I'm Not Interested in Devil Fruits

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Securing aSThis was even more frustrating!

Still, Smoker isn't the type to take his frustration out on a female colleague.

Besides, it's not her fault— it's that damn Chopper-na Giorno who's the real problem!

If he wants to kill, then let him! Smoker knows he's outmatched and accepts his defeat.

But what's the point of stealing someone else's Devil Fruit? Is this some kind of twisted game to him?

Or is that jerk just plain evil at heart?

Smoker recalls that guy's careless expression throughout the encounter and feels his anger flare up— it's probably the second option!

That guy, with his strange powers, just wants to toy with people!

He's likely expecting Hina and me as Marines, to beg him pitifully if we want the Devil Fruit back.

Dream on! Who'd ever beg a pirate?

Whatever anyone thinks, Liam and the others are gone, and the matter's settled.

The other Marines, patched up but dejected, are hauling away the pirates, while Smoker and Hina make their way to Vice Admiral Momonga's stone statue.

Bastille carefully inspects it, ensuring Vice Admiral Momonga isn't cracked, and finally breathes a sigh of relief.

"What kind of ability is this? Whose power is it?" Smoker studies the humanoid stone statue. If it weren't for the realistic stone texture, you'd think it was a living person!

Smoker coughs and mutters, "That Chopper-na Giorno… he can't possibly have three Devil Fruit abilities, can he?"

Stealing Devil Fruit powers, controlling magnetism, and petrification?

Isn't that just way too unfair?

Hina stares at Vice Admiral Momonga's lifelike stone face, almost feeling the beauty of the eyes he must have seen in his final moments…

["Are all Marines as naive as you? The one who turned to stone behind you didn't even know his opponent's ability, yet he dared to look me in the eye…"]

The mocking voice of that stunningly beautiful pirate still echoes in her ears.

Hina says softly, "Petrification is Hancock's ability… If Vice Admiral Momonga can be restored, it's likely only she can do it."

"I see…" Vice Admiral Bastille replies, "This complicates things."

Click!

A flash goes off from the high wall of the martial arena.

Bastille, Smoker, and Hina all grimace. The World Economic News paparazzi are everywhere! Even a wall this high can't stop them!

Now, things have really gotten messy.

...…

Whether the Marines find this troublesome or not, Liam doesn't care. He and Hancock's group head to Magnifique Island's port to board their ship and leave. From a distance, they spot bloodstains and signs of a fight near the shore where the red Kuja ship is docked…

But using Observation Haki to check the ship, they confirm the Kuja warriors left on board are unharmed.

"It was the Marines," A clone of Robin says, emerging from the ship's side. "They didn't have any high-ranking officers leading them, so our warriors drove them off…"

After speaking, the flower clone dissolves into petals, scattering into the sea with the wind.

Hancock nods to Robin beside her, assuming Jolyne's initial weakness during the battle was because she was maintaining the flower clone on the ship, leaving her no energy to use her Flower-Flower Fruit in combat…

It was probably to keep the warriors on the ship updated about their situation on the island and reassure them.

Under the awed yet fearful gazes of the people at the port, Liam and the others return to the Kuja pirate ship.

"Lady Hancock, Princess."

The warriors respectfully welcome them back, briefly reporting on the ship's status while Hancock was on the island.

As the flower clone mentioned and Hancock expected, the ordinary Marines monitoring the Kuja ship posed no threat to the well-trained warriors.

The flower clone kept the ship informed about the island, so the women weren't worried about Hancock's safety.

Hancock nods. "Then, let's set sail for the next island."

After giving the order, she takes her two younger sisters, along with Jolyne and Giorno, into the cabin.

Back in the cabin, the door opens to reveal a pink-haired woman kneeling on the floor, as if waiting to welcome them.

Hancock ignores her, walking past and heading to the Snake Princess' seat.

Sandersonia and Marigold pass by Bonney on either side, exchanging helpless glances. While they don't fully agree with this approach, they don't object since it's their elder sister's decision.

Hancock sits down, her long legs crossed and her cape draped elegantly.

Bonney remains kneeling. Hancock twirls a strand of her black hair, then suddenly says, "Why are you still kneeling? The toxin from my snake hair should've worn off by now, right?"

Bonney trembles slightly but doesn't move without Hancock's command.

Sandersonia and Marigold are surprised, but after a moment, it makes sense. The elder sister's snake hair toxin is different from her petrifying gaze. The Medusa's gaze causes permanent petrification unless cured by her blood, but the snake hair's toxin, which petrifies and controls the mind, has a time limit…

"Answer me," Hancock says casually.

"How could it!" Bonney blurts out, straightening her back but keeping her head down, as if unable to face the others. "If it had worn off, how could I…"

Her tone isn't confident. Immersed in the snake hair's toxin, carrying out such a long kneeling command, her body and mind have grown numb and dull over time. She even dozed off a few times, only waking up when she heard Hancock's footsteps… But did the toxin really have a time limit? It seems so… How could it! How could I…

Seeing Bonney thrown into self-doubt by Hancock's words, Liam shakes his head and says, "Hancock, stop messing with her. It makes you seem like a bully!"

Beside him, Princess Jolyne chuckles softly, breaking the strange atmosphere. Sandersonia and Marigold laugh too.

Hancock says indifferently, "'The snake hair's toxin should've worn off by now, right?' I was just asking. I never said it actually wore off!"

Bonney looks back in disbelief, her cheeks still flushed. She sees the flawless Snake Princess looking at her, a mysterious smile on her lips. Bonney's emotions are in turmoil, and for a moment, she feels lost…

Liam and Robin shake their heads. Hancock, who's been domineering since childhood, with her commanding personality, the Medusa snake hair's toxin, and her peerless beauty, is unstoppable when it comes to messing with people. A single sentence can send someone like Bonney into an emotional rollercoaster…

Hancock pays no further attention to Bonney, who seems to want to speak but hesitates. Instead, she talks with Giorno and Jolyne about what happened on the island earlier.

When discussing why they left Vice Admiral Momonga's stone statue for the Marines to deal with, Liam shakes his head and says, "Do you think the Calm Belt is an eternal natural barrier? With Dr. Vegapunk's help, the Marines will likely develop technology to sail through the Calm Belt and reach Kuja Island within a few years…"

Sandersonia and Marigold are shocked. If the Marines can freely sail through the Calm Belt, it's a huge problem!

Kuja Island has maintained its peace for centuries, and the Calm Belt has been its greatest natural defense.

"So what?" Hancock retorts, though her expression turns serious as she looks at Giorno. Liam continues, "Then, before the Marines develop that technology, Kuja Island needs something other than the Calm Belt as its defense… Like securing you a position as one of the 'Seven Warlords of the Sea.'"

(End Of The Chapter)