Chapter 9: No Other Man Deserves to Step on This Ship
"Target spotted."
At Sabaody Archipelago, a spy holding a telescope and camera focused on the coated ship leaving the island. Through the telescope, he could clearly see Kuke standing at the bow of the ship. Hastily, he snapped a few pictures.
"The coated ship has already submerged into the sea. The target is definitely heading towards the New World."
The information was immediately transmitted to Marine Headquarters.
Upon receiving the news, Sengoku exclaimed, "He's already gone under. His next stop is Fish-Man Island, and then, the New World."
"Since we know the route, I'll take a team to Fish-Man Island and arrest him there," Akainu volunteered, standing up and preparing to leave.
"Sakazuki, calm down," Sengoku stopped him. "It's too late to capture him at Fish-Man Island. Coating takes time, and it's too dangerous to cause trouble there. Besides, Fish-Man Island is an allied kingdom. We cannot risk damaging relations between the Fish-Men and the World Government."
"Instead, Sakazuki, take a unit to the New World and block the sea routes where he's most likely to appear after leaving Fish-Man Island."
"Yes, sir!"
Akainu immediately set out with his troops.
"As soon as Sakazuki locates the target, there's no way he'll fail," Sengoku stated with full confidence. While Akainu's methods were extreme, he never failed to complete a mission perfectly.
Garp, observing the scene, smirked at Sengoku, "You're really going all out, huh? Not even giving him a single chance."
If Kizaru or Aokiji were sent, Garp believed Kuke might stand a slim chance. But with Akainu? There was no hope.
"Shut up, Garp! You always show too much sympathy for criminals!" Sengoku scolded Garp, then turned to Vice Admiral Tsuru, "Have we still not made contact with Vice Admiral Gion?"
Tsuru's expression remained grim as she shook her head. "No response."
...
...
After sailing underwater for several miles, far beyond the view of Sabaody Archipelago, the pirate ship resurfaced, heading in the opposite direction of the New World.
Onboard the ship, the crew lineup was as follows:
At the helm, Boa Sandersonia turned to Kuke and asked, "Captain, where are we headed?"
"First, we're going to Water 7 to build a real pirate ship of our own."
Gion immediately produced an Eternal Pose pointing to Water 7. As a high-ranking officer in the Marines, Gion had Eternal Poses for all major islands. Before her departure, she had taken several from Marine Headquarters, ensuring they wouldn't have to stop at random islands just to record Log Poses.
This would also make it harder for the Marines to predict their route.
As the pirate ship sailed across the vast, open sea, Gion approached Kuke from behind. Gently resting her chin on his shoulder, she exhaled softly, her breath tickling his ear.
"Kuke, there's something I'd like to discuss with you," she said, her voice low and enticing.
"And what would that be?" Kuke asked, intrigued.
Before answering, Gion waved Boa Hancock and her sisters over. Hancock's gaze lingered on the close proximity between Gion and Kuke, envy flashing in her eyes.
"Kuke, you once mentioned wanting to form a hundred-person pirate crew. How about... making them all female?"
A hundred-person pirate crew—because of the system, the crew limit was set at one hundred members. Any additional members beyond that would provide no benefits.
"Why?" Kuke asked, holding back a laugh. He had been pondering how to convince Hancock and Gion that the crew should consist only of women. Aside from Amazon Lily, no pirate crew like that existed on the seas.
He had feared they might think him a pervert if he suggested it himself.
"Those filthy men don't deserve to step on our ship," Hancock declared, though she quickly glanced at Kuke, her face turning red. "Not you, Kuke. You're different... You're my most..."
Her voice grew softer, almost inaudible, as she finished her sentence.
"I also don't feel comfortable interacting with men, except for you, Kuke," Gion added, looking at him expectantly.
At Marine Headquarters, Gion had always commanded an all-female unit. Hancock and her sisters hailed from Amazon Lily, where no men were allowed.
"I see..." Kuke pretended to hesitate, but inside, he was laughing.
"We might be asking too much of you," Gion said, a hint of mischief in her voice. "But if you agree... I might let you..." She leaned in, her warm breath brushing Kuke's ear, sending his heart racing.
What was this? She had never made such offers before. He wondered if Hancock had managed to buy those clothes, but dismissed the thought. At least Gion still had her military uniform...
"Kuke, please say yes," Hancock pleaded, holding onto his right arm and swaying gently, while Gion clung to his left.
This is too much!
"Alright, for you both, I'll agree. From now on, I'll only recruit female crewmates," Kuke declared with mock reluctance.
"Great!" Gion exclaimed, planting a kiss on his cheek.
Hancock stared in shock, clearly wanting to follow suit.
...
...
As Kuke wiped the lipstick from his cheek, he glanced at his system status.
[Total Power: 200,952]
"Huh? My power increased by over a thousand. That must be from Hancock," Kuke thought, watching as Hancock organized their supplies. True to her reputation as the Pirate Empress, her power had grown significantly after the battle with the Marines.
[Achievement Points: 51,236]
His points had increased by over ten thousand.
"The fallout from the Holy Land incident, combined with the Sabaody Archipelago event, is working in my favor," Kuke noted, feeling more motivated than ever.
He was already halfway to his goal of one hundred thousand achievement points.
As time passed, the events at the Holy Land would continue to bring in points. Once Gion and Hancock were officially wanted, his points would skyrocket.
"When I hit one hundred thousand, my pirate ship will be invincible for a time. I won't have to worry about the Marines anymore."
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