Chapter 21

Sal returned to the palace of Amazon Lily and handed the unconscious Luffy to the blonde warrior, the very one who helped him escape.

He headed to Hancock's bedroom alone and informed the on-duty guard that he wished to see her.

"Please inform her that August D. Sal wishes to discuss something with the Kuja Queen. "

After the incident in the arena, Sal had gathered some experience here and planned to leave the Island of Amazon Lily in a couple of days. To participate in the war at the summit, he too needed to prepare.

If the war between the Marines and Whitebeard's Pirates turned out unsuccessful, he would have to explain where he had been.

After all, if he appeared at the Marines Headquarters, he would become the subject of their scrutiny.

Now he came here to borrow a boat from Hancock. With a boat, he was confident he could leave the Calm Belt with the help of Conqueror's Haki. He didn't want to use the "World of Travels" until the last moment—this trump card was too valuable.

"Come in."

A woman's voice sounded from the bedroom. Sal pushed the door open and entered. Hancock's sisters awaited him there, the rustle of fabric could be heard from behind a curtain.

At Boa Sandersonia's signal, Sal also sat cross-legged.

"Thank you for showing mercy and concealing the mark on my back."

"Think nothing of it, just a small favor."

Boa Marigold, sitting beside her, also expressed her gratitude.

"If our brand had been seen, we would have had to leave the island. Thank you very much."

Sal could only helplessly shake his head, accepting their endless gratitude. Deep down, he understood that the three sisters still carried too many psychological scars from the Celestial Dragons, even if people truly knew their past.

It was quite likely that the World Government would have simply imposed more demands, rather than forcing them to become enemies. After all, many escaped slaves from the Holy Land of Mary Geoise were able to live freely at sea.

For instance, a certain wealthy person in the world, whom Sal greatly relied upon, and former members of the Sun Pirates, like Hatchan. The reason for their well-being was the power and authority that allowed them to negotiate with the World Government. The former possessed the power of the Shichibukai and enormous wealth.

The latter were former members of Jinbe's Shichibukai crew and could only be pardoned thanks to his negotiations with the World Government.

Boa Hancock, one of the Shichibukai, also had authority and power.

"Now you may enter."

Hancock's voice came from behind the curtain.

Sal pushed the curtain aside and entered. What he saw stunned him. Hancock had removed her shirt and elegantly sat on a large snake coiled into a chair.

Her cold and beautiful face twisted slightly, as if she was struggling with something, and finally she resolutely gave a command to the long snake with red spots and patterns.

Hancock turned her back to Sal. Her snow-white hand lifted her long hair to her chest, revealing her back.

The skin on her back, except for the brand, was flawlessly white and smooth. The alluring lines and curves were perfect. If there were slightly more, she would be voluptuous, and if slightly less, she would be skinny. From the front, one could glimpse half of her ample bosom, hidden beneath the fabric.

Sal scratched his head a bit awkwardly. He had barely entered and was already presented with such a view. Although the sight was very tempting, he didn't want to receive rewards without having done anything.

When the girl turned, he could clearly see the charming contours that almost made this fearless man feel pathetic. In the end, the beauty of the most beautiful woman in the world was indeed irresistible.

As expected from the wild queen of Amazon Lily, in this regard, she was truly a heroine.

Sal playfully asked, "Hancock, what's going on with you? We just met, isn't this inappropriate?"

Hancock, with her back to Sal, didn't notice his awkwardness and eagerly asked, "You said you've seen this brand before. This time you saw it clearly—where have you seen it before? Do you understand the meaning of this mark?"

The girl's behavior reminded Sal of her nature. Her arrogance might simply be a way to hide the deep fear in her heart. Sal moved closer, pretending to examine the mark, but in reality, he was admiring the beautiful back.

After waiting for a while, he answered:

"I know a member of the Sun Pirates, the fish-man Hatchan. Hatchan has a sun symbol on his forehead, and the Sun's Hoof must have been... used to disguise the Hoof of the Celestial Dragon."

The mention of the "Hoof of the Celestial Dragon" plunged the room into silence. The three Boa sisters trembled, their faces frozen in fear and anguish.

This word was taboo for them. Whenever it was mentioned, it reminded them of a life in hell. The secret they had to hide their entire lives was revealed before this man. After a long pause, Hancock, somewhat calmed, spoke in a trembling voice:

"Yes, it's the Hoof of the Celestial Dragon... It's the mark of the lowest people. We three sisters were slaves of the Celestial Dragons. What do you think of me now? ..."

Not letting her finish, Sal approached, picked up the clothes from the floor, and placed them on her shoulders. Turning away, he casually said:

"Because of that? I don't think it's a sign of lowliness. You'd better put on your clothes. Otherwise, how many leaders can withstand such a test?"

"But... …" These are the Dragon People...

Sal interrupted her again, placing his hands on Hancock's shoulders, and they looked directly into each other's eyes. He could now clearly see the fear burning in her eyes.

"What is the Hoof of the Celestial Dragon? It only proves the atrocities of that pack of beasts; it doesn't prove that you're a slave. This mark should only make you stronger, ."

"As a friend, I don't care about your past. As long as you respect me, no one will be able to insult my friends."

Hancock's eyes widened, Sal's words stirred a storm in her heart.

"I am your friend?"

"If you want to be my friend, starting today, we are friends."

Sal was delighted to befriend such a strong person, who was also incredibly beautiful.

[C-level characters harbor positive feelings toward the host, moderate friendship, experience increased by 2000]

Hancock's eyes trembled slightly, and she finally lifted her head and proudly replied:

"Really? Then I will be your friend, albeit against my will."

"Thank you, Empress, for becoming my friend."

Sal smiled and shook his head. He didn't expect Hancock, known as the "Head of the Amazons," to have a tsundere personality as well.

Suddenly, Guroliosa appeared from afar, holding a newspaper in her hand. The old women's eyes were full of surprise.

— August D. Sal, a great sinner with a bounty of 1 billion beri, did you really kill two Celestial Dragons, as the newspaper says?

The room fell silent again.

The news about the killing of two Celestial Dragons shocked the three Boa sisters. They looked at Sal, their hearts full of turmoil. Others might not see this information as significant, but for them, who were once slaves to the Celestial Dragons, it was the most important information.

Sal nodded in confirmation. It seemed the World Government's newspaper had reached here too. However, this was the first time a bounty had been set so high, reaching 1 billion beri. For the first time in the 800-year history of the World Government, right?

Killing two Celestial Dragons and escaping under the watch of an Admiral truly deserves a bounty of 1 billion.

A pirate with a 1 billion beri bounty is either a member of the Four Emperors or a Shichibukai in the New World.

Hancock took the newspaper and read it carefully. The large photograph in the headline and the information about the murder of two Celestial Dragons from the Rozwald Family stirred mixed feelings within her. Gratitude, delight, comfort, fear, and other emotions swirled within her soul.

Soon her eyes filled with tears, dropping to the floor with a faint raspy sound.

— Besides our benefactor, I didn't expect anyone could attack the Celestial Dragons. Is there anyone in this world not afraid of the Celestial Dragons? Sal, you really did it?

At this moment, Hancock was no longer the arrogant figure she once was. She evoked only sympathy. Her tearful gaze invited love and compassion.

— Yes, I killed them myself.

[C-level characters harbor positive feelings toward the host, high degree of affection, increase experience by 5000]

[A-level characters harbor positive feelings toward the host, high level of friendly relations, increase experience by 500 X 3]

The tears of the three Boa sisters prompted Sal to take out a napkin and try to give it to them, but seeing he had only one, he changed his mind.

Just as Sal was about to take back the napkin, Hancock took it, wiped her tears, and with tenderness in her eyes, said:

— Sal, do you want to know about our past?

— If you want to tell me, I'm all ears.

Sal sat cross-legged, listening intently to the girl's story. Although he already knew about their past from the original book, hearing it firsthand was entirely different.