This seems tense, I know we're meeting a pirate empress who is going to be mad at us for journeying onto her island without permission, but still this seems a bit too tense. I mean the worse thing that happens is that we all get turned to stone and we never see the light of day again. That doesn't sound that good, but I have dealt with a lot worse, so a pirate empress with narcissism isn't going to do much.
I thought of two ways I can do this in the time it has taken us to reach the inside of this palace; the sure-kill method and the not-so-sure kill method. Those aren't ways of describing the plan's probability of success but instead their probability of failure.
The sure-kill method is simply to be overbearing, I have to be a strong presence and simply overshadow Hancock and threaten her. In other words I have to threaten to release the fact she's a slave for her to agree with the negotiation. She already hates the marines and I'm pretty sure I'm not going to make any difference in that matter; aside from making it worse. This is a method of failure because I'm only ten-percent sure that it will work. If you're wondering why it's because of Valdis and Babylon. Aokiji would be fine if I did such a thing, although he wouldn't commend me for doing it he wouldn't complain either. Valdis' father was a world noble who killed her mother and she got the blame for it, I don't think she'd really let me threaten former slaves like herself. Babylon doesn't really seem keen on betraying Hancock either and I could use someone like her on my crew.
The not-so-sure method and the more merciful one at that is to... be nice. She will be an asshole, she will be arrogant and she will demand things, but I can't cave into how annoying I am going to find her. I've dealt with a lot of patients who have annoyed me in more ways, so I'm sure this won't be much. Instead of threatening her with slavery I will use it as a reason she should agree with me by stating my goal to reform the world government. This may not work as well in terms of convincing her but it does somewhat get me a better chance of trying to get Babylon in my crew.
"Sister, we have brought them!" Marigold called out, we had just entered the throne room and right at the end was Hancock, sitting down and facing us and standing in front of her was Aokiji who I'm rather surprised is standing up at all. The room was empty and the walk down to where she was felt like walking in an empty church. When we did finish our walking it was just me, Aokiji, Babylon and Valdis facing the three sisters.
"My, my... you've made another friend." Hasn't changed at all, I wouldn't expect anything less. Although for what I'm about to do I'm going to need this to continue being a room where only women step foot in.
"Aokiji, come back in 10 minutes." his curiosity was aroused and he looked down at me, I only kept my gaze on Hancock to try and figure out what method I would take.
"Don't take too long. I'll be just outside." Well, I think he has gotten a hint at what I'm about to do, and I suppose now is the time to do it since he's gone.
There was a tense silence after he left, for about a minute me and Hancock stared each other down, her looks were even more clearer in person and I still stand by my saying that she is in fact very normal looking. I'm kind of bitter about it, but that's not important.
"Why are two children in the marines?" She broke the silence, her expression practically screamed passive-aggression. Since this is a negotiation I should take the control of the conversation into my hand, shouldn't I?
"Boa Hancock, one of the seven royal Shichibukai and empress of the island Amazon Lily and the people of Kuja, this is a negotiation on whether or not your alliance with the World Government and the Marines should be terminated and in turn you shall be reinstated as an outlaw." I copied her, I'm not going to lie. In times like these I can't show weakness and who better to learn from than the legendary pirate empress herself? Her expression, tone and even her body language I copied to try and gain control.
"Oh, and what is a child who isn't worthy of licking my boots going to do?" Hancock had a cocky smirk which I admit is pissing me off. Sure-kill is somewhat tempting now.
"So, is that you wishing to terminate it?" I remained calm, it was just her being a bit of a bitch, nothing I can't handle. "I'm sure you understand the ramifications that come with just being a pirate again."
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She also seemed to get frustrated, I suppose it's because I'm not catering to her every whim like everyone else. I'm trying my best to be friendly; if I can get her on my side then I've got the empress of the Kuja with an unparalleled beauty and a devil fruit which works in turn with that. It's having a friend in a high place. I suppose I've evened out the leverage and may have even gained the upper-hand; us breaking the treaty is worth overlooking in the case that she gets to keep her position. She is aware that her looks aren't affecting me and acting out of order won't save her.
"I'm sure that won't happen since the children who came along just suddenly turned to stone." I was expecting this to happen! It just really seemed like her character.
"What about the admiral who is going to come back to find the children turned to stone or missing or even dead? He already thinks badly of the Shichibukai and such a sight might encourage him to make a Buster Call." Well, Aokiji; I'm going to have to antagonize you for the sake of the negotiation. Besides she's going to hate you in the future for stabbing Luffy.
"There's no way someone would do such an unreasonable thing!" Hancock was losing her edge, which is a good sign. Now to try and seem like a good person!
"It's hard to believe, I know. Every admiral believes that the Shichibukai are pirates and that pirates will never change. It is all the more reason for him to do it." Now I'll try to finish it off! "I don't think it's right, which is why I told Aokiji to take this mission next!"
In reality that is just an excuse to try and win her over., but I wouldn't tell her that she'd continue to hate me. There was however both a curious and infuriated glance I received from Hancock.
"What was your goal in coming here to negotiate?" Well that went a lot smoother than I had anticipated; I guess the tension caused me to over-exaggerate. This part seems rather simple now.
"My goal... is to gain you as an ally." Hancock was confused by my response, I would be too if I was in her shoes. "My main goal is to reform the world government and marines, I wish to expel all the corruption and evil which lies within them both. The world government continues to allow its nobles to enslave people and break countless laws just because they have the status which holds power. I want to change all of that and I'm aware that as of now I can't do anything. You are the empress of the Kuja, of Amazon Lily and a Shichibukai, you have a remote location which is unreachable by normal means and you're near the important marine locations. It has no worth now, but I'm sure it will entail something in the future."
It's risky saying all that, it's a what if combined with her needing to trust me. She had a rough past which caused her to trust only her sisters which doesn't prove to benefit me in any way.
"My charms do not affect you, you're a child who refuses to bow down, everything you have said is nothing more than just a childish ideal that will never succeed. All of which is exactly like Babylon" Hancock rubbed her eyes, staring down at me. "Talking to you is different from Babylon, it's not talking to someone of ingenuity but instead experience. An easy answer would be you're a genius like her, but it feels like I'm talking to a woman instead of a girl."
Did she just technically figure out I'm a reincarnation? I give her less credit than she deserves, even if she didn't get the point she basically figured it out.
"Where do we stand on the negotiation?" This is the part out of my control, she needs to decide for herself.
"What will become of my position and what do you have that's more tangible to convince me to ally myself with you?" Oh thank God, she's convinced but just needs a bargain.
"I will ensure that your position remains as it is with no consequences,if you have any complications then you can give me a call on my Den Den Mushi, I will convince Sengoku and Gramps to organize some trade with the Amazon Lily." I guess I have to coerce someone again, this job is just filled with talking.
"If that is the case then it is settled." With that the negotiation was over and I technically did succeed the mission, we proceeded to exchange contact information via Den Den Mushi. Now I have to explain to Aokiji that I made her hate him to win the negotiation.
"Hebihime, there's one thing I'd like to say." Babylon openly spoke, now that I think about it Babylon does appear to know Hancock and apparently she's not affected by her looks as well. "I am going to join Maris' crew."
...Did that really just happen? I was definitely interested in getting her in my crew but I never suspected that she'd openly want to join. What seemed appealing? We seem like total idiots from what she's seen.
Hancock was silent, she shifted her gaze between me and Babylon, after a minute had passed she finally decided to speak.
"Seeing as how determined you are for this alliance and all you are willing to contribute to make sure it succeeds; there is no issue with Babylon joining you." It was that easy... if you consider coercing Sengoku to agree with trade with the Kuja easy.
"Alright! This is going to be great!" Babylon was excited by it, I have no idea what went through her head to make her want to join the crew. Why am I complaining? I've just gotten a genius to join my crew!
Now... I suppose we head to the next mission, right? The one with the revolutionary army?
That sounds like it will be fun.