Chapter 217

Ace suddenly felt a pang of longing for the execution platform in Marineford—wouldn't it have been better if he'd just died there right then?

"Guraguragura—Ace, welcome home!" Whitebeard threw back his head and laughed loudly.

How refreshing!

"Hahahaha—welcome home!" Marco grinned triumphantly.

All that whispering in Ace's ear was worth it!

Laughter and cheers filled the scene; someone brought up the "poisonous scheme" again.

Sima Di glanced toward the direction of the Death Vortex.

At this moment, the entire Death Vortex was frozen; countless marines climbed onto the ice surface, while non-ability users below the water rescued ability users.

Everyone's already in chaos—why add to it?

Isn't that a bit too enthusiastic?

Sima Di raised his hand and struck the lingering dark clouds overhead; holy light transformed them into pure white, a dazzling radiance like divine light, pouring down as a rain of light onto the marines on the ice.

The confused marines stared blankly at the sky, captivated by this strange spectacle.

Yet the marines who had used Observation Haki and witnessed Ace's public humiliation—along with Sengoku, the Admirals, and other Devil Fruit users—leapt without hesitation into the sea!

At their level of power,

the sea only weakened them—it couldn't paralyze their movement.

But staying on the ice? That would be true public humiliation!

The rain of light merged into each marine's body, instantly conjuring a "massive male erotic illustration."

"Ah~"

"Mm~"

"Ha~"

"So good~"

Sengoku and the others who had narrowly escaped, stared in horror at Sima Di aboard the Golden Merry.

Thank goodness the livestream had already been cut.

If he'd done this right at the start of the War of the Summit...

It was unthinkable!!!

On the Golden Merry,

the three pirate crews had been chuckling at Ace, but when they saw the "massive male erotic illustration," they fell silent.

They looked at Sima Di with hidden fear!

Who could have imagined,

that this handsome, powerful young man possessed such "malicious" healing abilities?

If he ever turned his attention to you, life would be worse than death!

Sensing the strange stares of the crowd, Sima Di raised an eyebrow.

"What? Do you want me to help treat you too?"

Holy light flared—and everyone stepped back in unison!

"No no!"

"Just a cut—I'll stitch it up myself!"

"Lost an arm? Big deal."

Injury is minor—public humiliation is catastrophic!

Out here in the world,

who doesn't care about their dignity?

Vivi tried to follow, but Robin held her back.

No wonder mature women are the best!

Someone who understands your heart—and your clothes—who wouldn't love that?

In the bedroom,

Sima Di stood before the bathtub, watching Hancock cling to him like an octopus, his head throbbing.

"Hey, could you please get off?"

"As your majesty commands~"

Though reluctant, Hancock obediently slid off Sima Di's chest, her eyes fixed intently on him.

"Tell me—we've never met before today. What were you thinking, pulling this stunt?" Sima Di asked.

He already guessed the reason—but protocol must be followed, right?

Hearing Sima Di's question,

Hancock's fangirl expression hardened, then softened again into tender affection as she gazed at him.

"Your Majesty, look."

She shed her soaked coat and long dress, turning to reveal the scar of the "Heavenly Dragon Kick."

"I was once a slave to the Celestial Dragons..."

Hancock recounted her tragic past in detail, but Sima Di wasn't listening.

Because Hancock was...

True! Air! On! Display!

Ssshh—

Though not quite as refined as Robin's, the Empress's aura had gained tremendous added appeal.

Who wouldn't love this?

"... So when I heard Your Majesty had killed a hundred Celestials, I knew—I would marry no one but Your Majesty for the rest of my life!"

Saying this,

Hancuk collapsed into Ma Di's arms and kissed him deeply.

It left Ma Di stunned for several seconds.

Did I just get pushed?

No way!

I've got to reclaim the initiative!

"Ah—Your Majesty—"

"Don't—"

"Don't stop..."

After their union,

Hancuk, as one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, indeed had an astonishing physique.

Only now,

did Ma Di voice his question—

"The Celestials were killed by Sanji and the others—I didn't even lift a finger. How did you decide it was me?"

He was sneaky.

He waited until he'd already eaten his fill to ask these questions.

"You don't know the Straw Hat Pirates have a strategist who directs all their actions?" Hancuk said softly. "Killing Celestials, then not fleeing but waiting right there—combined with the events at Marineford—this clearly aims to draw out Marine Admirals to test your strength."

"Such a bold plan—could it possibly have come from your clueless captain, if not from Your Majesty, the Straw Hats' strongest fighter?"

Hmm...

Is Luffy's clueless reputation really that well known?

He didn't ask Hancuk where she got her intelligence—after all, she was a sovereign, with her own intelligence network.

"What are your plans next?" Ma Di asked.

Hearing this, Hancuk sat up, utterly unconcerned as the sheet slipped away, revealing her bare flesh.