

Just then, Margaret entered, "Empress, Lord Chiba wishes to see you."

Hancock's heart leapt with joy, and she quickly prepared herself. "Granny, how do I look?"

Granny Nyon sighed, realizing Hancock was completely enamored.

"Hancock, you can't see him anymore. You'll only fall deeper."

Hancock dismissed her worries, confidently heading towards the banquet hall.

"Ai promised to assist Chiba, and Ai will keep that promise."

•———•———•

[PR/N: Honestly, I can't stand the author of this novel. What on earth does "Ai" even mean? And why name the main character Ye Jun in a One Piece fanfic? Why not use a Japanese name? Why am I the one grabbing this chapter from MTL, proofreading it, and fixing all the grammar? I'm so tired of this author and everything about this story. One more chapter like this, and I'm going to have a full mental breakdown. I should just rename this fanfic "Me vs. My Mental Health." Arrgh!]

[•———•———•———•]

𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙖 𝙢𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙢𝙮 𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙩𝙪𝙙𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙨𝙪𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩 𝙢𝙚 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙟𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙮. 𝙔𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙗𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙖 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡 𝙙𝙞𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚!

𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗼:

• 𝙅𝙘𝟭𝟮𝟬𝟮

• 𝘼𝙝𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙟𝙖𝙝

• 𝗝𝗮𝗰𝗼𝗯 𝗠𝗼𝗲𝗲

𝗔𝘀 𝗮 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻, 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘂𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸:

• 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀: 𝙂𝙚𝙩 𝟭𝟴𝟱+ 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙖𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙚𝙡𝙨𝙚.

• 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁-𝗢𝘂𝘁: 𝙍𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙖 𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙨 𝙖 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙨𝙪𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩!

𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝘂𝗲𝗹𝘀 𝗺𝘆 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽𝘀 𝗺𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆. 𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂'𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻 𝘆𝗲𝘁, 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘂𝘀!

👉 𝙅𝙤𝙞𝙣 𝙣𝙤𝙬: 𝙥𝙖𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙤𝙣.𝙘𝙤𝙢/𝙂𝙤𝙙𝙊𝙛𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧