Boom.
With a thunderous collision, Boa Hancock's crimson high heel smashed directly into Kudins' clenched fist. The impact rippled through the Sea of Clouds as Kudins, already transformed into his ancient ape-man beast form, unleashed his overwhelming physical power. The sheer force sent Hancock flying dozens of meters away.
Her body spun gracefully through the air before she landed firmly on her feet, her posture unshaken, her expression cold and proud.
Kudins stared at the breathtaking woman before him, dressed in her familiar red attire, and burst into loud laughter.
"Hahahaha! As expected of the Pirate Empress! Powerful and beautiful," he said, his eyes gleaming. "How about we make a deal?"
Hancock lowered her head slightly and remained silent.
Seeing no immediate response, Kudins continued, his tone turning sly.
"Many Celestial Dragons covet your beauty. If you surrender now and come back with me, I can personally ask Kaido and Big Mom to release Rolan."
The moment those words reached her ears, Hancock's fury surged violently.
Her childhood as a slave to the World Nobles was a scar that could never fade. In that instant, it felt as though the burning brand on her back was searing her flesh once more.
Yet whether it was her hatred for the World Government or her unwavering trust in Rolan, surrender was never an option.
More than that, Hancock understood better than anyone how the World Government operated. There was no such thing as fairness, and promises meant nothing. Their words could be overturned the very next second.
"If you do not speak," Kudins said impatiently, "I will take that as agreement."
Hancock slowly raised her right hand and pointed her index finger straight at him.
"Long-haired monster," she said coldly, "what right do you have to negotiate with this concubine? What exactly do you think you are?"
"Nani?!"
Kudins froze for a moment.
He had never expected her to surrender, but his words were meant to shake her resolve, to disrupt her emotions and prevent her from fighting at full strength. That way, victory would come with minimal effort.
What he had not anticipated was this level of contempt.
His face twisted in rage.
"Boa Hancock!" he roared. "You are nothing more than a former slave of the World Nobles! In that sense, I am practically half your master!"
Hancock leaned backward, her body bending with impossible flexibility, her head nearly brushing her heels.
"What kind of thing are you?" she replied disdainfully. "Even if I kill you here, the World Government can do nothing to me."
Her lips curved into a confident smile.
"Because this concubine is beautiful enough."
Kudins shuddered as he took in her pose, his heart pounding. He thought bitterly that if he had not steeled himself earlier, he might already have been turned to stone.
Her attitude shattered what little composure he had left.
"You bastard!" he snarled.
Armament Haki surged into his right fist as he vanished in a burst of speed.
"Soru!"
He appeared directly in front of Hancock.
Sensing the instability in his Haki, Hancock's lips curved slightly upward.
Though known for her obsessive devotion, Hancock was still the ruler of Amazon Lily. Her mind was sharp, her instincts refined. Kudins had attempted to exploit her pride, but instead, she had baited him into losing control.
She infused her right leg with both Armament Haki and Conqueror's Haki.
Pink lightning erupted violently, tearing through the air as she struck.
Bang.
The impact sent Kudins flying backward, his massive body skidding hundreds of meters across the Sea of Clouds before he finally stabilized himself.
He glared at her, breathing heavily.
"Conqueror's Haki infusion?" he growled. "You are not the only one who can do that!"
Drawing his sword, Kudins coated the blade with Conqueror's Haki as well, dark lightning crackling around the edge.
Elsewhere, a giant white rhinoceros stood towering over the battlefield as it transformed into its human-beast form. Wein stretched his neck and motioned excitedly toward the orange-haired woman before him.
"Hahahaha! That was exhilarating! Again!"
It had been far too long since he had experienced a fight like this.
In Mary Geoise, Special Agents were forbidden from fighting one another. Even when they descended into the lower world, their enemies were usually insignificant, crushed without effort.
Someone like Nami was different.
Despite her appearance, Wein did not view her as a weakling from the lower world. He saw her as a genuine opponent.
Nami stood with her hands behind her back, her arm trembling slightly.
Wein was not particularly fast in his rhinoceros form, but his hide was terrifyingly tough. Even without Armament Haki, the impact left her fists aching.
She cursed internally. This rhino's skin is ridiculously hard. At least he is not fast.
"Rhino Charge!"
Her pupils shrank.
Wein appeared in front of her in an instant, his horn driving forward.
"Nani?! So fast!"
She did not have time to use her elemental abilities. She could only throw a punch.
Boom.
A massive force surged from the horn into her arm. Bones shattered instantly, and Nami was hurled backward through the air.
"Hmph, hmph," Lina scoffed, staring at the masked World Government Special Agent in white. "Nasty woman, why are you hiding behind a mask? Are you ugly, or are all of you too afraid to show your real faces?"
Qimo Ji did not get angry.
Instead, she slowly lifted her hands and removed the mask.
A stunningly beautiful face was revealed.
"Well?" she said smoothly. "Big sister is not inferior to little sister, is she?"
Her voice dripped with charm, every word carrying a seductive rhythm.
Lina broke out in goosebumps.
"You are disgusting!" she blurted out.
She remembered rumors about certain establishments in Golden City, places meant for questionable transactions. The thought alone made her shudder.
Qimo Ji only laughed, swaying her hips as she approached.
"Oh? Then perhaps little sister can hand Rolan over to big sister," she said softly. "Anything you can give him, I can also give. What you know, I know too. And what you do not know, I know even more."
"Get lost!" Lina shouted.
"Oh, do not be angry," Qimo Ji replied sweetly. "This is for Rolan's own good. With me, he would experience happiness beyond imagination."
She was already within ten meters.
Lina extended her hand, a blazing spear of flame forming instantly. She thrust it straight toward Qimo Ji's forehead.
The woman's figure flickered, and she appeared behind Lina.
"Lina," she whispered, "you smell wonderful."
"Holy crap!"
Lina used Soru, leaping dozens of meters away, her face pale with disgust. Her stomach churned violently, and for a moment, she felt like everything she ate in Dressrosa was about to come back up.
Seeing her reaction, Qimo Ji smiled faintly and vanished.
"She ran away?" Lina muttered, still shaken.
"Handsome," a familiar voice purred, "are you also from the Rolan Pirates? How come I have not seen you before?"
Issho stiffened as Qimo Ji appeared before him.
His hand immediately tightened around the hilt of his sword.
Before he could draw it, a devastating sonic wave erupted from her mouth.
As a blind man, Issho's hearing was extraordinarily sharp. The point-blank attack froze his mind for a split second.
And in that instant, Qimo Ji appeared beside Vivi.
A dagger flashed into her hand and pressed against Vivi's neck.