Hancock felt like she was trapped in a horrible nightmare.
The cold and handsome Wilhelm had suddenly turned into a cruel demon.
He didn't just beat her mercilessly and humiliate her—
He even threw Sandersonia and Marigold from the sky into the sea.
"Ah, no...!"
Hancock shot up from bed, drenched in cold sweat.
Tears streamed down her face, soaking the corners of her eyes without her even realizing it.
She looked around in shock.
It was her room.
Not thinking about anything else, she jumped out of bed in a panic, ready to run outside.
"Marigold! Sandersonia!"
"Big sister..."
Just then, the door opened.
Sandersonia and Marigold stood there.
Seeing Hancock awake, their faces lit up with relief.
"Big sister, you're awake! That's great!"
"Marigold... Sandersonia..."
Hancock froze for a moment before coming to her senses.
She rushed forward, wrapping her arms around her sisters.
Tears kept falling as she sobbed with joy.
"You're okay! It was just a dream!"
"Big sister, don't be scared..."
Sandersonia and Marigold looked at each other, a bit lost.
After all, they had been knocked out by Wilhelm's Conqueror's Haki and had no idea what had happened.
"No... That wasn't a dream."
A calm voice spoke up.
Hancock turned sharply.
Wilhelm sat on the sofa, his silver-white figure looking as composed as ever.
His legs were crossed as he gazed at them indifferently.
"Although I was trying to awaken the hidden power inside you," he said casually, "I really did almost throw them off the ark."
"What?!"
"Master Wilhelm..."
The three sisters froze, their eyes wide with shock.
Hancock stared at him, disbelief written all over her face.
"So it was real? That wasn't just a nightmare?"
Wilhelm nodded. "It was real."
"You...!"
Hancock's emotions exploded.
"What do you think we are?! Your playthings?!"
Blinded by anger, she charged at him.
Her fists swung fiercely at Wilhelm.
"Big sister, wait—!"
Marigold and Sandersonia gasped, but it was too late to stop her.
Boom!
Wilhelm effortlessly caught Hancock's fist.
The moment she tried to knee him, he easily blocked it.
Without hesitation, he threw her onto the bed.
"Your instincts aren't bad," he remarked, watching her struggle. "As expected from the Kuja tribe."
"But if you think you can defeat me now—"
His eyes darkened slightly.
"You're still way too weak."
"You bastard!"
"Big sister, stop—!"
Hancock screamed in rage, trying to rush at him again.
But this time, Sandersonia and Marigold snapped out of their daze and quickly grabbed her, holding her back.
They were terrified she would push Wilhelm too far.
Even though he was young, his strength was beyond reason.
Wilhelm watched them calmly.
"It seems you've truly experienced the feeling of despair," he said.
"Remember this moment.
Remember how weak and powerless you were back then."
Wilhelm sat on the sofa, fingers interlocked, looking down at Hancock with an indifferent gaze.
His voice was calm but merciless.
"You're weak. You can't protect anything."
"Without strength, in the face of true power, you're no better than an ant on the side of the road."
Hancock's eyes widened.
She was still furious, but gradually, she began to calm down.
She glared at Wilhelm fiercely. "You bastard… just wait! One day, I'll—"
"Whoosh!"
Suddenly, a shadow flickered in front of her.
Out of nowhere, something dropped from the air.
Thud.
Without thinking, Hancock reached out and caught it.
She and her sisters froze.
Their eyes widened in shock.
It was a fruit—covered in strange patterns.
"A… Devil Fruit?"
They stared at it, momentarily dazed.
Wilhelm's voice broke the silence.
"This is the Paramecia-type Devil Fruit."**
"Anyone who eats it will gain an unparalleled charm. No man or woman will be able to resist you."
A large hand suddenly rested on Hancock's head.
Her body stiffened.
She looked up—
Wilhelm's sharp, deep eyes locked onto hers.
A strange sensation spread through her.
Her breath hitched.
For some reason, she felt frozen in place.
A slight smile tugged at Wilhelm's lips, making her heart skip a beat.
"Even an ordinary girl like you..."
"Will become the most beautiful woman in the world in the eyes of others."
His tone was casual.
But his words sent Hancock's heart racing.
She stared at him, completely caught off guard.
Her face turned red.
Her heart pounded uncontrollably.
Wilhelm smirked slightly. "Consider it my compensation, little girl."
"Master Wilhelm..."
All of Hancock's anger, resentment, and frustration—
Melted away.
She could only stare at him, flustered and speechless.
"But remember the helplessness you felt before." Wilhelm continued. "If you allow yourself to stay weak… next time, that nightmare will become real."
He ruffled Hancock's soft black hair without hesitation.
Then, without another word, he turned and walked away.
The three sisters watched him leave, their emotions a whirlwind of confusion.
But just before Wilhelm stepped through the door, he paused.
He glanced back at Hancock, who was still frozen in place, lost in thought.
With a smirk, he said lightly—
"Oh, and congratulations, Hancock."
"You've awakened Conqueror's Haki—the power that only one in a million can obtain."
Then, without another glance, the tall, handsome figure disappeared from the room.
"Conqueror's Haki…?"
"Big sister… has that kind of power?"
Sandersonia and Marigold looked at each other, shocked.
Growing up in Amazon Lily, they had always known about Haki—
But Conqueror's Haki was different.
Only the truly exceptional—those destined to be kings—could wield it.
It was an ability as rare as it was terrifying.
"Master Wilhelm... No!"
Hancock barely heard them.
She was still staring at the door where Wilhelm had left.
Her emotions were in complete chaos.
She hadn't even processed the fact that she now had Conqueror's Haki.
Instead, her thoughts were consumed by one thing—
Wilhelm's words.
Her cheeks flushed.
Her jaw clenched.
Her entire life, she had run wild in Amazon Lily, carefree and untamed.
Her skin, tanned by the sun, was proof of that.
She had never cared about beauty or appearances before.
Yet now—
"An ordinary girl…?"
Her eyelid twitched.
A vein popped on her forehead.
"That bastard!!!"
Hancock raised the Devil Fruit in her hand, about to throw it in anger—
But at the last second, she hesitated.
She bit her lip.
She couldn't bring herself to toss it.
Frustrated, she grabbed a pillow instead and hurled it toward the door with all her might.
"BASTARD!!! WHO ARE YOU CALLING ORDINARY?!"
The pillow hit the wall with a thump.
Her face was still bright red.
Her heart still pounded wildly.
Damn it!
She had been completely played!
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