Check out advanced chapters on P@treon: [email protected]/CosmicKaminari
----------
Days passed, and the New World grew increasingly calm. As the Beast Pirates' grand banquet approached, various factions shifted their attention to the Beast Pirates.
Groudon, in the bar.
A certain beautiful woman was drunk again.
"Rayleigh?"
Daichi sat at the bar, listening to Kikara recount the events of that night, his eyes cautiously on the drunkard beside them.
Nothing to do + confusion + homelessness + exposed secret.
A classic period of decadence.
When people are idle, they tend to overthink.
She simply hadn't worked enough.
Daichi was quite displeased.
Not working was one thing, but she also stole his liquor every day. All his liquor was sourced from Stussy, high-end brands.
They were expensive!
No, he had to find a way for this woman to earn back the money he lost!
And "Dark King" Rayleigh.
What was that old geezer doing joining in on the fun?
"Gazelleman!"
"Daichi-sama, do you have any orders?"
"Go arrange more work for that old man named Old Ray. Have someone keep an eye on him, don't spoil him just because he's old!"
"Alright!"
Gazelleman slowly left.
He finally made it to the room where Hancock-sama was staying. Even the air was incredibly sweet. He had to take a few more breaths.
"Get out!"
Daichi cursed irritably.
So spineless.
His peripheral vision unconsciously fell on the woman. Her languid appearance exuded an inexplicable charm.
"Eh? Goddess?"
"Smack!"
He slapped himself, and his mind instantly cleared.
"This woman doesn't want to leave?"
Daichi chuckled.
His aim in prompting the World Government to strip Hancock of her Warlord title was precisely this. Hancock's reaction was also within his expectations.
A dangerous woman like her wouldn't be easily let go by the Marines. The ultimate outcome was that the Kuja Pirates could only remain in the New World.
However, in the fiercely competitive New World, conflicts were everywhere, and now pirates were almost insane in their pursuit of the Yonko position.
Once she stepped into this vortex, she couldn't get out. With the strength of the Kuja Pirates, it was impossible for them to become a Yonko crew.
The outcome of failure was self-evident.
Unless Hancock was willing to use her beauty to recruit a large number of lecherous pirates, in which case it might indeed be possible to seize the Yonko throne.
But based on his understanding of Hancock, this narcissistic woman utterly detested men, so she wouldn't do that.
Daichi poked Hancock.
"Wake up, don't sleep anymore."
"Mmm~~"
Hancock opened her eyes in a daze, drool still at the corner of her mouth, staring at Daichi for a long moment.
Shiny and bright.
"Braised egg?"
"That's my head!"
Daichi broke character and cursed loudly.
After a while, Hancock finally sobered up from her hangover, her proud demeanor as if facing a subject presenting themselves to her.
"What do you want from me?"
"I heard you don't want to leave?"
Daichi smiled brightly.
Hancock snorted coldly. "I'm just staying temporarily for a few days. Once I get bored, I'll naturally leave."
Daichi pouted.
Look how capable you are!
Did she forget she was still a prisoner?
"Hancock, I want to discuss something with you."
"Granted, speak."
Hancock spoke indifferently, then beckoned to Kikara, asking for a high-proof white liquor.
Daichi's eyelids twitched.
He was just being polite. Couldn't this woman speak properly? If she angered him, he'd use the fire poker!
"Hancock, I can move Amazon Lily to the Calm Belt here."
Hancock's body stiffened.
Daichi narrowed his eyes.
"You should be familiar with my ability. I can create a new Amazon Lily for you in this Calm Belt. At that time, you'll only need to transport your people here."
"Hoo~~"
Hancock's breathing quickened considerably.
This was what she was most concerned about.
Moving an entire nation was not an easy task. The most difficult part was finding an island suitable for survival.
The Calm Belt lacked wind, meaning the weather rarely changed normally, leading to most islands within the Calm Belt having harsh climates, being uninhabitable deserted islands.
As for the islands within the New World, without the Calm Belt as a natural barrier, the all-female Amazon Lily would inevitably become a target for plunder by various forces.
Therefore, she had no choice.
And with the power Daichi displayed, he could indeed artificially create a new Amazon Lily. Even if there was a lack of supplies, they could be easily transported via the land and sea Daichi created.
Her heart was moved.
"What are the conditions?"
"Pay me rent."
Daichi realized what he said only after speaking.
Damn it, occupational hazard.
"Pay rent?"
Hancock's delicate brows furrowed slightly.
"Does that mean protection money?"
"Uh, I just said that casually."
"Okay, I agree."
"Huh?"
Daichi was speechless.
She agreed just like that?
Hancock didn't find it strange.
When she served as a Warlord, she also had to share a portion of the plundered wealth with the World Government, which was no different from paying rent.
"Is that all?"
"There's one more thing."
Daichi rubbed his hands with a chuckle.
"In about a month, we Beast Pirates will hold a grand banquet here, and we'll invite various forces from the New World. I need you to appear with me!"
Hancock's eyes were full of contempt.
Shameless!
"This is non-negotiable."
Daichi's expression remained unchanged.
Appearing with him meant that the Pirate Empress was his person, at least that's how it would appear to the outside world.
A former Warlord, and the world's most beautiful woman.
Her weight was not light!
If there were resources, they naturally had to be fully utilized.
Otherwise, what was the point of keeping her as a mere ornament?
Once Amazon Lily was tied to his war chariot, it wouldn't be so easy to break away later. The situation would force Amazon Lily to rely on him.
To survive in the New World, siding with a Yonko was the most effortless way.
Daichi said calmly. "Hancock, I won't force you to do anything, but this matter benefits both of us. Of course, you can refuse this deal."
"I understand."
Hancock's gaze dimmed slightly.
Refusal meant having no place to belong.
Coming to the New World, one must adapt to the harsh competition of the New World. Daichi's request indeed had no downside for Amazon Lily.
Now that the Beast Pirates were flourishing, being able to tie themselves to the Beast Pirates' war chariot would grant Amazon Lily stability. However, what she found most unacceptable was,
To be dominated by others again.
"Will you dominate me?"
"I only use strong-arm tactics when dealing with enemies."
Daichi replied calmly.
Even when dealing with prisoners, he disliked violent domination. It was too crude, and the returns were the lowest.
Let alone dealing with his own people.
After a long period of thought, Hancock raised her hands.
Seastone was on her wrists.
"Please unlock them for me."
"Okay."
Daichi raised the corner of his mouth and took out the key.
Deal achieved!
Daichi cautioned uneasily. "Let's be clear beforehand, you can do whatever you want here, but don't casually turn people into stone!"
"Hmph!"
Hancock snorted in displeasure.
He said he didn't want to dominate her, but now he was already telling her what to do!
Bastard man!