The moment Rayleigh and Ron's crew set foot on Amazon Lily, they found themselves completely surrounded by a group of Kuja warrior women.
"This island doesn't seem too fond of visitors."
Kuina, her long ponytail swaying slightly, placed a hand on the hilt of Wado Ichimonji.
A powerful sword aura erupted from her, pressing down on Marguerite and the other Kuja warriors like an invisible force, making their shoulders tense under its weight.
Marguerite gritted her teeth, barely holding her ground.
"Such incredible sword pressure… Who the hell are you people?"
Bonney, with her long pink hair cascading down her back, stood casually in her denim shorts and knee-high boots, arms crossed. She shot Rayleigh an unimpressed look.
"Rayleigh, didn't you say you were on good terms with this island's Empress? Because they sure don't seem to recognize you."
Rayleigh scratched his head awkwardly.
Turning to the warrior at the front, Marguerite, he asked:
"Is Hancock on the island?"
At the mere mention of that name, one of the Kuja warriors snapped, her eyes burning with fury.
"How dare you address Lady Snake Empress by name so casually!"
Without hesitation, she loosed an arrow wrapped in Haki, aiming straight at Rayleigh.
Before the arrow could reach its target, a loud roar echoed through the clearing.
In a flash, Enzo launched a devastating punch forward.
The sheer force shattered the arrow mid-air, sending powerful shockwaves that forced the warriors to stagger back several meters.
As the dust settled, Conis, her long golden hair flowing over her white dress, stepped forward and spoke calmly:
"We mean no harm. We're only here to meet your Empress, Boa Hancock."
She raised her hand, and in an instant—clinking chains of steel materialized from thin air, snaking toward the Amazon warriors, binding them in place.
Two years of relentless training on the Island, combined with nearly three months of sparring under Rayleigh, had sharpened their combat skills to a whole new level.
Watching the restrained warriors, Carrot, the energetic Mink with fluffy white fur, tugged at Ron's arm with wide, curious eyes.
"Ron! Ron! Are all the humans on this island… women?"
Rayleigh chuckled, answering before Ron could.
"Because this is the Kingdom of Women—an island where men are strictly forbidden."
His expression turned serious.
"We should be careful not to break their laws unnecessarily."
Robin, adjusting the hat on her head, asked coolly:
"Then how do we get an audience with the Pirate Empress, Boa Hancock?"
A terrifying wave of Conqueror's Haki erupted from Ron, surging outward like an unstoppable tsunami.
It engulfed the entire island of Amazon Lily in an instant.
Inside the Amazon Lily Palace
Far within the grand palace of Amazon Lily, Boa Hancock, the island's ruler and one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, felt it immediately.
A massive pressure crashed down upon the island like a storm.
Her sharp, beautiful eyes narrowed.
"This… this presence…?"
Nearby, Elder Nyon felt a cold sweat trickling down her wrinkled face.
"Such overwhelming Conqueror's Haki…!"
Even Hancock's sisters, Boa Marigold and Boa Sandersonia, were visibly shaken.
Marigold's breath hitched. "This… This Haki… It's stronger than Lady Hancock's…!"
Sandersonia turned toward Hancock, watching as the Empress slowly rose from her throne, her long, jet-black hair cascading down her back like a waterfall.
Hancock's stunning face was uncharacteristically serious.
This Haki… is stronger than mine.
A rare gleam of intrigue flickered in her eyes.
"Looks like someone came all this way… to challenge me?"
Her lips curved into a small, dangerous smile.
This was going to be interesting.
"Marigold, Sandersonia, come with me."
"Yes, Snake Princess."
Hancock, accompanied by the Kuja Pirates, made her way to the shore. As soon as she arrived, her eyes swept over Rayleigh, and the others.
However, when she caught sight of a certain tall and composed young man standing amidst them, his eyes closed as if he cared little for the world—her expression wavered.
A flicker of surprise and even a trace of joy flashed through her enchanting eyes.
As Hancock spotted them, Rayleigh, Kuina, and the others also took notice of her arrival.
And when Robin, Conis, Bonney, and the others saw Hancock for the first time, their eyes were filled with admiration.
"She's stunning..." Conis murmured, almost entranced.
"So that's the Pirate Empress, Boa Hancock… She truly is the most beautiful woman in the world," Robin couldn't help but remark.
Bonney took a bite of her drumstick and huffed, "Tch, I guess she's not bad. Can't argue with the title."
Meanwhile, Enzo and Carrot tilted their heads in curiosity.
"So this is what humans consider the most beautiful female?"
As members of non-human races, their aesthetics differed from humans, making it hard for them to comprehend Hancock's beauty.
When Hancock and her sisters reached the group, Rayleigh grinned and greeted her, "Yo, Hancock! Been a long time, huh?"
However, Hancock completely ignored him. Instead, her cold gaze swept over Marguerite and the others, who were still bound in chains.
Marguerite and the Kuja warriors, ashamed of their defeat, bowed their heads, feeling humiliated under Hancock's scrutinizing gaze.
Conis nodded, and with a mere thought, the iron chains shattered into pieces, setting the warriors free.
"You may leave," Hancock commanded.
"Understood, Snake Princess."
As the Kuja warriors withdrew, the only ones left at the shore were Rayleigh, Ron's group, and Hancock's trio.
Then, Ron turned his face in the direction of Hancock and spoke the first words that left Robin and the others momentarily stunned.
"Boa Hancock, we meet again."
Robin and the others exchanged glances.
Ron and the Pirate Empress… had met before?
"The last time we met was two years ago, wasn't it?"
Hancock's tone remained cool and indifferent as she locked eyes with Ron.
"So tell me, why have you come to seek me out this time?"
Though she appeared cold and aloof, internally, she was anything but calm.
'What?! Why is he here all of a sudden?! I wasn't prepared for this!'
'Why didn't he come alone?!'
'Is it true that he killed a Celestial Dragon?!'
'And why is Rayleigh with him?!'
'And… what's with all these women around him?!'
Her gaze sharpened as she noticed Carrot clinging to Ron's arm.
Carrot suddenly shuddered, a chill running down her spine, and sneezed involuntarily.
Ron, unfazed by Hancock's piercing gaze, finally spoke again.
"Last time was an accident. This time, I've come with a purpose."
Hancock narrowed her eyes.
"And what would that be?"
Her voice was as cold as ever.
However, as she gazed at Ron, her heart was pounding so hard that she thought it might leap out of her chest.
Her cheeks flushed slightly, an unfamiliar warmth spreading through her face.
'What is this feeling?! Is this… what Elder Nyon called… love?!'
Ron raised a hand toward her, his tone calm yet commanding.
Hancock's deep blue eyes widened slightly.
Her heartbeat quickened.
'Is this… a proposal?!'
'W-What should I do?! How should I respond?!'
"Join me in destroying the World Government—overthrowing the Celestial Dragons."
Ron's words were like a thunderclap.
Boa Marigold and Boa Sandersonia's eyes widened in utter shock.
They stared at Ron, at Rayleigh's smiling face, at the powerful group standing behind them.
A massive storm of emotions surged in their hearts.
"Wait….Overthrow… the Celestial Dragons?!"
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