One Piece: Investing In Whitebeard At The Start.

"Boat? Pirates?"

Boa Hancock slowly opened her eyes and raised her head.

"I'm not sure. There's no pirate flag. I can't tell if they are or not."

As the Pirate Empress and one of the Shichibukai, the Nine Snakes Pirates she commands are considered legal pirates. They're allowed to act freely—within limits—and the World Government and Marine Headquarters usually turn a blind eye to their behavior.

Even if Boa Hancock were to attack the Marines, nothing would happen to her. After all, she's so beautiful, people believe she should be forgiven for anything.

"Attack them. We'll return tomorrow. Don't bother me unless it's important. I'm feeling a little tired."

Hancock's tone was lazy—she clearly wasn't in the mood for trouble.

"Yes, Lady Hancock!"

"Sister, don't worry. Just rest—we'll handle everything."

Her two younger sisters quickly reassured her.

"Good."

Boa Hancock spoke just one word before closing her eyes again. As the strongest warrior on the ship, she rarely needed to act unless a serious threat emerged.

The Nine Snakes Pirates' ship picked up speed, dragged by two massive Sea Kings that looked like giant serpents—far more efficient than any traditional sails.

The all-female crew of the Nine Snakes Pirates stood ready. The moment they got close to the enemy ship, they would strike—ready to destroy it and steal anything of value aboard.

Every one of them was eager for merit. They all longed for the Empress's praise and approval. Being selected to sail with the Nine Snakes Pirates was an honor reserved only for the strongest women on Amazon Lily. Not just any islander could fight alongside the Pirate Empress.

To them, it was a supreme honor to fight by her side.

"These boring days… It might be better to return to Amazon Lily after all."

Boa Hancock sighed to herself—but no one else heard her words.

"If only I could see him again…"

Lately, her thoughts had been consumed by Vane—the mysterious man who showed no fear toward the Celestial Dragons. He had even killed one! Hancock had been shocked. And then, as she looked at his bounty poster—this wild young man labeled a monster by the world—her heart had pounded uncontrollably.

For the emotionally clueless Hancock, these unfamiliar feelings were frightening.

The boy who had killed a Celestial Dragon had unknowingly touched a soft spot in her heart.

Vane's bounty had increased again. She worried for his safety.

But for over a month, there'd been no news of him in the New World. Then, out of nowhere, his bounty was raised by another 300 million Berries… along with a new title.

And then—nothing.

Still, she longed to see him.

Though she was already 28 years old, Hancock had developed a strange, special affection for Vane—a man she had never even met.

With those thoughts in her heart, she drifted off to sleep.

Of course… Vane had no idea.

---

"Looks like they're going to make a move!"

Kalifa stood on the other ship, watching. She knew full well that the Shichibukai enjoyed privileges granted by the World Government. They could do as they pleased—so long as they answered the call to Mariejois when summoned.

But in truth, the balance of power in the New World wasn't shaped by the Shichibukai—it was dominated by the Four Emperors. The Warlords weren't united, and their presence barely held the seas in check.

"Fine then—let's see how they like this."

"Let's feed these snakes to the Sea Kings!"

"Try my 30 million volt lightning!"

"I, Kalifa—will become the Thunder Queen in Lord Vane's name!"

"Thunder Phoenix—30 million volts!"

From Kalifa's hand surged a colossal phoenix made entirely of lightning. It stretched seven meters long, with wings ten meters wide—its majestic form tearing through the skies as it raced toward the Nine Snakes Pirates.

The technique was one Vane had taught her. According to him, it was inspired by an ancient divine bird from long ago—the Phoenix.

---

"Is that a bird? A blue one? It's flying toward us—from that ship!"

"It doesn't look real… but it feels real!"

"It's made of lightning!"

"There's a woman on the ship over there… She's watching us."

"Fight back! That thing's coming right at us!"

The women aboard the Nine Snakes ship shouted in alarm.

But the eldest of Hancock's sisters said nothing. She stepped forward, thrusting her weapon directly at the thunder phoenix.

Unfortunately for her—it wasn't a real bird. It was pure lightning.

Sandersonia, Hancock's second sister, stabbed at the bird. But the attack had no effect—the lightning phoenix simply enveloped her. Thirty million volts of electricity surged into her body. It wouldn't kill her—she was a powerful fighter, after all—but it was more than enough to knock her unconscious and leave her smoldering.

Her body convulsed violently, a shriek tearing from her throat. Her limbs flailed before she collapsed, steaming and twitching, hair frizzed and mouth gaping as thick smoke curled from her lips.

Chaos erupted aboard the ship.

"Lady Sandersonia!"

"She's down!"

"There's a powerful enemy on that ship!"

"Lady Sandersonia! Please wake up!"

---

"Hmm?"

Boa Hancock's eyes snapped open at the commotion. She immediately realized her sister had been electrocuted—her body still smoking on the deck.

Her face darkened.

---

Enjoyed the chapters? Good. Now, cough up those Powerstones~ (＾▽＾)