One Piece: The Strongest Female Pirate Crews

"She's strong."

Hancock bit down, clenching her jaw.

She knew she wasn't a match.

At only sixteen, she was still far from her peak, while Gion, also known as "Momousagi," was already twenty-eight and in her prime.

Momousagi glanced at Kuke, her expression unreadable.

Then, she turned her gaze to the Boa sisters.

Hancock lifted her chin high, refusing to back down.

"You're not the main culprits here. You're victims. Leave now, and I'll pretend I didn't see you."

The Boa sisters' eyes flickered with surprise.

They looked at Momousagi in disbelief.

She's letting us go?

Escaped slaves were considered a disgrace to the Celestial Dragons, and the World Nobles had issued strict orders: all runaway slaves were to be hunted down and executed.

"Not all marines are just pawns," Hancock's hostility toward the Marines faded slightly.

"Leave now, or I'll be forced to take you back. It's my duty." Momousagi gave her final warning.

Hancock, standing firm against Momousagi's overwhelming presence, took a step forward. "I…"

Before she could finish...

A sharp blade sliced past her.

A pink flying slash cut through the night, splitting the sea. The water parted, disappearing into the unseen depths of the horizon.

"If you don't leave now, you won't get another chance."

Momousagi's cold gaze rested on them.

"Hmph. Why should I listen to you?" Hancock snapped. "Unless you let Kuke go as well, I won't leave."

Leave?

Fine.

But we leave together.

"That's impossible. He's the main culprit. The World Government will stop at nothing to hunt him down. If I don't bring him in, I'll be held accountable." Momousagi shook her head, her sharp sword pointing directly at Kuke.

"He's not a criminal; he's our savior."

"Exactly."

"Don't the Marines claim to uphold justice? Why are you after Kuke?"

The Boa sisters all stepped forward.

Even though they were overwhelmed by the suffocating pressure, with death looming over them, the two younger sisters stood beside Kuke, unafraid.

"Are you sure about this?" Momousagi's eyes narrowed. "Even if I let you go today, the Marines will come after you. If you stay with him, you'll eventually be captured and executed. You're not afraid?"

"We're not afraid."

"Death isn't as terrifying as the nightmare we've already survived."

Hancock's voice was resolute as she stood with her sisters.

"Alright. Since you've made your choice."

Momousagi slowly closed her eyes.

Hancock clenched her fists, and her two younger sisters transformed into their massive snake forms—an anaconda and a cobra.

They were prepared to fight to the death.

"Alright, Gion, stop scaring them." Kuke gently pushed aside Momousagi's sword and stepped forward, playfully flicking her forehead.

"I was just worried about you," she replied.

When she opened her eyes again...

The fierce aura and cold look in Momousagi's eyes had vanished.

She now gazed at Kuke with affection.

Unable to help herself, she hugged him. "Kuke, don't do anything this reckless again. You scared me half to death."

"Huh?"

The Boa sisters...

Their mouths slowly fell open.

They stared in shock, completely dumbfounded by the scene in front of them.

Their wide eyes were filled with disbelief.

"Is this... an affair?" Hancock muttered, biting her finger.

"Gion, are you sure?" Kuke asked, concerned. He didn't want to pressure the woman who had looked after him since childhood. "Do you really want to leave the Marines?"

Momousagi stretched, her graceful figure accentuated as she relaxed.

"Kuke, you followed me into the Marines even though it wasn't what you wanted. It's time I repay the favor. I can't continue serving the World Nobles like a dog. That's not the justice I believe in."

"Captain, I'll be counting on you from now on." Gion smiled at Kuke. "So, what's the next move, Captain? My rank might buy us some time, but it won't last long."

"That just makes it more exciting."

Momousagi stared at Kuke, admiring the confident look on his face.

"He's really grown up," she murmured with a soft smile. "So bold and brave."

Then, turning towards the ship's cabin, she added, "I need a bath. Being in the Holy Land was exhausting. Kuke... care to join me?"

Kuke: ".....?"

"Oh, are you embarrassed? You didn't used to be when you were little…"

"Don't bring that up!" Kuke's face darkened in embarrassment.