Chapter 155: The Empress's Talents

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PS : Hello everyone! 😊 I hope you're all having a fantastic day. You may have noticed there wasn't a chapter released yesterday. I've recently made some adjustments to my update schedule. With a total of 8 fanfictions in progress, releasing 52 chapters a week has been incredibly exhausting, Very....!

Going forward, this fanfic will receive 1 chapter every 2 days. This change will allow me to focus on producing high-quality updates across my other fanfics and give me time to work on exciting new projects for the future....

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Noir led Hancock to a side room off the main hall, a guest room used for receiving visitors. Outside, the elderly fish-man, Puff, maintained a stern facade while attending to the boisterous Kuja pirates.

As soon as Noir entered the room, he used his System's appraisal on Hancock. A list of talents appeared before him:

Name: Boa Hancock

[World-Renowned Beauty] · [Charm: Gold Quality]. Possesses one of the most beautiful faces in the world. With age, her beauty and figure will become even more captivating, reaching its peak at 25. Men's resistance to her beauty decreases by 50% to 100% depending on the circumstances.

[Pirate Empress]: [Red Quality]. As a woman, she possesses a sharp, perceptive, and resilient mind, with the bearing of a queen among snakes. Her physique combines serpentine flexibility and strength. Her aptitude for physical combat surpasses all other women in the world. She also possesses a deep understanding of Haki. She is destined to face great hardship, but will ultimately survive, awakening and enhancing her Conqueror's Haki after the ordeal.

[Demon Host] · [Mero Mero: Red Quality]. Having consumed the Mero Mero no Mi, a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit, she is imbued with a demonic power, able to charm and petrify her enemies.

[Sea's Rejection]: [Purple Quality]. While gaining power from the Devil Fruit, she is also cursed by it. This curse causes her to be rejected by the sea. Contact with seawater weakens her and prevents her from actively using her abilities.

As Noir had expected, Hancock's talents were all geared towards women. Even if his System's copy function was still active, he wouldn't be able to replicate anything useful.

However, judging by the talents displayed by the System, Hancock's strengths clearly revolved around her beauty.

The only talent purely focused on combat enhancement was "Pirate Empress."

This suggested that Hancock's fighting style capitalized on her natural gifts: Advanced Haki and exceptional physical skills, complemented by her unparalleled beauty and charm.

Even without resorting to the Underworld, Noir was confident he could defeat Hancock in a straight fight based on pure strength.

Following Noir into the guest room, Hancock found herself alone with him. Away from the watchful eyes of her crew, she relaxed visibly.

Noticing her change in demeanor, Noir teased her with a smile. "Being an Empress must be tough. You always seem so tired."

Hancock quickly regained her composure, resuming her haughty demeanor. She lifted her chin. "It's nothing. Just managing a bunch of useless fools."

Ouch. 

She doesn't mince words.

This was more like the Hancock he'd expected. Earlier, she had been so captivated by his words that her usual imperial bearing had been absent.

Her appearance was that of a goddess surveying a wasteland, a disdainful glance seeming like a blessing. Even with her conceit, it was hard to feel any resentment towards her.

But Noir felt that this outward display of pride and coldness was a facade, a shield protecting a vulnerable heart.

Even as a renowned Empress, with status and territory, a woman could ultimately rely only on her own strength.

In this, she was similar to Robin. Both had fought tooth and nail for survival, one with her intellect, the other with her might.

Noir smiled and shook his head, his voice gentle, like an old friend. "You seem quite interested in my Mary Geoise escapade. Care to share why?"

Hancock fell silent. Speaking about it might offer a flicker of light in her carefully guarded heart, but…

In the end, she maintained her facade, letting out a cold huff. "I just wished to know which newcomer was foolish enough to challenge the World Government."

Hancock's attitude wavered between vulnerability and defiance. Noir, realizing she wasn't ready to discuss her past as a slave, decided not to press the issue.

There was no need to rush. This was their first meeting. He couldn't expect her to bare her soul immediately.

Seeing that Noir had dropped the subject, Hancock regained her imperial confidence. "May I see the Celestial Dragons you captured?"

Noir looked at her playfully. "Do you want to kill a few for fun?"

Hancock's expression remained unchanged. "Is that not permitted?"

Noir rested his chin on his hand. "Of course not. They're my merchandise. Each one is worth 7 billion Berries!"

Hancock let out a long breath, a faint, bitter smile touching her lips. "Very well. Selling them as merchandise is a form of revenge in itself..."

Noir looked at her in surprise. "You don't think I'd actually hand them over like that, do you?"

Hancock blinked. "What do you intend to do?"

Noir toyed with a shadow in his hand, a thoughtful expression on his face.

"I need some insurance. Something to hold over the Government's head when my forces are strong enough and I decide to leave the Warlords."

Hancock, her sharp mind catching the implications of his words, said, "You're selling the Celestial Dragons to the Government, and in exchange for the money, they offered you a position as a Warlord?"

Noir nodded. "Precisely. That's why I need to take some precautions. If the Government decides to go back on their word, I'll have leverage."

Hancock, intrigued, twirled a lock of her dark hair around her finger, her eyes sparkling with interest. "In that case, I'm rather curious about your plan..."

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Their conversation ended, and Noir led the Kuja Pirates back to the shore.

The familiar black mist of the Underworld spread, and Noir boarded Hancock's warship, the Perfume Yuda, sailing it into the mist.

As the Kuja pirates watched in amazement, the environment shifted dramatically. They were entering Noir's secret base for the first time.

Within the realm of the Underworld, Noir was an Absolute God. Anyone from the outside world who entered had to bow down.

Hancock observed her surroundings warily. "This ability must have been crucial in your escape from the Government's relentless pursuit."

She had heard rumors about the unprecedented Copy-Copy Fruit. With enough resources, a single user could potentially wield the power of every Devil Fruit in existence.

This was why Noir's abilities constantly evolved, making it impossible for the Marines to keep track.

Judging from his previous battles, he had already copied the abilities of the Marine Admirals Aokiji and Kizaru.

Noir smiled but remained silent. Let them think what they want. Many aspects of the Talent System resemble Devil Fruit powers.

It was a convenient cover story, and the Marines and the Government had bought it hook, line, and sinker.

Warning the Kuja pirates to avoid looking at the sea, Noir used his power to transport the Perfume Yuda directly to Thriller Bark.

As they disembarked on Thriller Bark, Hancock couldn't help but feel a sense of disbelief.

So that's why there was a vacant Warlord position for Noir. He had defeated Moria and taken over his territory.

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