Chapter 76: Studying the Empress and Developing the Empress Medusa's Bloodline Training Method
Hancock was anxious, longing to see Chiba's handsome face and his deep and captivating eyes as soon as possible.
At the banquet, the empress, dressed in a new outfit, personally wheeled a cart laden with drinks and food to Chiba. With a smile, she announced to everyone, "Please, eat and drink to your heart's content. If we run out, I'll bring more."
"Hancock, thank you. This is more than enough. When can we continue our research?" Chiba asked, smiling at the empress.
Seeing Chiba's gentle face and those deep eyes made Hancock's heart race. She stammered, "Anytime, anytime."
"Then let's begin immediately," Chiba suggested.
"Now?" Hancock's cheeks flushed even more, but she nodded, "Alright, Mr. Ye, please follow me."
Hancock led Chiba to a secret chamber, once again disrobing. This time, however, she felt different. Her heart raced, her body felt hot, and she was overwhelmed with an inexplicable discomfort. Dizzy and weak, her legs gave way, and she began to fall.
Chiba quickly stepped forward, catching Hancock in his arms. Her skin was soft and fragrant, causing Chiba to swallow nervously.
"Hancock, are you alright? Perhaps you should rest for a few days," Chiba suggested gently.
"I'm fine," Hancock insisted, her heart pounding. "Since I promised you, Ye Jun, I will see it through. Please, let's begin."
Three days passed.
[You have gained a profound understanding of Hancock's physiology and the power of the Mero Mero no Mi. Combining this with your past life experiences, you have created the Empress Medusa's Bloodline Training Method.]
[Empress Medusa's Bloodline Training Method: By refining your true energy and blood, you can harness the power of Medusa's bloodline. With advanced practice, your hair can transform into snakes, and a mere glance can turn everything you see to stone...]
A mysterious cultivation method filled Chiba's mind, revealing its formidable power. This method allowed for a powerful ocular technique, unpredictable and challenging to defend against with Haki alone. However, it was designed for women, and Chiba, being a man, could not practice it.
During their time together, Chiba had developed feelings for Hancock, and he could sense she felt the same. For the most beautiful woman in the pirate world, Chiba wasn't about to let go.
He simplified the Empress Medusa's training method, eliminating the snake transformation but retaining most of the ocular power.
Chiba presented Hancock with the simplified method. She immediately recognized the significance of this gift. With her Mero Mero no Mi abilities and this new power, she could petrify anyone with just a glance, regardless of their attraction to her.
"Ye Jun, thank you," Hancock said joyfully, standing on her toes to plant a gentle kiss on Chiba's cheek.
Before she could dash away, Chiba playfully caught her, "You little minx, sneaking a kiss like that. See how I teach you a lesson!"
Hancock blushed even more, "Ye Jun, you..."
Before she could finish, Chiba kissed her, causing Hancock's knees to buckle and her heart to race. Chiba pulled back, concerned, as Hancock lay on the bed, breathless. "It's so overwhelming, am I dying?" she wondered aloud.
"Is this the poison Granny Nyon warned about?"
Chiba stepped back, allowing Hancock to calm down. "Don't worry, you're just nervous. Relax," he advised. "Focus on practicing the Empress Medusa's Bloodline Training Method. Also, you need a suitable weapon. I'll forge a supreme-level sword for you. It will ensure your safety on the seas, giving me peace of mind."
Hearing Chiba's caring words, Hancock's happiness overflowed, leading her to faint from excitement. Chiba, with his medical knowledge, quickly revived her, though the sensation of Chiba's breath on her lips caused her to faint again. Left with no choice, Chiba entrusted Hancock to Granny Nyon's care.
"Silly girl," Granny Nyon sighed, glaring at Chiba. "If you ever betray Hancock, I'll fight you with these old bones of mine."
Without waiting for a response, Granny Nyon carried Hancock away.
Meanwhile, Chiba began working on a special project. He retrieved a large crystal from the merchant ship, a gift from Magellan. This dark, jade-like crystal contained a unique energy capable of withstanding and amplifying the powers of Zhen Qi, Devil Fruits, and other abilities.
Using Koby's help, Chiba split the crystal and began crafting with it, infusing it with Armament Haki and the magical power of advanced destruction magic, forming mysterious runes within.
Immersed in this intricate process, Chiba worked tirelessly for half a month.
Early one morning, with the final strike of his hammer, a dark energy radiated over a kilometer, disintegrating everything in its path into tiny fragments. Then, just as suddenly, the energy coalesced, restoring everything to normal.
The energy converged into a pair of elegant high heels, dark with purple accents, radiating nobility and power.
Chiba presented the heels to Hancock with a smile, "These shoes are crafted from special materials and infused with magical energy. They enhance your Devil Fruit powers and your spiritual and magical energies. With these, your Perfume Femur is ten times stronger, capable of reducing anything you kick to dust or tiny clones."
"Simply bond with them using a drop of your blood, and they will be yours to control."
"Is it truly so remarkable?" Hancock asked, her beautiful face full of disbelief.
"Try it and see," Chiba encouraged. Hancock bit her finger, letting a drop of blood fall onto the shoes. Instantly, she felt a connection, and after putting them on, they felt like an extension of her body, brimming with magical power.
"Bring a piece of Seastone," Hancock ordered. Soon, Margaret and others brought a large Seastone block.
Hancock raised her leg and struck. The stone shattered into powder, and Hancock marveled at the power she now wielded.
The commotion drew the attention of the island's giant creatures, but they quickly fled upon recognizing the Empress. Hancock pursued, easily transforming them into thumb-sized replicas and eventually stone statues with her new power.
"What incredible strength," Hancock exclaimed, delighted by the shoes' capabilities. She realized that even without fully using her Devil Fruit, she could achieve such devastating results.
"I love these shoes, Ye Jun. What shall we call them?"
"Call them 'Fragrant Femur,' the Perfume Femur that crushes all," Chiba suggested.
"Fragrant Femur, a perfect name," Hancock beamed, her eyes filled with affection for Chiba.
"Next, Hancock, I want to study your Conqueror's Haki in more detail."
"Alright," Hancock agreed, calming herself and focusing her Conqueror's Haki for Chiba's research.
Ten days passed.
With Hancock's assistance, Chiba delved into Conqueror's Haki when a voice suddenly echoed from above.
Chiba and Hancock looked up to see a falling figure wearing a straw hat.
"Luffy!" Chiba quickly leapt into the air and caught him.
Once grounded, Luffy immediately demanded to return to the Sabaody Archipelago to find his crew.
Chiba reprimanded him, "With your current strength, what can you do to save anyone?"
Luffy, teary-eyed, begged, "Chiba, please help me save Zoro, Sanji, Nami, Robin, Usopp, Chopper, Brook, and Franky."
"Don't worry. Bartholomew Kuma didn't harm your friends. They're alive and well."
"Really?" Hope filled Luffy's eyes.
"My foolish little brother, when have I ever lied to you?"
"But you need to realize that the only reason you've been safe is because of Grandpa Garp, your brother, and me. If we're not there, someone stronger might come after you next time, and your friends might not be as lucky."
"So, my brother, you must grow stronger—reach Admiral level or beyond—to protect your crew and continue your journey. Do you understand?"
"Yes!" Luffy vowed, determined to train hard.
At that moment, Hina approached solemnly with a newspaper, "Ye Jun, Ace is set for public execution."
Chiba glanced at the paper, confirming his memories. Three months from now, Ace would face execution at Marineford.
"What, Ace is going to be executed?" Luffy gasped, grabbing the newspaper. "I need to get to Impel Down and rescue Ace!"
Chiba knocked sense into him, "You'd only die if you went now. You're not strong enough."
"Do I just watch Ace die?" Luffy shouted, frustrated.
"If you want to save Ace, you must grow stronger. I'll find someone to train you," Chiba assured, glancing at a nearby tree. "Why hide when you're already here?"
"If I knew you were here, I wouldn't have bothered," came a voice. From the shadows emerged Silvers Rayleigh, the Dark King.
Rayleigh, the former first mate of the Pirate King, was a master of Armament, Observation, and Conqueror's Haki, as well as swordsmanship—a formidable force without relying on Devil Fruits.
Chiba, aware of Rayleigh's prowess, wasn't intimidated. They had no reason to fight.
"You're more suited to teach Luffy than I am," Chiba suggested.
"Luffy's your brother. Isn't it strange for me to mentor him?" Rayleigh replied, eyeing Chiba warily.
"True, but I'm in the Marines. Luffy is a pirate like Roger. Wouldn't you want to see a new Pirate King rise?"
"Heh, that's one way to look at it. But you wouldn't ask me for free, would you?"
Chiba sighed, knowing Rayleigh would have taught Luffy regardless. "I'll give you a Foundation Establishment Pill, ten times stronger than the Marine's version. It can heal injuries and make you feel three years younger."
Rayleigh's eyes widened, recalling the Marine's effective pill he once stole. "Ten times stronger? I don't believe it."
Chiba offered a sample, which Rayleigh swallowed, feeling the potent energy rejuvenate his body and heal old wounds, far superior to the Marine's pill.
Rayleigh, intrigued, demanded, "At least three pills."
"Five, but I have a condition."
"Five?" Rayleigh's breath caught, eager for more. "What's your condition?"
"Help me study Conqueror's Haki by clashing with Hancock."
"Deal," Rayleigh agreed without hesitation. "But there's a time limit. Conqueror's Haki can't be cultivated. It's innate. Even with your talent, I doubt you can devise a method to cultivate it."
Chiba accepted, confident in his research. "Three months is fine."
[•———•———•———•]
𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙖 𝙢𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙣𝙩 𝙩𝙤 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙢𝙮 𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙩𝙪𝙙𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙤 𝙨𝙪𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩 𝙢𝙚 𝙤𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙟𝙤𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙚𝙮. 𝙔𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙞𝙗𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚 𝙖 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙡 𝙙𝙞𝙛𝙛𝙚𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚!
𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸𝘀 𝘁𝗼:
• 𝙅𝙘𝟭𝟮𝟬𝟮
• 𝘼𝙝𝙢𝙖𝙧𝙞𝙟𝙖𝙝
• 𝗝𝗮𝗰𝗼𝗯 𝗠𝗼𝗲𝗲
𝗔𝘀 𝗮 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻, 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘂𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸:
• 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀: 𝙂𝙚𝙩 𝟭𝟴𝟱+ 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙖𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙚𝙡𝙨𝙚.
• 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁-𝗢𝘂𝘁: 𝙍𝙚𝙘𝙚𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙖 𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙞𝙖𝙡 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙖𝙨 𝙖 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙨𝙪𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩!
𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗳𝘂𝗲𝗹𝘀 𝗺𝘆 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝗮𝗹𝘀𝗼 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽𝘀 𝗺𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆. 𝗜𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂'𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗻 𝘆𝗲𝘁, 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗷𝗼𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘂𝘀!
👉 𝙅𝙤𝙞𝙣 𝙣𝙤𝙬: 𝙥𝙖𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙤𝙣.𝙘𝙤𝙢/𝙂𝙤𝙙𝙊𝙛𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧
💬 𝘼𝙡𝙨𝙤 𝘼𝙫𝙖𝙞𝙡𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚: 𝙈𝙮 𝘼𝙙𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙨𝙡𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙩! 𝙐𝙣𝙡𝙤𝙘𝙠 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙚𝙭𝙘𝙡𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙤𝙤𝙡 𝙛𝙤𝙧 $30—𝙣𝙤𝙬 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙖 10% 𝙙𝙞𝙨𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙩! 𝙅𝙪𝙨𝙩 𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙙𝙚: 𝗚𝗢𝗗𝗢𝗙𝗥𝗘𝗔𝗗𝗘𝗥.
𝙒𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙤𝙬𝙚𝙧 𝙤𝙛 𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙩𝙂𝙋𝙏 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙗𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙙 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙢𝙮 𝘼𝙙𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙏𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙨𝙡𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙋𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙥𝙩, 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙚𝙛𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙡𝙮 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙨𝙡𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝘾𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙚 𝙣𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙡𝙨 𝙞𝙣𝙩𝙤 𝙀𝙣𝙜𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙝 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙝𝙪𝙢𝙖𝙣-𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙖𝙘𝙘𝙪𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙮, 𝙘𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮 𝙣𝙪𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙙𝙚𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙡. 𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙪𝙣𝙞𝙦𝙪𝙚 𝙩𝙤𝙤𝙡 𝙙𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙪𝙡𝙩𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙧𝙞𝙫𝙖𝙡 𝙥𝙧𝙤𝙛𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡 𝙝𝙪𝙢𝙖𝙣 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙨𝙡𝙖𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙨, 𝙗𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙧𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙞𝙫𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙖𝙘𝙘𝙪𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙚 𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙨𝙡𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙚𝙣𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙚𝙭𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚!
👉𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗽: 𝙋𝙖𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙤𝙣.𝙘𝙤𝙢/𝙂𝙤𝙙𝙊𝙛𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧/𝙎𝙝𝙤𝙥