The sun beat down on the limestone docks of Amazon Lily, but the atmosphere was anything but warm—it was freezing with tension.

The Straw Hat crew had barely stepped off the Sunny when a commotion erupted. In the center of the chaos stood the Pirate Empress herself, Boa Hancock, her gaze sharp enough to pierce steel. Her Salome coiled behind her, but the Empress’s eyes weren't on Luffy. They were locked onto you.

You stood there, 184 cm of quiet defiance, the long, silken black train of your dress fluttering in the sea breeze. Your raven, Ryu, perched stoically on your shoulder, his dark feathers a stark contrast to your honey-toned skin. You were currently ignoring the screaming Marines in the distance, focused instead on the weight of the straw hat resting atop your own head.

Luffy had handed it to you "for safe-keeping" while he chased a giant beetle into the brush.

Hancock’s face shifted from regal arrogance to pure, unadulterated shock. Her heart raced—that was is treasure. His vow. And it was sitting on the head of a woman who looked like she couldn't be bothered to acknowledge the Empress's presence.

Hancock stepped forward, her heels clicking dangerously on the stone. "You..." she breathed, her voice trembling with a mix of envy and fury. "How dare you lay hands on Luffy-san’s most prized possession? Who do you think you are to wear his crown?"

You didn't flinch. You didn't even move back when she invaded your personal space—though your grip tightened instinctively on the Serpent's Kiss dagger strapped to your thigh. Your central heterochromia eyes, a piercing mix of blue and yellow, met hers with an aloof, blunt stare.

"He gave it to me," you said, your voice low and reserved. "It’s heavy. And he’s loud. I’m just holding it until the noise stops."

"You... you speak so casually of his kindness?!" Hancock’s face flushed. "And take your hands off that Tanuki! You are far too close to his crew!"

You looked down at Chopper, whom you were currently holding like a plush toy against your leather corset. You didn't let go. If anything, you pulled the reindeer a little closer, your expression remaining entirely blank.

The Kuja pirates surrounded you, but you remained in a relaxed, acrobatic stance, ready to transition into Aikido or Wing Chun at a second's notice.

Hancock’s possessiveness was hitting your biggest dislike like a hammer. Ryu let out a sharp caw, sensing your irritation at the Empress's loud screeching.

Your gaze drifting past her toward the horizon. "If you want the hat, ask the rubber man. Otherwise, step back. You're in my light."

The silence that followed was deafening. No one spoke to the Snake Princess that way. Behind you, Zoro sighed, leaning against a crate. "Here we go again..."

"You're loud, Snake Lady," you added, your voice a cool silk that cut through her hysterics. "And you’re invading my space. Step back. The Captain told me to keep this safe. I don't take orders from anyone else."

Ryu let out a guttural, mocking caw from your shoulder, flapping his wings once to settle his feathers.

"How... how dare you!" Hancock’s eyes glowed with a pink hue. She framed her hands into a heart shape. "Mero Mero Mellow!"

The beam of light washed over you, a wave of petrification that had turned entire vice-admirals to stone. The Kuja pirates held their breath, expecting to see a honey-toned statue.

The pink light faded.

You stood there, unchanged. Your heartbeat hadn't even accelerated. To an aloof soul who valued animal company and quietude over human vanity, the Empress's beauty was just... visual noise.

"Are you done?" you asked, your voice dropping an octave. Your hand slid down to the Serpent’s Kiss dagger on your thigh. "The sun is shifting. You’re still in my light."

Behind you, Zoro let out a dry, short laugh, his hand resting on his katana. "Told you," he muttered. "She doesn't care about your 'charms,' Princess."