The most courageous pirate hunter

"Seeing how sincere you are, I will give you a chance."

"One hundred billion Berries, ten Devil Fruits of any kind, become my maidservant for five years, and then I'll let you go!"

Hermes casually mentioned three conditions. As one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, 10 billion shouldn't be too much of a problem. After all, even Xiaoming could do it. Speaking of which, it's been a long time since I went to catch up with Xiaoming. I really miss him.

Ten random Devil Fruits shouldn't be too difficult.

Hermes thought the first two requirements were very simple, and that Doflamingo could have easily done them. Little did he know that not every Shichibukai was as rich as Doflamingo.

I'm not exaggerating.

Among all the Seven Warlords of the Sea, Doflamingo's wealth is definitely number one.

As for the third requirement, let's see if Hancock understands it.

After all, we're all adults here, so there's no need to spell things out.

"Cut~"

"Hahaha~"

As soon as Hermes finished speaking, Mansherry looked at him with disdain. What 10 billion Berries and 10 Devil Fruits? It's probably more like serving him for 5 years.

Ha! Men.

Bages and the others glanced at Hermes with flickering eyes. They never saw this side of Hermes before. He was known to be ruthless, killing anyone, man or woman, without a second thought.

It seems the world's number one beauty is truly something else.

Even the cold-blooded and ruthless boss was captured, so was his previous trouble-making really just a case of being rejected and getting angry?

Chapter 188 [The Second Phone Call (Blue +1 on the Island)]

Nine Snake Island.

The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

Hancock's already cool expression turned even colder, and her deep blue eyes were filled with rage.

A hundred billion, ten Devil Fruits, or five years as a maid—any one of these was an outrageous demand, and Hancock felt insulted.

Do you know what 10 billion means?

Despite being one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea and an empress, the Women's Kingdom was isolated from the world, and some essential supplies had to be exchanged for goods from outside, making the country not particularly wealthy.

Why would an empress go out and become a pirate to plunder?

It's precisely because the country is not wealthy and lacks many necessities that 10 billion would bankrupt the Kingdom of Women.

Let's look at ten more Devil Fruits.

That's a treasure from the ocean. People in remote areas don't even know what a Devil Fruit is. It costs at least 100 million on the market, and it's incredibly rare. Just getting one is considered a stroke of luck.

The most infuriating thing is the third request.

To be a maid? For five years? What's the difference between that and being a slave?

It was a complete exchange of freedom, body, and dignity, which crossed Hancock's bottom line. Those dark days were something she desperately wanted to forget.

But it's like a thorn in the flesh, firmly nailed to the soul.

Sometimes she would have nightmares and wake up in fright, but the Hunter King still wanted to enslave her. This was not just going too far, it was extremely going too far.

Sandasonia and Marigold were practically spitting fire in their eyes. The other party was simply reopening old wounds and even rubbing sulfuric acid into them—it was utterly despicable and shameless.

Rayleigh, Shoki, and Gloria, who knew about Hancock's past, also frowned. Any one of the three conditions was very difficult.

It seems the other party has absolutely no intention of easing the tension.

"I'm sorry, I can't do any of the above. Perhaps you should choose another one."

Hancock suppressed her anger, her eyes red as she stared intently at the Den Den Mushi, as if she could pierce through it and kill Hermes. Since eating the Devil Fruit, when had she ever been so submissive?

"Jie Jie Jie~"

"Is 10 billion a lot? Are ten Devil Fruits a lot? Is it difficult to be a maid for five years?"

On the Little Death.

Hermes wasn't just speaking to Hancock; he was also asking Burgess and others.

"Ten billion isn't much, we can earn that in just two or three business deals."

"Ten Devil Fruits are a bit difficult, but robbing or extorting the Navy and the Four Emperors shouldn't be a problem."

"As for serving as a maid for five years, that is rather shameful."

After a moment's thought, Burgess realized that the first two requirements were not a problem for Monarchy. Even Hermes felt that he was asking for too little, since he had Doflamingo as his benchmark.

However, the five-year term as a maid was a bit much for Mansherry. As a girl, she should be more sensitive in this regard.

"Did you hear that? A mere 10 billion and ten Devil Fruits? If it were your colleague Donquixote Doflamingo, he could easily produce those. As for the request to be a maid, don't say I'm being unreasonable. Reduce it by one year, and it will only take four years."

Hermes yawns.

Lazy and listless.

Little did they know that Rayleigh and the others on the other end of the phone were speechless.

Do these guys even know what prices are?

But on second thought, given the Monarchy's capabilities, getting 10 billion and 10 Devil Fruits wouldn't be difficult. Just like Burgess said, they could rob and extort some.

But Hancock is different. Her identity is destined to be bound by her, and she doesn't have the ability to be as crazy and arrogant as Hermes, extorting and robbing whenever she wants, especially targeting behemoths like the Navy and the Four Emperors.

"Even five billion Berries and five Devil Fruits would be difficult for me, and becoming a maid is impossible."

Hancock really did her best. If it were anyone else, she would have already put on an arrogant attitude and wouldn't even answer the phone. That's the difference in ability.

Extremely powerful strength can make all arrogance bow down.

"Jie Jie Jie~"

"So you're making fun of me? You don't have this or that, who gave you the courage?"

"You're wasting my time, you poor bastard!"

Hermes, too impatient to continue the conversation, hung up the phone.

Can you please figure out the location?

He didn't come to make peace, but it's being made to look like he's the one begging.

Made.

And he refused so confidently, saying it was impossible for him to become a maid. Anyone who didn't know better would think he was rushing to fawn over her, but he's not a simp.

This stupid woman is not only poor, but also an idiot.

Money is just a number to Hermes now. You know there's a lot of gold on the Sky Island, so is this condition really that difficult?

It's hilarious.

Beep!

The Den Den Mushi went dead for a moment, then abruptly stopped.

Hancock stared blankly at the Den Den Mushi in her hand, her hair falling down as her heart sank. Had the negotiations failed?

"Ugh...."

"It seems there's no other way for the time being!"

Gloria sighed; the demands made by the other party were far too high and difficult for them.

"Now we have no choice but to cooperate with the navy!"

Hancock suddenly raised her head, her eyes filled with murderous intent and determination. Since they could not reach a consensus, they could only become mortal enemies. The Hunter King's enemies were not just her.

The Hunter King has grudges against almost everyone, including the Four Emperors, the Navy, and the Seven Warlords of the Sea. With so many people offended, she might not even need to lift a finger; news of her being killed could spread any day now.

The Hunter King has become the target of a united attack, and his reign won't last long!

"I...I have money, 10 billion, no, 20 billion, as long as you let me go."

Just as Hermes was feeling down, a weak voice came from the side. It was none other than Inevit, who had become obedient after being slapped. Her once beautiful face had disappeared, leaving only a pig's head.

He looked pitiful, and even his speech was unclear.

She no longer refers to herself as "this Empress" or acts arrogantly.

"Are you showing off your wealth to me, Your Majesty?"

"No...no!"

Envyly's neck twitched; it was terrifying.

Why are these lower-class people so capricious, as if they'll devour me at any moment? The lower realm is too dangerous; I want to go back to Mary Geoise.

Bulu bulu.

Just then, the Den Den Mushi rang again, and Hermes thought it was Hancock.

But when the call connected, it was a dignified old man's voice that immediately conveyed a sense of authority and a strong sense of oppression.