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The rocky bay was on the outskirts of Kuja Island. There were no port facilities.
In the original story, to allow Law to treat the grievously wounded Luffy after the Summit War, Hancock had issued the same "special emergency decree," allowing the all-male Heart Pirates' submarine to dock there.
Rayleigh, who had swum across the Calm Belt, had also come ashore at this spot.
Now, the Kuja warriors had set up a screen to block the view, to prevent any of the crew from "accidentally" seeing something they shouldn't.
Hancock stood at the front, flanked by Gloriosa, Marigold, and the other officers of the Kuja Pirates.
"There they are," Marigold said. She was tall and could see far into the distance. She had spotted the large ship being led by the Perfume Yuda.
Hancock could see even farther. Her beautiful eyes were locked onto Jin. He was even more handsome than she remembered.
It was like a dream. He was smiling, coming closer...
"Ahem."
Gloriosa's cough broke Hancock's reverie. She glanced at Rayleigh and relaxed a little. If Rayleigh was willing to bring him here, it meant that the king's character had been approved by both him and Shakky.
The supplies and intelligence Hancock had brought back last time had stunned her.
He had defeated Hancock, and then he had saved her? And then he had showered her with gifts and money...
It was a classic seduction.
Gloriosa was a woman of the world. She could see that this king's methods were... sophisticated.
But Hancock, it seemed, had fallen for it completely.
Jin's attitude in the water, his complete indifference to whether she lived or died, had left a deep impression on her.
The Empress of the Kuja, it seemed, had a type.
The more he ignored her, the more she wanted him.
Long ago, Gloriosa had been in love with Roger. But Roger had been in love with Shakky. And Shakky had fallen for Rayleigh, the only one who hadn't been captivated by her...
How did it go?
The one I love doesn't love me. And I love the one who doesn't love me.
Gloriosa was worried that Jin had ulterior motives, but she also didn't want to miss out on the opportunity to trade with him.
And so, she had arranged this "meeting." She had to see him for herself.
Hancock, of course, was delighted and had immediately invited him.
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The ship docked.
As this was an official visit between two nations, Gloriosa had arranged for a traditional welcome ceremony.
In front of her people, Hancock maintained her usual haughty demeanor, but anyone could see that her eyes kept darting toward Jin, filled with a burning intensity.
After the ceremony, it was time for the trade negotiations.
Gloriosa had her people bring out various goods and local specialties.
Jin had Robin handle the negotiations. She was in charge of procurement and was familiar with the prices of various goods.
Jin, in turn, displayed the supplies he had brought: food, mushroom products, and mushroom seeds.
He also had goods from the Four Blues.
Silk and porcelain from the West Blue, machine tools from the South Blue, medical supplies from the North Blue, and fruits from the East Blue.
And from the Grand Line, perfume from the port of Nanohana, gunpowder from the Land of Fire...
And, of course, the guns and ammunition produced by the Munch-Munch Factory.
The sheer variety of goods was dazzling.
Even Gloriosa's eyes were wide with wonder, captivated by some of the more exotic items.
When word of the trade fair spread, the people of the island flocked to the bay with their own goods to trade. It was a lively, bustling scene.
Gloriosa looked around. There were so many wonderful things, but the Kuja's treasury was limited.
"There are other options," Jin said with a smile.
"First, the geography and climate of Kuja Island are perfect for farming a type of mushroom called 'Dream'. I'll provide the seeds and the technology, you grow them, and I'll buy them back at a fixed price. Export is strictly forbidden."
Jin wanted to see if the process for farming "Dream" in the laboratory could be replicated in an external environment.
"Of course, there are other mushrooms as well," he said, explaining the Asuka Island model.
Gloriosa was intrigued.
"Second," he continued, "I need a contingent of your warriors who are familiar with the Calm Belt to be stationed on another island in the Calm Belt. I will pay you a fee for their services, and I will also pay the warriors a salary."
Mercenaries?
The eyes of the female warriors lit up.
"Third," he said, "you can apply for a loan of Merit Vouchers from my kingdom, interest-free, and use them to purchase our goods."
"Merit Vouchers?" Gloriosa asked, confused.
"It's a form of credit currency issued by the Winter Blossom Kingdom," Jin explained, "similar to your 'Boa'."
"Interest-free?" Gloriosa was perplexed. Loan sharking was a thriving business in the pirate world. The interest rates were exorbitant. And Jin was offering an interest-free loan? Was he some kind of philanthropist?
"Yes," Jin smiled. "You can borrow Merit Vouchers and pay them back with Berries or goods. Or you can use them to buy our products. In the future, all trade between our two nations can be conducted using Merit Vouchers."
It wasn't just with the Kuja. Jin planned to introduce his Merit Vouchers in all his trade dealings. In fact, they were already in circulation within the Winter Blossom Kingdom, where they were also known as "King's Vouchers" or "Jins."
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The bustling trade fair lasted for three days.
The two nations signed a number of trade agreements, with a total trade volume of over a billion Berries. Both sides were very satisfied.
To celebrate their new partnership, Hancock made another special exception and invited Jin to watch the country's martial arts tournament.
Although her subordinates strongly advised against it, Hancock was determined. After the tournament, they would have dinner together.
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Inside Kuja City.
After shooing away all the chaperones...
"Gorgonzola and Sea King tube pasta! Sea fish sashimi! Braised wild boar..."
Hancock stood beside Jin, introducing the dishes. "I made them all myself," she said, her eyes shining with anticipation.
Jin tried each one and was genuinely surprised. "I never knew you were such a good cook."
"Do you like it?"
"Yes! The cuisine of the Kuja is very similar to that of Kano Country. It's very much to my taste."
"Really?"
"Yes. And you're quite a dish yourself."
Hancock's eyes sparkled. She was overjoyed. A strange, sweet fragrance began to emanate from her body, a bewitching beauty.
The high slit of her cheongsam revealed the tantalizing curve of her long, beautiful legs.
She was very close to him now, his scent intoxicating. She remembered the feeling of being in the water, of him breathing life back into her.
Her lips were just inches from his.
Jin could feel the power of the Love-Love Fruit, a charm that could make anyone fall in love with her.
He lowered his head and kissed her.
Her slender waist was easy to encircle with one hand.
He pulled her into his arms, holding her tight.
In an instant, Hancock's blood rushed, her heart pounded. Her smooth skin flushed a deep red, like pink jade. Her beautiful eyes were hazy, lost in a daze.
She had never felt such a sweet, blissful sensation. It was like being drunk, her spirit floating, a wonderful, wonderful feeling.
'Hm? I haven't been turned to stone?'
Jin had thought he would be petrified by the Love-Love Fruit. Could it be that because Hancock had initiated it, its power was nullified?
"Air Door!"
Jin reached out, opened a door in the air, and, holding Hancock in his arms, stepped into another dimension, to avoid being disturbed...
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