One Piece : Strongest Vice-Captain Mr. 3!

A simple yet unpretentious statement succeeded in silencing the entire room.

As an all-female pirate crew, the Kuja Pirates had encountered countless lecherous and wicked individuals, including some so-called righteous Marine officers who secretly engaged in dirty dealings.

But someone as brazenly proud as Mr. 3 was truly a rarity! 

Was the man standing before them really the same one who had just exuded the Conqueror's Haki?

No, perhaps it was precisely because he was a born king that he could be so candid about his lechery!

This shameless declaration left Hancock momentarily speechless.

After a moment of silence, she regained her composure, lowered her eyelids, and slowly said, "Have you not considered that even a slight misstep in this process could lead to a gruesome death?"

As the user of the Love-Love Fruit, she was well aware of her own abilities.

There were many on these seas who could withstand the effects of her Love Love Beam due to their sheer will, but once petrified, not even a vice admiral could reverse the fate; they would simply be shattered and removed from the field.

Thus, in her eyes, Mr. 3's earlier actions were akin to dancing precariously on thin ice—death could come at any moment!

Mr. 3 did not dwell on this question for long.

"Of course I have considered it. But just as I came here alone to represent the Buggy Pirates, this is a risk I must take in recruiting you. If I should sadly turn into a pile of stone and perish here, it would merely mean I've reached the end of my journey."

That was the truth.

Every venture came with risks, and while Mr. 3 possessed unparalleled intelligence and a broad perspective in this world, at the end of the day, he was just an ordinary man.

No matter how meticulously one calculated, there would always be unforeseen loopholes and sudden situations, just like the awakening of the Conqueror's Haki that had just occurred.

This was the awareness he carried when he made the decision to recruit Hancock!

Hancock lifted her gaze, scrutinizing Mr. 3 standing before her, her Conqueror's and Observation Haki subtly released, yet she still could not find a flaw.

"Interesting man," she remarked.

The tension in her elegant features relaxed slightly, a smirk playing at her lips, revealing a captivating (or perhaps cunning?) smile.

"Mr. 3, I must admit, your inner sincerity surpasses your dirty, ugly, and sinister exterior in unexpected ways, though it's still quite revolting and perverse."

In this world of power struggles, she had witnessed far too many hypocritical and pretentious individuals.

Daring to admit openly to being a lecherous person, Mr. 3 was truly the first. At least among the many powerful users of Conqueror's Haki, he was one of a kind!

What's wrong with being a lecherous person?

Mr. 3 firmly countered in his mind.

However, it was clear that saying such things in the current situation could easily lead to disaster.

Being honest and being a pervert were two different matters! 

He maintained his composure and silently waited for Hancock's next words.

If all went as expected, her attitude would likely make significant concessions.

"Before discussing recruitment, I, as the Empress of Amazon Lily, officially invite you to join as the island's watchdog, alongside the warriors who protect my nation!"

Hancock's expression was serious; there was no trace of jest on her flawless face.

Mr. 3's calm demeanor instantly crumbled.

What the hell!

Why did she have to wear such a thoughtful expression? This is the exact moment I wanted to recruit you! 

And what's with calling me a watchdog?! 

Equally agitated were the female warriors of the Kuja Pirates.

"What? Lady Snake Princess actually invited a man to the island?"

"Oh my gosh, what did I just hear? Are we really going to have men permanently residing on the island?"

"A watchdog? That seems like a waste of his abilities; I feel like his wax powers would be better suited for a latrine."

Mr. 3: "???"

So, what I'm hearing is that I should be grateful to be the watchdog of this island?!

Unbelievable! This is truly absurd!

For a moment, Mr. 3 was speechless, the carefully prepared words stuck in his throat, unsure of how to express them.

Just a moment ago, he had shocked the room with his remark about being a "lecher," and now Hancock's reference to him as a "watchdog" rendered him silent. In a way, they were equally matched adversaries.

"I'm sorry, Hancock. I still have grand ambitions yet to fulfill, so I can't spend the rest of my life here. Of course, if it's to enjoy a retirement life after achieving my dreams, then I would gladly protect a group of such youthful and charming girls on your island. That would be my honor!"

After sensing Hancock's unwavering attitude from her words, Mr. 3 understood that conventional methods and arguments would be ineffective in shaking her resolve.

So, he decided to play his trump card and reveal his true intentions!

"In my view, you could completely skip over that tedious dream of yours and forgo the efforts of the process. Wouldn't it be better to enjoy a retirement life decades early?"

Hancock remained unfazed.

This indirect approach made Mr. 3 secretly marvel at her sharpness as the former Warlord of the Sea, the Pirate Empress. 

He had intended to introduce the topic of "dreams" to coax Hancock into asking questions, aiming to gain the upper hand in their dialogue.

However, to his surprise, Hancock didn't ask a single question! 

It was unclear whether she wasn't interested at all or if she recognized the trap in his words.

Given Hancock's temperament, it was likely that the former possibility was the more accurate one.

However, this wouldn't have too much impact on the big move Mr. 3 was about to make.

"Actually, I didn't want to bring this up, but it is what it is."

After saying this cryptic line, Mr. 3 stood in place, lost in thought.

After a good half-minute, he finally seemed to make a difficult decision and let out a heavy sigh.

"Hancock, you must be wondering why, among the several Warlords of the Sea who have been disbanded, I would choose you first."

At his words, Hancock furrowed her brow slightly.

Her instincts told her that what Mr. 3 was about to say would be very serious.

The female warriors of the Kuja Pirates perked up, eager to know the answer to this question.

Though it might offend Lady Snake, they thought that, compared to the other Warlords of the Sea, the success rate and mortality rate of recruiting Lady Snake were ridiculously high!

Under the gaze of many, Mr. 3 pushed his goggles up his nose and spoke slowly, "Because, over ten or twenty years ago, we had a brief encounter."

"Mr. 3, if you want to get closer to me, you need a better reason than that. Aside from my adventures, I've always stayed in Amazon Lily. How could I possibly have met you over ten years ago...?"

"Wait! What did you just say?!"

As she spoke, Hancock's eyes widened in shock. Realizing the terrifying possibility, she could no longer maintain her calm demeanor and confidence. She quickly rushed in front of Mr. 3, gripping his collar tightly.

"Who on earth are you?!!"

**********

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