NOVEL WEB Chapter 67: CH 67
Three Days Later
The girls continued their hard training. Meanwhile, the CP0 and the Marines were still searching for Bai Yu everywhere, yet they found no clues. It was impossible to uncover any information about Bai Yu's past, as he had sent all the relatives and friends of his crew to Sky Island for their safety.
Beast Island Near Amazon Lily
Bai Yu sat cross-legged, his eyes closed.
"System, lottery."
Ding! Boa Hancock has been detected as a crew member/subordinate. The World Lottery begins…
Ding! Congratulations! You have obtained an item:
"Demon God Manifestation – Essence of Demons!"
What?
At first, Bai Yu didn't react, but upon inspecting the item, memories flooded his mind.
Esdeath.
The Ice King.
The youngest and strongest female general in the history of the empire.
Her most powerful ability: Mokobatmo!
A formidable ice power capable of freezing space and time itself.
And unlike the Ice-Ice Fruit, this power allowed for more fluid and adaptable manipulation of ice.
Ding! Optimization mechanism triggered. Would you like to optimize the item?
"Optimize."
Ding! Optimization complete!
The Demon God Manifestation – Essence of Demons was optimized into:
"Heart of Ice."
Bai Yu clicked on the information to check:
• Heart of Ice I: Enhances the attributes of super-dangerous beast species without any side effects.
• Heart of Ice II: Significantly increases physical and mental abilities, up to five-star potential.
• Heart of Ice III: Grants full control over ice, with further development enabling the freezing of time and space.
"Good."
Bai Yu nodded in satisfaction.
The ability to drastically enhance one's physique and freeze time and space? This was an absolute treasure!
Why extremely valuable?
Because the optimized Heart of Ice could elevate someone's power by multiple levels.
But who should receive it?
Bai Yu himself did not need it. Instead, he wanted to bestow it upon someone to strengthen their combat capabilities. He needed to choose carefully.
Meanwhile…
Boa Hancock was training the girls while studying the advanced principles of Haki.
In just a few days, the progress had been astounding.
Amazon Lily was indeed exceptional at cultivating female warriors, and Hancock was the best among them. Even though she had never formally taught others before, she handled it effortlessly thanks to her vast experience.
Among the strong women Bai Yu knew who were capable of teaching others, Hancock came to mind first, followed closely by Momousagi.
With Kaya's healing abilities, the girls were physically rejuvenated, though some, like Perona, remained timid—especially around Hancock.
After their recovery, Hancock sent them to train against beasts.
When she returned to Bai Yu's side, her eyes lit up.
"It's so beautiful."
"Yeah, it really is."
Bai Yu held the Heart of Ice in his hand.
It resembled a blue gemstone, adorned with snowflake patterns, shaped like a heart, and only about the size of a fingernail.
Yet, the chilling aura it exuded was restrained.
Bai Yu scanned the girls one by one.
Makino.
Nojiko.
Tashigi.
Vivi…
None seemed suitable.
His gaze finally settled on Hancock, who was curiously staring at the Heart of Ice.
Bai Yu immediately understood.
If given to the other girls, it would grant some additional self-protection, but the effect would be limited.
But for Hancock?
It would instantly elevate her to the top tier!
A loyal and exceptionally powerful subordinate was crucial for Bai Yu at this stage.
Physical enhancement. Mental enhancement. Ice control. Freezing time and space. Enhanced Perfume Femur…
Thinking about the overwhelming power she would gain, Bai Yu finally made his decision.
Hancock was the perfect choice.
Left or right, it was just an item. He could always acquire more in the future, and there would be plenty of opportunities for the other girls.
"Hancock…"
Hearing Bai Yu call her name, Hancock suddenly felt nervous, though she didn't understand why.
"I'm giving this to you."
Bai Yu placed the Heart of Ice in Hancock's hands.
She froze.
Her heart raced.
Without giving her time to overthink, Bai Yu explained:
"You can think of it as a special Zoan-type fruit. It enhances your body, strengthens your mind, and grants you the ability to control ice."
"But it won't conflict with Devil Fruits—it's completely safe."
Bai Yu gently stroked Hancock's cheek and whispered:
"Hancock, I need your strength."
"Eat it."
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Hancock's heartbeat pounded violently.
Flustered, she lowered her head, her face flushed, her hands trembling.
"Y-Yes… my concubine will eat it."
In her emotional turmoil, she didn't hesitate. She consumed the Heart of Ice, which melted instantly in her mouth.
Before she could even register its taste, a surge of boundless energy erupted within her.
Boom! Boom!
Her heartbeat roared like an imperial engine.
"So hot…"
"No… it's so cold!"
Hancock murmured, overwhelmed.
Though the energy was safe, its sheer power was intoxicating. Every cell in her body desperately absorbed it, strengthening at an insane rate.
A Rapid Evolution
Bai Yu observed as Hancock's aura swelled, like a volcano erupting.
Her body's life force surged to terrifying levels.
Just like Kaido—her presence now felt as immovable as a mountain.
BOOM!
An advanced burst of Conqueror's Haki exploded from Hancock, making Bai Yu grin.
"She's… breaking through?"
He realized it instantly.
The optimized Heart of Ice strengthened her instincts, willpower, body, and spirit all at once.
A chain reaction ensued—an all-around evolution:
• Conqueror's Haki – Upgraded.
• Armament Haki – Upgraded.
• Observation Haki – Upgraded.
CRACK!
Cold air erupted from Hancock, turning everything around her into an ice-covered wasteland.
Within seconds, an entire hundred-meter radius had become a frozen world.
If Hancock started killing people with ice, Kuzan (Aokiji) himself wouldn't know how to explain it!
Half an Hour Later
Hancock slowly opened her eyes, staring at her hands, then at the frozen landscape.
It felt surreal.
Bai Yu approached.
"How do you feel? Any discomfort?"
"My concubine feels… amazing."
Hancock's deep blue eyes sparkled in awe.
"My body is so much stronger than before… and my Conqueror's Haki has evolved."
"I… I am no longer weaker than an Admiral, am I?"
She gazed at Bai Yu, her eyes full of emotion.
Did he give her this power… because he was asking for marriage?
For a moment, Hancock felt overwhelmed with nervous excitement.
Bai Yu, oblivious to her thoughts, cautioned:
"Don't underestimate the Admirals. They are the World Government's highest fighting force."
"But you… you now have all the foundations of a top-tier warrior. The only thing missing is time."
Indeed, given a year of effort, Hancock would easily reach the Yonko-level.
And if she developed time-freezing abilities…
Even the strongest in the world wouldn't be her match.
Bai Yu had officially created a monster.
And she was utterly devoted to him.
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