The overwhelming force of Hancock's leg, amplified by the power of the Love Love Fruit, erupted with terrifying impact. Even the Snake Princess, who had fully committed to defense, could not withstand the strike.
She was sent flying by Hancock's Great Perfume Femur, and the area around her abdomen immediately began turning to stone at an astonishing speed.
By the time the Snake Princess regained her footing, the petrification had already spread to her shoulders, making it nearly impossible to use her arms to counter the effect of Hancock's Devil Fruit ability.
Without hesitation, she unleashed the full power of her Armament Haki. Black lightning crackled around her body as she resisted the relentless spread of the petrification.
Even so, completely removing the effect with Haki required time. The Devil Fruit power infused into Great Perfume Femur was far more potent than that of an ordinary attack.
Whoosh!
Hancock vanished from her original position and instantly appeared before the Snake Princess, quietly looking down at her.
The Snake Princess clenched her teeth and endured for a few more moments before finally letting out a defeated sigh.
"I lost."
A faint smile appeared on Hancock's beautiful face.
She crouched gracefully and gently brushed her hand across the Snake Princess's body, dispelling the remaining petrification.
The Snake Princess was not someone who held grudges. After recovering, she softly said,
"Thank you."
Hancock smiled.
"You are already very strong. You're simply too young and lack real combat experience."
The Snake Princess frowned slightly.
"But you've always stayed here. You haven't experienced many real battles either, have you?"
Just as Hancock was about to answer, the training room doors opened.
Everyone turned toward the entrance and saw Lloyd and Lucia walking inside.
Lucia looked toward the Snake Princess and answered calmly,
"That's because Hancock and the others spar with each other every single day."
As she spoke, she and Lloyd walked over to the center of the arena.
Hancock immediately bowed respectfully.
"Young Master, welcome back."
Lloyd smiled and raised one arm.
Understanding his meaning instantly, Hancock stepped forward and gently leaned against him.
The Snake Princess's eyes lit up.
"Saint Lloyd!"
However, the excitement on her face quickly faded as she lowered her head in disappointment.
Seeing this, Lloyd extended his other arm toward her.
The small black wings on the Snake Princess's back fluttered gently before she leaped directly into his embrace.
Shrinking her body slightly, she muttered quietly,
"Saint Lloyd... I lost..."
Lloyd wrapped one arm around Hancock's slender waist while supporting the Snake Princess with the other. Looking down at her, he smiled faintly.
"A loss is just a loss."
"We're family. There's no reason to be upset over something like this."
"You're acting like a child."
"If you keep this up, Hancock will think she's bullying a little girl."
Hancock covered her mouth and laughed softly while resting against Lloyd.
The Snake Princess immediately blushed.
"I'm not a child..."
Although she had only existed for a little over a year, her mental maturity was far beyond her physical age.
Her situation was much like Stussy's had once been. From the moment she was created, she possessed the mind of a mature individual.
She simply lacked experience with the outside world, which occasionally caused her to reveal an innocent and inexperienced side.
At that moment, Monet and the others also gathered around them.
Lloyd looked toward Viola and asked with a slight smile,
"Viola, would you like to spar with Robin?"
The moment he finished speaking, both Viola and Robin waved their hands simultaneously.
"No, Saint Lloyd."
The perfectly synchronized response caused everyone present to burst into laughter.
Viola blinked innocently.
"I'm not particularly interested in fighting. But if it's Saint Lloyd's wish, then I'm willing."
Robin quickly shook her head.
"Young Master, I don't think I could defeat Sister Viola."
She admitted her weakness honestly.
Unlike Hancock, Robin did not possess exceptional combat talent.
Against a Seraphim equipped with countless powerful abilities, she understood perfectly well that her chances of victory were practically nonexistent.
Lloyd had only mentioned it casually.
Since neither Robin nor Viola wanted to fight, he naturally had no intention of forcing them.
Viola then tilted her head toward Lucia.
"You must be Sister Lucia."
The Snake Princess also turned her gaze toward Lucia, curiosity shining within her star-shaped eyes.
During Lloyd's absence, Monet and the others had already told her about Lucia's place within the household.
Since Lloyd regarded both Viola and the Snake Princess as family, Lucia's attitude toward them was naturally much warmer than it was toward outsiders.
She smiled gently before saying,
"Snake Princess, if you want to improve your combat experience, you can come to me from now on."
Every Seraphim possessed extraordinary combat talent.
Among them, the Snake Princess ranked near the top, and unlike Viola, she possessed a genuine passion for battle.
Naturally, Lucia thought highly of someone with such remarkable potential.
The Snake Princess nodded obediently.
Although this was their first meeting, she instinctively restrained her usual pride in Lucia's presence.
She understood very clearly that, whether it was strength or her position beside Lloyd, she could not compare to Lucia.
Someone like that had earned her respect.
Before long, the sky outside had begun to darken.
Monet stepped forward and reminded everyone,
"Young Master, it's almost time for dinner."
Lloyd nodded.
"Tell the servants to prepare the meal."
"We'll all eat together."
After dinner, the Snake Princess and Viola were assigned to stay with Hancock and Robin respectively.
The maids' rooms within the residence were exceptionally spacious, more than large enough to comfortably accommodate two Seraphim with the appearance of young children.
Early the following morning, a report arrived from the Navy stationed below.
A mysterious flying ship had suddenly appeared in the skies above.
When Lloyd first heard the news, he briefly wondered whether Donquixote Doflamingo had arrived.
Accompanied by Lucia, he walked to the edge of Mary Geoise and looked into the sky.
Sure enough, an enormous vessel floated high above the Holy Land.
Upon closer inspection, the hull bore the unmistakable emblem of the SSG, the Navy's Special Science Group.
Lloyd immediately understood.
Yacha, one of the Seraphim, had evidently inherited the powers of Doflamingo's Float Float Fruit.
This flying vessel was undoubtedly Yacha's creation.
Without another word, Lloyd spread the black wings behind his back and soared toward the ship.
Lucia followed closely behind.
The moment they landed on deck, a familiar voice echoed across the ship.
"Oh, how scary. What a terrifying group of little monsters."
The relaxed tone and unmistakable catchphrase could only belong to one man.
Admiral Borsalino.
Standing casually on the deck, Borsalino kept one hand in his pocket while rubbing his chin with the other, carefully observing the five Seraphim standing before him.
Lloyd could not help smiling at the sight.
Hearing the sound of footsteps, Borsalino turned around and looked toward Lloyd.
The five Seraphim immediately called out in perfect unison.
"Saint Lloyd!"
Lloyd nodded in acknowledgment before walking over to Borsalino with a faint smile.
"You should already know who they are, Borsalino."
Borsalino slowly nodded.
"I do."
"The Seraphim Project."
"It seems the project has been a complete success."