"Grand… Grand Perfume Femur?"
A question mark practically appeared above Jin's head.
Even her attack names…
Were this narcissistic too?
Watching Boa Hancock rapidly approach—
Jin suddenly felt speechless.
The next instant—
BANG!!
Those long legs wrapped in Armament Haki carried terrifying destructive force as they slammed directly into Jin's Susanoo!
And with a single strike—
The Susanoo actually shattered!!
CRACK—
BOOOOM!!!
"What…?!"
Seeing his Susanoo destroyed by one kick—
Jin's pupils contracted violently.
His eyes filled with disbelief.
The initial-stage Susanoo…
Was this fragile?!
It got shattered in one kick?!
But the next second—
Jin immediately understood why it shattered.
Because Hancock's kick…
Was genuinely monstrous.
BANG!!
After crushing the Susanoo—
Her high heel slammed directly into Jin's chest.
"PUH—!"
A mouthful of blood burst from Jin's lips as he was blasted away instantly.
WHOOSH—
BOOOOM!!!
BOOOOM!!!
BOOOOM!!!
Like a cannonball—
Jin smashed through several massive trees before crashing into a gigantic boulder.
The impact embedded him directly into the stone itself.
RUMBLE!!!
"Haaa…"
After finishing the attack—
Hancock slowly stabilized her breathing.
That level of attack consumed a considerable amount of Haki.
The only question now…
Can that brat survive after taking something like that head-on?
Thinking that—
Hancock frowned slightly.
She didn't particularly care whether Jin died or not.
But she did care whether her subordinates would remain permanently controlled.
At that moment—
Her Observation Haki suddenly sensed something impossible.
The Jin embedded in the stone…
Had vanished.
Hancock's pupils shrank immediately.
"…Again with that sudden disappearance…"
Damn it.
What exactly was going on here?!
The next moment—
Her Observation Haki locked onto Jin's new position.
Almost instinctively—
She turned toward a nearby tree trunk.
"There's really no holding back with your attacks…"
Standing atop the tree—
Jin narrowed his eyes at Hancock.
"You almost killed me with that kick."
Although he said that—
He currently looked completely unharmed.
Even his clothes were spotless.
That scene instantly stunned Hancock.
"You've got to be kidding me!!!"
"What exactly is your ability?!"
Why did he look completely fine?!
It was as though—
Her previous attack had merely been an illusion.
But that was impossible!
She could clearly sense everything around her.
Meaning she definitely hadn't fallen into some kind of hallucination.
And yet—
She still couldn't understand what Jin had done.
At that moment—
Hancock suddenly recalled Jin's earlier words.
"Because I'm invincible."
Invincible?
Could this bastard actually be invincible?
No… impossible!
Calm down, Hancock.
There was no such thing as true invincibility in this world.
He had definitely used some unknown trick.
After thinking briefly—
Hancock suddenly spoke:
"…A substitute-type ability?"
"Like replacing death itself?"
That had to be it.
After all—
Paramecia Devil Fruits came in endless bizarre varieties.
Any ridiculous ability was possible.
"Oh?"
Jin raised an eyebrow.
"So that's your conclusion?"
"Unfortunately…"
"You guessed wrong."
"Even if it isn't exactly that, it must be similar."
Hancock replied coldly.
"And abilities like that definitely have usage limits."
She refused to believe there existed an infinitely reusable resurrection ability.
Therefore—
As long as she killed him enough times—
Eventually she would defeat him completely.
Thinking that—
Her eyes immediately sharpened.
"Then come test it."
Jin looked directly at Hancock.
"See whether your conclusion…"
"Is actually correct."
The moment his words fell—
Jin dropped to the ground and rushed toward Hancock.
While sprinting—
He coated his fists in Armament Haki.
"So you want to compare Haki strength?"
Watching Jin charge closer—
Hancock instantly saw through his intentions.
She immediately coated her legs in Armament Haki—
Then unleashed a brutal sweeping kick!
"Armament: Monster Strength Punch!"
"Perfume Femur!"
CLANG!!!
CRACK… CRACK… CRACK…
"What?!"
Jin's eyes flashed with surprise.
His Haki-coated fist…
Was still turning into stone?!
Wasn't Haki supposed to counter Devil Fruit abilities?!
"You think using Haki alone can resist my power?"
Hancock sneered coldly.
"How naive."
"Haki itself…"
"Also has levels of strength."
CLANG—
BOOOOM!!!
The instant her words fell—
Hancock exerted force through her leg—
And shattered Jin's petrified arm completely!
Immediately afterward—
The petrification spread rapidly toward the rest of his body.
Clearly—
She intended to immobilize him completely.
But Jin wasn't focused on the petrification itself.
Instead—
He was analyzing the relationship between Haki and Devil Fruit powers.
So if the opponent's Haki surpasses mine…
Their Devil Fruit abilities can still affect me.
Jin thought silently.
Still—
Hancock's Haki strength genuinely exceeded his expectations.
Compared to people like Gecko Moria or Crocodile—
She was clearly on another level entirely.
At minimum—
She belonged in the same tier as Bartholomew Kuma.
No—
In some ways—
She might even be more troublesome than Kuma.
After all—
Not everyone could completely ignore her charm abilities like he could.
While Jin remained lost in thought—
Hancock placed her hand on his shoulder and activated her power again.
Moments later—
Nearly all of Jin's body became petrified.
Only his head remained movable.
Then—
Hancock reinforced her hand with Haki and firmly gripped his shoulder.
Glancing at her hand—
Jin asked calmly:
"What's this supposed to do?"
"Preventing you from activating your ability."
Hancock replied coldly.
"Enough nonsense."
"Release your power immediately."
"Otherwise…"
"I'll smash your body apart and leave only your head behind."
"That way…"
"You'll suffer a fate worse than death."
Seeing the devilish smile on Hancock's face—
Jin twitched slightly.
"What a twisted hobby."
Leaving only a head behind?
Yeah.
That truly would be worse than death.
Still—
Devil Fruit powers really were fascinating.
Right now—
He couldn't feel the rest of his body at all.
It almost felt like being fully anesthetized.
Honestly…
It was kind of interesting.
"…You're not afraid?"
"I never said your method could actually stop me."
Jin grinned.
"Why don't you guess whether I can still revive?"
The instant those words fell—
Hancock went completely silent.
Then—
She coated her knee with Haki—
And slammed it directly into Jin's petrified body.
CRACK—
BOOOOM!!!
The force completely shattered the stone statue into pieces!
Watching Jin's head fall toward the ground—
Hancock coldly said:
"I refuse to believe—"
WHOOM—
Before she could finish—
The shattered fragments and Jin's severed head suddenly distorted violently—
Then vanished together.
Hancock: !!!
Damn it—
Again?!
Immediately—
Hancock expanded her Observation Haki to search for him.
Very quickly—
She found Jin standing atop a nearby hill.
"…Even Haki can't restrict him?"
Seeing the perfectly unharmed Jin—
Hancock's expression instantly darkened.
"Clearly…"
"You guessed wrong."
"Then I'll just keep smashing you apart!"
Hancock's eyes turned icy.
Worst case—
She'd simply continue fighting for days and nights.
Eventually—
She refused to believe she couldn't kill him.
Thinking that—
Hancock charged again.
"Earth Style: Earth Rift Technique!!"
BOOOOM!!!
The instant Jin slammed both hands onto the ground—
The earth beneath Hancock suddenly split apart!
A gigantic abyss opened beneath her feet like a monstrous maw.
"What?!"
The sudden collapse beneath her caused Hancock's eyes to widen.
Why had the ground split apart?!
Wait…
He said "Earth Style" just now?
Which meant—
This bastard was actually one of those legendary ninja?!
The kind who mastered countless ninjutsu?!
I thought ninja were only myths…
So they actually exist?
If he truly was a ninja—
Then capturing him definitely wouldn't be easy.
And this…
Was likely connected to his repeated revivals too.
No—
Now isn't the time to think about that!
I need to escape first!
As Hancock fell downward—
She looked toward the massive opening below.
Then—
She coated both her abdomen and fist with Haki.
She had absolutely no intention of personally testing a ninja's strange technique.
Thus—
Hancock punched herself directly in the stomach.
BOOOOM!!!
The tremendous force launched her body sideways through the air!
WHOOSH—
RUMBLE!!!
She crashed violently into a distant hill.
The moment she escaped—
The massive fissure beneath instantly closed shut.
Just a little slower—
And it would've trapped her legs entirely.
"Tch."
"What a decisive fighting style."
Jin withdrew his hands while watching her.
"She actually punched herself flying…"
Originally—
He intended to trap Hancock—
Then use Susanoo to beat her unconscious.
That would've ended everything cleanly.
But unexpectedly—
This woman chose such a ruthless solution instantly.
Using her own punch force to propel herself away…
Honestly, not bad.
If someone couldn't fly—
That truly was the optimal answer.
This Warlord…
Was terrifyingly decisive.
"Haaa…"
After stabilizing herself—
Hancock immediately leapt from the crater.
Clearly—
She feared being buried underground again.
Then—
She stared at Jin cautiously while monitoring the ground with Observation Haki.
The moment the earth shifted—
She'd dodge immediately.
"Relax."
"I won't use that Earth Style technique again."
Jin said casually.
Hancock merely sneered in response.
Obviously—
She didn't believe him at all.
After all—
They were enemies.
Jin didn't care either way.
He never expected her to trust him anyway.
Then—
A thought surfaced in his mind.
Let's try upgrading Susanoo.
If he could evolve Susanoo during this battle—
Then the fight would already be worthwhile.
Thinking that—
Jin narrowed his eyes and began increasing both his chakra and ocular power output.
The next instant—
Golden skeletal arms and ribs reappeared around him.
"Again with this thing…"
Seeing the familiar skeleton—
Hancock frowned deeply.
But if he uses this…
Then he probably can't use his other abilities.
She recalled the previous exchange—
When Jin attacked personally—
The skeletal structure had immediately destabilized afterward.
Meaning—
His abilities likely couldn't operate simultaneously.
If so—
Then he shouldn't be able to use Earth Style techniques now.
Though…
He might've shown that weakness intentionally.
Better not lower my guard.
Thinking that—
Hancock subconsciously glanced at the ground again.
Jin ignored her small movements entirely.
Instead—
He focused fully on his own abilities.
Even though I haven't had Mangekyo Sharingan for long…
After these battles, my control over ocular power has clearly improved.
Jin muttered internally.
This should work.
The next moment—
He dramatically increased both chakra and eye power output.
Very quickly—
The Susanoo began changing.
CRACK… CRACK… CRACK…
Amid the sound of grinding bones—
The golden Susanoo transformed.
From mere skeletal arms and ribs—
Into the complete upper body of a gigantic skeleton!
Susanoo—
EVOLVED!
"…Gh…"
At that instant—
Far more intense pain flooded through Jin's body.
He instinctively frowned.
Every advancement in Susanoo doubles the pain…?
Was it due to lack of mastery?
Or was that simply an inherent trait?
Feeling the power eroding his body—
Jin frowned even deeper.
Whatever.
He'd think about it later.
For now—
Finishing this fight came first.
"…It changed again?"
Hancock stared warily at Jin.
She couldn't understand what trick he was pulling now.
But seeing him grimace—
A possibility formed in her mind.
Could it be…
Using this ability places enormous strain on him too?
Heh.
Looks like her assumption was correct.
His powers absolutely had limitations.
Which meant—
The battle now depended on which of them collapsed first.
Then—
Hancock suddenly noticed something strange.
The way Jin looked at her…
Contained excitement.
Not lust.
Not desire.
Instead—
It resembled the gaze of a hunter looking at valuable prey.
That realization instantly darkened Hancock's expression.
This bastard…
Is he using me as a whetstone?!
Damned man.
She was one of the Seven Warlords!
"Not attacking anymore?"
Jin grinned.
"The longer this drags on…"
"The worse it becomes for you~"
"Mind your own business!"
Hancock spat coldly.
Yet instead of growing enraged—
She became calmer.
After examining the upgraded Susanoo—
A thought emerged.
The lower section isn't protected…
Find an opening from beneath.
Meanwhile—
Elsewhere.
"Why did Elder Sister run all the way to the rear mountain?"
Marigold frowned.
Although Hancock's residence wasn't extremely far from the forest—
There was no way she could've arrived that quickly.
Unless…
She'd been blown away?
The instant that thought appeared—
Marigold killed it immediately.
Impossible.
Absolutely impossible.
Her elder sister was overwhelmingly powerful.
Even Vice Admirals couldn't defeat her.
Who could possibly send Hancock flying?!
"No idea."
"We'll know once we get there."
Sandersonia replied.
At that moment—
Sandersonia suddenly noticed a strange silhouette nearby.
She stopped instantly.
"What's wrong, Sister Sandersonia?"
"…Marigold."
"That's a man, right?"
Marigold: ???
Following Sandersonia's finger—
Marigold instantly noticed the figure atop the roof.
After staring carefully—
Her pupils shrank.
"Th-That really is a man!"
"That's Granny Nyon's house…"
Sandersonia frowned.
"Could this be the same man who went to see Elder Sister earlier?"
But that didn't make sense either.
If he was that man—
Then where was Hancock?
Thinking that—
Sandersonia called over the woman who had reported the situation earlier.
"Is this the same man who accompanied Granny Nyon?"
The woman squinted carefully at Monkey D. Luffy.
Then froze in shock.
"N-No… it isn't…"
The surrounding women instantly went numb.
"Why is there another man here?!"
"No idea…"
"But if Lady Sandersonia says he's a man, then he definitely is."
"Lady Sandersonia, what should we do?"
"How disgraceful…"
Sandersonia's expression darkened.
"When has Amazon Lily ever suffered something like this?"
"Two men infiltrating our island…"
Thinking that—
She immediately ordered:
"Marigold."
"You go to the rear mountain and find Elder Sister."
"I'll capture this man."
"Yes!"
Marigold wasted no time.
She immediately departed with several warriors.
Meanwhile—
Sandersonia slowly approached Luffy.
No matter why he was here—
Once he was captured—
Everything would become clear.
Thinking that—
Sandersonia suddenly accelerated toward Luffy.
"Hey, Luffy!"
"Stop standing on the roof!"
Inside the courtyard—
Little Merry looked upward helplessly.
"Didn't Granny Nyon warn you already?"
Unless absolutely necessary—
He wasn't supposed to wander around outside.
Otherwise—
Things could spiral out of control.
"But how am I supposed to sit quietly indoors at a time like this?!"
Luffy grabbed his hair anxiously.
He desperately wanted to know what was happening with Jin.
Did they get the Eternal Pose to Marineford yet?
If they did—
Then they could depart immediately to save Ace.
And if they didn't—
Then they'd go anyway!
Watching Luffy panic—
Merry sighed softly.
Without Jin and Granny Nyon's warnings—
Luffy probably would've already rushed out long ago.
"Interesting…"
"So men are naturally impatient creatures."
Outside the courtyard—
One of the observing women quietly wrote notes into a notebook.
The others also watched Luffy enthusiastically.
"He kinda acts like a monkey."
"You're right~"
"Haha! Maybe all men are monkeys?"
"Mhm! That's possible too."
At that moment—
Marguerite arrived carrying food.
Seeing Luffy standing atop the roof—
She froze briefly.
Then quickly ran into the courtyard.
"Get down already!"
"Didn't Granny Nyon say—"
Before she could finish—
Luffy suddenly leapt down from the roof.
The next instant—
BOOOOM!!!
A massive hole exploded through Granny Nyon's rooftop!
"Eh?!"
Marguerite stared upward in shock.
Where had that attack come from?!
Even Merry froze in confusion.
Why was Luffy suddenly being attacked?!
WHOOSH—
CLACK—
Landing on the ground—
Luffy stared intensely toward the gate.
No—
More accurately—
At the women standing behind it.
"Who are you people?"
"Why are you attacking me?"
Luffy frowned.
"That's my question."
Sandersonia stared at Luffy coldly.
"Do you not know the laws of Amazon Lily?"
As she spoke—
The women beside her drew bows and aimed directly at Luffy.
Perhaps sensing Sandersonia's killing intent—
Luffy adjusted his straw hat.
"I don't want to fight you."
"I just want the Eternal Pose to Marineford."
"You can stop dreaming."
Sandersonia replied icily.
"There's no way we'd hand that over to you."
The moment those words landed—
Luffy's expression changed instantly.
"You—"
"Capture him!"
Sandersonia's body transformed into a giant serpent as she charged into the courtyard.
The instant she neared Luffy—
She unleashed a Haki-coated punch downward.
BOOOOM!!!
The strike blasted a massive crater into the ground instantly!
"What terrifying power…"
Luffy jumped onto the wall while staring cautiously at Sandersonia.
Her attack strength felt absurd.
"Lady Sandersonia, he's Granny Nyon's gue—"
"Silence."
Sandersonia shot Marguerite a cold glance.
"Are you trying to protect a man?"
The instant those words fell—
Marguerite froze stiffly.
Seeing that—
Sandersonia ignored her afterward.
Then glanced toward Merry.
"She's a child from the village, right?"
"Take her away."
"Don't interfere with us capturing this man."
Hearing Sandersonia—
Merry instinctively tried to protest.
But Marguerite quickly covered her mouth.
"…Yes, Lady Sandersonia."
After saying that—
Marguerite immediately carried Merry away.
Seeing this—
Luffy relaxed slightly.
So their target was only him.
Good.
At least Merry wouldn't get hurt.
Thinking that—
Luffy immediately sprinted toward the distance.
"If you've got the guts—"
"Then catch me!"
Before Jin returned—
He would stall for as long as possible!
"Heh."
"You want to compete in speed with me?"
Sandersonia sneered.
"You underestimate snakes too much."
The moment her voice fell—
She rapidly slithered along the wall while pursuing Luffy at terrifying speed.
Before leaving—
She gave one final order:
"Surround and capture that man!"
"Understood!"
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