"All right, you can come in now."
Hearing Jin's voice, the three people sitting by the staircase immediately stood up and rushed upstairs as quickly as possible.
"Quick, quick, quick."
As they ran, their expressions were filled with both anticipation and anxiety.
They were anticipating how Hancock would look after the mark was removed, yet anxious that the surgery might have failed.
But when they entered and saw Hancock's appearance, they instantly breathed a sigh of relief.
Then tears appeared in their eyes.
"Hancock…"
"Sister…"
The mark on Sister's back had really disappeared!
"Eh?!"
"Why are all of you crying?"
Seeing this while lying on the operating table, Hancock immediately panicked. Had the surgery failed?
But that was not right. Jin had said the surgery was successful.
This man should not be lying to her.
"They're crying because they're happy for you," Jin said with a smile after cleaning up the medical waste. "Go look in the mirror."
"I-Is that so…"
Hearing Jin say that, Hancock breathed a sigh of relief, but soon became nervous again.
Now that the mark on her back was gone, would there be a huge scar left?
Would she be disliked…
With that mood, Hancock staggered to her feet and walked step by step to the side, looking at herself in the mirror.
'Fragile…'
That was the first word that appeared in Hancock's mind when she saw herself.
She had never imagined that one day she would show such an expression.
Then Hancock carefully turned around and placed her hand on her hair.
After hesitating for a moment, Hancock gritted her teeth and moved her hair aside.
"It… it's really gone!"
Looking at her restored back, Hancock froze completely.
'This… is this really my back?'
With trembling arms, Hancock slowly reached back to touch her own back, until her fingers brushed against intact, unblemished skin.
"This is mine…"
Tears slowly flowed from her eyes, gradually blurring Hancock's vision.
"Th-Thank you, Jin!"
At this moment, this mature beauty who liked to maintain a cold and aloof posture broke down and cried loudly.
The mountain that had weighed on her heart for more than ten years had finally…
Finally been moved away!
"Sister…"
"You're welcome. As long as you're satisfied," Jin said.
Looking at Hancock sitting on the floor and crying her heart out, Jin let out a long breath.
Fortunately, he possessed extremely powerful Yang Release chakra. Otherwise, achieving this level would have been quite difficult.
After Hancock's emotions gradually stabilized, Elder Nyon walked over, wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes, and said, "That's wonderful, Hancock."
"From today onward, you no longer need to worry about that matter."
"You can finally… sleep well."
"Mm!"
Hancock nodded.
She was not surprised that Elder Nyon knew about her condition.
After all…
From beginning to end, Elder Nyon had always been paying attention to the three of them.
Even if Hancock refused to admit it aloud, she understood it in her heart.
Then Hancock looked at Jin, her face slightly red as she said, "I'm sorry for letting you see such a side of me."
At this moment, where was the arrogant and untouchable woman from before?
She was completely like a shy young woman, her face full of bashfulness.
"What is there to apologize for?" Jin said with a smile. "I can understand how you feel."
This time, Hancock said nothing more. She merely nodded with a faint blush on her face.
'Hiss…'
Looking at Hancock's appearance, Elder Nyon sensed something strange.
'Don't tell me this girl… has fallen for this boy?'
Thinking carefully, it was not impossible!
After all…
Not only was Jin the man who had killed Celestial Dragons, he had also removed the mark on Hancock's back!
Under these circumstances, it really was possible for her to fall for him.
Glancing at Jin, who was smiling, Elder Nyon thought, 'What a lucky brat.'
He had actually managed to warm up such a cold iceberg.
Perhaps this was fate.
"All right, after I clean up the operating table, we'll proceed with the next surgery." Jin glanced at Sandersonia and Marigold. "You two decide who goes first."
After saying that, Jin began cleaning the traces on the operating table.
Clearly, Jin had no intention of wasting too much time.
Looking at Jin seriously cleaning the operating table, Hancock supported herself against Salome and stood up. She also took the coat Salome handed her and put it on.
Then Hancock sat down on Salome's coiled body, propped her chin on her hand, and watched Jin busily work.
At this moment, in Hancock's eyes, Jin's figure seemed to be covered by a filter, making his already handsome face appear even more dazzling.
"Ah!"
Jin: "???"
Hearing the sound, Jin turned his head in confusion and glanced at Hancock, only to find the woman covering her face, not knowing what she was thinking.
'Even the tips of her ears are red?'
This woman could not be thinking of something strange, could she?
"What happened to Sister?" Sandersonia asked in confusion.
"I don't know. I've never seen her look like this."
Sandersonia and Marigold tilted their heads together as they looked at their sister, both unable to understand why she was acting this way.
"Jin, do you need to rest for a while?" Elder Nyon asked.
She did not know how Jin had handled the mark, but if his stamina consumption was too great, it could affect the surgery.
So she wondered whether Jin should rest first.
Even if he was in a hurry to go to Marine Headquarters, there was no need to rush this much.
"No need." Jin shook his head. "A few surgeries won't exhaust me."
With his Mangekyo Sharingan ocular technique, he did not need to worry about consumption.
"I see."
Since Jin had said so, Elder Nyon did not continue persuading him.
Seeing that Jin still needed some time to clean the operating table, Elder Nyon said, "Jin, have you thought about how to get to Marine Headquarters?"
"You should know this place is in the Calm Belt, right?"
Without a special ship, it was impossible to leave this place.
The moment these words came out, Jin's movements paused, and he gradually frowned.
Although he could forcibly control a Sea King, it would naturally be best if he could obtain a ship.
Thinking this, Jin said, "Do you have any spare ships?"
"I can pay for one."
"This isn't about money," Sandersonia said helplessly. "Our entire Amazon Lily only has one ship."
To prevent people from secretly going out to sea, Amazon Lily had established a rule forbidding the construction of seagoing ships.
Of course, this was also to protect the citizens of the country.
After all…
Without fierce sea serpents to protect them, any ship that left Amazon Lily's range would definitely be attacked by Sea Kings.
"Then…"
"Use my ship," Hancock said.
"Eh?!!"
Marigold stared at her sister in shock.
She was lending out the ship just like that?
But considering that Jin could help remove the marks on their backs, Marigold quickly accepted it.
They had to repay this kindness.
"You're willing to lend us your ship?"
"Mm." Hancock nodded. "As one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, I also received a summons from the World Government."
"So sailing to Marine Headquarters should not be a problem."
"Sister, don't you hate the World Government?" Sandersonia asked.
Not long ago, Sister had even petrified an entire ship of Marines!
"I do indeed hate the World Government, but… if it can help Jin…"
Sandersonia: "…"
Looking at Hancock's bashful expression, Sandersonia fell silent.
What exactly was wrong with Sister?
Jin also looked at Hancock with question marks all over his face.
Why was this woman becoming more and more strange?
What was with that shy appearance?
Could she have fallen for him?
Thinking about the question Hancock had asked earlier, Jin fell into thought.
"The Seven Warlords' summons…" Elder Nyon frowned.
"Yes."
Marigold explained, "Not long ago, the Marines issued us a final ultimatum. If Sister does not accept the summons by tomorrow, they will revoke her Warlord title."
"That really is troublesome."
Elder Nyon knew all too well what would happen if Hancock lost her title as a Warlord.
In other words, if Hancock wanted to keep her title, she really had to participate in this war.
But would the Marines truly allow Amazon Lily's ship to approach Marine Headquarters?
That was a problem.
Thinking of this, Elder Nyon said, "Your ideas are good, but I do not think the Marines will allow our Amazon Lily ship to approach Marine Headquarters."
"Especially… during such a sensitive time."
The moment these words came out, Hancock's expression sank.
Did that mean she had no way to help Jin?
"Mm… that's possible." Coming back to his senses, Jin thought carefully and said, "The Marines are probably afraid pirates might sneak in and cause trouble."
A war involving one of the Four Emperors would absolutely contain many secrets, such as battle plans and the like.
As long as the Marines were smart enough, they would not agree to let Amazon Lily's pirate ship approach Marine Headquarters.
In that case, they could not use Amazon Lily's pirate ship.
'Looks like I can only use a Sea King,' Jin thought with a headache. 'But in that case, Merry will…'
Suddenly, a thought appeared in Jin's mind, and he said, "I know what to do."
Turning to Elder Nyon, Jin said, "Elder Nyon, could I trouble you to look after Merry for a while?"
"Hm?"
"You plan to…"
"Mm, that's right." Jin nodded. "In the end, it would be too dangerous to bring Merry into a war of that level."
"So I plan to leave her here temporarily, then take her away after the war ends."
At first, Jin had never considered leaving Merry here.
After all…
He was not certain about these people's situation, and he had been afraid they might hurt Merry.
But now, it seemed Elder Nyon was a decent person. On top of that, with Hancock acting like this…
Temporarily entrusting Merry to them should not be a problem.
Elder Nyon fell silent for a moment, then nodded. "All right, I understand. I will take good care of her."
Thinking carefully, taking Merry, that little girl, into a war of that level really was unsuitable.
After all, she was only a few years old.
So leaving her here was the best choice.
After hearing their conversation, Hancock keenly caught one piece of information.
"Who exactly is Merry?" Hancock asked.
That name sounded like a woman's name!
Thinking this, Hancock's expression changed.
"She's a little girl only a few years old," Sandersonia said. "She's also a member of the Straw Hat Pirates."
After saying that, Sandersonia paused, then added, "Mm, she's a very brave little girl."
Thinking of the way Merry had stood in front of Marguerite earlier, a smile appeared on Sandersonia's face.
"A little girl only a few years old."
After hearing Sandersonia say this, Hancock's expression immediately became calm.
But soon, Hancock became confused again.
Why would the Straw Hat Pirates bring a little girl only a few years old?
Thinking of this, Hancock asked, "Do you also have the habit of taking pirate apprentices?"
"Pirate apprentice?"
Jin froze, then shook his head. "Not exactly."
"Merry isn't some pirate apprentice. She is the ship spirit of our pirate ship."
"Ship spirit?!"
Hearing this, the others all revealed shocked expressions.
"You mean the legendary spirit born from a ship?" Sandersonia asked.
"Yes."
"I didn't expect even a ship spirit to…"
Marigold swallowed, her face filled with disbelief.
"That truly surprises me," Hancock said.
At this moment, Hancock developed a trace of curiosity toward the little girl named Merry.
A ship spirit…
What did she look like?
"No wonder I felt that little girl was different from an ordinary human. So she was a ship spirit," Elder Nyon said. "This truly is… shocking."
After living for so many years, this was her first time seeing a legendary ship spirit.
"Haha, Merry is indeed a little unusual," Jin said with a smile. "In short… Elder Nyon, I'll leave her to you."
"Don't worry. As long as she does not secretly run out, she will not be in danger."
"Mm, I'll explain the situation to her," Jin said.
Although he did not know how Merry would react after hearing this news, he had to do it.
He believed Luffy would agree with his idea as well.
"What do you plan to do?" Elder Nyon asked. "Even if we start building a ship now, there won't be enough time."
Their shipbuilding ability here was not especially impressive. Building a ship capable of sailing would take at least two weeks.
Two weeks?
Fire Fist Ace would already be dead by then!
"I don't plan to use a ship." Jin narrowed his eyes. "I plan to use a Sea King as transportation."
Although being exposed to the wind and sun might be a little painful…
At least they would be able to travel.
Mm. He believed Luffy would not complain too much either.
"Use a Sea King…"
The corner of Elder Nyon's mouth twitched. "Sea Kings are not easy to tame, Jin."
One had to know that even Amazon Lily, after so many years, had only tamed two sea serpents.
Could he really do it?
This was not something that could be solved simply by being strong. After all, most large Sea Kings were extremely fierce and unyielding. Even if killed, they would not submit.
And the waters around Amazon Lily were full of large Sea Kings!
"I naturally have my own method," Jin said with a smile.
With the ocular power of the Mangekyo Sharingan, controlling a Sea King as a mount would not be a problem.
"Could you mean…" Marigold's pupils shrank. "That hypnotic ability?"
"Hypnosis?"
Elder Nyon froze.
What strange ability was this now?
This boy even had hypnosis abilities?
"Mm. Jin used hypnosis to control Anishida and the others for a while," Marigold said.
Elder Nyon: "…"
Just how many strange abilities had this ninja boy not yet shown?
"More or less," Jin said.
This time, Jin did not explain too much to them.
"I'm sorry, Jin. I could not help you…" Hancock lowered her head and said.
"It's fine. Having the Eternal Pose is already enough," Jin said with a smile.
Helping was kindness. Not helping was only natural.
There was nothing to complain about.
At that moment, Elder Nyon spoke.
"No, I think Hancock can still help."
The moment these words came out, Hancock's eyes immediately lit up.
"How?"
If she could truly help Jin, she did not mind lending a hand.
Jin also looked at Elder Nyon in confusion.
Could this old woman have some clever plan?
"First is the question of Fire Fist Ace's location," Elder Nyon said. "Right now, Fire Fist Ace should still be inside the great underwater prison. If you can go there to rescue him, then you won't need to take part in the extremely dangerous war at Marine Headquarters."
"I know that," Jin said. "The problem is, I don't know the loc—"
"Let me finish first, Jin."
Interrupted, Jin felt somewhat helpless, but he did not say anything else. He simply nodded, signaling Elder Nyon to continue.
"The great underwater prison…"
Hancock frowned.
She felt as if she had caught onto something.
"That's right, the great underwater prison!" Elder Nyon smiled. "Hancock, as one of the Seven Warlords, if you do not want your title revoked, you must participate in this war."
"You understand that much, yes?"
"I…"
Before Hancock could finish, Elder Nyon decisively said, "This can help Jin."
"I have no problem!" Hancock said with a serious expression.
If it could help Jin, she did not mind participating in this war.
"Revoking the Warlord title…" Jin frowned.
At that moment, Jin thought of Moria.
The reason Moria had his Warlord title revoked was because he was defeated by the Straw Hat Pirates.
As for Hancock, the reason her title would be revoked was because she refused the summons?
That made sense.
Thinking about it carefully, if a Warlord refused to obey the World Government's orders, there was no way the other side would indulge them.
"Yes, refusal means the title will be revoked," Marigold said. "Because this summons is compulsory."
"At least, that Marine said so."
Marigold estimated that the other side would probably keep their word.
Jin nodded, then looked at Elder Nyon and said, "Then how do you plan to have Hancock help me?"
"It's simple. Have Hancock make a demand to the Marines," Elder Nyon said. "She must first visit the great underwater prison before agreeing to participate in this war!"
The moment these words came out, Jin's eyes lit up.
If the Marines were truly willing to accept this proposal, then perhaps they really would not need to participate in the war at Marine Headquarters.
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