Hancock was hesitating, and so was Badak. He was considering whether to try recruiting Hancock into his crew. Though currently a one-man show, he was certain he'd build his own team eventually.
Sailing alone on these seas was too much of a disadvantage.
Rumor had it that Red Count Barolick Redfield had been captured by Garp after defeating Fleet Admiral Steel Bone Kong in their decisive battle, then imprisoned in Impel Down.
Devil Heir Barrett had been targeted by a Buster Call launched solely against him by the Marines. After his defeat and imprisonment, he later escaped only to be overwhelmed by multiple opponents when fighting alone again.
This woman Hancock had been captured at age 12 and sold into slavery at Mary Geoise for three years. During that time, aside from eating a Devil Fruit, she likely had no means to grow stronger. Yet by 18, she'd become captain of the Nine Snake Pirates and empress of Maiden Island. That meant she'd surpassed everyone in her homeland within three years, becoming the strongest on Maiden Island. Even with her fruit's power, that was remarkable.
The problem was, she also possessed Conqueror's Haki—people like her rarely submitted to others. Worse, she notoriously despised men. Would that mean he couldn't recruit male crewmates in the future?
Wait, wasn't he male too? Oddly, she didn't seem to despise him like in later manga depictions. In fact, she was much easier to get along with now.
Worth a try—it's not like he'd get pregnant from asking.
"Um..."
"Uh..."
"You first."
Badak gestured politely.
"I didn't catch your name earlier..."
"Oh, I'm Badak, from the West Blue. I'll be nine soon, unmarried, hobbies include—"
Nine years old and unmarried—well, obviously. Hancock resisted the urge to facepalm.
"Alright, Badak. Could you take us to Grove 13 to find someone? I'm worried since my sisters still haven't woken up. We'll repay you afterward."
Well then. His recruitment pitch ended before it even began.Shaki from Grove 13—she was the former empress of the Nine Snake Pirates. And Old Ray, the coating craftsman who loves to sell himself—if Hancock and the others went there, wouldn't it be like throwing meat buns at a dog, never to return?
Badak thought it over and finally agreed. She was worried about her sisters—if he made excuses, wouldn't it seem like he had ulterior motives?
"It's not dark yet. I didn't want to be too conspicuous, but saving people comes first. Let's just descend directly from the sky onto Grove 13."
Badak lowered the surrounding wind-blocking Somersault Cloud and flew toward Grove 13 from the air. Most people wouldn't be able to accurately identify the numbered groves from above, but Badak wasn't most people.
"So beautiful!"
From high above, the Sabaody Archipelago looked like a breathtaking fairyland.
Only now did Hancock realize the ship was truly flying in the air—though just slightly higher than the grove trees, so the branches and leaves below obscured it from view.
"Do you always keep the ship airborne?"
"Ah, yeah. I'm running a test—seeing how long I can maintain the ship's flight."
"Oh, are you planning a long journey?"
"Smart! Beautiful and sharp-witted." Badak saw an opportunity. "I'm searching for the legendary Tontatta Tribe. Someone told me their princess has the power to heal any injury or illness."
Mansherry was indeed one of the crewmates Badak wanted to recruit, though she was further down the list. But the order could be adjusted—he just didn't know if she had eaten the Heal-Heal Fruit yet.
"Really? She can truly heal anything?"
Hancock reached a hand behind her back, fingers brushing over the fabric of her clothes. Even through the cloth, she could feel the mark of humiliation—she wished she could carve it out of her flesh.
"It should be true. I suspect it's a Devil Fruit ability. I want to recruit her as my crewmate. We're here—do you know the exact location?"
Badak knew it was Shaki's Rip-Off Bar, but he had never actually been to Grove 13.
"I'm not sure either. I just know it's a bar standing alone on a single root."
"Oh, is that so? Let me look." Badak scanned the area and quickly found it. "Shaki's Rip-Off Bar—this is it, right?"
"Yes, Shaki—it must be this one."
"Prepare for landing—Handsome Monkey King, touching down. Biu~"
Hancock rolled her eyes beautifully, adding fresh material for Badak. The Den Den Mushi camera had been perched on his shoulder the whole time, controlled by the Somersault Cloud to record footage. These recordings would be priceless later—once these people became legends of the sea, he could send them the footage. Missing out on Hawkeye singing would haunt him for life.
The Somersault Cloud had been repurposed yet again—truly the ever-dependable Somersault Cloud.
The small ship landed on the root, and Badak pushed open the door. Hancock followed, carrying one sister in each arm.
The bar was quiet, devoid of customers. Rayleigh wasn't there—only Shaki, wiping a glass.
"Welcome. What can I get you? Oh my, you must be Hancock. Where have you been all these years? There hasn't been a single word about you."
"Senior Shaki, never mind that for now. My sisters—they've been unconscious for so long and still haven't woken up!" Hancock said urgently, laying her sisters flat on the floor."Oh, is this young man with you?" Shaki asked while checking on Sandersonia and Marigold.
"My name is Badak. I found them unconscious on the road—all three of them."
If it were an illness, even Shaki wouldn't be able to help; they'd need a doctor. Fortunately, with just a glance, Shaki identified the issue and said gravely, "Chronic malnutrition, lack of proper rest, and they must have recently been through a major battle. They're completely exhausted, but it's nothing serious. They just need some recuperation."
"Young man Badak, I've heard of you. Shanks speaks very highly of you."
"Oh, really? He didn't mention any embarrassing stories about me, did he?"
"Embarrassing stories? Nothing like that, hehehe," Shaki chuckled behind her hand. "He only mentioned your grand ambitions. Do you really plan to teach Sengoku a lesson? Rumor has it he's the top candidate for the next Fleet Admiral."
"Hahaha, that big-mouthed Shanks. I'll make him pay next time."
Seeing that Badak didn't deny it, Shaki's eyes gleamed—was this genuine confidence or sheer audacity?
"Senior Shaki, you know Badak too?"
"It's our first meeting today, but I've certainly heard of him," Shaki said leisurely, exhaling smoke. "Old Ray's juniors speak highly of him. Now that I've met him, he's certainly unique."
Hancock didn't know who Old Ray was, but since Shaki also acknowledged Badak, his words must be reliable.
"Senior, do you know about the princess of the dwarves?"
"Oh? Why do you ask? I know of the dwarves, but I've never heard of their princess."
"Badak, there's something I'd like to discuss with Senior Shaki. Could you step out for a moment?"
"No problem. I'll go buy some things."
Badak guessed Hancock wanted to talk about their experiences over the past three years, which wasn't something he should overhear. Since Mansherry had already come to mind, he might as well buy an Eternal Pose to Dressrosa.