Chapter 271 271: 271 One Piece 35

I decided to put Teach's matter aside for now and watch how things developed. The time seemed right to absorb another group — Amazon Lily.

"Leaving Hancock alone doesn't sit well with me. There's a set route, so absorbing them would be easy, and I also wanted to see just how beautiful she really is."

Amazon Lily is an island of only women, the nation of the Kuja, a female warrior tribe that lives by piracy. It's the base of the Kuja Pirates, led by Boa Hancock, one of the current Seven Warlords of the Sea. The island is located in the Calm Belt and is a closed nation that refuses to join the World Government.

The Calm Belt is the sea that wraps around both sides of the Grand Line. It has no wind, making it impossible to sail through with ordinary sailing ships. On top of that, it's a dangerous area inhabited by giant Sea Kings, so approaching it is a life-threatening challenge.

However, the Kuja Pirates are able to sail the Calm Belt because they have large, fierce female poisonous sea snakes called "Yuda" pulling their ships, and the Sea Kings don't attack them.

For those reasons, being in the Calm Belt makes the island hard for pirates to reach, so in some ways it's no different from a natural fortress. But that could also be a weakness — it becomes an easy target for very strong pirates, the Navy, or the World Government, since they can travel through the Calm Belt freely. Even so, it's a strange country that has endured for a long time.

"Probably because no one felt the need to conquer it. The Calm Belt makes travel difficult and annoying. Plus, Hancock is a Warlord."

Being moderately strong also seemed to play a part. Hancock might get angry hearing this, but the truth is, compared to other powers, aside from her, no one felt very threatened.

I took the Talaria Campervan to Amazon Lily. Since Amazon Lily is also in the first half of the Grand Line, it wasn't far.

"Whoa, there's an amazing-looking person!"

"That's a man! Quickly, tell the empress! A man has entered the island!"

As soon as I arrived at Amazon Lily, the female warriors fired arrows like crazy. But such attacks couldn't possibly work on me. I caught every incoming arrow and began walking forward slowly.

"Damn it, our attacks aren't working at all!"

Ignoring their panic, I looked them over. Amazon Lily women do dress quite revealingly — almost everyone wore outfits comparable to bikinis, so it was certainly pleasant to the eyes.

As I walked along enjoying the view, I went further in. A woman with green hair and a very large head began commanding the warriors to attack. That was probably Boa Hancock's sister, Boa Sandersonia.

Once Sandersonia started commanding, they charged at me with swords and spears instead of bows.

"Attack!"

Again, I deflected their spears and swords or snatched their weapons away, blocking every assault.

"How can that be... But wait, I've seen him somewhere before... Whoa! The Fifth Emperor of the Sea!!!"

Now that some recognized me, it seemed their news wasn't completely cut off. Even the Kuja Pirates must read the World Economy News at least. So I stated the purpose of my visit.

"I didn't come here to fight. I came to see Boa Hancock, so guide me."

When I said that to Sandersonia, she tensed up and began pulling the warriors back.

"Everyone, withdraw. He's not someone we can handle."

After pulling the warriors back, Sandersonia said to me, "Wait here for a moment. I'll go ask and return."

She said that and left somewhere. But the warriors around me still kept their weapons trained on me, tense and wary. I didn't want to just stand around, so I took a chair from my inventory, sat down, and leisurely drank a cup of tea.

"How... how elegant..."

"Yes, he looks like a painting."

"Snap out of it! He's the enemy! A man."

The warriors were blushing as they stared at me. With so many women watching me drink tea, it was a little embarrassing.

While I was passing the time like that, a loud voice came from ahead.

"Make way!"

At that, the warriors parted, and Boa Hancock came with Granny Nyon, Hancock's sisters Boa Sandersonia and Boa Marigold. Hancock's appearance was indeed outstanding — tall, with beautiful long straight hair, and a perfect hourglass figure.

"I've heard the story. Why have you come?"

"It's not something to discuss out here. This matter concerns the fate of this island."

Hancock frowned and said to me, "What nonsense are you talking? Our fate is for us to decide!"

"That's different if it's a fate you can't handle."

"If you're here to waste time, leave this island! We have lived among the strong and will continue to do so!"

As expected, the initial conversation wasn't easy.

"And if I don't want to?"

"Then you die here. Love-Love Melo!!!"

Hancock put her hands together to form a heart shape and shot a pink heart at me. This is the power of the Love-Love Fruit that turns anyone who harbors lust for the user into stone. But there's no way something like that would work on me.

"No, how can this be... Love-Love Melo!!!"

Panicking that her power didn't work, Hancock shot hearts at me several times, but it was useless.

"I don't know what you're doing, but stop."

"Why won't you turn to stone??!! Do you feel nothing at all looking at me??!!"

"What do you mean by that? Where do you get the confidence that everyone should fall for you just by looking?"

At my question, Hancock pointed at me, slowly tilted her head back in her trademark pose, and answered, "Because I'm beautiful!!!"

Pandemonium broke out around her.

"Eek~~!!"

"That's right, Snake Empress!!"

"Honestly…"

Hancock is certainly beautiful. But that's all. Maybe it's because I've traveled through so many worlds, but I've seen plenty of beauties like her.

"She's definitely pretty, but not to that extent... Well, in this harsh world, maybe that level of beauty deserves recognition?"

At that, Hancock said happily, "So you're saying you've fallen for me too?"

"No, not at all."

I waved my hand and said firmly. Hancock put a hand to her head in disbelief.

"Ah... how can this be so absurd... There's no way a man wouldn't become my captive..."

The crowd was also in an uproar.

"How dare you say that to the Snake Empress!!"

"But the Merchant King is so handsome... no..."

"What did you just say!"

"Damn it! I don't know what trick he's pulling, but my heart is pounding..."

Seeing this, Granny Nyon said, "Oh dear, this is dangerous! The warriors who have no resistance to men are falling for the Merchant King!"

Hearing that, Hancock sighed and then said to me, "Ha... this is ridiculous... Fine! I'll hear you out. But cover your face."

With that, she tossed me a large piece of cloth. It was pink with lace, and I really didn't like it, but I endured and covered my face.

"Let's go!"

Hancock gestured, and Granny Nyon, her two sisters, and the warriors followed her into the island's interior. As we went deeper, high stone walls connected to cliffs formed a massive domed city. Several Chinese-style buildings clung to the cliffs, with an arena in the center. At the far back, a tall wooden structure stood out — that was probably Kuja Castle, where Hancock lives.

"You all go rest."

"But isn't it dangerous leaving you alone with a man...?"

"It's fine. He doesn't seem to have come to fight. Besides, he came alone as the head of his group. If I met him with bodyguards in my own home, you all know how ridiculous that would make me look."

"Th-true. Understood. Then..."

At Hancock's command, the warriors bowed their heads and withdrew. Now only me, Granny Nyon, Hancock, and her two sisters went up to Kuja Castle.

"Alright, speak. Why has one of the Five Emperors come all the way here, talking about fate?"

Hancock sat arrogantly on her pet snake Salome as a chair and began. She didn't offer me a seat — seems she's not very considerate of others. So I simply took out a nice chair from my inventory and sat down. Hancock, her sisters, and Granny Nyon looked at it curiously.

"Pulling things out of thin air — a strange ability."

"Well, that's my ability for you. Anyway, let's get to the point. The Seven Warlords system will be abolished soon."

"Why would that happen?"

"The World Government is having Vegapunk develop replacements for the Warlords. Military forces that will obey orders, unlike the willful Warlords. At most, the Warlords system will last two more years. It's probably in the performance testing phase by now."

At my words, Granny Nyon and the sisters seemed to think seriously, but Hancock still looked relaxed.

"So what? I kept the Warlord position for my convenience. I never intended to follow their orders to begin with."

I had expected her to say that, so I continued.

"The problem comes after. Once the World Government completes their replacement forces, where do you think they'll conduct their first test?"

"You don't mean..."

Hancock's expression changed. She finally seemed to realize the gravity of the situation.

"Yes, right here. This place — closest to the World Government's armed forces."

Hancock frowned in thought for a moment, then asked, "Do you have any evidence to support that?"

"No. But according to our intel, the Pacifista — cyborgs modeled after Bartholomew Kuma, one of the current Warlords — are being deployed in the field. Soon they'll be used to wipe out pirates. That will probably be the beginning. There's still time, so if you keep your eyes open, you'll see it yourself. That would be proof enough."

Granny Nyon then said to Hancock, "The Merchant King probably isn't lying, Snake Empress. This is very serious."

"Be quiet."

Hancock sighed and then said to me, "You haven't said the important part yet. Why are you telling us this?"

"Take my hand, Hancock. Just like the Merchant's Island, I'll move Amazon Lily to a safe place."

"You're asking us to serve under you?"

"That's the conclusion, yes."

Hancock frowned. "Do you really think that makes sense?"

"Yes, it does. Send your people away for a moment. What I'm about to tell you is even more serious than the Warlords matter."

Hancock thought for a moment, then ordered her sisters and Granny Nyon, "You all leave for now."

"But sister..."

"Now!"

"Ah, fine."

Once they left, I stood up, went to the window, summoned the Talaria Campervan outside, and called Hancock. There could still be listeners here.

"Get in. If what I'm about to say leaks out, Amazon Lily will disappear from the map that very day."

"What could possibly..."

Hancock hesitated, then took my hand, climbed through the window, and boarded the Talaria Campervan. She looked around curiously, fascinated by the vehicle.

"The Merchant's Island has many fascinating things."

"Sit down first. This might take a while."

Once Hancock sat on the sofa, I handed her a cup of tea. Then, just as I had told King Nefertari Cobra, Vivi's father, I showed her newspapers and various materials as evidence — about the bridge being built connecting Mary Geoise and key locations — and informed her that sea levels were rising.

"Th-there's no way... Are you saying Amazon Lily will also sink beneath the sea?"

Hancock asked again, unable to believe it.

"Yes. There's not much time left. That's why I'm building a new kingdom in a safe place. I want Amazon Lily to join. I can't say where yet, but several other powers have already been told and are preparing for that day."

Hancock pressed a hand to her forehead, as if she had a headache. Like King Cobra, she seemed to find it hard to accept.

"Ha... those are truly unbelievable words."

"It's best not to tell anyone else about this. If it leaks, Amazon Lily will be erased from the map by the World Government that very day."

"Th-then. I understand."

Hancock seemed to realize the seriousness of the situation.

"There's still time, so think it over slowly. But I hope you won't wait too long before deciding."

"Ah, understood."

"And while you're here, let me give you a gift. I'll erase the scar on your back."

At that, Hancock was shocked and asked, "How do you know about that?"

"So it's true. I inferred it from stories about your rescue in the past. I know the Celestial Dragons brand their slaves. So you would have that brand as well."

"Who told you that?"

Hancock stared at me with a frightening face and asked. It was natural for her to react this way — I knew a secret she had carefully hidden all her life.

"That's a secret. But don't worry — I'm not that loose-lipped, and besides, that person is already dead."

"How can you guarantee you're not loose-lipped when you just told me!"

"Before he died, he was curious whether you all were living happily."

"No way, Fisher Tiger..."

The lie was getting tangled, so I quickly changed the subject.

"So — do you want me to erase it or not?"

"Can you truly erase it? This cursed brand?"

"Of course. With my ability, it's possible."

Hancock immediately took off her top and warned me, "If you're lying, you'd better be prepared."

"Don't worry."

I placed my hand on Hancock's back, erased the brand instantly with Universal Shape Transformation, then took out a mirror and handed it to her.

"It's done."

Hancock checked her back in the mirror, turning this way and that, astonished.

"Th-this can't be... you actually erased the brand... No, this isn't the time. May I ask you to erase my sisters' brands as well?"

"Let's get dressed first, then talk outside. Again — don't discuss what was said here outside."

"Understood. I'll remember."

Once Hancock dressed again, we left the Talaria Campervan, called her sisters, and erased the brands on their backs. The Hancock sisters then embraced each other and began to cry. Knowing how much mental suffering this brand had caused them, I removed it quickly to earn their favor.

"Sister, now we can sleep peacefully."

"Yes. Now let's forget everything and start over."

The sisters wiped their tears, bowed their heads, and thanked me.

"Thank you. I won't forget this debt. And I'll consider your proposal favorably."

"Then I'll be going."

As I tried to leave, Hancock called me back.

"You! Stay at least one day. Though this is an island of only women, we're not so cold as to turn away a benefactor like you."

I thought for a moment, then agreed.

"Hmm... fine. I will."

I spent a day in the lodging they prepared. Since it was on the cliff, the view below was great, and because it was an island of only women, time flew just by looking out the window. The meals were also well-prepared and delicious.

After a day passed, I went to Hancock's room at Kuja Castle to say goodbye, but Granny Nyon and the warriors were guarding the door and blocked me.

"The Snake Empress has collapsed from a mysterious incurable illness and cannot eat. She's resting. I'm sorry to say this, but I'll pass along your farewell..."

Suddenly, Hancock's door swung wide open. She walked out wearing a revealing white lace nightgown. When she saw my face, she blushed. I asked, "Are you alright? I heard you were sick."

"I, I'm fine! I am not ruled by illness!"

"Then I'll be going now — I've rested well."

Again, Hancock grabbed me.

"Um...!"

"Yes?"

"Wouldn't you stay a few more days..."

"Sorry, but I don't have that much time. Ah, right. You'll need a way to contact me. Wait a moment."

I had prepared for this and took out a Den Den Mushi from my inventory, handing it to Hancock.

"If anything happens, contact me through this. It's a direct line not connected to anywhere else, so don't worry."

"Um... can I contact you whenever I want to see you?"

"Of course."

Hancock's face turned bright red, and she smiled radiantly as she said, "Then I shall contact you right away today~!"

"...Right. Fine."

I was a little flustered. Hancock seemed to have some extreme tendencies. Watching this, Granny Nyon shouted in shock, "Th-this can't be! The Snake Empress's illness is lovesickness!!! The previous empresses' cause of death: 'Death brought by a heart-wrenching love'!!!"

The sisters asked in surprise, "Eh??? What do you mean, Granny Nyon? That kind of illness exists?"

"In the East Blue, they have a saying: 'Love is always a hurricane'!!!"