The harbor of Amazon Lily.
Horns pierced through the morning mist.
The massive “Perfume Snake” rested quietly on the sea, its two enormous sea serpents harnessed with special reins, lazily flicking their tongues.
They were the ship’s source of power and the Kuja Pirates’ backbone for dominating the Calm Belt.
But today, these usually ferocious sea serpents were unusually docile — even trembling slightly.
Because a new presence had boarded.
An aura of an apex predator that made their bloodline shudder in fear.
“All supplies loaded!
Lady Snake Princess, ready to set sail at any time!”
Sandersonia reported loudly from the deck.
Hancock had changed back into her signature high-slit qipao, draped with the white imperial cloak of the Kuja Empress.
Instead of her usual arrogant posture, she was carefully cradling a sleek black-and-gold “young serpent” that was only a little over two meters long.
It was Zane, deliberately keeping his body small.
Though smaller now, his scales had a deep, matte texture with faint dark-golden luster flowing along every edge.
“Excellent.” Hancock nodded slightly, then strode toward the bow on her long, beautiful legs.
Ignoring everyone’s gazes, she walked straight to the figurehead — the massive serpent head sculpture that symbolized the highest authority of the Kuja.
“Night, from today onward, this is your exclusive seat.”
Hancock gently placed Zane atop the serpent figurehead — the position with the best view and highest status on the entire ship.
Previously, only Hancock herself had the right to stand there and look down on everyone.
“…”
The busy warriors on the deck all froze mid-action.
The air suddenly became tense.
Marigold (Hancock’s second sister), gripping her giant guan dao nearby, frowned deeply.
She glanced at the veteran warriors — Ran and Blue Fan, who had sailed with previous Empresses — who were hesitating to speak.
Amazon Lily was a nation that valued strength and tradition.
Although Zane had performed miracles in the arena, in these old pirates’ eyes, he was ultimately just a snake — the Empress’s “pet.” Letting a pet sit atop the totem was seen as a desecration of Kuja’s glory.
“Sister…” Marigold couldn’t help stepping forward.
“That position symbolizes the will of the Kuja.
Lord Night is strong, but ultimately…”
“Marigold.”
Hancock’s voice turned ice-cold.
She turned, and the gentleness she showed Zane vanished, replaced by a suffocating chill in her deep blue eyes.
“Are you questioning my decision?”
“N-No!
I wouldn’t dare!” Marigold broke into a cold sweat and immediately dropped to one knee.
“Hmph.
In this country, my word is law.” Hancock snorted, her Conqueror’s Haki faintly rippling.
“Night is the Vice Captain.
His status is second only to mine.
If anyone has objections, step forward now.
I’ll personally send you to feed the fish.”
No one dared challenge her at that moment, but the lingering “disapproval” and “awkwardness” in the air hung thick like glue.
Zane, perched on the figurehead, took in everything with his golden vertical pupils.
“Hiss— (This silly woman is putting me on the spot.)”
Zane sighed inwardly.
Plus, according to the plot, Luffy should have been sent flying here by Kuma before Hancock departs, then they’d go to Impel Down together.
Has the timeline changed because of me?
Hancock’s domineering approach was impressive, but it wasn’t good for unity.
He wanted to be the man behind the future Pirate King… If the crew only obeyed out of fear and not respect, how could he build a real force later?
“Authority isn’t given by others — it must be earned.”
With that thought, Zane moved.
Whoosh!
A black-and-gold streak slid down from the high figurehead.
“Night?
You don’t like it there?” Hancock was surprised.
Zane ignored her and slithered to the center of the deck, where dozens of massive oak barrels filled with fresh water were stacked.
Several sturdy female warriors were struggling to move them.
Each barrel weighed over five hundred pounds — even elite Kuja warriors found it taxing.
Zane approached one barrel.
“Lord Night?
Be careful, it’s very heavy…” One warrior tried to stop him instinctively.
But the next second, her mouth fell open into a perfect O.
Zane’s seemingly slender tail casually wrapped around the barrel as if it were a feather and effortlessly lifted it into the air.
No Haki.
No size increase.
Pure physical strength!
After molting and evolving into the Hellfire Black Python, his muscle density had reached a terrifying level.
Swish!
With a flick of his tail, the heavy barrel traced a perfect arc and landed precisely on the lookout platform dozens of meters up — without spilling a single drop.
Then the second barrel, the third…
The black serpent shadow darted across the deck.
In less than a minute, all the supplies that would have taken over a dozen people half an hour to load were perfectly stowed.
After finishing, Zane slithered to the railing, raised the upper half of his body, and let out a long, resonant hiss toward the eerily calm Calm Belt sea.
“Hiss——”
Everyone was stunned, not understanding what their “Vice Captain” meant.
Only Sandersonia, who understood snake language, translated with a strange expression: “Um… Lord Night says today’s lunch won’t require using our reserves.”
“He says… he’s treating everyone.
Set up the pots and wait for fresh seafood.”
Huh?
The warriors exchanged bewildered looks.
This was the Calm Belt — the sea below was full of giant Sea Kings.
While the Kuja Pirates weren’t afraid of fighting, who would dare treat it like their personal fishing ground?
At that moment—
“Alert!
Massive biological reactions directly below!” the lookout screamed.
“Extremely fast!
It’s… a school of ‘Ironspine Swordfish’!
Over five hundred of them!”
Splash!
The calm sea suddenly boiled.
Countless silver-gray dorsal fins sliced through the water like thousands of razor blades, rushing toward the Perfume Snake’s hull with a skin-crawling sound!
Ironspine Swordfish — a small-type sea beast unique to the Calm Belt.
Though only five to six meters long, they had spear-like heads harder than steel and attacked in massive schools.
A single charge could turn even a warship’s steel hull into a honeycomb!
“All hands, prepare for battle!” Marigold roared, coating her guan dao in Armament Haki.
“A bunch of trash fish daring to ruin my departure mood.”
Hancock’s beautiful eyes turned cold.
She formed a heart shape with her hands.
“Sweet Sweet Gale…”
Just as she was about to activate her power, a black tail gently wrapped around her wrist.
Cool, firm, yet carrying a reassuring strength.
“Night?” Hancock turned.
Zane winked at her.
A bloodthirsty excitement flashed in his golden vertical pupils.
“Hiss— (Save your strength, you wasteful woman.
Petrifying this level of ingredients would make them inedible.)”
The next moment—
Splash!
Zane shot into the boiling sea like a black torpedo.
The moment he entered the water, the world went silent.
The cold seawater enveloped him, but Zane felt no discomfort.
His evolved body structure made him even more at home in the deep sea than on land.
[Thermal Energy Perception — Activated!]
His vision transformed instantly.
The pitch-black, murky seawater became a world of lines and colored blocks in his eyes.
Ahead, hundreds of bright red light clusters moved at high speed — the life heat signatures of the swordfish school.
In the cold sea, they stood out like torches in the night.
“Come on.”
Zane didn’t use full Gigantification like before.
In water, larger size meant greater resistance.
He maintained his streamlined two-meter form, slightly spreading his scales to adjust water flow.
[Mimicry · Partial Enhancement — Tail Blade!]
The tip of his tail instantly hardened, coated in Haki, becoming an indestructible black-golden blade.
The slaughter began.
On the surface, the Kuja warriors gripped their weapons tightly, staring at the churning waves.
“Why is there no movement?”
“Will Lord Night be okay?
The swordfish’s underwater charge is terrifying!”
Marigold gritted her teeth, preparing to jump in to help.
Suddenly—
Bang!
A swordfish as thick as a thigh with a razor-sharp spearhead burst out of the water and smashed onto the deck.
A clean, mirror-smooth cut separated its head from its body — killed in one strike!
Then—
Bang!
Bang!
Bang!
It was like a rain of fish.
One fat Ironspine Swordfish after another was tossed up from below, landing precisely at each warrior’s feet.
Exactly one per person.
The seawater gradually turned red — but it wasn’t Zane’s blood.
“This… this cutting precision…” Ran crouched down, touching the smooth wound.
Her pupils contracted sharply.
“Maintaining this speed and sharpness under water resistance… even Marigold would find it difficult.”
Splash!
Water exploded.
Zane shot into the air, elegantly shaking off the droplets, and landed gracefully in the center of the deck.
His black-and-gold scales sparkled under the sunlight, completely clean — not a drop of blood or even a scratch.
He lazily coiled up, his tail curling around the fattest swordfish and offering it to Hancock.
“Hiss— (Want to try?
This should make excellent sashimi.)”
The entire deck fell silent.
Everyone stared at the pile of “spoils” on the deck, then at the black serpent who looked like he had merely gone for a swim.
Their eyes changed completely.
If his arena victory relied on “miracles” and “explosive power,” then this display showed supreme “technique” and “dominance.”
Faster than fish in the sea, fiercer than sea beasts!
This was the new Vice Captain of the Kuja Pirates!
Gulp.
Someone swallowed hard.
Marigold, who had previously been skeptical about Zane sitting on the figurehead, silently sheathed her guan dao.
She walked to one swordfish, sliced off the finest belly meat with practiced skill, and knelt on one knee before Zane, head lowered in absolute respect.
“Lord Night, please enjoy your catch first.”
Following her lead, the surrounding warriors all dropped to one knee in unison, their voices thundering:
“Thank you for the bounty, Lord Night!!”
Zane nodded in satisfaction and swallowed the piece of fish.
Mm, nice chewy texture — similar to bluefin tuna, just missing some soy sauce.
Hancock watched Zane being worshipped by everyone, a beautiful smile curving her lips.
She wasn’t jealous that her crew’s loyalty was shifting.
Instead, she felt unprecedented pride and sweetness.
“As expected of the man I chose…”
She covered her flushed cheeks, eyes misty as she watched him eat, already daydreaming about names for their future children.
“Since everyone is hungry,”
Hancock waved her sleeve grandly, in an excellent mood.
“Little ones!
Start the feast!
Bring out the best wine to celebrate the Vice Captain’s first hunt!”
“OH!!!”
Amidst the cheers, the Perfume Snake cut through the waves, sailing toward a wider and more dangerous sea.
Zane lay on the deck, gazing at the distant horizon.
His golden vertical pupils narrowed slightly.
[Ding!
Devoured high-grade sea beast flesh!] [Gained 50 Evolution Points!] [Detected increase in Host’s Prestige.
New System Module Unlocked: Faction Development!]
“Faction Development?” Zane sneered inwardly.
The system really knows what’s good.
But before that…
He turned toward the depths of the Calm Belt.
His sharp Thermal Energy Perception detected an extremely obscure yet terrifyingly massive heat signature.
It wasn’t a Sea King.
It was… the aura of a powerful human.
“Looks like this journey won’t be boring after all.”