262. Where exactly do you stand? Marine

Come on people, 20 more power stones to go

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Crash-! ! !

The wind roared as a swift figure cut through the air, creating a clear path in the thick forest. In an instant, a composed figure stood beneath the massive creature's head.

Raising her elegant, snow-white neck, her eyes, resembling the colors of autumn, gazed up at the pristine figure above.

Pirate Empress-Boa Hancock! ! !

She's one of the current Shichibukai, the reigning queen of Amazon Lily, and renowned as the most beautiful woman globally!

Meet this tall lady with long, stunning black hair styled into a flowing hairstyle.

The forehead, slightly broad, is smooth and flat. Dark blue eyes portray a distant coldness, a high bridge of the nose, and snake-shaped gold earrings dangling from her earlobes add a charming touch to her beautiful face.

"Huh... Huh... Sister, why are you running so fast?"

"Yeah, Marigold and I can barely keep up with you!"

Hancock's figure was swiftly engulfed by two colossal shadows. One was a woman with long orange hair wielding a sword, and the other was a woman with a green hair shawl, a massive serpent resting on her neck.

Simultaneously, two rows of female warriors, dressed in animal skin skirts, hurried forward and formed orderly lines on either side of Hancock, creating a human passage.

"Marine! Are you... Hakuryu?"

Hancock paid no attention to the complaints of her two sisters and gazed at Atlas above her head with a slightly peculiar expression in her eyes. Her red lips parted, and her face exuded a sense of heroism.

"Is this... the most beautiful woman in the world?!"

Before Atlas could respond, all the Marines, including Smoker, blushed, their hearts racing. Some with weaker resolve even began to entertain indescribable fantasies in their minds.

"It's so beautiful; I really want to..."

"Um..."

Nosebleeds sprayed out one after another, people danced, unable to control themselves, and there were quite a few affected.

Even Smoker's body displayed signs of gearing up, his eyes turned red, and his nostrils emitted heavier breaths.

"Brother Atlas, there's something off about this woman... there's something off about her!!"

Atlas rose slowly, casting a condescending gaze at the other person. He lifted the corners of his mouth, revealing a smile. With his superhuman eyesight, he easily discerned the profound emotions in the person's eyes.

"Interesting, is it the effect of her fruit's ability?"

"Hmph——!! A rude man, no one can ever look down on me!!"

Observing the other party's arrogant demeanor, Hancock appeared to have stirred a deep-seated memory. The tenacity within her suddenly erupted, and she became instantly furious.

She placed her hands in front of her, making a loving gesture. Simultaneously, her robes fluttered, her long black hair streaming backward. The air vibrated rapidly, and an enormous love ray burst forth, enveloping the Marines on the warship! ! 

Mero Mero Mellow (Falling in Love Sweet Wind)! ! !

This move only worked on Marines who were captivated by her beauty. She was aware that, even at her best, the harm inflicted on the Marines would be minimal.

It's better to use those Marines to impart a lesson to that man. The man who saved her must never be allowed to treat her with such arrogance! ! 

The petrification induced by the fruit's ability remained unaltered, regardless of the man's strength.

That's the wonder of Devil Fruit powers!

"Ah, your temper is indeed as bad as the rumors say..."

As Atlas witnessed Hancock taking sudden action, he furrowed his brow, and his gaze turned cold.

This woman is truly wicked!

Swish——! ! !

With a swift motion of his hand, a massive stone, seemingly teleported from the sky, soared through the air and intercepted the path of the love ray.

Crash! ! !

As the rays swept through, the massive rocks instantaneously turned gray-white, resembling trees devoid of moisture, lifeless, and collapsing into pieces.

"Shichibukai"

Before he could finish speaking, Atlas' form abruptly vanished from the ship's bow, reappearing behind Hancock like a ghost.

"You can't attack Marines recklessly!"

Fire erupted from his feet, and explosive power surged! !

boom--! ! !

The massive flame column swiftly engulfed Hancock's figure. The entire island appeared to shake violently, and an extensive, scorched pit materialized instantly.

Thick black smoke ascended, obscuring the view for everyone on Amazon Lily, making it challenging to discern Hancock's condition.

"Onee-sama!! Damn it, you Marine scoundrel!"

"How dare you harm Onee-sama! Even being a Marine won't excuse you!"

Marigold and Sandersonia's pupils quivered intensely, their narrow eyes almost narrowing into thin lines, and sharp screams escaped their mouths.

"Swish-Swish-Swish!!!"

The female warriors on the left and right swiftly responded. Unsheathing their snake bows one after another, they drew their bows and nocked arrows, aiming with cold determination at Atlas standing in the center.

"How dare you hurt our beautiful Snake Princess!"

"Ready your bows and arrows, let's take down this guy and avenge Snake Princess!!"

Whoosh! !

A sea breeze swept through, slowly dispersing the billowing smoke, revealing a tall figure with enticing curves.

However, the expressions of Marigold and Sandersonia changed drastically. Their calf muscles tensed, and with almost all their strength, they sprinted in Hancock's direction.

but.

Someone's speed was evidently much swifter than theirs. They sensed a powerful gust of wind, and their long, curly hair instantly tousled.

So, under the terrified gazes of the two, Atlas surged ahead, breaking into the smoke that was on the verge of dissipating! !

"Onee-sama!! Move!"

"That Marine—!!"

The concealed secret, buried deep inside, is on the verge of being exposed to the public, and the one unraveling the secret is the Marine who should be the last to know! !

Marigold and Sandersonia were horrified.

You see, once the Hoof of the Soaring Dragon are imprinted on their backs, they become the property of the Celestial Dragons forever.

If any Marine uncovers a mark bearer, capturing them becomes their top priority! !

If that Marine uncovers the Hoof of the Soaring Dragon on her sister's back, even if she's a Shichibukai, she'll still be seized and taken to Mariejois, entering that nightmarish place once again.

And Amazon Lily, harboring the three of them, awaits impending destruction.

Clearly, Hancock didn't disclose to the two that they managed to successfully escape from Mariejois a few years ago, courtesy of Atlas's 'miss'! !

Otherwise, they wouldn't be so distressed.

A vivid burst of green light flickered, and a chilly voice gradually echoed as Hancock stepped forward.

"Where exactly do you stand? Marine!"

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