"Is Empress Hancock deliberately testing Admiral Luo Yu by offering herself like that?" Smoker muttered, chewing on his cigar, his expression a little stiff. Even he had to focus his willpower to resist the aura radiating from Hancock's every gesture.
In the original records, even seasoned Vice Admiral Momonga had to stab his own hand just to resist her charm.
That alone spoke volumes about how terrifying Hancock's powers were.
"C-Commodore Smoker," Ain said hesitantly, glancing down at her own not-insignificant assets, "I think Admiral Luo Yu… might be thinking about something else entirely."
Compared to Empress Hancock, she was definitely a cup size short.
But knowing Luo Yu's personality, a ridiculous thought flashed through her mind.
Could a woman ever be more tempting than… performance bonuses?
"Hancock, was this really necessary…" Granny Nyon sighed, leaning on her cane.
She knew exactly why Hancock had done this — to prove her wrong.
That in the face of absolute beauty, there was no such thing as true resistance.
All eyes turned to Luo Yu, waiting to see how the admiral would respond to the world's most beautiful woman offering herself to him.
"Kid," Garp bellowed, "everyone's waiting. If you like her, just say yes! I'll arrange the wedding myself!"
Tsuru immediately shot him a glare. "Admiral Luo Yu, don't listen to Garp's nonsense. If you're not willing, you can absolutely refuse."
"Refuse?" Luo Yu blinked, took a swig of his earthenware liquor, and grinned.
"Vice Admiral Tsuru, how could I, as a man, publicly reject such a heartfelt gesture?"
"But I'm a Marine. Hancock is a pirate. If we got married, wouldn't that be a military-political alliance?"
"By that logic, it would strengthen inter-faction cooperation and establish a powerful strategic front. That's a major contribution, right?"
"So… can I apply for a political alliance performance bonus? That's gotta be worth at least a billion or two Berries, right?"
"If that's the case, then sure — I'm in!"
The entire plaza fell into stunned silence.
Even the ever-proud Hancock froze.
When Luo Yu began his response, everyone thought it was over — another hero falling to beauty.
Tsuru had even been about to interrupt.
But the second half of his speech shattered them completely.
A political alliance performance bonus?
This was the world's most beautiful woman offering herself to him!
Any normal man would be dreaming of how to win her heart.
Who the hell thinks about performance bonuses at a time like this?
And a billion or two Berries?
Was he treating the world's top beauty like a golden goose?
Who else could say something like that?
"Colonel Ain… was this what you were trying to say earlier?" Smoker asked, his cigar now bitten clean in half.
Ain gave a wry smile and nodded. "That's exactly it. Admiral Luo Yu's priorities are… unique. To him, performance bonuses are more tempting than the world's most beautiful woman."
"But… I think I'm starting to like him for it."
"You like him?" Smoker blinked.
Ain's cheeks flushed. "N-no! I mean I admire his way of thinking. To be able to resist such temptation and stay focused — that's admirable for a Marine, isn't it?"
"You're right. I didn't expect Admiral Luo Yu to turn her down like that. It's surprising, but it makes sense. No wonder he made it to admiral — he's not ordinary," Smoker nodded.
Luo Yu, watching the two analyze him like a case study, sighed.
Who didn't like beauty?
But if he could skip decades of grinding and earn a billion or two in performance bonuses in one go…
Wouldn't that be better?
That kind of bonus could open 800 to 1,000 silver loot boxes.
Even if the drop rate was low, sheer volume would guarantee something good.
If he didn't pull at least one jackpot, he'd start to suspect the system was rigged.
"You brat," Garp barked, "still thinking about bonuses at a time like this? Sengoku's gonna kick you into next week!"
Then he burst out laughing. "But you really are the kid I had my eye on. This is what I call being single by skill!"
"A political marriage performance bonus — never heard of that in Marineford before. Don't get your hopes up."
"I know you're just turning her down in your own way. But it's good to be clear."
"Hancock, you heard him. Let's forget the whole 'offering yourself' thing. Of course, if Luo Yu ever does fall for you, I'll personally propose on his behalf."
"Luo Yu, say something and wrap this up already."
Everyone was still reeling.
This twist was beyond anything they could've imagined.
Who would believe that the Pirate Empress Boa Hancock — the world's most unattainable woman — could be rejected?
Even Granny Nyon and the Kuja warriors looked stunned.
"Old man Garp, when did you become my grandpa? I never agreed to that. You've got the same weird humor as Whitebeard," Luo Yu muttered, rolling his eyes as he stepped forward.
"But thanks for helping with the Celestial Dragon mess. I owe you one — could've been a real headache."
"Beautiful day today. Perfect for a little vacation at sea. Koby, get things ready."
"Hancock, about your offer — when there's a performance bonus for it, I'll come find you."
"Too much drama today. I'm heading out to find some peace."
With that, Luo Yu took a final swig of liquor and turned to leave.
Koby and the others, startled, scrambled to follow.
But not before sneaking one last glance at the world's most beautiful woman — desperate to see how she'd react to being rejected in front of everyone.
Would she explode?
"Hancock, are you okay?" Granny Nyon asked quickly. "Admiral Luo Yu only did that for everyone's sake. Don't take it personally."
But before she could finish, Hancock's ears turned bright red. Her proud expression melted away. She covered her cheeks with both hands and murmured shyly:
"D-did you hear that? I can't believe it… someone in this world isn't swayed by my beauty."
"He said… if the time is right, he'll overcome all obstacles to propose to me."
"…Should I start calling Vice Admiral Garp 'Grandpa' now?"