One Piece: King of the World-Chapter 330: Hancock – No One Is More Beautiful Than this Empress

The Seven Warlords of the Sea meeting didn't last long.

After all, the Marines couldn't reveal their entire battle strategy, especially not to a group of pirates who were, at best, temporary allies.

So, once Tsuru confirmed that no one had any objections, she gave a few closing remarks.

"We've prepared accommodations for all of you," she said, her voice calm and professional.

"Please, rest and adjust to your new surroundings until the war begins."

With that, she gave a polite nod to the group and exited the room.

Doflamingo stood up immediately.

He didn't bother hiding the wide grin on his face as he casually followed Tsuru out the door.

Crocodile and Enel exchanged glances and got up as well.

Hancock followed without hesitation.

Mihawk remained seated for a few moments longer, his arms crossed.

This chapter is updat𝙚d by freeweɓnovel.cøm.

From the corner of his eye, he observed Teach.

The man was visibly tense, flipping through the meeting documents yet again as though the words might change if he stared hard enough.

Mihawk smirked.

"He's finally figured it out."

Teach is the odd one out.

Doflamingo, Crocodile, Hancock, and Enel were all part of Claudius's network.

Even Mihawk himself, though he kept his distance from politics, had some old ties to the group.

Teach was the only outsider.

The realization was clearly eating him alive.

Mihawk rose from his seat and gave Teach a passing glance.

"Good luck."

With that, he left.

The only person who remained was Bartholomew Kuma.

The large, imposing man sat perfectly still, engrossed in the worn Bible resting on his lap.

Teach shifted uncomfortably in his chair.

He cleared his throat and forced out a laugh.

"Ze hahahaha! Well, well, Kuma—it's just the two of us left."

Kuma didn't even look up.

He simply gave a faint nod and turned a page.

Teach's grin wavered.

"Alright… tough crowd."

But Teach was nothing if not persistent.

He leaned forward and tried again.

"Y'know, Kuma… you're a veteran of this Warlord stuff. Me? I'm just a rookie, still figuring it all out."

Kuma didn't respond.

Teach gritted his teeth and pressed on.

"So tell me… are they all Claudius's people?"

This time, Kuma paused.

He closed the Bible, stood up, and walked toward the door.

As he passed Teach, he spoke without turning his head.

"The Seven Warlords of the Sea… is a group founded by CP-X. By definition… we all belong to Saint Claudius."

Teach froze.

"Wait—what?!"

By the time the words left his mouth, Kuma was already gone.

The silence of the now-empty conference room seemed to close in around Teach.

He ran a hand through his hair, his mind racing.

"What the hell did I get myself into?"

---

Meanwhile…

Across the base, Claudius and Sengoku were finishing their discussion.

Their strategy meeting had dragged on for hours but now, the real work was done.

Claudius leaned back in his chair with a satisfied sigh.

"Well, Sengoku, I think we've got ourselves a pretty solid plan."

Sengoku rubbed his temples.

"We'll see."

Just then, the door opened, and Tsuru entered.

She greeted Claudius with a warm smile.

"Your Highness, the Seven Warlords have finished their meeting. Doflamingo and the others are waiting for you."

Claudius smacked his forehead.

"Ah, right! I completely forgot about that."

He shot Tsuru an apologetic look.

"So? How'd it go? Did Teach cause a scene?"

Tsuru chuckled softly.

"He looked... uncomfortable. But he didn't object."

Sengoku's eyes narrowed.

"That kind of restraint isn't normal. Either he's planning something… or he's loyal to you."

Claudius laughed.

"Teach? Loyal? Come on, Sengoku. Newgate trusted him for thirty years and still got stabbed in the back."

Sengoku nodded grimly.

"We'll keep an eye on him."

Claudius stood and stretched.

"Good. Well, I'm off. Time to check in with my subordinates."

He winked at Sengoku as he said it.

The Fleet Admiral's face turned pink.

"Really? You're gonna tease me about that?"

Claudius grinned.

"What can I say, Sengoku? You and Tsuru make such a cute couple."

Tsuru coughed into her fist, fighting a blush of her own.

Sengoku groaned.

"Sometimes I think I backed the wrong guy."

Claudius clapped him on the shoulder.

"Too late for regrets, old man!"

---

At Claudius's Residence…

Doflamingo, Crocodile, Enel, Mihawk, and Hancock had gathered in the courtyard of Claudius's temporary residence.

The building was spacious—Marine Headquarters had given him Admiral-level accommodations during his stay.

The group lounged around on comfortable chairs while servants brought them tea and snacks.

Doflamingo, naturally, couldn't resist stirring the pot.

"So, Enel, how does it feel to go from God… to government dog?"

Enel scowled.

"Shut up, flamingo."

Crocodile laughed.

Hancock, however, barely heard them.

She stood near the gate, fidgeting slightly.

Her eyes scanned the street beyond the courtyard, waiting.

Suddenly, she froze.

Across the way, a familiar figure was striding toward the gate.

Her heart skipped a beat.

"There he is."

Her stern expression melted into a smile.

She raised a hand and waved excitedly.

"Claudius~!"

Claudius spotted her immediately.

The sight of Hancock, her hair cascading down her back, her eyes sparkling with delight made him chuckle.

"Still as gorgeous as ever."

He gave her a playful wave as he approached.

"Yo, Hancock! It's been a while. You're looking stunning as always."

Her smile turned smug.

"Hmph. Of course. No one is more beautiful than this Empress."

Claudius laughed.

"Absolutely. I wouldn't dare argue."

Hancock practically beamed.

She latched onto his arm as he passed through the gate.

"Are you... confessing your feelings?" she asked, eyes wide with exaggerated innocence.

Claudius reached over and tapped her nose.

"You're getting way too cocky."

She pouted, but didn't let go of his arm.

As they entered the courtyard, Doflamingo greeted them with mock bitterness.

"Tch. Seeing the world's most beautiful woman clinging to you makes me sick, cousin."

Claudius grinned.

"What can I say? Talent runs in the family."

Doflamingo snorted.

The group settled in for a long evening of conversation and laughter.

---

The next few days passed in relative peace.

The Seven Warlords of the Sea with the exception of Teach remained close to Claudius, discussing old stories and future plans.

But all of them knew the real battle was drawing near.

Then, one week later, it happened.

Scouts reported that the Whitebeard Pirates' massive fleet had finally mobilized.

The world held its breath.

The execution of Thatch and Weevil was imminent.

And the war that would shake the world to its core…

Had begun.