As soon as King Riku and his family entered the Marine camp, they were struck by an astonishing sight.
Scattered throughout the camp were female warriors wearing only three-point bikinis paired with the Marines' iconic coat of justice. The boldness of their attire left the group in stunned silence.
Kyros, his face frozen in disbelief, slowly turned to King Riku and muttered, "Ahem, Father, I always thought Dressrosa's culture was open enough… but I never imagined female Marine soldiers could be even more… um… liberated."
King Riku, although taken aback, maintained a degree of composure that came from decades of experience. As a former king who had dealt with Marines countless times, he was still surprised. "I… haven't seen female Marines dressed this boldly before."
Rebecca, standing close to Kyros, suddenly screamed, "Ah! Snake!" She clung to her father's leg and hid behind him.
Her outburst drew the men's attention to a striking detail—each female warrior had a large, colorful snake coiled around her body.
King Riku's eyes widened slightly as realization dawned. "They're Amazon warriors," he murmured, his voice low but firm. "These are the Kuja Tribe female warriors from Amazon Lily, the Kingdom of Women."
His words, though quiet, caught the attention of a patrolling officer nearby. Ran, the leader of the patrol team, turned her head sharply, curiosity flashing in her eyes. She strode toward the group, her movements confident.
"Who are you, and how do you know about our origins?" Ran asked, stopping a few steps away with her hands on her hips.
Kyros instinctively moved to shield King Riku, his body tense and ready for action. But King Riku raised a hand, signaling him to stand down. He stepped forward and offered a calm explanation:
"My apologies," King Riku began. "I was a sailor in my younger days and traveled extensively. I've heard stories about Kuja Island and the famous Amazon warriors. This is my first time meeting you in person, and I was simply caught off guard."
Ran eyed the group critically. An old man with gray hair, a one-legged warrior, a cloaked woman, and a young girl—none of them appeared to pose a threat. Satisfied with the explanation, she relaxed slightly and nodded.
"Very well," Ran said, her tone less sharp. "Follow me. I'll take you to the area reserved for the elderly, the weak, and the injured."
She led them through the camp, providing each member of the group with a bedroll, toiletries, and some basic medical supplies. She also arranged a small, warm tent for them, ensuring they were comfortable.
Finally, Ran pointed toward the soup kitchen, where a long line of people waited for their meals. "We prioritize food distribution for the elderly, children, pregnant women, and the injured. You can collect your meals without standing in line. Unfortunately, our supplies are limited, so each person receives only a bowl of porridge and a piece of bread. Pregnant women and children get an extra serving of vegetables."
King Riku listened attentively, nodding in gratitude. "Thank you for your generosity, but we're not in need of food. We came to the camp to offer help, not to take resources from those who need them more."
Ran raised an eyebrow, impressed by his willingness to assist despite his apparent frailty. "If you want to contribute, volunteers are always welcome. Speak to the organizers—they'll direct you to teams clearing rubble or maintaining order. Volunteers also receive extra rations or supplies as rewards."
With that, Ran flipped her cloak dramatically, twisting her hips as she returned to her patrol.
Once she was gone, the group huddled together to discuss their next steps. Violet, however, had a question that had been nagging at her since they entered the camp.
"Father," she began, her tone measured, "if I remember correctly, Amazon Lily is ruled by the Pirate Empress, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, just like Doflamingo. Why would their warriors be part of the Marines?"
King Riku tapped his helmet thoughtfully. "There's a rumor I read in a newspaper some time ago. It suggested that Rear Admiral Luffy and the Pirate Empress are lovers. Boa Hancock herself is said to be following Rear Admiral Luffy now."
He glanced at Violet meaningfully. "I always thought it was just sensationalist news, but seeing this… it might be true."
Violet's brow furrowed, and her fists clenched at her sides. Her admiration for the strong and commanding Luffy was evident, but hearing this revelation filled her with a sense of frustration.
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