The massive “Perfume Snake” slowly approached the shore, its shadow completely engulfing Zane.
On the deck, dozens of Kuja tribe female warriors leaned over the railing, curiously staring at the black-and-gold python on the beach.
“Is that the snake Lady Snake Princess has taken a liking to?”
“It looks so fierce.
Those scales are like they’re made of metal.”
“Of course!
Even Lord Salome felt fear toward it.
It’s definitely no ordinary creature!”
Zane stopped eating and raised his triangular snake head.
His golden vertical pupils warily watched the gangway being lowered from the ship.
He had decided to hug this powerful thigh, but as a man who would one day become the “Snake Emperor,” he couldn’t act too submissive.
He needed some style and dignity.
“I’ll go catch it for Big Sister!”
A charming shout rang out.
Boa Sandersonia (the green-haired second sister) leaped from the ship and landed on the beach.
As a user of the Snake-Snake Fruit – Python Form, she had a natural affinity for snakes, but she also wanted to test the strength of this wild serpent.
“Hiss—!”
Sandersonia didn’t use her full power.
She simply reached out with a large hand coated in Armament Haki, aiming to grab Zane right behind the head.
“Armament Haki?”
Zane’s eyes narrowed.
Right now, taking Haki head-on was still too much for him.
But he had the combat instincts granted by the system and the speed boost from his Gale Wolf talent!
Whoosh!
Just as the large hand was about to touch him, Zane’s body twisted at an extremely bizarre angle.
Like a black lightning bolt, he slid along the ground and instantly circled behind Sandersonia.
Instead of fleeing, he began climbing up her leg while baring his venomous fangs — a clear show of intimidation!
“So fast!” Sandersonia exclaimed in shock.
Ordinary wild beasts could never dodge her capture.
This snake not only evaded her but even dared to counterattack?
“Enough, Sandersonia.”
A cold, majestic voice rang out.
Boa Hancock had somehow already appeared on the beach.
She didn’t make any particular movements, yet her innate royal aura made the surrounding air feel as if it had frozen.
Sandersonia immediately stepped back.
“Yes, Sister.”
Hancock walked forward with her long, beautiful legs until she stood directly in front of Zane.
She looked down at him from above, her deep blue eyes containing both scrutiny and a hint of appreciation that only the strong show toward other strong beings.
“Not only is it beautiful on the outside, it also possesses wisdom and speed far beyond ordinary sea beasts.”
Hancock slowly extended her snow-white, jade-like arm, palm facing upward, and offered it to Zane.
“Will you continue living on this deserted island as a lowly creature that could be eaten at any moment, or will you become my strength?”
This wasn’t a question.
It was a queen bestowing grace.
Zane stared at the completely unguarded hand in front of him.
He knew very well that if he dared to bite now, this woman would instantly cover herself in Armament Haki and crush him into paste.
But if he acted like a submissive lapdog, she would look down on him.
So, Zane retracted his fangs.
His body slithered forward and slowly coiled up her arm.
The cold snake scales rubbed against Hancock’s delicate, warm skin.
The sensation made Zane’s eyes narrow in pleasure.
He didn’t stop at her wrist.
He continued upward, coiling past her fragrant shoulder, and finally rested his head gently on her other shoulder.
Like a living black-and-gold shawl — both domineering and intimate.
He even deliberately rubbed his head against Hancock’s waterfall-like black hair.
“Hm?”
Hancock’s body stiffened slightly.
She hadn’t expected this wild snake to be so… bold?
If it had been a man, she would have petrified him ten thousand times already.
Yet this cool touch didn’t disgust her.
Instead, it felt strangely fitting.
“Fufufufu…”
Hancock suddenly let out a string of bell-like laughter and struck her signature pose, tilting her head back and pointing at the sky.
“Excellent!
You have good taste!
After all, I am simply too beautiful — even snakes fall for me!”
The surrounding Kuja warriors instantly had hearts in their eyes.
“Lady Snake Princess is too beautiful!”
Zane rolled his eyes internally: This narcissist is beyond saving.
But the system notification made him overjoyed:
[Ding!
Contacted Child of Destiny/Key Figure: Boa Hancock!] [Achievement Unlocked: The Empress’s Accessory] [Reward: Haki Cultivation Aptitude (Beginner) + 100 Evolution Points!] [Triggered Long-term Mission: Protect the Empress.
Mission Description: Act as the guardian deity of the Kuja and help Hancock resolve future crises.]
“Haki Cultivation Aptitude?
Now this is a real treasure!” Zane thought excitedly.
In the One Piece world, without Haki you were nothing.
With this, he could train Armament and Observation Haki on his own!
Hancock turned and headed back to the ship with Zane.
As soon as they stepped onto the deck, Salome (the original skull-patterned snake), who had been hiding in the corner, cautiously slithered over, seemingly wanting to please its master.
“Hiss!”
Zane suddenly poked his head out from Hancock’s shoulder.
A flash of tyrannical killing intent appeared in his golden pupils as he let out a low, menacing roar at Salome.
It was the pressure of a superior predator!
[Talent Skill: Basic Intimidation Activated!]
Even though he was only one-tenth Salome’s size, the soul-deep fear made Salome shudder violently.
The massive snake immediately flattened itself on the deck, burying its head inside its coils and trembling.
“This…”
The surrounding warriors were stunned.
Hancock, however, looked even more pleased.
She reached out and gently stroked Zane’s cool head.
“Don’t bully Salome.
Even though it’s not as strong as you.”
Her words sounded like scolding, but her tone was full of doting affection.
“From today onward, you shall be called ‘Night’,” Hancock casually gave him a name.
Without waiting for Zane’s opinion, she carried him toward the depths of the ship’s cabin.
“Come with me.
I need to bathe and change.”
“???”
Zane froze for a second, then his tail flicked excitedly.
Bathe?
Was this the kind of free VIP content a snake like him was allowed to see?
Wait — I’m a proper snake.
I’m mainly going in to absorb the… water vapor essence in the bathroom!
…
The Perfume Snake slowly sailed away from the Calm Belt.
Inside the luxurious bathroom, steam filled the air.
Hancock shed her qipao, her perfect back faintly visible through the mist.
She showed no intention of avoiding Zane at all.
In her eyes, he was simply an intelligent snake.
But when she turned around, revealing the “Hoof of the Celestial Dragon” brand mark hidden under her hair on her back, her eyes dimmed slightly.
That was the shame and secret of her entire life.
No one knew except her two sisters.
However, she didn’t notice that Zane, coiled on the rack beside the bath, was staring intently at that mark.
Zane didn’t ignore it like an ordinary beast, nor did he drool like a pervert.
He silently slid into the water and swam behind Hancock.
Then, using his broad body, he gently covered the brand mark, as if using himself to shield her from that scar.
Hancock whipped her head around, a flash of killing intent in her eyes.
“What are you looking at?”
But when she saw Zane’s clear and resolute golden vertical pupils, along with his protective posture, the killing intent vanished instantly.
“You… are you protecting me?”
Hancock murmured.
The frost in her eyes seemed to melt a little.
Zane flicked his tongue and thought to himself:
“Don’t worry.
Since I’m eating your soft rice, anyone who dares to bring up this mark in the future — I’ll swallow them whole.”
“Even Celestial Dragons.”
[Ding!
Detected Host’s strong will.
Hidden Evolution Path triggered: God-Slaying Serpent (Additional damage bonus against Celestial Dragons / Divine Race)!]