Chapter 16: Copy Copy Fruit

“I’m a little disappointed. I kind of wanted to see it just once.”

“But the youngest is right. That place is practically a furnace right now. If we’re not careful, it could blow up big time. It’s better to get out before that happens.”

Even as I nodded in agreement with what Eria and LeFe said, I closed my eyes and began examining the data stored inside me about the two of them.

Their abilities… were truly, absurdly, unbelievably monstrous.

Gol D. Roger had outstanding intuition and Conqueror’s Haki.

He was the very definition of a balanced type, someone whose overall abilities were well-rounded and honed to perfection.

Garp, on the other hand, was all about power. Overwhelming Armament Haki combined with overwhelming physical strength—that was his trademark.

But if I had to weigh them against each other… Roger’s data definitely held the edge over Garp’s.

The only reason they seemed evenly matched was because Roger’s illness had dragged him down.

‘…If I could just copy everything except the illness…’

With that thought, I began contemplating how best to train the Copy-Copy Fruit.

***

“Hmph! Have you completed your mission?”

“Thank you, Captain.”

“If it’s a request from a warrior who may become the next queen, then I’ll usually allow it. So feel free to speak up anytime.”

After returning, I reported back to Captain Belusa. She graciously allowed me to spend all my non-combat, non-meal, and non-sleep time training on the deck in a meditative pose.

The only way to shape the Copy-Copy Fruit into the form I wanted… was relentless, endless practice.

“Ugh…!”

Suddenly, with a burst of tension, my arm transformed into that of a muscular man. It was a grotesquely unbalanced sight.

Still, I’d already reached the point where I could partially copy someone’s appearance.

But replicating not just the outward form, but the actual ability—that was another story. To achieve that, I focused on absorbing every bit of information and training my cells to align with it.

It was similar to Life Return—an advanced form of Rokushiki.

Life Return: a secret technique that allows one to control their body at the cellular level. I had always planned to learn it someday, even though I didn’t know the methods or theory behind it.

And yet, unintentionally, I seemed to have grasped it—or something beyond it.

The changes triggered by the Copy-Copy Fruit weren’t just happening at the cellular level.

My body was undergoing molecular transformations. Even my DNA was being rewritten.

And if this power evolved further… I might even be able to manipulate the molecular structures of inanimate objects.

But that was for the future. For now, even just transforming into another human was enough of a headache.

Still, after about a week of effort…

…I was finally able to awaken some of that strength.

‘…This is…’

As I clenched my fist tightly, I could feel the overwhelming power radiating from it.

It was undeniably stronger than anything my original body was capable of.

It wasn’t much—just a sliver of Garp’s legendary strength—but still, it surpassed my normal capabilities.

That meant my copying ability was beginning to reach beyond the surface and into the substance of what I mimicked…!!!

“…Now, if I can just copy that without changing the outer appearance too…”

Muttering to myself, I continued to train with the Copy-Copy Fruit.

***

“Battle alert!!! Everyone, get ready!!!”

“Target: the pirate crew ahead!”

“Uwahahaha! This Lord Buran will take them all down!!!”

How long had I been training?

After a full week, the Kusa Pirates encountered a new group.

Hearing the calls to arms, I perked up and rushed outside. I wanted to test my latest breakthrough in real combat.

What I hadn’t expected was—

“Kyaaaaah!!!”

“Hancock! Our cute little baby!”

“Her arm!! What’s up with your arm?!”

“Guuurrrgle…”

Everyone practically fainted at the sight of me.

Because I had shown up with Garp’s arm—hulking, muscular, and unmistakably masculine—attached to my dainty frame.

A delicate young girl known for her devastating beauty… suddenly appearing with arms the size of her body.

Arms that were clearly not just large, but belonged to a completely different gender.

It was horrifying. Like something out of an alien horror movie.

“It’s just temporary. I’ll definitely get it back to normal once the ability stabilizes.”

“Cursed fruit! That’s seriously a cursed fruit!!”

“Captain! Captain! Caaaaptaaaain!!!”

“The next queen! Hancock!! Look at her aaaaaarms!!!”

No matter how I explained it, the situation didn’t calm down. People crowded around, more concerned about my arm than the actual upcoming battle.

Even Captain Bellusa eventually had to come to my quarters herself.

“What is all this commotion… I see.”

“Right?! Captain, please look at this!”

“This is serious! Our beloved baby’s image—ruined!”

Ignoring the panicked crew, Bellusa approached me, her expression grave. She gently touched the shoulder of the transformed arm—and instinctively flinched.

Though the appearance had caught all attention, the moment she touched it, she could feel it.

The storm of power swirling just beneath the skin.

That arm alone held power rivaling Bellusa’s own.

Realizing that, she immediately understood—this appearance wasn’t a fruit defect.

It was intentional.

I had chosen this form to chase strength.

‘Still… this is just too much.’

Even for a warrior, this look wasn’t just unattractive—it was borderline grotesque.

Bellusa, who rarely flinched at anything, could hardly bear to look at me.

My delicate, beautiful face and curvaceous young body… paired with massive, dark-skinned, manly arms so large they could lift my body off the ground. It was as if I had gorilla limbs.

Even with beauty, no one would accept that appearance.

And for the queen of Amazon Lily, image mattered just as much as strength.

A queen needed to be powerful and beautiful.

That was the unspoken dream of every warrior of Amazon Lily—and Bellusa’s dream, too.

Until now, Hancock had seemed like the perfect successor.

But this?

This… was not it.

With that thought, she spoke firmly.

“…Hancock.”

“Yes?”

“I understand what you’re trying to do by copying that arm. But I’m forbidding you from fighting in that form going forward.”

“Huh? Why?”

“Amazon Lily’s queen is not chosen by strength alone. Grace matters too. And this appearance of yours is… repulsive. Hideous, even. I will not allow you to face others in that form.”

“…Oh…”

I see…

I had thought that with more practice, I could maintain my appearance while still drawing out the power…

Though disappointed, I had no choice but to return my arm to normal.

I’d just have to find a way to replicate the strength without altering my looks, even during real combat.

Bellusa, satisfied with my compliance, turned her focus back to the delayed preparations and led the charge toward the enemy ships.

“Let’s go, Kusa Pirates!!! For everyone’s safety and the future ahead!!!”

“For peace on the island!”

“For the future of my child!!!”

Weapons drawn, the warrior women of the island charged across to the enemy ships.

And among them, Boa Hancock stepped forward for her first real battle after awakening the Copy-Copy Fruit.

Her second true battle.