After yesterday, Hancock is now 13 years old. To celebrate her birthday, Lakeman had specially ordered a magnificent five-layer cake.
"The cake is delicious. It's a pity we couldn't completely eat it last night," Lakeman said with a grin, retracting his finger from the frosting. He smiled mischievously as he gently pressed Hancock down. "Now it's my turn to taste it," he added with a playful tone.
Hancock's face flushed a deep red, and she turned her face away shyly. Despite her embarrassment, she couldn't help but feel a flutter of excitement. Under normal circumstances, finishing the five-layer cake would be easy for her, but Lakeman had a unique way of celebrating that went beyond just eating the cake.
Sure enough, soon Hancock and the cake were both devoured by Lakeman in a manner that left her breathless. Over an hour later, the cake was completely finished, and Hancock lay there, her eyes closed in fatigue, her face still red with residual delight.
During their brief rest, Hancock decided to bring up a serious matter. "Master, Stussy seems... not quite right," she said, her voice filled with concern. "She appears to be hiding something."
Lakeman, who was lying beside her, turned his head to look at her, a hint of surprise in his eyes. "You noticed?" he asked, genuinely curious.
"Yes," Hancock nodded lightly. "I vaguely sensed something. She... she seems to be wary of you, master."
Lakeman pondered this for a moment before responding, "Ignore her. If she poses any real threat, I will deal with her." His tone was confident and dismissive, conveying his trust in his own abilities to handle any situation.
"Understood," Hancock replied, not pressing the matter further. She knew that as long as Lakeman was aware, there was no need for her to worry. She truly submitted to him with all her heart, trusting his wisdom and resourcefulness implicitly.
The next day,
in a room that was still in disarray from the previous night's festivities, Hancock lowered her head, devouring his morning wood, her white, delicate skin glowing perfectly in the cool morning air.
"Slurp... Slurp... Slurp..."
Lakeman placed one hand gently on her head, a gesture that was both possessive and comforting.
After a long moment, Hancock calmly got up, wiped her mouth, and ended her morning greeting. She walked into the bathroom, instinctively leaving the door open. Behind her, Lakeman followed leisurely, entering the bathroom as well. The second round of their morning routine began.
Throughout the day, almost ten hours were spent with Lakeman playing with Hancock. Although she found it somewhat overwhelming, she was also glad for Stussy's arrival. At least someone could share the burden, providing her with a bit of relief. Otherwise, Hancock felt she might faint from exhaustion someday.
On the other side of the world, in Mariejois, the top level of the World Government.
The five elders gathered in a grand hall.
"Saint Nusjuro, your junior is causing trouble again," one of the elders, Saint Marcus, said, addressing Saint Nusjuro. The other elders also looked on with concern.
They had received reports from Stussy and Sengoku, learning that Lakeman intended to go to North Blue to meet with the Heavenly Yaksha, Doflamingo. This was a highly nerve-wracking situation.
Ever since Doflamingo was denied reinstatement as a Celestial Dragon, his temperament had become extreme and wanton, as if he had turned into a hellish demon, greedily eroding the world.
The CP organization had discovered that Doflamingo had repeatedly inquired about the secrets of ancient weapons, plotting something sinister.
"Doflamingo is an unstable factor. Interacting with him is not good," Saint Marcus continued, his voice filled with concern.
"Yes, we have already allowed Sengoku to take action against him," Saint Topman Valkyrie added, nodding in agreement.
"You'd better stop your junior," Saint Jay Garcia Saturn said, his tone serious.
"Be careful not to be swallowed by the Heavenly Yaksha!" Saint Shepherd Ju Peter warned, his eyes narrowing with worry.
Saint Nusjuro was silent for a while, pondering the situation deeply. After a long moment, he shook his head.
"According to the reports from Stussy and Sengoku, Saint Lakeman has awakened the power of Haki, and his techniques are astonishing. He can already perform Armament Haki emission. Such talent is unparalleled in the eight hundred years of the World Government," he said, his tone filled with pride and confidence in Lakeman's abilities.
"Genius has the privilege to be willful!" Saint Nusjuro continued. "Similarly, the path of a genius cannot be questioned by others!"
The other elders were greatly surprised by Saint Nusjuro's confidence in Saint Lakeman. This was beyond their expectations.
"Saint Nusjuro, geniuses can also die young!" Saint Marcus cautioned, his voice filled with concern.
"That's right. Precisely because he is a genius, he should be well protected to ensure his smooth growth," Saint Topman Valkyrie added, nodding in agreement.
"Doflamingo will only lead him astray!" Saint Jay Garcia Saturn insisted, his tone urgent.
"You've seen the CP's intelligence too. Doflamingo is involved in many illegal businesses, and he's already controlled the entire underground world in North Blue," Saint Shepherd Ju Peter exclaimed, trying to dissuade Saint Nusjuro.
But Saint Nusjuro remained firm. He smiled lightly and said, "Your worries are unnecessary. It's not that I underestimate Doflamingo, but his level of Haki is not even a quarter that of Saint Lakeman's!" His tone was confident, filled with unwavering trust in Lakeman's abilities.
This was indeed true. In the original story, several years later, during the battle with Luffy, Doflamingo's Armament Haki level still did not reach the level of emission and internal destruction.
Of course, the level of Armament Haki does not equal a person's combat strength. But at this point in time, Lakeman's Armament Haki techniques were top-notch, his Observation Haki on the verge of foreseeing the future, enough to suppress hundreds of Doflamingo at this moment.
"You have a point..." Saint Marcus admitted, nodding reluctantly.
"Alright, since you insist, let's proceed as you wish," Saint Topman Valkyrie conceded.
"After all, he is your junior," Saint Jay Garcia Saturn added, acknowledging Saint Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro's authority.
"Sengoku said Kizaru could only tie with Saint Lakeman, and Doflamingo shouldn't be a match for Kizaru. So, it seems Saint Lakeman is not in danger," Saint Shepherd Ju Peter concluded, convinced by Saint Nusjuro's arguments.
The other four elders were finally convinced.
A day later.
Lakeman's ship set sail, escorted by Kizaru, heading towards North Blue. However, one person was left behind. That person was Stussy.
In the auction house office, Stussy stood by the window, watching the two ships sail away. Her brows furrowed, and her fists clenched tightly. "Why didn't he take me, instead of giving me some useless tasks?" she muttered to herself, feeling confused and scared.
Logically, she had climbed into Lakeman's bed and cultivated Datura flowers in her. It was the time when her freshness was at its peak. Any normal man should cling to her day and night. Stussy had also prepared for being torn apart by Lakeman's insatiable desires.
But Lakeman didn't.
In the evening, when Stussy returned to the Celestial Dragon Hotel, Lakeman would pull Hancock along. If he didn't come back, Lakeman wouldn't look for her either.
"Something's wrong!" Stussy exclaimed, pacing the room. "Something's very wrong!" She furrowed her brows, pondering seriously. Becoming a physical companion is a shortcut for a woman to gain a man's trust. But if this shortcut doesn't work, it indicates a terrifying truth! That is, Lakeman never trusted her from the beginning.
"Have I not done enough?" Stussy was extremely puzzled, muttering to herself. "I've done everything Hancock has done. CP even designed a specific image for me based on my appearance and temperament. I've been playing my role very well. Could it be that he doesn't like my type? Or did I reveal something?"
At this thought, Stussy's heartbeat slowed. Otherwise, it couldn't explain why Lakeman was so indifferent to her.
"Do I need to have a child?" Stussy touched her flat belly, her eyes flickering with uncertainty. But she quickly shook her head.
"No, getting pregnant with a Celestial Dragon's child without permission is a capital crime!"
The entire day, Stussy was engulfed in anxiety and resentment. As an undercover agent, if she couldn't gain trust, her situation would be extremely dangerous. Once exposed, she would die miserably.
Meanwhile, in Spider Miles Island, at the future stronghold of the Donquixote family, Doflamingo was preparing for Lakeman's arrival.
"Saint Lakeman should arrive in about two months. You all get ready and arrange a grand welcome party for him!" Doflamingo commanded, his grin widening.
In front of him, the family members nodded enthusiastically.
"Don't worry, master!" said Pica, his voice dripping with loyalty. "We'll make sure Saint Lakeman feels the enthusiasm of the Donquixote family!"
"The family will treat him as the most honored guest," Diamante added, his tone equally eager.
They naturally welcomed Saint Lakeman's arrival. From the few words Doflamingo had revealed, they knew the master had reached a cooperation agreement with the other party. The family's illegal businesses would be covered by the other party in the Sabaody Archipelago.
'Birds of a feather flock together,' Rosinante thought, watching the scene unfold with a mixture of disgust and determination. He looked excited on the surface, but inwardly he was cursing.
'Indeed, there isn't a single good Celestial Dragon,' Rosinante sighed in his heart.
'To them, illegal businesses are no different from legitimate ones. They wouldn't feel any guilt even if many innocent people died because of them. Celestial Dragons shouldn't have existed from the start!' Rosinante screamed internally, filled with righteous anger. But the other family members were cheering and celebrating.'
"With Saint Lakeman's help, our business should expand quickly!" Pica exclaimed, his gravelly voice filled with glee.
"Hahaha, we can even get all kinds of contraband. We can also buy the most advanced research products of the World Government," Diamante added, his eyes gleaming with anticipation.
"With his help, we can start our plan ahead of time!" Doflamingo concluded, his tone confident.
Amidst the cheers, Rosinante's heart surged with killing intent. He knew he had to stop this alliance from flourishing.
On the sea, a luxurious ship of the Celestial Dragons sailed alongside a lieutenant general-class warship. The two ships cut through the waves, heading towards the Calm Belt.
[You have received training feedback from Boa Hancock!]
[You have received training feedback from Borsalino!]
[You have received training feedback from Silver Rayleigh!]
On the luxurious ship, Lakeman exhaled gently. His powerful cardio-pulmonary ability condensed his breath like an arrow, rolling and surging in the air for ten seconds, extending over fifty centimeters before gradually dissipating.
The massive amount of training feedback he received every day rapidly enhanced his physical fitness. Every day, he was far superior to the day before!
Now, he stood at 1.8 meters tall, with strong and resilient muscles. His internal bones, muscles, nerves, and blood vessels were incredibly tough. Even without using Iron Body, his skin could withstand sword slashes. If he used Iron Body, he wouldn't be harmed by cannonballs. And with Armament Haki protection, Lakeman seemed to wear an invincible defense.
Even holding red-hot iron or being engulfed in flames wouldn't cause him any injury. He had personally tested this. At this moment, he was like a humanoid brute. Even in the high-end combat of the Marineford War, he would be qualified to participate and be active on the front lines.
"Unknowingly, I am already eleven years old," Lakeman mused, having celebrated his eleventh birthday while at sea. "I wonder how strong I will be when I reach eighteen and am fully developed?" he thought with a smile.
It will probably be invincible, right? Lakeman nodded to himself, confident in his abilities.
His growing strength had not escaped the notice of the others on the ship. Everyone could feel that Lakeman's strength was improving at an amazing speed, like an ancient beast awakening from slumber. The terrifying aura he exuded was increasing day by day.
"Wow, he's so strong..."
"Yes, I don't even dare to look the master in the eye."
"Besides the butler and the captain of the guard, no one can get within five meters of the master, right?"
"Hehe, even if I get within ten meters, I'd probably faint."
"Whenever I see the master now, it's like seeing a natural enemy!"
"Me too. That day on the deck, the master glanced at me, and my mind went blank, my whole body stiffened. It took me half a day to recover."
Everyone on the ship trembled in fear when facing Lakeman. Countless weak people were intimidated into fainting by Lakeman's presence. Because of this, everyone on the ship was in awe of Lakeman.
Similarly, on the warship, the scene was the same.
The soldiers often saw Lakeman coming out to enjoy the sea breeze on the deck. They felt Lakeman's astonishing aura, like a terrifying human-shaped beast that could easily tear them apart. Even navy officers of the rear admiral rank felt a chill and their scalps tingled when they saw Lakeman. Many people below the rank of rear admiral were intimidated into fainting.
"Isn't this aura too terrifying?"
"It has already surpassed Vice Admiral Kizaru!"
"Is this Celestial Dragon really only eleven years old?"
"I think I understand the source of the World Government's control now..."
"I wonder how strong this master will grow. He might make all the pirates despair."
The navy soldiers often discussed it in private. Kizaru naturally knew about the soldiers' conversations and did not stop them because he thought the same.
"So strong that it's frightening, Saint Lakeman!" Kizaru often looked at Lakeman's figure in the distance and sighed in his heart.
"Back in the Sabaody Archipelago, that astonishing growth speed wasn't your limit. What you're showing now is your real talent? In just two weeks, your strength has surpassed mine!"
Thinking of this, Kizaru felt a sense of melancholy. His observational Haki told him that he was no match for Lakeman. If they fought, there would only be one outcome: death.
"Even making eye contact with him makes my heart tremble and gives me a sense of extreme danger," Kizaru thought with a wry smile, "No wonder he dared to go to North Blue alone. With this strength, it's Doflamingo who should be afraid!"
With these thoughts, Kizaru returned to the cabin and took out a Den Den Mushi to call Sengoku.
Brrrr... brrrr…
After a busy tone, Sengoku answered the call.
"Marshal, I have confirmed that Saint Lakeman's strength is completely above mine," Kizaru said with a wry smile. "If we fought, I wouldn't even have a ten percent chance of winning."
There was a long silence on the other end of the line. In Marineford, in the Marshal's office,
Sengoku listened to Kizaru's words with a solemn expression. In front of him, Tsuru also had a serious expression and said nothing.
"I understand," Sengoku finally said in a heavy voice after a long time. Then he hung up the phone.
"Sigh..." Sengoku sighed deeply, took off his glasses, and tiredly wiped the lenses.
In front of him, Tsuru showed a bitter smile.
"Putting aside the possibility of Kizaru being mentally unstable, we can confirm that this Saint Lakeman has already stepped into the world of top-tier powerhouses," Tsuru said, shaking her head.
"Yes," Sengoku sighed and nodded. "Kizaru is a candidate for admiral, and he's not a match for Saint Lakeman. Only an admiral can win against Saint Lakeman. But at this growth rate, Saint Lakeman will be comparable to an admiral in just a year or two."
"Unexpectedly, such a terrifying monster has emerged among the Celestial Dragons," Tsuru nodded in agreement.
Both of them felt a deep sense of powerlessness. Although Kizaru, Aokiji, and Akainu were all outstanding, compared to Saint Lakeman, it was like the difference between heaven and earth. There was no comparison.
"Once Saint Lakeman grows up, the World Government will truly dominate the world," Tsuru said worriedly.
Sengoku smiled helplessly and said, "By then, the navy might really become a weapon of the World Government, to be used as they please."
Both of them felt pessimistic about the future.
"Now that I think about it, Saint Lakeman's interaction with Doflamingo might be to swallow him up," Tsuru suddenly said.
Sengoku nodded at her words. "That makes sense. Doflamingo doesn't have the qualifications to speak with Lakeman as an equal. In the face of absolute power disparity, the Heavenly Yaksha or the Donquixote family are nothing more than paper tigers."
Two months quickly passed.
The ship arrived at the island of Spider Miles.
"Fuffuffuffu, finally here," Doflamingo personally came to the dock, smiling to welcome Lakeman's arrival. In his view, the silhouette of two ships gradually became clearer.
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