The Vice Admiral gave a graceful bow.

Though his face, hands, and uniform were streaked with blood, the gentle smile he wore seemed almost out of place in the falling snow. Yet to the terrified sisters, it brought a sudden and unexplainable sense of calm.

"Beautiful ladies shouldn't have to see such filth."

As he spoke, he suddenly reached out with a broad, calloused hand and seized the green-haired Celestial Dragon by the neck, lifting him effortlessly into the air.

The cherry-shaped Devil Fruit slipped from the Celestial Dragon's hand, rolling across the ground until it stopped at the feet of the black-haired girl.

For some reason, seeing that made Hancock's heart race with excitement.

Her fear vanished. She stared intensely at the Celestial Dragon, now on the verge of fainting from terror.

It was hard to believe. These Celestial Dragons—beings who wielded the highest authority in the world, who had haunted her dreams through countless nights of captivity—were now trembling in fear before this man. They didn't even have the courage to beg for mercy.

But... wasn't he a Marine?

Aren't the Marines supposed to be the Celestial Dragons' lapdogs?

"Marine-san! What's your name?"

Pushing down her confusion, the black-haired girl called out, her delicate face unexpectedly flushing red.

This Marine… he's so handsome.

The Vice Admiral glanced at her.

Unlike her two sisters, her dark, star-like eyes held no fear—only curiosity.

Snowflakes drifted from the sky, settling gently in her flowing black hair.

He suddenly smiled, carefree and unburdened.

"After today, I won't be a Marine anymore."

"Maybe I'll become the World Government's most wanted man, the most dangerous criminal in the world... So, beautiful lady, are you sure you still want to know my name?"

Hancock blushed even deeper and nodded hard.

"Now I want to know even more!"

Daren blinked, then chuckled softly.

"All right. I'm Daren—Rogers Daren, the 'King of the North Blue.'"

Hancock clenched her fists, silently committing the name to memory.

"I'll remember you, Daren-san! I'm Boa Hancock!"

The orange-haired and green-haired girls crouched behind her quickly followed with their own introductions.

"I'm Boa Sandersonia!"

"I'm Boa Marigold!"

Daren smiled.

"Pleasure to meet you all. Now, if you'd be so kind, please take a few steps back, ladies."

Hancock bit her lower lip, eyes burning with hatred as she glared at the Celestial Dragon still dangling from Daren's grip.

"Daren-san, can I do it?"

"Oh?"

A spark of interest flickered in Daren's eyes.

"You sure?"

The black-haired girl's gaze held a resolve far beyond her years. She nodded, gripping the short dagger tightly in her hand as she walked forward, step by steady step.

Daren paused, then lowered the Celestial Dragon to the ground—and casually snapped both his arms.

Crack!

"AAAAAAGHHH!"

The green-haired Celestial Dragon screamed in agony, collapsing limply to his knees. His forehead pressed against the snowy earth, his body squirming like a worm.

Tears and mucus streamed down his face as he begged, eyes locked on the girl approaching.

"N-No, Hancock…"

"I'm a Celestial Dragon! If you kill me, the consequences will be unimaginable! No one can save you!"

Daren watched in silence, making no move to interfere.

He wanted to be sure of something.

Hancock stood in front of him, facing the so-called "god" who now looked no more than a broken, groveling beast.

Despite her youth, her beautiful face was calm and proud, her eyes ice-cold.

She said nothing for a few seconds, then suddenly smiled—soft, radiant, and deadly.

It was a stunning expression, beautiful enough to steal one's breath.

The Celestial Dragon's eyes went blank, his mind overwhelmed by the sight. For a moment, he forgot even to scream.

"Didn't you just say it yourself?"

The black-haired girl tightened her grip on the dagger, lifted her chin, and looked down at the so-called "god" before her with cold contempt.

"Because a woman as beautiful as me can be forgiven for anything."

The green-haired Celestial Dragon's pupils shrank.

Before he could react, the dagger plunged down.

Shk!

The blade pierced clean through his fragile throat. A surge of hot, crimson blood burst forth, splattering across the black-haired girl's face—cold and beautiful, touched by cruelty.

"Guh… guh…"

The Celestial Dragon let out a garbled sound. As blood poured from his neck, his body slumped to the ground, twitching a few times before falling still.

Shock, confusion, and disbelief remained frozen on his face. Until the moment he died, he couldn't comprehend how a slave girl dared to kill him.

The world fell silent.

Boa Sandersonia and Boa Marigold stood frozen, watching the scene unfold with wide, horrified eyes. Waves of emotion surged in their hearts, and their bodies trembled uncontrollably.

Their sister... had actually killed a Celestial Dragon.

"Daren-san, from today on... my fate's changed forever, hasn't it?"

Blood still dripped from the dagger as Hancock's hands finally began to tremble.

Daren took a puff from his cigar and gave a faint smile.

"Yes. Are you scared, Hancock?"

Hancock paused for a second, then suddenly looked up and gave him a smile.

"I just feel... free."

As the words left her mouth, a subtle, yet powerful pressure surged from her small body, kicking up gusts of wind.

Snow and black hair danced together. With her blood-smeared face and radiant beauty, the girl looked stunning—mad and magnificent.

Conqueror's Haki... awakened.

"Just as I thought..."

Daren exhaled slowly and smiled in satisfaction.

For most people, the spiritual and psychological weight of killing a Celestial Dragon would be overwhelming.

But once you realize that even the gods can bleed...

Once you realize the untouchable can fall...

Once you feel their blood staining your hands...

The will to resist and the thirst for freedom—that slumbering power buried deep within—awakens in full.

"Daren-san, can I come with you?"

The words slipped from Hancock's lips like an instinct.

It was their first meeting, yet she felt an unshakable trust and admiration for the man standing before her.

Especially the moment he appeared—like a god out of a story—to save her and her sisters. It was just like the romantic epics she used to read.

Looking at Daren's ruggedly handsome face and the raw strength of his body, Hancock's heart thumped wildly.

She pointed to the lifeless Celestial Dragon on the ground and gave a playful wink.

"As you can see, I don't really have anywhere else to go."

"We'll talk later, beautiful lady. I've got a guest coming."

Daren picked the Mero Mero no Mi off the ground and placed it gently in Hancock's hands.

From behind them, a deep rumble rolled through the jungle and the earth. Daren turned, grinning at the massive, grotesque Gyūki crashing through the trees, flattening everything in its path.

"You're too slow, Saturn-sama."

He tossed the blood-soaked Devil Fruit into the air, catching it again with a smirk.

"Looks like I'm the champion of this World Noble Hunting Tournament."

...

(100 Chapters Ahead)

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