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As the flying ship descended, gradually becoming larger as it approached the shore, Gloriosa's expression grew more troubled. The terrifying potential of the Flying Admiral's top-tier Devil Fruit ability had the power to wreak unspeakable disasters on any island.
"Grandma Nyon! Everyone!"
The loud shout from the ship snapped Gloriosa out of her anxious thoughts.
"It's Hancock and the others!"
Among those present, Gloriosa, most familiar with the voices of the three Boa sisters, turned her gaze to the ship. There, leaning over the rail, were three little girls waving frantically and shouting down to the crowd.
The other warriors, though not as quick as Gloriosa, also noticed the three young women calling out to them. Their defensive stance softened slightly—until they noticed the presence of a man onboard, causing their caution to spike again. Still, due to Gloriosa's orders, they didn't adopt an aggressive stance.
Once the ship fully lowered to the U-shaped port, the three Boa sisters jumped from the deck and ran toward the crowd, tears streaming down their faces.
"Where have you been, Hancock?! Do you know how many days I've been looking for you, you little brats!" Gloriosa rushed forward to meet them.
"We were abducted by human traffickers while traveling with the Kuja Pirates!" Marigold and Sandersonia burst into sobs, clutching onto their family at last.
Hancock, wiping her own tears, cast a glance back at the man behind her. "If we hadn't met Lord Alex on the way, we might never have returned."
At her words, the Kuja warriors comforted the three sisters, murmuring words of relief and gratitude for their safe return.
"It's good to have you back, truly."
Gloriosa's tears glistened. She had even considered returning to the Sabaody Archipelago to ask her former heir, Shakky, for help. But now, with the sisters safe, she felt a weight lift from her heart. Composing herself, Gloriosa turned her gaze to Alex and his crew. Though some appearances had changed, there was no mistaking the faces from the wanted posters.
Regaining her calm, Gloriosa grasped her snake-headed staff and stepped forward. "I am Gloriosa, former Empress of Amazon Lily. I am deeply grateful to the renowned 'Flying Admiral' for bringing back my precious kin."
She bowed low to Alex, putting aside any remnants of her former title. "My people mistook you for invaders earlier, and I humbly ask that you overlook the previous unpleasantness."
Her words were sincere, her manner respectful. If one ignored the armed Kuja warriors nearby, it would be difficult to imagine her as the ruler of a pirate nation.
If Alex had been an ordinary man, she would have simply thanked him and sent him on his way, perhaps apologizing for any misunderstandings. However, given his unique status, her approach here was intended to build a friendly rapport.
Despite her age and the weakening of her physical strength, Gloriosa retained the wisdom, strategy, and foresight of her time as empress, skills sharpened by years at sea.
The effort it must have taken for Alex to return the three Boa sisters to Amazon Lily certainly hinted at an underlying motive, and there was only one thing in this pirate nation that might catch his eye. Given his power similar to Golden Lion, it was likely he intended to make Amazon Lily part of his airborne kingdom.
On matters of significance, Gloriosa's insight was sharp. She could already discern parts of Alex's intentions, but until he revealed his purpose directly, she held back, unwilling to show any sign of weakness prematurely.
"Of course, there will be a pleasant relationship between us."
Alex, seeing her guarded expression, chuckled. "Aside from bringing the sisters back, I am indeed here for exactly the reason you suspect."
"You!" Gloriosa's face showed her shock, as though he had looked straight into her thoughts. His knowing smile made her tremble slightly, the realization dawning on her.
During her years at sea, Gloriosa had learned much about Observation Haki, including rumors of those who'd mastered it to an extraordinary degree. Some could not only sense others' emotions but also listen to their thoughts, read memories, and glimpse fragments of the future—a power to hear the "Voice of All Things" and even more.
Gloriosa, as a strategian, feared the ability to read thoughts and memories.
As if answering her inner worries, Alex said, "Yes, my Observation Haki has reached that level. Which is why I wanted to discuss some matters with you, the leader of Amazon Lily."
With that, Alex stepped off his ship and onto Amazon Lily's soil, ignoring the island's ironclad rule against male visitors.
Instantly, one of the Kuja warriors shouted, her fiery temper flaring up, "Men are forbidden on this island! Leave now, or you won't be welcome!"
The spirit of a pirate nation was unmistakable here, especially among the Kuja warriors who fiercely guarded the island's traditions. Even though Alex had safely returned the three Boa sisters, these warriors wouldn't so easily lower their defenses.
Alex, who understood the unyielding nature of the Kuja, acted with calculated purpose, fully intending to show them his strength. Facing a nation that valued power above all, his strategy was to prove himself through sheer might.
In response, he raised his hand slightly.
The ground rumbled, and the horizon began to shift upward. The astonished Kuja warriors realized their entire island was rising, detaching from the sea and floating into the sky.
"Is this some kind of trick?!"
As Alex's imposing aura surged forth, it felt like standing before an unmovable mountain. The pressure swept over the island, though he kept it carefully controlled so that no one lost consciousness. Yet the sheer force broke their fighting spirit, leaving the fiery warrior trembling on the ground, as if facing an unfathomable abyss.
Seeing the state of her warriors, Gloriosa stepped forward, her expression stern. "Enough! I warned you not to provoke him! Do you want to bring disaster upon our entire country?"
She turned to Alex, her tone dropping. Despite her outward composure, she couldn't help feeling uneasy. She'd seen many powerful individuals, but his reckless use of Conqueror's Haki showed he wasn't the type to be easily managed—especially with a Devil Fruit as dangerous as the Float-Float Fruit.
Recalling the destructive potential of Alex's power, Gloriosa was well aware he could, with a mere thought, send their island plummeting from the sky, obliterating it completely.
Recognizing the situation's gravity, Gloriosa gestured toward the palace. "Please, follow me. This isn't the right place for our discussion."
With a snap of his fingers, Alex halted the island's ascent, though he didn't return it to the sea, keeping a lingering sense of threat in the air.
As Gloriosa led him toward the palace, Hancock clenched her fists, then quietly slipped behind them.