The Pirate Empress, Boa Hancock

At that moment, a figure walked out from the cabin.

She was about 1.9 meters tall, with a slender figure, dressed in a patterned qipao-style outfit, and draped in a white cloak.

Her long, jet-black hair was styled in a princess cut.

With a slightly broad forehead that was smooth and even, she had deep blue eyes, elongated and delicate at the corners, which conveyed a hint of aloofness. Her high nose was petite, and her soft lips bore no wrinkles.

As she walked, her long, fair legs were exposed, and her red high heels clicked sharply against the deck.

A red and white patterned python with a yellow belly followed behind her.

The newcomer was none other than the captain of the Kuja Pirates and the current Empress of Amazon Lily.

The Warlord of the Sea, the Pirate Empress, Boa Hancock.

After the Warlord system was abolished, her bounty would skyrocket to 1.659 billion berries.

Hancock raised her chin haughtily and looked at Sanders, saying, "Sanders, what are you doing here?"

Sanders chuckled lightly, "Long time no see, Hancock."

"I just escaped from Impel Down and coincidentally encountered you. I wanted to borrow some supplies for my journey to the Sabaody Archipelago."

"What do you want to borrow?"

Mentioning the Sabaody Archipelago caused Hancock's expression to change as it reminded her of some unpleasant memories.

This wasn't directed at Sanders, though; she still felt grateful toward him. Without him, it would have taken the three sisters much longer to return to Amazon Lily.

"A few drinks and some food, and a log pose to the Sabaody Archipelago," Sanders replied.

 she motioned with her chin toward Sandersonia, indicating for her to prepare the supplies Sanders needed.

"Thank you," Sanders said with a slight nod.

"Why were you captured and sent to Impel Down?" Boa Marigold, the youngest of the three sisters, asked curiously.

It was only after Sanders escaped from Impel Down that others learned of his identity: the once-hidden Marine genius, captured under the accusation of betraying the World Government.

Sanders wanted to give Marigold a thumbs-up internally; he had been wondering how to steer the conversation in this direction.

The Pirate Empress Hancock was one of the crew members he wanted to recruit, but her disdain for men made this a difficult endeavor.

Their previous brief encounter only allowed for a calm exchange like this now.

If anyone else approached the Snake Princess, Hancock would have already taken them down.

However, having read the original story, Sanders knew exactly how to earn Hancock's trust.

"My adoptive father was killed by the Celestial Dragons. I wanted revenge but was captured by Sengoku and Kizaru and sent to Impel Down," Sanders recounted simply.

To recruit Hancock, the first step was to show no fear of the Celestial Dragons and to stand opposed to them.

The sisters harbored a deep hatred for the Celestial Dragons due to their past experiences.

Despite their power, they couldn't exact revenge after they grew strong because of the Celestial Dragons' influence.

When someone had a grudge against the Celestial Dragons and dared to kill one, it was only natural for them to develop a positive feeling toward that person.

And Sanders fit this bill.

However, this alone was still insufficient.

Hancock's psychological barriers were rooted in the mark on her back.

Only by addressing this can Hancock truly see him as a comrade.

Hearing the words "Celestial Dragons," the others gasped, as if they had uncovered an incredible secret.

Hancock's body visibly trembled, and she clenched her fist in a place unseen by others.

Marigold felt the same way.

However, she forced herself to approach Hancock, standing beside her tall figure to block the others' view, preventing anyone from noticing her sister's unusual reaction.

"Will you continue to seek revenge in the future?" Marigold asked with a tremor in her voice.

"Of course. The Celestial Dragons aren't anything extraordinary; people die when they are killed," Sanders replied matter-of-factly.

The world nobles, whom others revered, were nothing but swine in Sanders' eyes.

"But they are world nobles," Marigold said.

"Harming them will draw the pursuit of the Marines and the World Government; even the Marine Admirals will be dispatched," Marigold warned.

"I don't care, and I will recruit powerful partners," Sanders said, looking at Hancock. "So, Hancock, do you want to become my partner?"

"Ah?" The crew of the Kuja Pirates, still reeling from the shock of Sanders wanting to kill the Celestial Dragons, suddenly froze when they heard him propose recruiting their captain.

"Sanders, you have indeed helped us before, but to ask me to become your subordinate seems a bit too arrogant," Hancock said, looking at Sanders with a cold expression.

Then, an aura emanated from Hancock, pressing down toward Sanders.

Sanders smiled slightly and summoned his own Conqueror's Haki.

The two Conqueror's Haki clashed, creating a ripple in the calm belt, causing the still sails to flap loudly.

Sanders and Hancock didn't diffuse their Haki outward; it was solely aimed at each other.

But the crew of the Kuja Pirates felt as if they were on a small boat in a storm, on the verge of capsizing.

"Is this Conqueror's Haki?!!"

"It has the same talent as Lady Hancock!" Marigold stared at Sanders in shock.

"Hancock, there's no need to be so worked up; I'm just trying to recruit you," Sanders said, retracting his Conqueror's Haki.

He wasn't surprised by Hancock's rejection. Today, he was merely planting a seed, not expecting immediate success.

Even if Hancock was willing, she couldn't abandon Amazon Lily at this moment.

Hancock ultimately did not strike again and withdrew her Conqueror's Haki.

"I will not become anyone's subordinate," she said, lifting her chin arrogantly and looking down at Sanders in the small boat.

"What if I can eliminate the petrification curse?" Sanders said with a smile.

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T/N:

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