So that's how it is.
Standing alone in the forest, Kaguya felt as though she had been struck by sudden enlightenment.
Black Saber had several skills: Charisma, Instinct, Magic Resistance, Mana Burst, and Memories of the Dragon.
Among them, it was Charisma that caught Kaguya's attention. The skill description stated: "As a noble king who once inspired and rallied troops, the charm of leadership remains. However, due to leading through fear, commanding power is high, but troop morale is low."
This type of ability was incredibly useful in war—capable of influencing entire battles. But for solo combat, without an army to lead, it seemed almost useless.
But now, it appeared that wasn't the case.
Charisma was essentially the ability to inspire troops with the king's presence, boosting their courage and strength. Even after transforming into Black Saber, she still retained that powerful command aura.
In the world of pirates, those with Conqueror's Haki are natural-born kings. Not only do they possess the traits of standard Haki users, but they are also chosen ones with the potential to rule. It cannot be learned or inherited—it is determined by fate.
And if that's the requirement, then who better than Saber, once the true King of Britain, to wield such power?
Saber didn't just have the qualities of a king—she was an empress. If the legendary Arthur, who ruled over millions, didn't possess Conqueror's Haki, then who could?
Kaguya tested her theory—and sure enough, just as she expected, Charisma in this world translated into Conqueror's Haki. Not only that, but her Haki was so strong it nearly took physical form. Even Shanks' Conqueror's Haki might not compare.
After all, Shanks' greatest achievement was becoming a Yonko. He never reached the level of Pirate King. And even a Pirate King might not be stronger than Saber—after all, Saber became a Heroic Spirit.
Returning to the palace, Kaguya decided to take a bath. Even though her body had a self-cleaning ability, she still enjoyed the comfort of a hot soak. Gathering her bath things, she made her way toward the baths.
But the palace was large. Even though she had been there a few times, she still found herself disoriented inside.
Eventually, she spotted a marble doorway. Her eyes lit up—this must be the bath.
She pushed the door open and began changing, but suddenly sensed something. Turning her head, her eyes locked with a pair of clear, beautiful ones.
A graceful figure emerged through the light mist, skin pale and flawless, with smooth curves, slender waist, long legs, and firm hips. Moonlight cascaded through the steam, outlining the glistening arcs of her form like flowing silk and fresh snow.
Apparently unaware that Kaguya would suddenly walk in, Hancock froze. For a moment, she didn't know what to do.
Kaguya blinked once but didn't react strangely. She descended into the bath as if nothing had happened, her delicate feet stepping into the water, slender figure sinking into the warmth.
Hancock was silent for a while, then pressed her lips together and finally spoke. "You... saw everything, didn't you?"
Kaguya hesitated, then nodded.
Hancock bit her lip, lifted her long hair, and revealed her smooth back. A red brand stood out harshly against her skin. "You saw this too, didn't you?"
"Yes." Kaguya nodded softly.
If she remembered correctly, that was the brand burned into the sisters' backs by Shalria during their time as slaves in Mary Geoise.
"Then..." Hancock's face paled, and she bit her lip harder. "You understand what this mark means, don't you?"
Kaguya didn't speak, but her calm expression said it all.
"In that case," Hancock said, raising her head, "I can't let you live."
As soon as the words left her mouth, Hancock's graceful body lunged forward. She grabbed Kaguya's neck with one arm while a flash of cold light revealed a dagger now pressed to Kaguya's throat.
Hancock pressed close behind her. Her soft, smooth body pressed firmly against Kaguya's back—every detail could be felt—but within the seductive embrace, a lethal intent lingered.
"Is this how you treat your savior?" Kaguya asked calmly.
"I'm sorry. But if this secret gets out, we'll never be able to stay on this island again," Hancock replied, her voice firm.
Kaguya spoke gently. "Is this really that important to you?"
"I don't want anyone to know about our past," Hancock said, her grip on the dagger tightening unconsciously. "Even if I have to deceive this entire nation, I won't reveal a single crack. I won't be controlled by anyone ever again."
Recalling the horrors of her past, Hancock's eyes turned red, and her face paled even more.
"So," Hancock inhaled sharply and shouted, her voice trembling, "Even if you're our benefactor, I can't let this information leak."
Her voice echoed through the room. The atmosphere turned frigid.
Kaguya was silent for a moment, then finally spoke. "Is the past really so important?"
Those words struck Hancock like a nerve. Her face flushed with emotion, and she shouted, "What would you know? You weren't there! You've never suffered the pain of being a slave! You can't understand what it's like to feel worse than death!"
Her chest heaved violently. Seeing Kaguya remain silent, Hancock gradually calmed down, but her eyes grew redder.
"That was a terrifying, tragic memory. A time with no hope, only thoughts of how to die," Hancock said, raising her voice, "That kind of despair—can you even comprehend it?"
Watching Hancock's tear-streaked face, Kaguya softly replied, "If you don't have the courage to leave the past behind, how can you ever welcome a new future? To wallow in old pain endlessly... to me, that's nothing but the act of a coward."
Coward! The word struck Hancock like lightning, triggering her fury. She shouted in anger, "You've never suffered like I have—what gives you the right to judge me?!"
Clearly, Kaguya's words had touched a nerve. How could someone who hadn't lived through such misery possibly understand her pain?
Classic armchair judgment.
"You're right, I haven't experienced that," Kaguya replied seriously, lifting her head. "But I won't be controlled by fate. I refuse to wallow in past pain. Only by overcoming your fears can you truly grow."
Hancock's face flushed red with anger. She wanted nothing more than to stab this girl with her dagger. A light push would end her life—but now, in this moment, she suddenly couldn't do it.
"What if I told you..." Kaguya said quietly, "I've killed many Celestial Dragons. Would you believe me?"
Hancock froze. Her pupils contracted in shock. "What... did you just say?"
"I said," Kaguya repeated calmly, "I've killed many Celestial Dragons."
Hancock's wide, beautiful eyes filled with disbelief. "That... that can't be true."
"So it's real—you actually struck back at the Celestial Dragons?" Hancock asked urgently.
Kaguya nodded.
Staring at Kaguya's delicate face, Hancock suddenly covered her mouth. Her eyes reddened, and large teardrops fell, splashing in the water. "To think there's someone in this world foolish enough to defy the Celestial Dragons at the risk of their life."
"Aren't you afraid I'm lying to you?" Kaguya asked.
Hancock shook her head and wiped her eyes. Her gaze locked on Kaguya's. "I believe in my instincts. You wouldn't hurt me. If you wanted me dead, you would've done it already, right?"
Kaguya was silent for a moment. Then she smirked. "What a foolish, yet clever woman."
Just then, the bathhouse door suddenly opened.
An elderly woman with white hair and a snake-headed cane stepped in, laughing. "It's been so long. To see you express your feelings like this... I thought you'd turned into ice these past years, Lady Hancock."
She was Gloriosa, the former empress of Amazon Lily, known as Elder Nyon. Behind her were Hancock's younger sisters, Marigold and Sandersonia.
"What are you doing here?!"
Hancock's face flushed as if dusted with rouge. She quickly wiped her tears, threw on a robe, and shouted angrily, "Shut up, you traitor who abandoned the nation!"
"You should be the one to shut up!" Gloriosa yelled back. "You may have escaped the Celestial Dragons, but do you even remember how you made it back to this island? You three were lost, broken girls. Who brought you home? You think you could've survived at sea without me?"
"Hmph," Hancock snorted and turned her back proudly. "Don't exaggerate your little act of kindness."
"What did you say?!" Gloriosa exploded. "Little? I protected you like a mother!"
Her sisters rushed in to hold her back. "Yes, yes..."
"Let go of me, Marigold! Sandersonia!"
Hancock froze, clutching her robe tightly. With nervous uncertainty, she asked Kaguya, "Will you look down on us... for once being slaves?"
"Didn't I already say it?" Kaguya said, "As long as it's under the name of justice, no matter how despicable the act, it will be forgiven. Creatures like the Celestial Dragons have no reason to exist in this world. They're nothing more than parasites. And not just the Celestial Dragons—I'll bring down the World Government that protects them."
Hancock's beautiful eyes widened. She bit her lip, wiped her tears, and suddenly turned around, a brilliant smile blooming across her delicate face. "I think I rather like you."
The night deepened, the stars sparse. Clear moonlight spilled through the half-open window, casting a soft glow across the room. A gentle breeze drifted in, bringing a faint chill. As Hancock looked up at the quiet sky, an indescribable emptiness filled her heart.
She sighed. "Must you leave tomorrow?"
"Yes," Kaguya nodded from beside her. "Everyone has things they must do."
"Can't you stay?" Hancock asked quietly, pressing her lips together.
Kaguya gently shook her head. "There are things I must do myself—including those you cannot."
She could never stay here forever. There was still so much left to do. Call it sentimentality, call it vanity—something inside her stirred when she saw Hancock. It made her want to change things.
This world had already rotted. It had no right to keep going as it was.
"I see... then," Hancock said softly, and then smiled, "Safe travels."
The balcony felt vast and quiet. The cool night breeze fluttered the curtains, stirring soft ripples.
Hancock held a wine glass in her slender fingers, gazing at the stars with clear, deep eyes.
She'll probably be gone tomorrow.
Everyone has their own path. Coming together and parting ways is normal, right?
Then why did it hurt so much?
Drip.
A soft sound rang out. Hancock looked down to see ripples spreading across the surface of her wine.
Tears.
"What's wrong with me?" Hancock asked herself, confused.
At some point, her delicate face had been covered in tears.
She had never felt this way before. Her chest felt weighed down by a heavy stone, suffocating her.
Suddenly, a sharp pain sliced through her. Hancock's face turned pale as she staggered back, clutching her chest. Beads of sweat formed on her brow.
What was happening?
The searing, gut-wrenching pain tore through her nerves, nearly making her faint. Within moments, her body was drenched in cold sweat, as if she were completely drained.
At last, she could no longer stay on her feet. Hancock's body swayed, then collapsed to the floor with a thud.
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