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"Damn it..."
"You bastard, stop being so arrogant!"
At that moment, Sandersonia and Marigold rushed over, their eyes filled with anger. Hearing Shaka speak condescendingly about their elder sister enraged them.
This guy was way too full of himself.
But his abilities were strange. Even their powerful elder sister couldn't break through them directly.
"Snake Tail: Tempest Kick—Thread!"
The two sisters exchanged a glance and, without hesitation, activated their Devil Fruit powers. Their bodies morphed at an incredible speed, transforming into terrifying half-human, half-snake creatures. One resembled a python, the other a king cobra—users of the Snake-Snake Fruit: Python Model and the Snake-Snake Fruit: King Cobra Model.
With perfect coordination, they launched their attack simultaneously.
Their massive snake tails whipped out like razor-sharp blades.
Whoosh—
Two powerful, light-green slashes tore through the air like lightning. Merging into one, they formed an enormous crescent-shaped attack that ripped through the atmosphere, striking the green barrier with incredible force.
BOOM!
A deafening explosion echoed as shockwaves spread outward.
Yet, despite their combined efforts and the full power of their Devil Fruits, the barrier remained unshaken.
Sandersonia and Marigold's faces darkened.
"Xiao Bai, you don't need to step in... Just stay back and let me handle this."
Shaka patted the giant panda beside him. Thanks to his ability to hear the thoughts of others, he had already learned from their inner voices that the "Empress" Boa Hancock was a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit user—the wielder of the Love-Love Fruit.
He understood exactly how dangerous her power was.
After all, he had obtained the Love-Love Fruit himself over fifty years ago and had entrusted it to Fire Blossom for safekeeping.
Whimper...
The panda obeyed immediately, withdrawing the barrier. Its chubby body waddled clumsily as it ran off to observe from a safe distance. It was already used to its master telling it not to interfere in battles.
"You insolent man! Fall in love with me and let your sinful heart turn to stone!"
Hancock ignored the panda. Her cold gaze locked onto Shaka, enhanced by her proficient Observation Haki. Her every movement exuded an irresistible allure as she formed a heart shape with her hands, aiming at the tall figure before her.
In an instant, she unleashed her Love-Love Fruit ability—Mero Mero Mellow!
Whoosh—
A pink heart-shaped beam shot out, instantly engulfing Shaka, who had made no attempt to dodge.
However, to the shock of Hancock and her sisters, he remained completely unaffected. His body shimmered with faint golden light, completely immune to the petrification effect.
"What!?"
Hancock's pupils shrank in disbelief. The Empress, who had always been supremely confident in her beauty, stood frozen. "How... how can there be someone in this world immune to my beauty?"
"Impossible!"
"This must be a joke!"
Sandersonia and Marigold stared in utter shock, their mouths agape. No one knew better than they did how terrifying their elder sister's Love-Love Fruit could be. It was an ability that worked on almost anyone, regardless of gender or age. Even the strongest warriors would be turned to stone if they harbored the slightest lustful desire.
Yet this man was completely fine.
"You're indeed beautiful, and the Love-Love Fruit is an incredibly overpowered ability... But relying too much on Devil Fruit powers is dangerous."
In a flash, the towering figure moved.
Like a ghost, he instantly appeared right in front of the stunned Hancock. With a playful smile, he gently lifted her chin. "Little Hancock."
Truthfully, even he couldn't completely resist the allure of the world's most beautiful woman.
However, his Mythical Zoan Buddha Form granted him immunity to curses, poisons, and other corrupting influences—including the petrification ability of the Love-Love Fruit.
"You insolent man!"
Hancock snapped back to her senses, her expression shifting to fury. Without hesitation, she lashed out with a powerful kick.
BANG!
This time, Shaka didn't even use his Devil Fruit powers. His right hand, coated in advanced Armament Haki, effortlessly caught Hancock's leg, getting an up-close view of her graceful form.
But Hancock was fast. Twisting her body, she immediately launched another kick with her other leg.
BANG! BANG!
Shaka remained composed, blocking her attacks with ease.
He didn't hold onto her leg for long, allowing her to break free.
Whoosh—
Hancock gracefully retreated, landing atop her giant pet snake, Salome.
"Slave Arrow!"
Her gaze sharpened as she lightly touched her lips. A large pink heart appeared before her, which she pulled back like a bowstring.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
A barrage of pink arrows, imbued with Haki, shot forward in rapid succession.
"Why struggle?"
Shaka chuckled softly, raising a single hand and chanting, "Namo Shakyamuni Buddha."
Shing!
In an instant, golden light radiated outward, forming a translucent, dome-shaped barrier.
It effortlessly blocked every single one of Hancock's arrows, rendering her attacks useless.
BOOM! BOOM!
Seeing her attacks fail, Hancock's expression changed drastically.
This man wasn't just physically stronger than her—his mastery of Haki was superior as well.
For the first time since becoming the ruler of Amazon Lily, she found herself at a complete loss.
"Sister's power... isn't working at all!"
"Damn it! How can this guy be so strong!?"
Not just Hancock—Sandersonia and Marigold also felt a deep sense of unease. They had never seen their sister overpowered before.
Still, without hesitation, they rushed forward to fight alongside her.
"Alright, I'm not here to fight."
After testing the Empress's strength, Shaka smiled and withdrew his barrier. Raising a hand, he addressed the three sisters who were preparing to attack.
"I have some history with Amazon Lily," he said. "I came here to find your former Empress from generations ago—Fire Blossom."
"What!?"
Hancock and her sisters, who had been prepared to fight to the death, froze in shock.
"Fire Blossom!?"
Hancock took a deep breath, staring at the mysterious man before her. "Who are you? And why are you looking for her?"
"You must have met Fire Blossom before," Shaka said with a smile. "Haven't you ever heard of me? My name is Shaka... from Skypiea."
"....."