Nagato in One Piece - Chapter 60
The day before the public execution of Portgas D. Ace, the second division commander of the Whitebeard Pirates.
Marineford, Marine Headquarters.
As soon as the news of Portgas D. Ace’s public execution was announced to the world, the families of the Marines on this island received evacuation warnings from the government and the Navy.
Three days ago, the evacuation of the Marine families was completed, and the Seven Warlords of the Sea were transferred from Mary Geoise, officially stationed at Marineford in preparation for the upcoming battle.
The Seven Warlords’ accommodations were located in a town within Marineford primarily inhabited by Marine families. Certain buildings in this area, owned by the Navy, were preemptively reserved and vacated.
Currently, Nagato is in one of these buildings, which is heavily guarded by Marines. Inside a room surrounded by barriers, he held a Den Den Mushi in his hand.
“Hanks,” Nagato said, “Have there been any movements from the Four Emperors?”
The Den Den Mushi responded, “Through Tokaku’s infiltration and intelligence, we have observed that all Whitebeard’s fleets have disappeared. The Beasts Pirates, upon learning of this, immediately dispatched troops to Whitebeard’s territory but were intercepted by another Emperor, Red-Haired Shanks. The Big Mom Pirates have shown no activity, seemingly having no intentions of causing trouble.”
These reports were expected, and Nagato didn’t ask further, instead focusing on their own preparations. “How are our preparations?”
Hanks replied from the other end of the Den Den Mushi, “Everything is proceeding as planned. Joe and Lucci have successfully subdued the Black Sword Grand Fleet, adding forty-nine ships and 5,300 combat personnel, currently on standby near the target sea area.”
“Our nine warships set sail yesterday, using coating to travel underwater to the target island’s base. However, manpower is slightly lacking. Even with the secret deployment of Dressrosa’s troops, we could only place 400 personnel on each warship, just half of the Navy’s standard.”
“In addition to Joe and Lucci commanding the Black Sword Grand Fleet, combat personnel like Cyrus, Clay, Anderson, Kaku, Jabra, Bluenote, Fukurou, and Kalifa are each stationed on a warship. Violet and Cyrus are on the lead warship, monitoring the surroundings.”
Hanks concluded, in a serious tone, “In other words, we’re just waiting for you to return and command the overall operation!”
Hearing the response, Nagato nodded, reminding Hanks, “Very good. You also need to ensure Dressrosa is prepared for post-operation management, handling new territories, personnel, and post-war arrangements promptly.”
The Den Den Mushi nodded in agreement. Nagato continued, “There’s still a day before the war. No rush, but I’ll return soon. Keep everyone on alert, ready to start the battle anytime.”
“Understood!” Hanks replied.
With everything explained, the Den Den Mushi call ended.
Just as Nagato closed his eyes to think and double-check the operation plans, a commotion was heard outside.
A captivating voice that could ensnare anyone’s mind questioned loudly, “Is this where Nagato of the Whirlpool is? Step aside! I demand to see him!”
The voice, although beautiful, was harsh. The Marines guarding the area blocked the way, advising, “Without an invitation and Nagato-sama’s permission, no one is allowed inside. Please don’t trouble us, Lady Hancock.”
Recognizing the title, the visitor was none other than Boa Hancock, the Empress of Amazon Lily and a fellow Warlord of the Sea.
“Don’t block my way!” With a swift kick, Hancock sent two Marines flying, blood spurting in the air.
She then stood before the door, leaning back in a peculiar posture, pointing ahead and shouting, “Nagato of the Whirlpool, come out and face your judgment!”
Before she could continue, Nagato had already come downstairs, opening the door to step out.
“Hancock,” Nagato greeted, noticing the injured soldiers on the ground. His tone grew slightly heavier as he asked, “What brings you here?”
“Violent man, how dare you be so insolent before me?” Hancock’s words were vague, but her anger was real. She formed a heart shape with her fingers, sending a beam of pink light towards Nagato, “Mero Mero Mellow!”
Hancock’s beauty was indeed mesmerizing, capable of enchanting even women and inanimate objects. Except for straightforward individuals like Luffy, no one could resist. Despite Hancock being slightly taller and clearly aiming to kill, Nagato’s usually composed mind felt a stir of unease.
Hancock’s beauty and her abilities were a perfect match, and the powers of the Mero Mero no Mi were not something mere self-control could resist.
Confident in his steadfast mind, Nagato could even resist the effects of Tsukuyomi, but Hancock’s power had a unique allure. Despite his iron will, his instincts couldn’t help but react.
Thus, even Nagato, who remained calm before Jack and Rayleigh, momentarily lost his composure. His mind tensed, and he used a Body Flicker Technique to move to Hancock’s side.
Nagato feared the Mero Mero no Mi’s power so much that he didn’t dare face it head-on, even with Susanoo’s absolute defense.
“Daring to reject me? You shall pay!” Hancock sensed Nagato’s movement and instantly kicked, “Perfume Femur!”
Boom!
This time, the four-armed Susanoo shielded Nagato, as the kick wasn’t the intangible Mero Mero Mellow.
Hancock’s kick stopped on Susanoo, her Haki countering its burning purple flames. She scolded, “How dare you use such an ugly technique against me!”
As Susanoo began to crumble under Hancock’s attack, Nagato observed, “Hancock, this isn’t a simple sparring match.”
“Of course, I intend to kill you. But no matter what I do, I’ll be forgiven. Because I am…” Suddenly, Hancock stepped back, appearing shy and weak, “too beautiful!”
Apart from the two guards protecting Nagato, there were many Marines around, and upon seeing this, they all swooned with heart-shaped eyes, shouting, “Empress-sama!”
Not only that, but the commotion also drew out the nearby Warlords. However, as the Seven Warlords had little camaraderie, they merely watched from the sidelines.
Kuma and Mihawk remained silent, and Moriah watched coldly—none of them interested in the events.
Blackbeard laughed heartily, “Zehahahaha! Such recklessness, but what a stunning beauty!”
Hancock’s fury was immediate, “Rude man!”
She unleashed several Mero Mero Mellow attacks towards Blackbeard, who was turned into stone while his crew dodged!
“The Warlord turned to stone!” The Marines shouted in shock.
However, Lafitte and the others merely shrugged, seemingly unsurprised by their captain’s antics.
Meanwhile, in the street, Nagato had enough of Hancock’s tantrum.
Nagato somewhat guessed the reason for Hancock’s hostility. Likely, similar to the original trajectory, Hancock had fallen for Luffy. As Nagato was reported in the news for severely injuring the Straw Hat crew at Sabaody Archipelago, it naturally provoked Hancock’s hatred.
But Nagato had no reason to endure Hancock’s outbursts. Her beauty and abilities might disrupt his thoughts, but they couldn’t sway his resolve or actions.
Instincts were deeply ingrained, and unchangeable, but some things surpassed instincts.
“Here to settle a score for someone, Hancock?” Purple flames rose around Nagato, and Susanoo’s four arms wielded long swords, pointing them at Hancock. “Attacking unrelated people, using lethal force—I’m not one to let that slide.”
Sensing Susanoo’s targeted attack, Hancock hesitated, puzzled as the blades missed her. The swords were embedded in the ground, forming a cage around her.
This didn’t trap Hancock, who remained unfazed, even belittling Nagato. However, Nagato’s intent was merely to restrict her temporarily.
“Perhaps you don’t know why I disciplined him,” Nagato extended his right hand, eyes calm as he looked at Hancock. “He disappointed me, but you are even more so. You should understand the world’s pain better than anyone, yet after climbing out, you forgot everything, becoming an abuser yourself.”
Hancock trembled, losing the strength to escape the simple cage. Her gaze filled with fear, and she worried that Nagato knew her greatest secret.
Nagato did know.
But he didn’t intend to reveal it, just as he hadn’t mentioned Luffy’s name, keeping these matters hidden for Hancock.
Hurting someone to wake them was one thing, but revealing a slave’s scars out of spite and anger made one no different from the darkness and pain makers in this world.
However, Nagato’s actions were not merely to awaken Hancock but to settle the day’s personal grievance.
“Shinra Tensei!”
In an instant, a colossal repulsive force surged towards Hancock.
Burgess swiftly moved Blackbeard’s statue aside, and the Marines fled in panic…
The long street of the town was shattered, the invisible shockwave reaching the distant sea, carving a trench!
At the center of the impact, Hancock, hit by an enormous force, fell to the ground, covered in blood.
“Hehehe… such a ruthless man,” Moriah cackled from afar.
Mihawk gave Nagato a deep look.
Kuma turned and left, Lafitte and others carried Blackbeard’s statue away, shrugging. The Marines stood in stunned silence.
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