Aether spoke slowly, his tone calm yet cutting.
"Boa Hancock, you really are a woman with a terrible personality."
The blunt remark darkened Hancock's expression for a brief moment, but she quickly regained her composure. Her eyes turned alluring once more, her posture proud and regal as she lifted her chin slightly, her confidence radiating effortlessly.
"No matter what I do, the world will forgive me, because I am simply too beautiful. Don't you agree, man?"
"Ah... Snake Princess-sama."
The Kuja warriors instantly fell under her charm again, their voices filled with admiration. Aether watched the scene in silence. Any initial fascination he had felt was long gone. What remained was pure annoyance at her personality.
"I don't. Right now, I actually feel like hitting you. You're just that irritating."
Hancock's expression stiffened. Dropping the act entirely, she bit lightly on her nail in frustration before waving her hand.
"Sandersonia, Marigold. Do it. Take his head."
The second and third of the Boa sisters leapt into the arena at the same time. Upon landing, their bodies transformed into massive snake-humans over thirty meters long, their forms grotesque and imposing. Both were users of the Snake-Snake Fruit, Model variants.
Their fanged mouths opened as they responded in unison.
"As you command, Elder Sister."
Without hesitation, their massive tails swept forward, striking toward Aether with overwhelming force. The ground trembled from the impact.
When the dust settled, Aether stood lightly atop both tails, balanced with ease. Under the perception of his Observation Haki, their movements were far too slow.
"You're too slow."
The sisters said nothing, their expressions tightening as they pressed the attack. Halberd strikes and venomous attacks followed in rapid succession, yet none could touch him. Aether moved fluidly, evading every strike with minimal effort.
For a time, the two giant snake-women could only chase him across the arena, unable to land a single hit.
As he dodged, Aether recalled what he knew about them. Their Devil Fruits had been force-fed to them by the Celestial Dragons when they were slaves, nothing more than a twisted experiment.
Aether's eyes grew colder.
To waste Devil Fruits worth over a hundred million Berries for such amusement, truly disgusting.
Both sisters had awakened Armament Haki and Observation Haki, though each specialized differently. Sandersonia possessed stronger Observation Haki, while Marigold excelled in Armament Haki. Even so, their overall strength was limited by their foundation.
Seeing their attacks fail repeatedly, their expressions grew serious. Hancock, watching from above, was already losing patience.
Realizing the gap between them, the sisters stopped holding back.
"Snake Hair Possession, Yamata no Orochi!"
"Flame Snake God!"
Sandersonia's green hair transformed into eight writhing snake heads, while Marigold's entire body ignited with blazing flames. Their ultimate techniques surged forward simultaneously, creating a spectacle that drew gasps from the audience.
Aether remained calm.
"Armament Haki."
His arms turned pitch black as he stepped forward, his fists colliding directly with their attacks. The force shattered both techniques instantly, scattering flames and fragments of hair into the air.
In the next moment, he vanished.
Appearing above Marigold, he drove his fist down.
The impact sent her massive body crashing into the ground, knocking her unconscious instantly.
Sandersonia's eyes widened.
"You bastard!"
Driven by anger, she lunged forward recklessly. This time, Aether did not dodge. He lowered his stance, his fist tightening as his Armament Haki condensed further, a faint crackling energy forming around it.
"Serious Punch."
The collision was overwhelming.
Her defenses shattered instantly. Even as she raised her arms to block, the force sent her flying backward. Her massive snake form collapsed mid-air, reverting to her human body as she lost consciousness.
She fell directly toward the deadly spikes surrounding the arena.
Hancock's expression changed immediately as she leapt forward, but Aether moved faster.
Catching Sandersonia mid-air, he landed lightly back in the arena.
Her clothes had been torn apart in the impact, exposing the mark of the Celestial Dragons on her back. Aether's expression hardened slightly. Without hesitation, he removed his outer clothing and draped it over her, covering the mark.
To him, that symbol was nothing but an eyesore.
The arena fell into complete silence.
Hancock landed beside him, her gaze fixed on Aether. For the first time, there was no immediate hostility in her eyes, only something more complicated.
She quietly took Sandersonia from him and handed her to Marigold, who had just regained consciousness.
After a brief pause, Hancock spoke.
"You may leave. Leave Amazon Lily, and I will pretend you were never here."
Aether barely registered her words. His attention was focused on the system notifications flooding his mind.
B-rank figure generated moderate surprise. Experience increased by 30 x 49
C-rank figures generated moderate surprise. Experience increased by 8 x 4693
Level Up: Level 53
Almost every Kuja warrior present had contributed.
Aether's gaze shifted back to Hancock, now filled with interest. If her subordinates had provided this much, then the Empress herself would be far more valuable.
"What did you say?"
Hancock's expression darkened again. Being ignored was something she was not used to.
"I said leave immediately, or I will act personally."
Her words were cut short by the intensity of his gaze. She frowned, sensing something unusual.
Aether did not care. If she was willing to let him go, he would simply force the situation further.
"One of the Shichibukai, Pirate Empress Boa Hancock. If you want me to leave, then fight me."
"You want to fight me?"
"Yes. I want to see your strength. Even one exchange is enough."
There was calculation behind his words. Without using his trump cards, defeating Hancock outright would not be guaranteed.
Hancock studied him for a moment. Though he had displayed impressive strength, she still believed herself superior. At the very least, she could teach him a lesson.
"Since you insist, I will grant you one move. If you die, do not blame me."
A strong gust of wind swept through the arena, lifting her dress slightly as her presence intensified.
A powerful wave of Conqueror's Haki erupted from her body, pressing down on everything around her.
Aether's eyes sharpened.
Her Conqueror's Haki was strong, but not yet at the highest level.
"Level, fifty-three plus seven."
Aether released his own Conqueror's Haki. His will surged outward, colliding directly with hers as the invisible pressure spread across the arena.