Chapter 201: Amazon Lily: I Know Your Secret

Too late...

Takumi silently leaped onto the deck.

Hancock kicked the already petrified Kaku.

Even though people who are petrified don't die immediately, once their stone bodies shatter, not even a god could save them.

Kaku's body began to topple toward the deck, and if it hit the ground, it would surely break into pieces.

Without a moment's hesitation, Takumi dashed forward, catching Kaku just before he hit the ground.

At the same time, Hancock aimed a swift kick at Takumi.

Frowning, Takumi quickly summoned a Fairy Sphere, blocking her strike entirely.

Takumi was well aware of Hancock's powers. If her kick landed, he would likely be petrified as well.

"What?" Hancock's eyes widened slightly as she stared at the Fairy Sphere that had effortlessly blocked her attack. "It resisted my Perfume Femur... What is this?"

Only after Hancock withdrew her leg did Takumi dismiss the Fairy Sphere.

He had no intention of fighting her head-on.

After all, one of his tasks was to gain Hancock's approval, and fighting her wouldn't help with that.

Takumi gently laid Kaku's petrified body aside, then turned his gaze to Hancock. His voice was calm as he said, "We're just travelers."

"Hmph, so what?" Hancock scoffed, her voice filled with arrogance. "The moment you set foot in the Calm Belt surrounding Amazon Lily, your lives were already on a countdown. No one can resist my beauty, and you're no exception. Slave Arrow!"

With that, Hancock unleashed the same ability she had used to petrify Enel.

Waves of pink, heart-shaped light circles expanded toward Takumi.

But Takumi didn't even flinch. He stood firm, facing the attack head-on.

When the pink glow faded, Hancock was visibly surprised to see Takumi still standing there, completely unaffected.

She was certain Takumi hadn't used pain to redirect his focus, as Kaku had.

"Did he dodge it? No... he didn't move at all..." Hancock's expression remained cold, though her curiosity was piqued. Suddenly, she smirked and said, "I don't care how you resisted my Slave Arrow. Your companions have already been turned to stone. You may have saved one, but can you save the other? Hehe... Someone, smash that long-eared one!"

"Yes, Lady Hancock!"

At her command, the warriors on the shore readied their weapons and moved to smash Enel's stone form.

Meanwhile, Hancock blocked Takumi's path with a cold smile. "I want to see you powerless as your companions die in front of you, before I send you to join them."

"Hmph, seems talking isn't working," Takumi responded with a smirk. Just as the warriors were about to strike Enel, Takumi released a powerful wave of Conqueror's Haki, knocking out everyone on the shore in an instant.

"Conqueror's Haki?!" Hancock's face twisted in surprise. "You actually have Conqueror's Haki!"

Takumi smiled casually. "It's just Conqueror's Haki."

Hancock frowned deeply.

"Just Conqueror's Haki?" she thought, confused. Is this really that common? She could sense that his Conqueror's Haki was far stronger than most of the people she had encountered who possessed the same ability.

How dare he show off in front of her, the Snake Princess? Unforgivable!

Her cold, elegant demeanor quickly returned. Ignoring the fallen warriors around her, Hancock lightly touched her lips with her fingers.

Takumi recognized her stance immediately—she was preparing to use Captive Arrow.

Captive Arrow was a technique where she would create a giant, heart-shaped projectile and draw it like a bow, shooting a barrage of pink arrows. Anything struck by those arrows would turn to stone, regardless of their feelings for her.

What a hassle...

As Hancock prepared to release the attack, Takumi calmly said, "I know your secret."

Hancock paused mid-draw. "Nonsense! I have no secrets!"

She tightened her grip on the heart-shaped bow and unleashed a storm of pink arrows at Takumi.

Takumi immediately grabbed the petrified Kaku and leaped off the ship.

The deck and railings struck by the arrows quickly turned to stone, just like the door Hancock had kicked earlier.

Takumi hurried over to where Enel was lying and, without hesitation, attempted to store both Enel and Kaku in his system space.

As he suspected, both petrified bodies were successfully transferred into the system, much like what had happened with Perona's body back on Thriller Bark.

Without wasting another second, Takumi bolted into the dense jungle, calling out behind him, "If you don't care, I'll just reveal your secret to the rest of the island!"

Hancock: "?"

Could it be that he really knows? Hancock wasn't sure, but from the look in Takumi's eyes, he seemed serious.

After a brief moment of silence, Hancock sprinted after him, shouting, "Hey! Stop right there and tell me what you know!"

Takumi hadn't even used Soru, so Hancock quickly caught up with him.

"I know everything about your shameful past," Takumi said with a calm tone.

Hancock froze for a moment, her mind flashing back to the dark memories of her childhood. Her expression darkened immediately, and the look in her eyes turned ice-cold.

No matter what he knows, this man has to die!

Hancock increased her speed, cutting off Takumi's escape. She unleashed a burst of her own Conqueror's Haki, trying to immobilize him, while preparing another Captive Arrow attack.

Takumi: "..."

Though Hancock's Haki caused him to hesitate for half a second, it had no lasting effect. As she loosed her arrows, Takumi responded by releasing his own Conqueror's Haki at full power.

A far more overwhelming force swept through the jungle, making the entire world seem to stop in its tracks for a moment.

Hancock's hands trembled as she pulled her bowstring, sweat trickling down her forehead. She managed to stay on her feet, but her body felt impossibly heavy. It took all her strength just to remain standing.

Who is this guy?

Hancock stared at Takumi in disbelief.

Takumi calmly walked toward her, locking eyes with her, and said, "Release Enel and Kaku from their petrified state, and in exchange, I won't reveal your secret."

"Who the hell are you?" Hancock asked through gritted teeth.

Takumi adjusted his hat slightly and replied, "Just a simple traveler."

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