Chapter Ten: The Empress Boa Hancock

Advancing outside the city.

A warship slowly sailed in, and soon moored at the port. Gazing at the colossal fortress that loomed like a monstrous sea creature, the Empress furrowed her delicate brows; the oppressive atmosphere unsettled her deeply.

She addressed Luffy, who was perched on the window, her tone playful. "Luffy, we've arrived at Impel Down."

"Princess Hancock, we've arrived. Please disembark," called a Navy officer from outside.

The Empress replied coldly, "I’ll be there shortly."

"Luffy, hide under my cloak," she said, concern etched upon her face and in the gentle persuasion of her voice. "Once inside Impel Down, there may be a full-body inspection. You must consider this carefully—once you enter, you may never leave again."

Luffy’s expression was resolute. "I must rescue Ace. Just get me inside, Hancock. Thank you."

Hancock could only acquiesce, lifting her cloak to let Luffy slip beneath. "Very well, come under my cape."

"Come in, Luffy."

Luffy’s arm stretched, wrapping around Hancock’s waist before he shot across, clinging tightly to her back. When the cloak fell, it was impossible to tell a person was hidden beneath.

"Mmm..."

With Luffy pressed so close, Hancock flushed, her body warming.

She gently pushed open the door.

Immediately, she was greeted by a chorus of Navy praises. Officers who usually bore themselves with pride and justice now seemed to be thinking with the lower half of their bodies, their eyes glued to Hancock, unwilling to look away for even a moment.

"Look, look at her—"

"She’s the Empress Boa Hancock, the most beautiful woman in the world!"

"She’s truly stunning! Unmatched beauty!"

"Is her charm thousands or millions of volts?"

Their adoration formed pink hearts that floated in the air.

Hancock’s brows knitted as she glanced sidelong at a whistling officer, her face full of disdain.

"What is this? Such a noisy bunch—are they all just rowdy fools? Can I turn them all to stone?"

Vice Admiral Mole, walking ahead, paused with embarrassment, closing his eyes as he spoke. "Spare me, please. I don’t want the Navy’s reputation ruined."

Luffy whispered, "Are we inside yet?"

Hancock replied, "Not yet. Be patient, Luffy."

"Your request is to meet with the key figure in this incident, Portgas D. Ace," Vice Admiral Mole announced loudly from the front. His voice was steady and powerful, resonant as a bell, crisp and clear. "According to regulations, all outsiders, including the Warlords, are forbidden from entering Impel Down."

"Even if you are allowed in today, you must submit to a thorough search and wear sea-prism stone handcuffs to suppress Devil Fruit abilities!"

"It’s best not to entertain any thoughts of taking prisoners away, or things will become complicated."

Hancock replied nonchalantly, "That’s fine with me."

As they reached the prison gates, the wardens greeted her with eyes full of hearts. "Welcome, Your Highness!"

"No, open the gates!"

"All services at your disposal!"

The Empress glanced at them with contempt. "What a swarm of annoying flies..."

Within the prison, a tall beauty with golden hair and blue eyes, dressed in a naval officer’s uniform, wearing a beret and orange-tinted glasses, was calling with a den den mushi.

"Where has the Deputy Director gone? I can’t reach him, nor the Director..."

"Never mind, I’ll welcome them myself."

She opened the gate with a smile and an apologetic air. "Thank you for waiting. I am Deputy Warden Domino. The Deputy Director may have been called away suddenly and cannot greet you, so I hope you won’t mind."

Vice Admiral Mole replied, "No problem."

Domino stepped aside, smiling. "Please, come in."

"This is Boa Hancock of the Seven Warlords, correct? I need to conduct a full-body inspection and place sea-prism stone handcuffs on you."

Despite her deep dislike of men, Hancock was gentler toward women. "Very well."

They were about to enter the room for inspection when the den den mushi on the wall issued a warning.

"Warning! Warning! The Deputy Director is in danger in the freezing hell—requesting support, requesting support!"

"Warning! Warning! Second-level prisoners have been released by a mysterious individual! Please proceed to apprehend!"

"Warning! Warning! Third-level prisoners have been released! Please proceed to apprehend!"

Vice Admiral Mole stared at the den den mushi. "What’s happening? The prisoners have escaped? The Deputy Director needs help?"

Domino adjusted her glasses, her expression grave. "I’m not sure of the specifics."

She instructed a nearby warden, "Move the warship away, keep a safe distance from the prison."

After glancing at Boa Hancock, she produced the sea-prism stone handcuffs. "The situation is urgent. Please cooperate and come inside."

The Navy never fully trusted the Warlords—the Empress was a risk, and Domino would not let slip a danger she could resolve in under a minute.

Inside the room, Domino urged, "Please remove your cloak; it's the easiest place to hide items."

Hancock replied coyly, "You need to check here too? How embarrassing."

Domino and the den den mushi’s eyes instantly turned to hearts. Hancock formed a heart with her hands, and both Domino and the den den mushi petrified into stone.

Hancock whispered, "Luffy, you can come out now."

"Arigato, I finally made it in," Luffy said, jumping from Hancock’s back and stretching with a grin.

Hancock said, "It seems there’s trouble here, chaos everywhere. It’s the perfect opportunity for you to slip in. I’m sorry, but I can only bring you this far."

Luffy smiled brightly. "It’s alright, Hancock. I’m grateful you brought me in."

"You just called me Hancock! Ah..."

Hancock’s face flushed scarlet.

Luffy patted her head. "What’s wrong? Are you feverish?"

Hancock replied, "I’m fine, Luffy."

Luffy leaped onto the beams.

Hancock used her Devil Fruit powers again to restore Domino.

Domino paused for a moment, but said nothing more. She cuffed Hancock with the sea-prism stone handcuffs and left the room.

She told Vice Admiral Mole, "I’m sorry, it seems there’s an incident inside Impel Down. Please forgive the inconvenience. Wait here for a moment, I’ll return shortly."

With that, she took several officers and headed down via the elevator.

With Vice Admiral Mole present, Hancock, now powerless, posed no threat and could guard the prison gates.

But none of them noticed Luffy, overhead, holding Ace’s battered life card as he searched for Ace’s location.