One Piece - Heaven Defying Comprehension!

Rayleigh looked into Nami's cunning yet adorable eyes and listened to her carefully chosen words. The corners of his mouth twitched involuntarily.

He knew just how sharp Nami was.

Her intelligence alone was enough to make even a seasoned veteran like him, who had weathered countless storms feel a little unsteady. And now, with her Observation Haki enhanced by the awakening of the Thunder Fruit, it was all too easy for her to perceive Hancock's emotional turmoil during the battlefield conflict. Coupled with what he had just said, it was clear to Rayleigh that Nami, with her brilliant mind, had already pieced together the truth.

But as he glanced at Nami and then at Shakky, they both shared a look of relief.

Ace was undoubtedly the heart and soul of the Entei Pirates, their unquestioned leader. And under Ace, Nami was not only the strongest crew member but also his first. Over the past few days, Rayleigh and Shakky had come to realize just how special Nami was to Ace.

During the Flame Emperor Incident, when Ace was engaged in battle with the World Government's elite forces, Nami had been the one to command the Entei Pirates.

She was, without a doubt, the second-in-command of the Entei Pirates.

Even Nico Robin, the level-headed and intelligent "Devil's Child," followed Nami's orders without question. It was clear that Nami held significant authority within the crew. If Nami had detected Hancock's feelings and declared that she would accept the Pirate Empress, it meant that the other women of the Entei Pirates wouldn't reject her.

This realization brought a great sense of relief to Rayleigh and Shakky, who had long viewed Hancock as a daughter and had been concerned about her unrequited love for Ace.

They exchanged a silent look, both feeling a surge of emotion.

Should they say, 'as expected of Ace woman'? Now she stood as the second-in-command of the world's most powerful pirate crew, alongside the strongest pirate in the world.

Rayleigh and Shakky, having spent decades navigating the treacherous seas, understood Nami's thoughts well.

As the Pirate Empress, Hancock's strength was unquestionable, and Amazon Lily was one of the few nations in the world where all adult warriors could use Haki. If Hancock were to join Ace's crew, even the powerful World Government wouldn't dare to attack Amazon Lily, as long as it had the protection of the Entei Pirates.

And for the Entei Pirates, having Hancock and the might of Amazon Lily would only enhance their strength and influence, even with Ace already commanding the strongest pirate crew in the world.

Despite this knowledge, Nami was still young—just shy of seventeen. This was an age when emotions like love and possessiveness were at their peak, a fact Shakky knew all too well, having experienced the pangs of love herself.

This made it even more impressive how thoughtful and sharp Nami was at such a young age. No wonder Ace treasured her so deeply and had gone out of his way to give her the Thunder Fruit, one of the most formidable Logia abilities—one perfectly suited to her.

It was no surprise that Nami had risen to the rank of second-in-command within the Entei Pirates.

As for Hancock—and even the entire Amazon Lily—Rayleigh and Shakky welcomed their joining the Entei Pirates without hesitation. Shakky had not explicitly declared her allegiance, but her presence aboard the Zero Squadron ship was a clear indication of where she stood.

Both Rayleigh and Shakky had decided to follow Ace to witness the new era he spoke of. Yet, the balance of power in the sea had already been completely disrupted by Ace's rise.

The sea was in turmoil. And there were only two possible outcomes: either the World Government would be completely overthrown, ushering in a true new era, or the old order would remain, and the men of the sea would fail.

In this era of chaos, no place on the sea was truly safe.

The World Government, Naval Headquarters, the Four Emperors, and the Entei Pirates—these were now the dominant forces on the sea. In this volatile time, anyone who didn't want to be consumed by the waves of this new era would have to place their bets on one of these great powers.

Only under the protection of these major forces could one hope to survive and participate in the final clash of this era.

Rayleigh and Shakky had placed their bet on the Entei Pirates, joining Ace's Zero Squadron under his command.

Rayleigh trusted his judgment and believed in Ace's vision.

Thus, it made perfect sense for Hancock to leave the Shichibukai and the World Government's side to join the Entei Pirates.

With Ace, the strongest man in the world, leading the most powerful pirate crew, the privileges granted to the Shichibukai—like the right to plunder legally and immunity from Marine hunts—were meaningless.

The Marines no longer dared to pursue the Entei Pirates.

Under Ace's command, the Entei Pirates had become the dominant force on the seas, surpassing even the Four Emperors. Ace was the undisputed overlord of the seas.

To provoke the Entei Pirates meant to challenge the very emperor of the sea—Ace, the Flame Emperor. And such a challenge would inevitably lead to war.

The Marines had no authority to start such a conflict on their own. Any war against Ace and his pirate fleet would require direct approval from the Five Elders, the highest authority in the World Government.

The Five Elders, however, were hesitant to provoke Ace or initiate a war with him, especially before finding a way to counter the abilities of his Door Fruit. As it stood, the forces under the protection of the Entei Pirate Fleet naturally enjoyed the privilege of not being pursued by the Marines.

Amazon Lily's greatest concern had thus been resolved.

Rayleigh and Shakky had come to Amazon Lily with the intention of encouraging its ruler to align with the Entei Pirates. Now, it seemed that the path ahead had been largely cleared of obstacles.

As for Ace…

Rayleigh and Shakky exchanged knowing glances, both letting small smiles tug at the corners of their mouths.

There was no doubt in their minds—Ace would definitely like Hancock.

"Rayleigh! Why do I have to call you Uncle Rayleigh?!" Perona suddenly shouted, her face turning red as she realized the implications.

After the Flame Emperor incident, Perona had already understood the deep connection between Ace and Rayleigh. Nami and the others called Rayleigh "Uncle" due to their relationship with Ace. Now, by including her in that dynamic, Rayleigh had implied something else entirely…

"Well, it's only a matter of time," Rayleigh chuckled, eyeing the doll-like girl with amusement.

"What?! What do you mean?!" Perona's cheeks flushed even more as she stammered, preparing to protest, when suddenly a sound from behind caught her attention.

"!!!"

She froze, turning her head slowly, only to see a pair of hands coming toward her.

"Ughhhhhh!"

Tears welled up in Perona's eyes as her doll-like face was squeezed and kneaded by Ace.

"Ah, that feels better," Ace said with satisfaction, releasing Perona's cheeks after thoroughly squishing them.

"Be respectful to your elders, understand?" Ace said, his tone playful but instructive.

"H-Hai… Uncle Rayleigh," Perona mumbled, holding her cheeks in embarrassment.

"Good girl," Ace said, this time gently stroking her face.

"Hehe," Perona giggled, closing her eyes and enjoying the affectionate touch, rubbing her face against Ace's palm.

Rayleigh and Shakky shared another look, a mix of amusement and admiration.

Ace certainly had a way with women.

Suddenly, a voice rang out from the shores: "The Entei is here! The Kuja Pirates are honored!"

Gloriosa, who had been watching the Going Merry draw closer, straightened up, her eyes wide with excitement.

"Hey, old granny! Long time no see. You're still as tough as ever," Shakky called out, stepping to the front of the deck with a hearty laugh.

"Shakky… Is that you? And—Rayleigh?!" Gloriosa exclaimed, her eyes nearly popping out of her head at the sight of the two familiar faces.

"Ah, yes, I'm now the Captain of the Entei Pirates' Grand Fleet, commanding Zero Squadron," Rayleigh replied with a grin.

"Rayleigh… even you've joined the Entei Pirates?" Gloriosa muttered in shock.

Rayleigh, a man who had been to the Final Island and had waited so long for something significant, now stood under Ace's command. But she didn't believe it was simply because of Ace's bloodline.

Could it be that Ace was the person Rayleigh had been waiting for all these years?

Swallowing her surprise, Gloriosa and the members of the Kuja Pirates turned their attention to the figure standing at the bow of the Going Merry, the flagship of the Entei Pirates.

There he was: Ace, with his black hair blowing in the wind, a handsome face softened by a gentle smile, yet radiating an aura of unfathomable power.

His eyes, though kind, held a fearsome presence—a Haki so intense that few dared to meet his gaze.

This was the Entei, Portgas D. Ace—currently the strongest man in the world!

Gloriosa, along with the Kuja Pirates, could only stare in awe at the man who now stood at the very pinnacle of the sea.

Just then, Gloriosa coughed and stepped forward, remembering her purpose. "Ahem… Entei, let me introduce you to the captain of the Kuja Pirates, Boa Hancock—"

Before Gloriosa could finish, Hancock lifted her flawless face, a radiant smile adorning her lips as she gazed at Ace with pure adoration.

"Please call me Hancock," she interrupted, her voice filled with infatuation.

"W-What?!" Gloriosa, Sandersonia, Marigold, and several members of the Kuja Pirates collapsed in shock.

None of them had ever seen Hancock act like this before!

Gloriosa, in particular, was practically pulling her hair out in frustration. As the Empress of Amazon Lily, how could Hancock be so shameless?!

But Ace, seeing Hancock's reaction and recalling Rayleigh's earlier words, instantly understood. Hancock was suffering from lovesickness—for him.

Though he wasn't entirely sure why Hancock had fallen so deeply in love, especially since they had never met in person before, Ace wasn't too concerned. He knew he would have plenty of time to figure it out.

Looking at Hancock, Ace chuckled softly. "Hancock, I have a favor to ask of you."

"I accept!" Hancock exclaimed immediately, cupping her face in her hands with a dreamy smile.

Whatever Ace asked of her, she would do it—no questions asked.

"Why?!" Gloriosa and her sisters cried out in exasperation.