"What exactly is that medical ninjutsu you mentioned?" Marigold could not help asking.
Could something she had never even heard of really help them remove the mark on their backs?
Hancock also glanced curiously at Jin. Clearly, she wanted to know as well.
"It's a special type of ninjutsu used to treat injuries," Jin explained. "It uses chakra to stimulate the cells…"
Before Jin could finish, he noticed the confused looks on their faces.
Clearly, they had no idea what chakra was.
Realizing this, Jin sighed helplessly and said, "In short, you only need to know that it can help solve your problem."
Marigold nodded as if she half-understood and did not ask further.
'A special ninja technique…' Hancock thought silently.
"Lady Snake Princess!"
Seeing Hancock return with Jin, Mira and the others immediately straightened their postures.
"Mm."
Hancock glanced at the warriors lying unconscious on the ground and said, "Mira, I'll have to trouble you to stay here for a while longer. Wait until they wake up before returning to the village."
They had all been knocked out by her Conqueror's Haki and would not wake up anytime soon.
So she would leave Mira here to watch over them.
"Yes, Lady Snake Princess!"
Hancock nodded without saying anything more, then turned and walked toward the village's rear gate.
Watching the three leave, Mira glanced at her companion and said, "Kayla, the one beside Lady Snake Princess… that's the man, right?"
"Mm. The man Elder Nyon brought earlier."
"Then who was the man on Elder Nyon's roof?"
"I don't know…"
"More than that, I'm curious why this man is with Lady Snake Princess."
"How would I know?" Kayla shook her head.
To be honest, she was also extremely shocked.
But since Lady Snake Princess had not killed him, there was probably some special reason.
So… it was better not to ask too many questions.
Then she looked at the companions lying on the ground and felt a headache coming on.
Leaving so many people lying here was not exactly ideal…
Hopefully, they would wake up soon.
Otherwise, it would be troublesome if dangerous beasts appeared.
"Who's the guy who came here with you?" Hancock glanced at Jin and asked.
"Him?"
With both hands behind his head, Jin said, "He's my captain, Straw Hat, Monkey D. Luffy."
"Captain?"
Hancock was a little surprised.
Someone like him was actually another person's crewmate?
With that level of strength…
"Yeah, my captain," Jin said.
After saying that, a hint of worry appeared on his face. "I wonder if that guy actually stayed obediently at Elder Nyon's place and waited for me…"
With Luffy's personality, he was basically like a monkey. Add in the matter of his brother, and there was no guarantee he could sit still.
Hopefully, he had not caused too much trouble.
"He…"
Marigold showed a hesitant expression, unsure what to say.
"What is it?"
"Your captain should have been captured by Sister Sandersonia by now…" Marigold said.
Jin: "???"
Jin stared at Marigold with a face full of question marks.
What did she mean, captured?
"When I was searching for Sister with Sister Sandersonia, we found your captain on Elder Nyon's roof," Marigold said. "So Sister Sandersonia told me to continue searching for Sister while she personally went to capture your captain…"
At this point, Marigold paused before continuing, "I think… that person should have already been caught by now."
Of course, there was also a chance he had been killed.
But Marigold did not want that man to die right now.
Otherwise, their deal with this man would be over.
After all, there was no way he would forgive someone who killed his captain.
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go."
Jin's expression instantly became pained.
Sure enough, he should never have expected Luffy to stay obediently inside the house.
'I wonder if Merry is all right…'
Luffy was tough and could take a beating, but Merry could not.
Attacks coated in Haki were no joke!
"Let's go."
Hancock nodded, and the three of them quickly moved out, rushing toward the rear gate of the village at top speed.
…
"Damn it, what do you want from me?!"
Luffy, who was being chased all over the place by Sandersonia, felt like his head was starting to hurt.
He had already said so many times that he did not want to fight, yet the other party kept chasing him relentlessly.
"Obviously, I'm going to capture you!" Sandersonia said.
After catching this guy, she would hand him over to Sister for judgment, and then…
He would be executed together with the other man!
Men who dared to intrude on Amazon Lily had only one final fate.
Death!
"We only want an Eternal Pose!"
"I'm still not giving it to you!"
Whoosh!
As soon as she finished speaking, Sandersonia rushed onto the roof and punched down at Luffy.
Boom!
With one punch, she blasted a hole straight through the rooftop.
Unfortunately, Luffy was extremely nimble and was not hit.
"Damn it. He's as agile as a monkey."
Looking at Luffy fleeing into the distance, Sandersonia's expression turned irritated.
At that moment, she noticed Luffy stretch out both arms, grab the protruding edge of a rooftop, and pull his body backward.
"Don't tell me…"
Before Sandersonia could finish speaking, Luffy shot himself forward.
"Rocket!"
Whoosh!
Sandersonia: "!!!"
Watching Luffy fly farther and farther away, Sandersonia was stunned numb.
What kind of bizarre Devil Fruit ability was that, damn it?!
"Lady Sandersonia, he's too agile! We can't block him…"
"I know."
Sandersonia said irritably, "Keep chasing him. I refuse to believe we can't catch him!"
"Yes!"
"Jeez, I already said I don't want to fight them. Why do they keep chasing me?" Luffy muttered bitterly while flying through the air.
Now that he had caused such a huge commotion, he wondered if it would affect Jin's side of things.
Fortunately, they had not attacked Merry.
At that moment, Luffy noticed Jin appearing on the street below, and his face instantly lit up.
"Jin!"
"Luffy?"
Looking at Luffy in midair, Jin froze for a moment.
Why was this guy in the sky?
Whoosh!
Boom!
In the end, Luffy came crashing down headfirst into a stone.
Marigold: "…"
Hancock: "…"
Looking at the guy whose head was buried inside the stone, their eyelids twitched slightly.
The same thought appeared in both their minds.
'He can't be dead, can he…?'
However, they soon realized he was not dead, because after stabilizing himself, Luffy began struggling to pull his head out.
Unfortunately… it was not that easy.
"Damn it, I can't pull it out!" Luffy said gloomily.
Why was this stone gripping him so tightly?
Even pulling himself out was not easy.
"This guy…"
Watching Luffy's neck stretch longer and longer, Marigold said in surprise, "He's a Devil Fruit user?"
"Yeah."
"A Devil Fruit user," Jin nodded.
Only this brat, a user of the Rubber Fruit, could survive playing around like this. Anyone else would have died long ago.
At that moment, a group of warriors appeared beside the street.
"We found him! He's over there!"
"Hurry, take him down!"
Whoosh!
As soon as the words fell, an arrow coated in Haki shot over, heading straight for Luffy's backside.
Jin: "!!!"
Were these women crazy?
Where the hell were they aiming?!
Whoosh!
Clack!
Jin appeared beside Luffy and grabbed the Haki-coated arrow in one hand.
"Phew…"
"That was ruthless."
At that moment, Luffy finally pulled himself free from the stone.
"Ah!"
"I'm saved!" Luffy shouted.
Then he noticed Jin standing behind him, and his expression immediately became delighted.
"Jin!"
"You idiot!"
Jin casually tossed the arrow to the ground and said angrily, "Didn't I tell you to stay obediently inside the house? Why did you run onto the roof for no reason?"
"I couldn't sit still…"
Looking at Luffy's expression, Jin sighed.
Fair enough.
This guy was like a monkey. Asking him to stay quietly in one place was indeed asking too much.
"Is Merry okay?"
"She's fine."
"That's good." Jin breathed a sigh of relief.
"Oh, right, Jin! Did you get that Eternal Pose?" Luffy grabbed Jin and asked.
He could hardly wait to go rescue his brother.
"More or less," Jin said. "As long as I finish helping them with something, they'll be willing to give me the Eternal Pose."
"Helping?"
Luffy looked confused.
Helping with what?
"It's too troublesome to explain. Anyway… we need to wait a little," Jin said. "I have to fulfill my promise first. Otherwise, I won't be able to get that thing."
After saying that, Jin paused, then added, "Don't worry. It won't take too long."
"Fine…"
This time, Luffy did not ask further and chose to trust Jin.
At that moment, Sandersonia rushed over with her people, her eyes filled with killing intent.
But when she saw Jin, she froze.
Then, an ominous thought surfaced in her mind.
Could it be…
Had something happened to Sister?
Thinking this, Sandersonia's eyes instantly turned red.
"You damn man! What did you do to my sister?!" Sandersonia roared.
As soon as her voice fell, Sandersonia's speed surged. She arrived in front of Jin in an instant and swung her Haki-coated fist down at him.
Clang!
"Hm?"
"Sister!"
Seeing Hancock reach out and block her fist, Sandersonia was both surprised and confused.
She was delighted because her sister was fine.
But she was confused because…
Why was Sister protecting this man?
"Sandersonia, there's no need to keep capturing them," Hancock said.
"Why?"
Sandersonia was full of questions.
These two men had intruded on Amazon Lily. What did she mean by not capturing them?
They had committed a crime punishable by death!
"I'll explain this matter to you later," Hancock said.
After speaking, Hancock glanced at the stunned warriors nearby and said, "All of you, disperse. You don't need to concern yourselves with these two."
"Yes… Lady Snake Princess."
Although they did not understand why their empress had issued such an order, as subordinates, all they could do was obey.
Soon, the warriors left.
"They're not capturing me anymore?" Luffy scratched his head and said, "That's good…"
Although he had no idea what was going on, it was definitely better if these people stopped chasing him.
"Let's go. Come back to my palace with me." Hancock glanced at Jin and said, "I hope you didn't lie to me."
"Don't worry," Jin smiled.
Since he had made a promise, he would not go back on his word.
Hancock nodded and said nothing more, then led her two younger sisters forward.
"Let's go."
"After you finish helping them, we can leave, right?" Luffy said while walking beside Jin.
The moment these words came out, Hancock immediately stopped.
"Yeah, we…"
"He cannot come with us," Hancock interrupted.
Hearing this, both Luffy and Jin were stunned.
"Why?" Luffy asked in confusion.
He and Jin were partners. Was it not normal for them to go together at a time like this?
What did this woman mean?
"Because that is my palace," Hancock frowned at Luffy. "He is a doctor, so I am allowing him to enter with me. Other men do not have that right."
Hearing Hancock's words, Jin understood.
She did not want Luffy to know about the mark.
Thinking of this, Jin said, "How about this, Luffy?"
"We don't know how long it will take us to get to Marine Headquarters this time, so we need to prepare enough food."
After saying that, Jin paused and continued, "You should know your own appetite, right?"
"Food, huh." Luffy scratched his head. "Then we really do need to prepare a lot."
Come to think of it, he had not even eaten his fill at Elder Nyon's place earlier.
The food they bought had not even been eaten before that woman chased him out.
"Merry has money," Jin said. "Take Merry and go buy…"
Before Jin could finish, he stopped.
Because he suddenly realized a problem.
Was it really okay to let Luffy go buy food?
Wouldn't he just eat while buying, and in the end, there might be nothing left…
Thinking of this, Jin felt his head ache.
Perhaps noticing something, Hancock took the initiative and said, "Sandersonia, take him to purchase supplies."
"Sister?"
Sandersonia looked at Hancock in disbelief.
It was one thing not to let her capture them, but now she was actually asking her to help them buy supplies?
What… what was going on?
"Hm?"
Hancock raised an eyebrow, as if saying: What? Does your elder sister's word no longer work?
Sandersonia: "…"
"Yes… Sister." Sandersonia said weakly. "I'll go now."
Since Sister had already said so, what else could she say?
She could only obey.
"Mm." Hancock nodded. "After arranging everything, come to my palace."
With Sandersonia following him, this ninja's captain would not be killed. That way, the deal between them could proceed smoothly.
Once the mark on her back completely disappeared…
She would ask him to help remove the marks on her sisters' backs as well.
That way, all three of them could finally break free from that cursed thing.
"All right, I understand."
Although Sandersonia did not know why Sister wanted her to return later, since it was Sister's order, she would obey.
"Let's go."
After saying that, Hancock led Jin away, heading toward the palace.
As for the curious gazes on the street?
Hancock ignored them.
Before confirming whether this man could truly remove the mark, she would not explain anything.
After watching Hancock leave, Sandersonia muttered in confusion, "I wonder what's going on with Sister…"
She had never seen Sister act like this before.
Not only had she taken the initiative to protect a man, but she had also personally brought him to her palace…
Why?
Could there be something special about this man?
Thinking of this, Sandersonia glanced at Luffy beside her and said, "Hey, what's going on with that guy?"
"You mean Jin?" Luffy said. "I don't know either. Jin didn't tell me what happened."
"I only know he seems to be helping that woman with something."
As for what it was, he did not know.
But Luffy did not care about that.
He only needed to know that Jin could get the Eternal Pose.
"Helping with something…"
Sandersonia frowned and thought for a moment, then shook her head. "I can't figure it out…"
She really could not understand what had happened to make Sister take such an attitude.
Forget it.
She would ask Sister carefully once she saw her later.
Glancing at Luffy, Sandersonia said, "Come on. I'll take you to find that…"
"What was her name again?"
"Merry."
"Oh, Merry…" Sandersonia said, then froze. She looked surprised. "Wait… this Merry… don't tell me you mean that little girl in Elder Nyon's courtyard?"
At that moment, Merry's appearance surfaced in Sandersonia's mind.
Back then, the girl had seemed like she wanted to say something, but Marguerite had stopped her.
So after all that, she was this brat's companion?
No, wait.
He brought such a tiny little girl out to sea?
What exactly was this guy thinking?
"That's right, it's her," Luffy said. "Thanks for not attacking her earlier."
Hearing this, Sandersonia fell silent.
If she had known that little girl was this man's companion, she might have ordered her captured at the time.
Thinking of this, Sandersonia shook her head and said, "There's no need to thank me. I only didn't know she was your companion."
Although they might have spared her because she was only a few years old…
They definitely would have captured her first.
As for whether to kill her in the end…
That would depend entirely on Sister's will.
"But you didn't attack her at the time, right?" Luffy said.
Clearly, this simple-minded guy was stubborn about this point.
This time, Sandersonia did not answer. She simply strode forward and said, "Keep up."
"Yeah!"
…
"Is Luffy okay…?"
Merry, who was being held in Marguerite's arms, had a face full of worry.
That large woman did not look like a good person. She wondered if Luffy would be caught.
And how was Jin doing?
Should she summon him over and ask?
But the moment the thought appeared, Merry suppressed it.
If her action ended up ruining Jin's matter, that would be bad.
So… she should wait a little longer.
"Judging from how agile he was, he should be fine," Marguerite said.
Hearing Marguerite's words, Merry looked up at her and said, "Big Sister Marguerite, is this really okay for you?"
"What do you mean?"
"I'm an outsider too…"
Wouldn't the other party be punished for sheltering an outsider like her?
Marguerite fell silent.
Honestly, she did not know whether she would be punished later. But when she saw Merry was about to speak earlier, she had instinctively stopped her.
After all…
She did not want to see such a small child get hurt.
After a moment of silence, Marguerite shook her head and said, "I don't know either."
"Don't worry, Big Sister Marguerite!" Merry clenched her tiny fists and said, "If they really try to bully you, we'll steal you away!"
If they truly blamed Big Sister Marguerite because of this, then they would simply take her away.
After all…
They could not just watch her die here!
Hearing Merry's words, a faint smile appeared on Marguerite's face. She then rubbed her chin gently against the little one's hair and said, "Thank you for your kindness, but… I won't leave this place."
This was her home.
Even if she really had to die…
She would choose to die here.
Merry said nothing more, but her thoughts did not change.
At that moment, Sandersonia returned to the courtyard and immediately saw the two sitting there.
"L-Lady Sandersonia!"
Marguerite immediately stood up and spoke.
As she spoke, there was a trace of unease on her face.
No matter what, the fact that she had sheltered this little one could not be changed.
Moreover…
Luffy, that man, had also been brought back from the forest by the few of them. If responsibility were pursued, they might all be punished.
At that moment, Merry struggled free from Marguerite's arms and jumped down. She spread her arms and stood in front of Marguerite.
"You're not allowed to bully Big Sister Marguerite!"
Merry's appearance directly amused Sandersonia.
"You little thing, you're pretty brave," Sandersonia teased. "You actually dare to stop me."
"I… I'm not afraid of you!"
At that moment, Merry noticed Luffy walking in from behind, and her eyes immediately lit up.
"Luffy!"
"Ah, Merry!"
Hearing her voice, Luffy ran over and said, "Good, you're okay."
After saying that, Luffy stuffed a large chunk of meat he had just bought into his mouth and swallowed it in one bite.
This scene left Marguerite completely stunned.
Such a huge piece of meat…
He just threw it into his mouth and swallowed it?
What terrifying way of eating was this?
"Luffy, what's going on?" Merry asked quietly.
As she spoke, she glanced at Sandersonia, making Sandersonia roll her eyes.
That little gesture was way too obvious.
"It's kind of complicated…" Luffy scratched his head. "Anyway, we're not fighting anymore."
"Huh??"
"I'll let Jin explain later." Luffy grinned. "Anyway… Merry, let's go shopping!"
"Eh??"
"Ehhh?!"
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