NOVEL NEXT Chapter 231: Chapter 231
"Eh? Really?"
Hancock asked, her voice laced with curiosity, yet her actions betrayed her, obediently slowing her pace as Luffy instructed.
Luffy couldn't help but chuckle at her adorable reaction. Here was Boa Hancock, the cold and proud empress known across the seas, reduced to an almost bashful state in his presence. She was regal and commanding, but when it came to him, she became irrational and endearingly flustered.
The irony wasn't lost on him. Luffy found her antics both amusing and captivating. It wasn't just her beauty; it was the contrast—the proud, untouchable queen showing such vulnerability and care for him—that made her irresistible.
"Let's go, little snake. We're heading back to Stormbreaker," Luffy said playfully.
"You're the little snake! I just… care about you too much!" Hancock retorted, her cheeks faintly tinged with pink, though a sweet smile played on her lips.
If she had a tail, it would have been wagging faster than an electric fan. Little snake? Is that a nickname Luffy gave me? How cute! she thought, her heart brimming with happiness. Her steps became lighter, her mood buoyant with the warmth of his attention.
"I still can't believe the Fleet Admiral entrusted Wano to me," Luffy mused aloud as they made their way toward the port. "He handed over military and government affairs. At this point, I'm basically the ruler in everything but name. Can you imagine?"
He grinned, a spark of mischief in his eyes. The thought of managing an entire country filled him with a giddy excitement, reminiscent of when he first became captain. It was a new adventure, one that offered both power and the thrill of the unknown.
Behind him, Hancock pushed his wheelchair, her gaze soft and filled with affection. She didn't care about titles or responsibilities. If Luffy was happy, that was enough for her.
Their lighthearted banter was interrupted by a commotion nearby.
"What's that logo? It's huge! Is this the Marine base Oden wrote about in his diary? Let me inside! I need to see it!"
"Quiet down, you're a prisoner!" barked a Marine officer, his voice strained as he and three colleagues struggled to restrain a determined young woman.
The girl had striking features: small red horns adorned her head, and her blue-white gradient hair cascaded down her back. Heavy iron chains bound her upper body, wrapping tightly around her abdomen and pinning her arms, yet she seemed unfazed by the restraints.
If anything, the chains only accentuated her presence. The tight bindings emphasized her formidable physique, and her defiant spirit shone through as she wrestled against the Marines.
Despite their combined effort, the four Marines could barely keep her in check. Her bare feet, adorned with wooden clogs, dug into the ground with surprising force, pulling the men along with her as she strained toward the base. Her determination was palpable, her brown eyes wide with curiosity and admiration as they locked onto the building ahead.
Luffy's eyes widened in recognition.
Yamato?!
There was no mistaking her. The self-proclaimed Kozuki Oden, Kaido's rebellious "son," stood before him, as fiery and resolute as ever. But why was she here? And why hadn't the Fleet Admiral released her?
Intrigued, Luffy rose from his wheelchair.
"Luffy, what are you doing?" Hancock asked, startled. She hurried to his side, steadying him as he stood.
Ignoring her confusion, Luffy approached the scene.
"What's going on here? Who is this woman?" he demanded, his tone authoritative.
The Marines snapped to attention, their faces pale as they recognized him.
"Rear Admiral Luffy! Empress!" one of them stammered. "This is a prisoner we brought back from Wano. She's incredibly strong, even with seastone restraints. We're struggling to keep her under control."
Luffy's gaze shifted to Yamato. Her fiery spirit hadn't dimmed despite her predicament. She tilted her head, scrutinizing him curiously.
"Are you from Wano?" Luffy asked, feigning ignorance. "What's your name? Are you affiliated with the Beasts Pirates?"
Yamato's eyes lit up as she took in his bandaged form and the justice coat draped over his shoulders. Her gaze shifted to Hancock, whose elegant beauty radiated an intimidating presence.
"I am Kozuki Oden, the rightful heir to Wano Country's shogunate and Kaido's sworn enemy!" Yamato declared, her voice brimming with pride. Then, to everyone's shock, she turned to Hancock with a wide grin.
"That beautiful lady—would you like to marry me and become the wife of the Shogun of Wano Country?"
A stunned silence fell over the group.
The Marines gaped, their faces turning ghostly pale. One of them nearly fainted, choking on a gasp of disbelief.
What did she just say?!
The audacity of Yamato's proposal left them reeling. Flirting with Boa Hancock, the Pirate Empress, in front of her rumored boyfriend?
We're doomed! the Marines thought in unison, bracing for the explosion.
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