[96] Big Trouble (2)
Chapter 96: Big Trouble (2)
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In the New World part of the Grandline, the large island that held a city-sized country within itself was as prosperous as ever.
The country of romance, a place that was adorned with whimsical architecture and vibrant flower fields, effervesces life at every corner. Cobblestone streets echoed with cheerful bustle as weird talking toys and humans harmoniously coexisted.
A grand colosseum, the most popular sight of this kingdom, stood tall amidst the quaint houses. In the city, laughter and hushed whispers seeped from bustling cafes, while the royal castle stood in the far, alone and high.
This was Dressrosa, a city marred by unseen shadows, yet brimming with an infectious, resilient spirit.
Former Celestial Dragon, one of the seven Warlords, Donqixoute Doflamingo was on the rooftop of the royal castle as he enjoyed the night breeze hitting his skin.
Under the moonlight, his most trusted man, Trebol, stood by his side. He had just walked here, with a report in his mind.
"Nyeeh, Doffy. The process of the event has been smooth. In fact, we already have received replies from a few of our important guests."
Trebol's report made Doffy grin. That was good news. It was the only news that pleased his ears since the day he learned of Vergo's death.
Vergo was someone Doffy trusted. He trusted everyone in his family, but Vergo was a cut above the rest even then. As a Vice Admiral, he also trusted Vergo's strength. When he provided Vergo with a mission, that mission was considered to be done.
Yet, two months ago, Vergo failed. That man who was so strong, had died at the hands of that stupid woman. A slippery bitch who escaped from death decades ago.
The first thing he did after that was abuse his status to demand an audience with Tsunade. However, when Sengoku and Garp intervened, his angry demand was overlooked. To be fair, it wasn't exactly ignored, rather the agreement was changed a bit.
"Huh? Well, since you wanna meet that girl so much, I will tag along with her. It's been a while since I saw Dressrosa anyway." – was what Garp had said.
Now, Doflamingo was confident in his abilities, but he didn't consider himself arrogant. Marine Hero Garp was not someone he could take on. So, in the end, he had to cancel the meeting.
Doflamingo's heart burned for the next few days. A member of his family was killed, and he didn't even know of the details. Of course, he was in the wrong, and he should be punished for having sent a mole into the Marines, but that part was solved due to his status. He only saw wrong in that woman, Tsunade, and so he wanted her dead.
He wanted her dead after she would beg to be killed.
As the Joker of the underworld, Doffy was more strategic than most others. So when his emotions calmed down a little, he made up a plan to draw the fish in his direction.
Doflamingo used the colosseum, which was the most popular thing in Dressrosa, to announce a grand tournament. Using his authority, he announced that both Pirates, Marines and any other warrior can join this tournament. They can come and fight, with the final price being not one, not two, but three devil fruits!
In retrospect, this wasn't simply to draw Tsunade here, it was for the betterment of Dressrosa too, along with some other benefits. However, yes, it was mainly to fish her here.
With a Paramecia, a Logia, and a super rare Mythical Zoan, this was supposed to attract a lot of people.
With his connection to the underworld, he even invited some popular figures of the world. Such as Charlotte Oven from the Big Mom Pirates, and All-Star King from the Beast Pirates.
From the Marines, he sent an invitation card to Tsunade along with a few others, who were obviously beneath her in rank.
He had already received confirmation from a few of the guests. In fact, some of them were bringing participants on their own, as well. Since they will not be participating themselves.
After Trebol gave him the names of those who had replied to the invitation, Doffy chuckled and shot Trebol a look.
"It's great that they are coming. But you know who I am waiting for, don't you?"
"Neeh, Doffy, I was about to talk about her. She did send a reply. However, it's… complicated."
Doffy frowned. "Why? Did she reject it? Should we move along with Plan B then?"
Plan B was one where he would spread rumors that Hashirama Senju would be joining the tournament too. That would draw Tsunade into this for sure, as well. She would want to save him from Doffy and rush to Dressrosa.
"Nyeeh, not that, Doffy. There is no need for that."
Trebol chuckled nervously.
"Uh… she actually did accept it. She said she will be here on the day of the tournament."
"Oh? Then what's the issue?"
Doflamingo was struck happy. That was great. He was curious about why Trebol was running around the bush though.
"Well, erm, she is bringing someone with her. It's a Pirate. A Warlord"
"...."
"Tsunade said that the Pirate Empress, Boa Hancock would be joining the guest seat."
Doflamingo stayed still in his position. Then, he slowly turned his head back to the sky and began contemplating.
He liked beautiful women, but no, this wasn't a good thing. That woman was his bane.
* * *
On the other side of the Grandline, on the island of women, their empress stood with her chin raised as she looked down on the rat that had invaded her island.
‘So that is him, huh.’
While he was gawking at her, Boa Hancock observed him carefully.
‘No different than any other man.’
Her head tilted to the side, her bangs hanging straight and covering her eyes, as the wind blew her hair to the side. The biggest man-hater on the planet observed the small-time flirt, who had also coincidentally left a group of women used just minutes ago.
‘Tsunade Senju was saying her brother was special, but all I see is-’
Boa Hancock’s thoughts paused. Her eyes froze as she observed the expression change in the young man’s face. His awe-struck face that Hancock had seen in all men’s faces shifted when he located his stone-turned crewmates.
Hashirama Senju’s expression changed. A grim shadow fell on his face as he looked Hancock in the eye. His eyes didn’t wander around her body, her stunning curves, and instead locked on with her own eyes.
Hancock’s expressionless face changed slightly, the corner of her lips barely rose. She still looked down on him but now she felt a little amused. Bold, wasn’t he? Just as his older sister had told her earlier.
Hancock was notified of his appearance in Amazon Lily by one of her officers. Namely, she was reported of a ship docked inside the island, near the town, that had three powerful-looking dragons made of wood stuck to its front. Only when Hancock came to the feast and noticed the visitors, she realized who this crew was.
The Princess of Alabasta was easy to recognize, and the others just simply fill in the description. All it took was one look and a beam of love, for them to be turned into stone. Of course, nobody could ignore her beauty. That was why Tsunade Senju surprised her back then, which led to that pleasant talk later on.
"Hashirama Senju.”
Boa Hancock spoke, shifting in her spot as she took her hand off her waist.
“Bold of you to come to my island. This is
where your journey stops."
Gently changing her pose, she brought her hands together to form a love sign. She smiled at his unwavering eyes, as he was about to face the same fate as his friends.
"Love-Love
Beam.”
Heart-shaped beams shot out of her hand and rushed at the boy, as Hancock recalled the request that Tsunade Senju had made.
Because Tsunade was sure Hashirama was in this Calm Belt, and the Kuja Pirates was the ruler of this part of the sea, she requested Hancock to not harm the boy if he came across them. The request stretched to Hancock handing him over to Tsunade, and given Hancock took a liking to that woman, she agreed.
Since he hadn’t done her or her people any harm, Hancock planned to turn him into stone, hand him over to Tsunade Senju, un-stone him, and then continue her life. So in retrospect, this boy would survive this counter.
What Hancock wasn’t expecting was…
Well, for him to fight back.
“Goddammit, at least I should give it a try.”
For a moment, Hashirama looked panicked before the beams. Hancock didn’t blame him for that, it rather showed that he was aware of the dangers of this sea, that was she. However, at the last instant, when the beam was just about to touch his nose, and therefore pause his life for good, the world broke apart.
– !!!!!!!!!!
A dome expanded with him as the center; the green dome touched the pink hearts, and the hearts evaporated. The ground crackled, the utensils in the feast shattered and flew away, and as the dome continued to expand, consuming the nearby humans, it sent them to the realm of dreams.
Kuja Tribe members fell to their faces, their eyes rolled back, as a cyclone of willpower appeared out of nowhere. Everything shook, everything broke, unconscious women bled from their noses, while only a few, including Boa Hancock, stood, with her eyes wide and her hair fluttering backward from the shock.
That was… Conqueror’s Haki!
‘But even Rayleigh doesn’t have this much force!’
Hancock’s eyes shook and her knees trembled. She quickly jolted backward and her wide eyes sharpened. At a moment’s notice, a purple domain blasted out of her body and clashed against the green one.
Hashirama’s domain, which had already covered the entirety of the feast area in a circle, was pushed back suddenly, and cut into half a circle. Half of the dome existed fine behind him, but not far from him the purple domain pushed back. It was the same for Hancock, who had a sharp expression, as a drop of sweat trailed down her chin.
“Enough!”
Boa Hancock yelled with a blast of blood rushing out her nose, but she refused to go down. Hashirama was giving it his all, for the first time not holding back his burst of Conqueror’s Haki, allowing his willpower free and focusing it on the woman in front of him.
“Not enough!”
Hashirama took a step forward, and Hancock took one back. Her eyes were shaking, her nose bleeding further, and the veins were growing thicker on Hashirama’s forehead. He wasn’t exactly having it easy, even though he was pushing her back.
The ground crackled in the middle of their clash, it split in two. The island looked as if an earthquake was happening on it right on the spot.
“You stupid boy!”
Suddenly, an old voice yelled, and with the pressure on Hashirama’s head and neck, he couldn’t look to the side. It wasn’t a good situation because the old voice yelled and jumped, appearing right behind him.
It was the former-former-former Kuja Empress, the old lady Gloriosa, who was moving through the clash of Haki casually while wielding her stick.
“You are killing everyone!”
Before Hashirama could react, the woman jumped behind him and swung her heavy stick behind his head. All the blood that was stuck in his forehead and neck, burst back into flow as he stumbled and fell. His head was under so much pressure that such an attack dealt him dirty damage.
With his eyes rolling back, Hashirama fell to the ground, while Boa Hancock let go of her burst and fell on one of her knees.
“Huff… huff… What in the Goddess’ name?”
With her eyes wide and nose still flowing with blood, Boa Hancock simply stared in awe and a budding feeling of inferiority.
Who the hell was this man?
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