#46 The Empresses Resolve

(AN: i accidentally uploaded chapter 47 instead of 46 yesterday, so here you go chapter 46)

Seeing Hancock suddenly blush, Marigold and Sandersonia exchanged confused glances.

What's going on? Why did she suddenly turn red?

Hancock's reaction left the two sisters baffled. They couldn't understand what was happening to her.

Having never experienced or felt such emotions themselves, they couldn't comprehend Hancock's feelings at this moment.

Even Hancock herself was puzzled, unsure of why she was feeling this way. Somehow, the man in front of her seemed incredibly charming, something she had never felt before.

"Forget it, we'll just ask Elder Nyon when we get back. She might know what's going on…"

"Ugh, we're definitely getting scolded when we return!" Marigold and Sandersonia's faces fell at the thought of getting lectured, and they pushed aside their confusion.

Not long after, the two sisters bid farewell to Hancock and led most of the Kuja Pirates back to their ship. The large ship, pulled by two giant serpents, headed towards the Calm Belt.

Hancock officially left the Kuja Pirates and joined Carlo and Blackbeard's crew. She wasn't alone; Daisy and Aphelandra, two top warriors from Amazon Lily, stayed with her.

Hancock insisted on only keeping these two strong warriors and five elite fighters, forming a small team of seven. She also kept her pet snake, Salome, by her side.

The reasons were simple: Amazon Lily still needed protectors like Kikyo, and she didn't want to trouble Carlo too much.

After much debate, Hancock's sisters reluctantly agreed and left with their crew.

"Vice Caiptain, the task is complete!" came a voice from the sky filled with mischief.

Lafitte landed on the deck, folding his wings, with traces of blood on his hands. Reporting to Carlo and Blackbeard, he said, "No one will ever find his body, not even a trace."

"Ha! If I'm right, his body is already being digested inside a Sea King…" Lafitte had disposed of the body brutally and effectively, ensuring it wouldn't be found.

"Good job," Carlo and Blackbeard were pleased. They appreciated having a subordinate who could handle details without needing constant oversight.

"Zehahahaha! Our crew is growing fast; even the Warlords are joining us!" Blackbeard laughed, excited about their new ally. "Imagine the World Government's reaction!"

Just then, Burgess stepped forward, overly enthusiastic. "Wiihahaha, welcome aboard, Pirate Empress! Your reputation precedes you!"

But Hancock didn't respond kindly to Burgess. Instead, she frowned in disgust. Flicking her white cape, she pointed at Burgess with her finger, her head held high. "Step back, insolent fool! I don't want to have to deal with you in front of Carlo!"

There it was, Hancock's unique queenly disdain, which felt oddly like a form of admiration. Everyone, including Carlo and Blackbeard, couldn't help but laugh at the scene.

Lafitte and the others openly mocked Burgess, whose attempt to be friendly had backfired spectacularly.

Burgess had misread the situation entirely. It was clear to everyone that Hancock respected only Carlo. Even Blackbeard hadn't approached her.

Clearly, Hancock was impressed by Carlo's decisive act of killing the Celestial Dragon. Her loyalty was to him alone. Everyone knew that Hancock, proud and aloof, wouldn't warm up to anyone else. Not turning Burgess to stone was already a concession to Carlo.

Blackbeard didn't mind. Carlo's quick thinking and decisive action had won Hancock over, turning a potential enemy into an ally and avoiding a major leak.

"Alright, time to celebrate! Prepare for our crew's first grand feast, Zehahaha!"