Li Xing had been staying on Nine Snake Island for almost a month. Not much had happened during this time, except that Hancock would often talk with Li Xing.
Bored, Li Xing would also go to the Calm Belt to fight sea kings, with nothing particularly important to do.
One day, Li Xing was holding a concert in the Amazon Lily Kingdom. Of course, it wasn't in drag; it was his proper male voice.
Luffy was sent by Bartholomew Kuma from the Sabaody Archipelago to a forest on Nine Snake Island. Li Xing sensed it immediately. After the concert, Li Xing flew towards Luffy's landing spot.
Upon arrival, Luffy had already eaten poisonous mushrooms and fainted. Li Xing sighed and then carried Luffy back.
"Li Xing, who is this person? Why did you bring a man here?" Hancock asked, feeling it was inappropriate to bring a man to the Kuja territory.
"Monkey D. Luffy, captain of the Straw Hat Pirates. I have a connection with him. I'll wake him up and let him leave."
Li Xing placed his hand on Luffy, completely healing him. As Luffy woke up, he asked Li Xing who he was, if Li Xing had saved him, and where he was.
Li Xing told Luffy the situation truthfully and warned him not to wander off. However, after understanding, Luffy wanted to borrow a ship from Li Xing to find his crewmates.
Li Xing smiled and told Luffy to eat first. Upon hearing about food, Luffy readily agreed.
However, on this very day, Navy Vice Admiral Momonga arrived outside Nine Snake Island. He was there to summon Hancock to Marineford to prepare for war. The reason was the impending execution of the Whitebeard Pirates' Second Division Captain, Portgas D. Ace. If Hancock refused, her Shichibukai status would be revoked.
Hancock did not want to go to Marineford, nor did she want to lose her Shichibukai status, so she kept Vice Admiral Momonga waiting outside.
Inside Nine Snake Island, Li Xing and Luffy were having a contest to see who could eat more and faster. The only difference was that Li Xing had his wife by his side, handing him water and feeding him, while Luffy was all alone.
"Gulp! I'm so full! I didn't expect you to eat as fast as me! Thank you for the meal," Luffy said, patting his full belly with a smile.
Just as Li Xing was about to say something, Hancock suddenly walked in, appearing to have something to discuss with Li Xing.
Li Xing immediately guessed what it was. He didn't even need to guess; he had already sensed the Navy outside. He pulled Hancock aside.
"You don't need to say it, I already know. If you don't want to go to Marineford, I'll go in your place. Give me one of your outfits."
Hancock didn't understand why Li Xing wanted her clothes, but she took out an outfit she often wore. Li Xing took the clothes and went to a room.
Before long, Li Xing emerged with Hancock's appearance. This was genuine makeup, not a transformation jutsu.
Hancock was stunned, covering her mouth in disbelief. Li Xing was also so beautiful.
"Li Xing... you... you!"
"Don't be so surprised. You know, I often hold concerts, and cross-dressing and falsetto are necessary. Now it's fine."
Li Xing's voice also changed to Hancock's. No one could tell the difference. As for his chest, Li Xing could change his body freely, but he covered it with a cloak, making it impossible to tell.
Afterward, Li Xing went to Luffy and informed him about Ace's impending execution. Ace was likely still imprisoned in Impel Down.
Upon hearing this, Luffy became anxious. Ace was his brother. The most urgent matter was to rescue Ace. He immediately asked Li Xing to take him to Impel Down, and Li Xing agreed.
However, Li Xing did not intend to change the plot. There could only be one person who inherited Roger's will, and Ace's death was inevitable. Although he admired the Whitebeard Pirates' strong family bonds, Ace himself had shown no regard for the family members who came to save him, thus losing his life in vain.
And Whitebeard, old and frail with illness, should have fallen on the battlefield, not died so ignominiously from sickness.
Most importantly, if Ace didn't die, Luffy wouldn't understand his own weakness. His next venture into the sea would be like the Sabaody Archipelago incident, a complete annihilation. It was like Naruto and Jiraiya; Jiraiya's saga concluded, and the sequel was to be written by Naruto.
"Rest here for the night. Let me prepare, and I'll arrange a room for you later."
Luffy was in a hurry but felt awkward asking them to depart immediately since he was asking for a favor. He could only agree.
...
The next day, Li Xing woke up early. He decided to go alone, telling everyone to wait for his return. Although Kaguya wanted to be with Li Xing, she held back for the sake of Li Xing's plan.
Li Xing placed Luffy into the Sage Art: Chibaku Tensei space, telling him to wait inside and that he would be released upon reaching Impel Down. Li Xing would then impersonate Hancock and participate in the Summit War.
Before departing, Hancock adjusted Li Xing's collar and said many things about staying safe and returning alive.
"Wait! Hancock, you're stealing our scene. These words should be said by us." Karin and Tsunade pulled Hancock back, allowing the others to step forward and bid farewell to Li Xing.
"Alright, alright, it's not a life-and-death separation. Why so sad? I'll be back soon. Don't you know my strength? I'm leaving!" Li Xing interrupted his wives' farewell words and walked out.
Upon meeting Vice Admiral Momonga, Li Xing, mimicking Hancock's arrogance as in the original story, requested to visit Impel Down to see the prisoner. However, Li Xing asked for the voyage to be slow, as he wanted to admire the sea scenery. The reason was simple: the plot had slightly advanced. If Luffy met Ace in Impel Down, the Summit War would be meaningless.
Vice Admiral Momonga contacted headquarters and agreed to Li Xing's request. Li Xing then boarded a Navy warship heading towards Impel Down.
...
On the night Li Xing departed, Hancock fell ill. The mere thought of Li Xing made her feel unwell. If Li Xing were present, he would at least give her a PCR test.
Hancock also learned from Elder Nyon that this was a special illness that every empress contracted. She had only survived because she went out to sea. This illness was called lovesickness, meaning Hancock had accidentally fallen for Li Xing while trying to conquer him.
Tsunade approached Hancock and shook her head, saying, "I had this illness before, but I've recovered. To cure your illness, Li Xing must be here. My medical skills are useless."
"What illness requires me to be here?" Li Xing suddenly appeared in the room, startling everyone.
"Why are you looking at me like that? That's right. I've always been by your side, so there was no opportunity to use the Flying Thunder God Jutsu. It's sleeping time, and I'm back to accompany you. What's wrong with Hancock? Is she sick?"
Hearing the term "Flying Thunder God," Karin and the others were not surprised, but the people of Nine Snake Island were shocked. Wasn't Li Xing supposed to be on his way to Impel Down?
Upon seeing Li Xing, Hancock's condition instantly improved. "Li Xing... is it because I miss you too much? Is this an illusion? Or a dream? Since it's a dream, can you say that I am more beautiful than your wives..."
Li Xing: "..."
"Even an evolved body can get sick? Something's wrong, this is... what the heck!" Li Xing observed her closely and found no significant physical issues. Then he remembered the plot of the original story. Wasn't this falling in love with someone? It shouldn't be Luffy; they had only known each other for a day, and Li Xing was the one talking to Luffy.
Tsunade, seeing Li Xing's thoughts, playfully hit him on the head. "Stupid! It's you. You helped her eliminate the Flying Dragon's Curse, you went to war for her, and you've been so good to her. It would be strange if she didn't fall for you."
Li Xing suddenly realized. "So that's how it is. You all leave first! I'll give Hancock a PCR test, I mean, treat Hancock."
Tsunade rolled her eyes at Li Xing and then led everyone away, including Elder Nyon and Hancock's two sisters. Of course, Salome had been taken to the warship by Li Xing and not brought back.