"The Empress’ Challenge, Life Return"

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"Should I turn around now?"

It was unclear how much time had passed.

Realizing that Shaka had stopped, Hancock slowly opened her big, watery eyes and asked softly.

Smack...

The corners of Shaka's mouth twitched as he gave a light slap on that round, perky part of hers, making her let out an involuntary hum.

"No need. Otherwise, I might not be able to hold myself back... Don't underestimate your charm as the world's most beautiful woman, Hancock!" Shaka said helplessly.

If it were Kikyo or the others, he could still restrain himself.

But just massaging Hancock's back had already tested his limits.

He was using all his willpower to stay in control.

If he had to move to the front... he knew he would lose it completely.

"Oh?"

Feeling the slap, Hancock shuddered slightly, but the corners of her lips lifted into a subtle smile.

Just thinking about his impending departure filled her heart with an inexplicable pain.

Biting her red lips gently, her sapphire-like eyes flashed with determination.

Swish...

Suddenly, she flipped over entirely, facing Shaka, who was now staring at her, completely dumbfounded.

Blushing, she bit her lip and said, "Hmph! I want to see if this so-called 'Ksitigarbha King' really has such weak willpower!"

"You're playing with fire."

Shaka spoke through gritted teeth, feeling utterly speechless.

His sharp gaze burned like twin flames.

"Hmph, men really do think with their lower halves!" Hancock's fair face was tinged with red. Though her perfect body was slightly tense, she still spoke with a proud tone.

With a hint of mockery, she continued, "Last time I lost only because I was careless. I refuse to believe you can truly resist my beauty!"

Her delicate, fair foot suddenly pressed down on Shaka without any hesitation.

In this moment, the Empress seemed completely different from her usual self—charming, seductive, and unreserved.

Though nervous, she forced herself to test the waters, letting out a soft hum, "You might as well just surrender obediently and bow down to me... Perfume Femur!"

"Oi, oi, Hancock... Don't push your luck!"

Inside the laboratory, Shaka sucked in a sharp breath.

His eyes reddened as he glared at the breathtaking woman before him, his patience running thin. "You think a mere Shichibukai can make me yield? Keep dreaming!"

"Just because you're beautiful doesn't mean reality will match your expectations."

He stopped hesitating and met her challenge head-on.

After all, he already understood Hancock's true feelings.

"If you want me to surrender... you're still too naive. Life Return!"

Shaka's eyes sharpened as he clenched his fists.

In an instant, his towering three-meter frame visibly shrank, condensing down to just over two meters, only slightly taller than Hancock, who stood around 191 cm.

This was a secret technique he had mastered through sheer talent during his early training in the Land of Flowers.

Through years of refinement, he had taken it to an unparalleled level.

He could even compress his body size at will.

"You can do that too?!"

Hancock's beautiful eyes widened in shock.

She had never imagined he could use Life Return to shrink his own body.

Her talent was exceptional, and she had already mastered all Six Powers (Rokushiki), even the secret of Life Return. But achieving this level of control? Impossible.

Her heart, which had been filled with nervousness, relaxed slightly. If he had stayed that big... she really might not have been able to handle it.

"I possess the Human-Human Fruit, Mythical Zoan, Buddha Model! My Vajra Staff has never been defeated. Even your ancestors—three Empresses ago—weren't my match!"

As he spoke, Shaka's presence became like that of an enraged Vajra deity, striking without mercy.

His Vajra Staff blocked Hancock's Perfume Femur with ease, while his fingers moved with refined precision.

He didn't even need to use Haki to overpower her completely.

Despite her years on Amazon Lily, where she had gained "experience" through observation, Hancock had never truly battled in real combat.

She was utterly overwhelmed and soon fell to the floor, tears brimming in her eyes.

"Slave Arrow!"

Even in defeat, Hancock remained stunningly alluring.

Unwilling to give up, she formed a heart shape with her hands, unleashing her Devil Fruit power.

Swish...

Golden light shimmered around Shaka, completely nullifying the wave of pink energy.

He wasn't petrified in the slightest.

"I told you, you rely too much on your Devil Fruit!"

Transformed into his wrathful Buddha form, Shaka was ready to deliver a mighty Great Vajra Palm.

But before he could strike, Hancock abandoned all sense of honor and suddenly lunged at him.

"As expected... only a man like you can be my true nemesis!"

She attacked without warning.

Her sharp teeth sank into Shaka's shoulder, leaving a deep yet delicate bite mark.

Her jewel-like eyes shimmered with moisture as she whispered, "Shaka... You must never forget me."

He was leaving soon. She wanted to give him something precious—a farewell gift he would never forget.

She wanted to be engraved in his memory forever.

"Of course..."

Shaka nodded.

Though their time together had been short, he wouldn't betray a woman's sincerity.

He was a scoundrel, but he believed in forming true bonds over time.

And once the bowstring was drawn, there was no turning back.

He had no intention of letting her off so easily.

Especially since Hancock had the audacity to challenge him.

The previous fight had left him fuming. If she thought he would let her walk away without consequences, she was dead wrong.

He made up his mind.

The Enlightened Nirvana Staff—recently reforged—would teach her a proper lesson.

"Are you scared? It's too late to regret it now!"

Shaka didn't hesitate.

He launched his counterattack. "Finger Pistol!"

"Don't underestimate me... Iron Body!"

Hancock gritted her teeth, tensing her entire body as her blood surged.

She had activated Tekkai.

But did she really think that would work against Shaka?

He was the Ksitigarbha King, someone who didn't even consider Marine Admirals a threat!

A mere Warlord of the Sea using Tekkai?

Useless.

Clang...!

In the dimly lit lab, blade-like strikes flashed as their battle raged on.

Shaka did not hold back.

With sincerity, he passed on his combat knowledge to the stunning, mesmerizing Empress.

For two full hours, Hancock fought fiercely, but in the end, she was utterly exhausted, drenched in sweat.

Despite his restraint, their difference in strength was undeniable.

The proud Empress was completely defeated.

Though humbled, her warrior spirit refused to break. Even as she conceded, she remained stubborn, insisting on learning everything she could.

Moved by her sincerity, Shaka spared no effort in teaching her.

Correcting her mistakes, guiding her with patience.

Deeply affected by her determination, he held nothing back.

He even used acupuncture to aid her recovery.

Time passed...

The air filled with the scent of burning herbs.

One by one, the smoking bamboo cups were removed from her flawless back.

After half an hour, the treatment was complete.

Exhausted but content, the Empress, finally satisfied, drifted off into a peaceful sleep, a soft smile on her lips.

"....."