Starting from One Piece with the Rinnegan

Kaito looked at Jinbei's deeply grateful expression and couldn't help but sigh in his heart.

So this is what power and status feel like. A person with a high enough position can change someone's entire life with just a few words.

He would definitely go to visit Fishman Island himself—but probably not until after he became an Admiral. The ancient weapon so highly praised in One Piece was still worth checking out.

If that visit to Fishman Island left a good impression on him, he wouldn't mind doing them a favor. Letting Fishmen and merfolk live on land? That's no big deal.

No need to drag some giant Sea King to pull the island up. Kaito alone could handle it.

With his current eye power, it wouldn't just be possible to float Fishman Island to the surface—he could even link it directly to the mainland, and it wouldn't be hard for him at all.

By then, the only issue left to resolve would be the animosity between the residents of Fishman Island and the humans. As for slave trading… once he took out Mary Geoise, that kind of grudge could be wiped clean with just a few strict laws.

He waved his hand, signaling that Jinbei didn't need to keep standing there. The big blue guy was honest and decent—otherwise, he wouldn't have earned the title of "Knight of the Sea." No need to make things awkward for him.

Jinbei once again expressed his gratitude, then returned to his seat, watching Kaito with a serious expression—like a student attentively listening in class.

Seeing this, Doflamingo and the others, who had been about to leave, plopped right back into their seats.

So this Shikiryū isn't completely cold-hearted after all? Might as well sit for a while longer—maybe they could still patch things up with him. If so, their monthly quotas might even drop a little.

Kuma didn't have as many thoughts. As a high-ranking officer of the Revolutionary Army, he simply wanted to observe more of this young Marine officer. Kaito's other side intrigued him.

Of course, the rest were probably overthinking things. What just happened was purely because Kaito thought Jinbei was a bit… adorable.

...

Hancock, on the other hand, was slightly moved. This Shikiryū always gave her the impression of being a cold-faced guy, and yet, he had taken the initiative to care about the residents of Fishman Island.

She utterly despised the slave trading that went on there.

There were undoubtedly Celestial Dragons involved—after all, where there's demand, there's a market. Exotic mermaids and fishmen must be right up their alley when picking slaves.

She knew better than anyone how difficult it was to intervene in that kind of trade with the Celestial Dragons involved.

But this man had openly said such things in front of so many people. It seemed he truly had no regard for the Celestial Dragons—what he'd said to her earlier must've been genuine.

With that thought, Kaito's image in Hancock's mind began to shift. He seemed to radiate light like a miniature sun.

Her gaze toward him lost some of its guardedness, replaced with admiration… and something else. A blush even appeared on her cheeks.

Kaito had no idea Hancock was currently on a one-woman romantic conquest. Noticing her change in demeanor, he couldn't help but ask,

"Hancock, what's wrong with you?"

The moment he asked, Hancock's face flushed even redder. She stammered, and it was impossible to tell what she was trying to say.

In truth, she was saying:

"Hancock!? He used my name… and his tone was so gentle!"

Well, Hancock's self-imposed romance route was basically complete at this point.

In the world of One Piece, Hancock was arguably both the easiest and hardest heroine to "conquer."

Defying the Celestial Dragons might sound simple, but to the people of this world? Other than someone like Luffy with his single-track mind, or a select few others, how many truly dared to act on it?

Those who did either were way too old, completely uninterested in women, or just not visually appealing enough to fit the part.

As the saying goes: "If someone good-looking saves you, it's a romantic gesture. If someone ugly does it, you'll vow to repay them in the next life."

Kaito's romance progress was leagues ahead of where Luffy was in the original series. After all, he conquered Hancock with strength first, then showed his disdain for the Celestial Dragons.

In most cases, convincing an enemy starts with beating them. Without strength, you don't even get the chance to speak—how would you persuade anyone?

Getting no response from Hancock, Kaito didn't press the issue. He simply stood up, motioning for Kalifa and Ain to follow him as he prepared to leave.

But someone clearly didn't want Kaito to just walk away.

After Jinbei finished speaking, Mihawk waited a moment, made sure no one else had anything to say, and then spoke up.

"Vice Admiral Shikiryū, I've heard you used swordsmanship to defeat the Golden Lion. May I witness your swordsmanship for myself?"

The gathered Shichibukai were all stunned. Mihawk—the man hailed as the world's greatest swordsman—was actually making a move? And he was challenging this monster-like Shikiryū?

This was going to be a show.

Kalifa remained composed but turned her head slightly to glance at Kaito. As she suspected—Mihawk really did want to challenge the boss.

Kaito, meanwhile, felt more exasperated than anything else. What was going on? Were these people not afraid of him? Could this meeting just end already?

Honestly, Kaito really didn't want to fight Mihawk today. It was clear that Mihawk saw him as another great swordsman and wanted a duel on those terms.

But Kaito knew himself—he knew some sword techniques, sure, but he was far from the level of a true swordmaster.

Was he really supposed to activate Susanoo and pull out a giant hundred-meter blade to duel Mihawk in some kind of "swordsmanship" showdown?

Before Kaito could even respond, Hancock suddenly scolded loudly,

"Mihawk, you're being incredibly rude!"

Her sharp rebuke stunned everyone present. What was going on? Was the Pirate Empress siding with the Marines?

Even Kaito gave her a curious look. He knew Hancock had a soft spot for those who opposed the Celestial Dragons…

But he didn't think she'd fall for him just for that. He wasn't Luffy—he didn't have a protagonist's halo.

Meeting his gaze, Hancock shyly turned away.

From her perspective, Kaito had already gone through the trouble of "receiving" them—he must be exhausted. She wanted to spend a bit more time with him but hadn't dared to ask.

And now Mihawk had the nerve to ask him for a fight? Did the guy not know how to read the room!?

Mihawk completely ignored Hancock's outburst. Right now, his target was Kaito—no one else mattered.

Seeing that he still wouldn't look away from Kaito, Hancock grew even angrier. Her body lifted into the air as she kicked toward Mihawk.

Mihawk frowned and reached back, his hand closing over the hilt of the black blade Yoru, about to draw it when—

Snap!

Hancock's ankle was suddenly caught midair—by Kaito.

This time, he gently pulled her down and, without much effort, scooped her into a princess carry.

Floating back to the ground using his ability, Kaito looked helplessly at the woman in his arms.

"He's here for me. Why are you getting so worked up?"

Hancock stared blankly at Kaito's face from his arms. Her voice trembled as she spoke:

"Shi—"

She only got out a syllable before her entire face turned bright red. Her head tilted to the side as she fainted on the spot.

Kaito blinked, completely caught off guard. Coming back to his senses, he shook the woman in his arms and shouted,

"Hey!? Hancock! What's wrong!?"

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Pls Drop some Power Stones

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