Chapter 344: The Meeting
"Smack!" Deidara slapped the wanted poster onto the dining table.
"Demonic Cyborg" Genos — bounty: 200 million Berries!
"Why did your bounty increase so much?! It's already higher than mine!"
Genos stood in front of Da Vinci, fine-tuning his newly upgraded mechanical body.
In the recent battle with the Warlords of the Sea, Genos had suffered several heavy blows and hits from Duke. His previous mechanical body had sustained various degrees of damage, prompting Da Vinci to craft a brand-new model for him.
The armor on his head was now reinforced and the cracks on his face fully repaired. His shoulders were encased in silvery-gray metal with multiple vent holes, and his arms had been strengthened with riveted rings, making Genos look even more imposing and powerful.
Eric , sitting nearby, kept stealing glances at Genos 's new body out of the corner of his eye. The words "I want it" were practically written on his face.
"It's probably because Genos defeated a Warlord," Da Vinci replied without looking back, twisting in the last screw before giving Genos a firm pat. "Done."
"Thank you very much for your help, Dr. Da Vinci!" Genos bowed in gratitude.
He flexed his metallic fingers with ease, and a surge of blue electricity crackled between his palms with a sharp "crackle-crackle" sound.
Deidara: "…"
"This is my newly designed high-voltage electric shock weapon," Da Vinci explained proudly. "It's based on Eric 's thunder ability. It can release up to 100 million volts in one second. But it consumes a tremendous amount of energy, so use it sparingly in battle."
"Your mobility now far surpasses your previous models. Strength and speed have also improved greatly. The CPU and circuit boards built using Perfecter technology have enhanced your processing and control capabilities. You're a completely different fighter today!"
"Yes!" Genos was delighted by his new power. He turned toward Deidara, who was slumped over the table with a lifeless expression. "What's wrong?"
"…Nothing. Just give me a moment," Deidara said, his tone full of despair.
Eric glanced at Genos 's status panel:
[Name: Genos ]
[Martial Skill: Six Stars]
[Armament Haki: 0]
[Observation Haki: Five and a Half Stars]
[Devil Fruit: Seven Stars]
[Overall Combat Power: Six Stars]
Ever since upgrading to his new mechanical body, Genos 's Devil Fruit and overall combat stats had improved.
"It's a shame I can't test it in actual combat," Genos said regretfully. "I really want to try out the power of this new body."
"No need to worry about that," Da Vinci said with a proud expression that seemed to beg for praise. "I've designed a combat simulation device. You can use it to battle virtual versions of enemies you've fought before."
"As expected of Dr. Da Vinci!" Genos asked eagerly, "Can I use it right now?"
"Of course!" Da Vinci was eager to test it out on a guinea pig, and the two headed off together in high spirits.
Ignoring the sulking Deidara, Da Vinci and Genos left the dining room and went to the lab.
Eric watched them leave with a sad look. "My mecha…"
...
Erza naturally felt close to Wendy since they were from the same world. Over the past few days, Wendy had enthusiastically shown Erza around the Fearless, quickly building their bond.
"Erza-sis, how's life at sea these past few days? Are you feeling okay?"
"I felt a bit uneasy at first," Erza replied with a warm smile that could melt ice. "But this is an excellent ship. The voyage has been smooth, and the crew is very kind. I like it here."
"But why do you always wear your armor?" Wendy asked curiously. "The ship is very safe."
'It's to show a stronger self… to protect my heart behind this armor,' Erza thought, but hesitated. Then, for the sake of the young girl before her, she activated her Requip Magic.
A red magic circle appeared, golden light enveloping her, and the silver armor faded away in a flash of light. "How about this look?"
She now wore a sleeveless white blouse with ruffled trim at the chest and a blue ribbon tied at her neck.
"Ooh~ this is your Requip Magic?" Wendy clapped excitedly while staring. "So cool!"
Erza turned her head shyly, gently rubbing her left arm with her right hand.
"Could you not look at me like that?"
"Sorry." Wendy turned her head, blushing as well.
"What are you two doing…" Carla muttered, exasperated.
Erza glanced at the clock on the wall. "Wendy, isn't it about time for your training session?"
"Ah—!" Wendy exclaimed. "You're right. Time flies when I'm with you, Erza-sis!"
"Mind if I join you?" Erza asked, rotating her shoulders. "I haven't exercised in days. My body's getting rusty."
"Sure!" Wendy agreed happily.
They walked into the training hall, where Kuina was, as usual, fiercely striking the wooden training posts.
"Haah!"
With a sharp cry, Kuina stepped forward, channeling her strength into her bamboo sword and slamming it down on the worn wooden post.
Crack!
The bamboo sword made sharp contact, drawing a pained groan from the abused training post.
"Huff—"
Kuina pulled back, exhaled, then immediately raised her bamboo sword again.
To Erza, the girl's movements were steady and refined, as if practiced thousands of times. Her eyes focused only on the target before her.
Erza silently watched until—
Crack
A splintering sound rang out. The training post finally gave way, cracks spreading across its surface.
With the post destroyed, Kuina paused her practice.
"Beautiful swordsmanship," Erza clapped sincerely. "I see the fruit of relentless training in your strikes."
"Thank you," Kuina replied calmly, wiping sweat from her brow and fetching a new post from the storage locker to replace the battered one.
"Not taking a break?" Erza asked, noting that Wendy had already started practicing. "You must be exhausted."
"But time won't wait for me," Kuina replied indifferently. "Front-runners widen the gap while I rest, and those behind might overtake me if I falter. I can't afford to take a break."
Though they'd only met a few times, Erza saw a reflection of her younger self in the girl — strong, courageous, and driven.
"Want to spar with me?" Erza offered a smile . "Real combat is much more effective than routine practice."
"Sure!" Kuina readily accepted the challenge.
Golden light enveloped Erza as a silver longsword appeared in her once-empty hands.
Kuina sheathed her bamboo sword and drew Shusui from her side.
◇
The Kuja Pirates' ship was anchored near the Calm Belt at the edge of the Grand Line.
"Why hasn't Lord Eric arrived yet?" Hancock paced anxiously in her room, biting her thumb. She'd been like this for days.
"Sister, why not call and ask where they are now?" Sandersonia followed her movements with concerned eyes.
"We arrived way too early," Marigold said carefully. "We're several days ahead of schedule."
"What if Lord Eric arrives early and I'm not here to greet him? How could I let such a man wait?!"
Sandersonia and Marigold exchanged glances and sighed helplessly.
They both knew full well how Hancock felt. Just one phone call from Eric would have her beaming for half a day.
But how could their sister compete emotionally with the female crew who were always by Eric 's side? All the two could do was pray silently for their sister's happiness.
"Lady Hancock!" a Kuja crew member entered the room. "The lookout has spotted the Dawn Pirates' ship!"
"Really?!" Hancock spun around. Her smile sparkled with color and light.
"…So beautiful!" The Kuja crew member fell to her knees, captivated by the sight.
Eric had sunk two Navy surveillance ships near the fourth island before arranging a meeting with Hancock. To avoid being monitored, he even bought an anti-eavesdropping Den Den Mushi.
The Fearless slowed as it approached. The silhouettes of people on both ships became clearly visible.
From a distance, Eric saw a stunning scene — a vibrant group of Amazon warriors surrounding the dazzling Hancock, dressed in a sexy cheongsam. Her long legs were fully exposed, and her fair skin glistened under the sunlight.
"Lord Eric !"
Hancock had been smiling brightly, but as soon as she saw who was standing beside Eric , her expression gradually faded.
There, at the edge of the Fearless, stood a group of beauties that rivaled even the Kuja's. In fact, they might have been superior in quality.
"One, two, three…" Hancock counted on her fingers, her voice trembling as the sour feeling in her chest intensified with each number… until she ran out of fingers.
"Lo-Lord Eric …" Hancock's voice shook as she pointed to Artoria, Miku, and Erza, ignoring Wendy, Yoshino, and Kuina. "They… who are they?"
Eric quickly shoved food into Akame's mouth to stop her from blurting out something devastating.
Cirno raised an eyebrow, and Reiju gave an "I see" kind of expression.
Esdeath and Kurumi, who had already won his affections, looked at Hancock with victorious smirks full of superiority.
"Oh, they're my new companions," Eric said, trying to soften the blow as he looked into Hancock's teary eyes. Her beauty, boosted by the Love-Love Fruit, dealt a heavy blow to his heart.
The massive serpent below the Kuja ship lowered its head. Hancock stepped onto it in her red high heels, and the serpent carried her gracefully to the Fearless. Her footsteps echoed across the deck.
She couldn't act too rashly in front of her crew. As the Queen of Amazon Lily, the Pirate Empress, she had to maintain her dignity. She forced herself to suppress the turmoil in her heart.
"Let's head to the conference room," Eric suggested. "I have something to discuss with you."
Hancock nodded. "Lead the way."
As soon as they entered the room, Hancock flung herself into Eric 's arms, abandoning all restraint. The words she'd prepared vanished as her actions spoke instead.
A fragrant breeze swept in as her soft body pressed into Eric 's embrace. The pleasant sensation made it hard for him to push her away.
"Ahem," Eric coughed, feeling the piercing gazes of the women around them. He hesitated to act. "Hancock, don't hold me so tight…"
He shouldn't have said that. Upon hearing it, Hancock tightened her grip.
So soft…
With her natural infatuation and obsession, everything Eric said over the phone became a fantasy in her mind. Her affection for him soared like a rocket.
"Eric ," Hancock clung to him, "you finally came to see me! I missed you so much!"
Her sweet breath whispered into his ear. Eric was intoxicated by her charm — until he remembered who was holding whom. That ruined the mood.
With her 1.9-meter height and high heels, she'd lifted Eric ten centimeters off the ground — a scene that could only happen in the world of pirates.
"Hancock," Eric patted her shoulders gently. "Can you put me down?"
"Mm." Though she complied, she still wouldn't leave his side. She pressed against his back, resting her chin on his shoulder.
Even Esdeath and Kurumi, the so-called "winners," couldn't bear to watch. They forcefully pulled her off.
"What are you doing?!" Hancock snapped. "No one can sever the red string that ties me to Lord Eric !"
"Red string?"
"That's right!" Hancock's voice was resolute. "It's a red string as thick as a serpent…"
Akame spoke the truth. "But Eric is already with Esdeath and Kurumi."
Crack!
The atmosphere shattered like glass. Hancock turned her head slowly, like a rusty machine, and stared at Akame. "What… did… you… say?"
"Exactly what I said," Esdeath declared, puffing out her chest. "Eric is my man!"
(END CHAPTER)
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