Two Conqueror's Haki domains collided instantly, releasing countless streaks of dark red lightning as they clashed.
Although the force was not directed at the Kuja warriors watching, the aftershocks still pressed heavily on them, leaving everyone visibly shaken. Their shock only deepened.
[B/C-rank figures generated positive emotions toward the Host, medium intensity, experience increased by 3,732]
The experience gain fell short of Aether's expectations. Without hesitation, he pushed his Conqueror's Haki even further. As the intensity rose, discomfort spread through his body.
The result, however, was exactly what he wanted.
His Conqueror's Haki began to overwhelm Hancock's. Slowly but surely, it expanded outward, compressing her Haki into an ever-shrinking space until it was reduced to a small circle.
Gasps echoed across the arena.
The Snake Princess, revered like a goddess by her people, had lost in a clash of Conqueror's Haki. Worse still, it was a complete defeat.
Boa Sandersonia, now fully conscious, clutched the clothing covering her back and spoke in disbelief.
"How is this possible? Who exactly is that man? His Conqueror's Haki is actually stronger than Elder Sister's."
The two figures remained motionless, yet the air between them seemed distorted by their clashing wills.
Hancock bit her lip. She had not expected his Conqueror's Haki to reach such a level. Only by facing him directly could she truly understand the overwhelming pressure it carried.
Even so, admitting defeat here was out of the question.
If her Conqueror's Haki fell short, then she would settle it in battle.
Her Haki receded as she faced Aether head-on. Her entire body tensed, power gathering in her limbs.
Her long, flawless legs were coated in highly concentrated Armament Haki. The density was so refined that Aether's eyelid twitched slightly. Most notably, there was no visible black coating.
From this alone, Aether judged that she had likely reached the highest level of Armament Haki. The Pirate Empress truly lived up to her reputation.
"That kick will not be light."
Aether drew his longsword and infused it with a vast amount of Conqueror's Haki. The blade glowed with a dark red aura, streaks of lightning crackling along its edge.
Hancock's gaze sharpened. The power radiating from his sword made her wary. She had witnessed Conqueror's Haki infusion before, but its true nature remained elusive to her.
There was no turning back now.
She lunged forward, her long leg slicing through the air as she aimed directly at Aether's vital point.
"Perfume Femur."
"Advanced Conqueror's Haki, Mountain Crusher."
With the aid of his Observation Haki, Aether swung his blade at the precise moment, meeting her strike head-on.
The collision rang out sharply.
Her leg, reinforced with condensed Armament Haki, did not give way immediately. For several seconds, the two forces remained locked, sparks of dark red lightning erupting between them.
Aether felt the strain in his arm building.
Then, the balance broke.
His Advanced Conqueror's Haki finally overpowered her defense. A burst of sword energy sent Hancock flying dozens of meters away.
She landed gracefully, her experience allowing her to evade most of the attack. Even so, several cuts appeared on her clothing, revealing a glimpse of skin.
Her high heel had been split cleanly in two. A faint red mark appeared on her sole, prompting her to remove the other shoe as well.
Standing barefoot, she fixed Aether with a cold glare.
Her pride would not allow her to accept defeat at the hands of an unknown man.
"Again. I will never lose."
"If the Pirate Empress insists, I will continue."
Aether sighed inwardly. When a woman decided to be stubborn, reasoning rarely worked. The only way forward was through strength.
Just as the tension reached its peak once more, a small figure suddenly leapt between them.
Elder Nyon, Gloriosa, raised her voice.
"Snake Princess, stop. The agreement was only for one exchange."
Hancock's gaze turned cold as she looked at her.
Gloriosa had witnessed everything. If Hancock had held the advantage, she would not have intervened. But the reality was clear.
Aether was stronger.
She might not fully understand his technique, but she knew its name.
Advanced Conqueror's Haki.
A power reserved for only the strongest individuals on the seas.
Starting a conflict with such a man was not in the Kuja tribe's best interest.
Hancock's expression darkened. Her pride stung, she lashed out, kicking Gloriosa aside in frustration.
Still, the outcome could not be denied.
She had lost.
At that moment, both Aether and Hancock sensed something and looked upward.
A figure fell from the sky.
Monkey D. Luffy crashed down between them, landing awkwardly before quickly steadying himself. He adjusted his Straw Hat and grinned at Aether.
"Aether, I'm here to help. No matter who it is, I'll send them flying."
Aether stared at him in silence.
Did he not notice the furious woman standing right behind him?
He was making things worse.
Hancock's breathing grew heavier, her chest rising and falling as anger surged within her. Before Aether could say anything, she moved.
Her kick was so fast it left an afterimage.
Luffy had no chance to react.
A dull impact rang out.
He was launched hundreds of meters away, crashing deep into a building. When he landed, he lay unconscious, eyes rolled back and foam at his mouth.
Hancock exhaled slowly, her anger easing slightly.
"I have lost this duel. You may leave Amazon Lily."
With that, she turned and walked away without another glance.
Aether remained where he stood, waiting.
Soon, the system notifications began to appear.
[S-rank figure generated positive emotions toward the Host, slight recognition, experience increased by 1,000]
[A-rank figures generated normal emotions, medium to high surprise, experience increased by 200, 500 x 2]
[B-rank figures generated normal emotions, medium to high surprise, experience increased by 30 x 14, 50 x 39]
[C-rank figures generated normal emotions, medium to high surprise, experience increased by 8 x 1,475, 12 x 4,327]
[Level Up: Level 55 (3790/54000)]
Aether frowned slightly.
The notification he expected never came.
Hancock had not produced any negative emotions after losing. That was unexpected. Perhaps her personality was not as unreasonable as he had assumed.
As his level increased, Aether felt a clear change within himself.
His Armament Haki broke through its previous limit, undergoing a qualitative transformation.
[Host: Aether]
[Age: 26]
[Level: 55 (3790/54000)]
[Strength: High-tier (Rear Admiral)]
[Constitution: High-tier (Rear Admiral)]
[Agility: High-tier (Rear Admiral)]
[Devil Fruit: None]
[Skills: Top-tier]
[Armament Haki: High-tier]
[Observation Haki: High-tier]
[Conqueror's Haki: Peak]
[Weapon: Ace]
[Points: 63,796]
His physical abilities had reached the upper level of Marine Headquarters Rear Admirals. Combined with his Haki and combat skills, he far surpassed others at the same level.
With his Armament Haki now strengthened, even Admirals would have to take his attacks seriously.
He had finally overcome his previous limitation when facing powerful Logia users.
Thinking back, things had gone smoothly partly because Luffy had taken that hit. Without that moment, Hancock might not have admitted defeat so easily.
In that sense, he owed the boy some thanks.
As the battle concluded, the Kuja warriors gradually dispersed, each needing time to process what they had witnessed.
Aether walked over to the unconscious Luffy and studied him briefly.
The boy stood around 1.7 meters tall, his frame lean rather than imposing. Yet there was something about him. At a glance, he bore a faint resemblance to a young Gol D. Roger.
A thought crossed Aether's mind.
If he were to kill Luffy here, how would the world change?
The idea lingered only for a moment before fading.
The world was more interesting with him alive.
Chaos had its uses.
Aether lifted the unconscious Luffy onto his back and picked up the Straw Hat. His fingers traced its familiar texture.
Even so, it was not his.
He placed the hat back onto Luffy's head and carried him toward the palace.
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