After explaining the situation to Sengoku, Kaito returned to his office and informed Kalifa that he needed to make a trip to Amazon Lily.
Upon learning the reason for Kaito's visit, Kalifa gave him a teasing look and said flirtatiously,
"Boss, you're not planning to do anything naughty in Amazon Lily, are you?"
"Of course not. I'm just going there to treat an illness!"
"Oh~"
Ever since her relationship with Kaito had deepened, Kalifa had become far more relaxed and open in front of him. Especially now, looking at the stunningly beautiful Kaito before her, she couldn't help but tease him a little.
Kaito, provoked by her tone, pulled her into his arms, intending to "teach her a lesson." But just as he made a move, he realized something wasn't quite convenient right now.
Frowning slightly, Kaito regretted agreeing to Kalifa's one-week promise.
Looking down at the blushing Kalifa in his arms, he thought about using the ability of his right horn to revert back to his original self.
However, the moment the milky-white glow began to rise from his right horn, Kalifa immediately noticed. She reached out with a slender finger and gently pressed it against his enticing red lips.
Kalifa leaned in close, her breath fragrant like orchids.
"Boss, you promised you'd be a woman for a week, remember? You didn't forget, did you?"
"Special situations call for special treatment. I'll just change back for a moment!"
"No way! A week is a week. And you're going to Amazon Lily like this too!"
"Huh? Why?"
"Because I want the Empress to know… that my boss is the most beautiful woman in the world!"
"..."
Kaito was stunned by Kalifa's wickedly playful reasoning. He could only hold her silently in his arms.
Kalifa, more enamored the longer she looked, couldn't help but kiss him. One kiss led to another, and things quickly escalated.
...
Outside the office, Ain once again arrived at the perfect moment—just as she was about to knock, a flurry of blush-inducing sounds drifted through the door.
"Boss! Why did you change back?! You promised a whole week!"
"I'll change back once I finish the important stuff. However long that takes, I'll extend the week accordingly! I won't shortchange you!"
"Boss, that's cheating!"
"What? Sounds like someone forgot who the boss is! Take this!"
Ain couldn't take it anymore. She turned to leave, but then a loud bang came from inside the room, followed by Kaito's startled voice.
"Kalifa! Why did you turn into Ain?!"
Hearing that, Ain's eyes widened in shock. She never expected that Kalifa—whom she admired so much—would do something so... so shameful!
And yet, even as she thought this, Ain found herself rooted to the spot. Though she'd intended to walk away, her body moved on its own as she pressed her ear against the door, blushing as she listened in.
...
Who knew how long had passed before the office door finally opened.
Kaito, now back in his female form, stepped out. The moment the door opened, Ain, still eavesdropping with her ear to the wood, fell forward—straight into Kaito's arms.
Looking down at the terrified expression on Ain's face, Kaito poked her smooth, fair forehead with a finger and said,
"Ain, eavesdropping is a bad habit, you know."
"I… I…"
Caught in the act, Ain was too flustered to form a response. Letting out a girlish yelp, she turned and bolted down the hallway, vanishing from sight.
Behind Kaito, Kalifa walked out with slightly disheveled clothes and a lazy smile. Leaning against Kaito, she teased,
"Boss, you really love bullying Ain!"
"You're one to talk! Why did you turn into her just now? Don't tell me you didn't know she was outside the door!"
Exposed by Kaito, Kalifa stuck out her tongue playfully and replied in a coquettish voice,
"I thought boss might like that~"
"Hmph! Next time, be more careful!"
...
In the heart of Amazon Lily...
The bustling streets were filled with residents, all women. Their outfits were minimal and light, and they all had snakes coiled around them.
What stood out, however, was the worried look clouding every face. Many kept glancing anxiously toward the central palace, casting a heavy mood over the entire city.
Suddenly—
A figure descended from the sky, breaking the tension like a blade through still water.
The Kuja warriors of Amazon Lily, known as a battle-hardened tribe, reacted almost instantly. Though stunned for a brief moment, they immediately shifted into combat readiness.
The snakes entwined around them transformed into various weapons, each woman gripping hers tightly.
The female warriors formed a circular formation and began closing in on the figure at the center.
But as they got a better look at the person's face, many dropped their weapons in shock. The snakes that had transformed into blades or bows reverted to their serpentine forms and slithered harmlessly to the ground.
None of them were scolded for dropping their weapons—because even the snakes themselves were entranced, staring blankly at the tall figure before them.
It was Kaito, who had just arrived.
The warriors had been stunned by her impossibly beautiful face, a beauty so ethereal it seemed unreal.
Among the crowd, a twelve-year-old girl named Marguerite tugged on the sleeve of a warrior with a high black ponytail and phoenix-like eyes.
"Captain Kikyo, who is that lady? She's so pretty! I think she's even prettier than Lady Hancock!"
Kikyo, the commander of the national guard, immediately frowned at those words. She knocked Marguerite lightly on the head and scolded,
"Marguerite, that's very rude! Lady Hancock is known as the most beautiful woman in the world. No one could possibly surpass her!"
Marguerite's eyes welled up with tears as she held her head in silence, clearly feeling very wronged.
"But… I was just telling the truth…"
Mentioning "Lady Hancock" only made Kikyo's expression grow more serious. The Empress's illness had been worsening. At this rate, it might even become life-threatening.
According to Elder Nyon, if the legendary Marine Admiral—Admiral Shikiryū—were to visit, then Hancock's illness might be cured.
But for some reason, Lady Hancock had strictly forbidden them from revealing the cause of her illness to Marine Headquarters.
And so, things had come to a deadlock. It was almost impossible for them to reach Admiral Shikiryū directly.
If Lady Hancock were to die… their tribe would face a catastrophic future.
On the surface, Kikyo stayed quiet, but inside she was plagued with anxiety.
Then, a female warrior suddenly stepped forward and called out to the newcomer at the center of the crowd.
"Who are you? What's your purpose here?"
Kaito smiled gently, and once again, the surrounding women froze as if struck.
She was long used to this kind of reaction to her face. Calmly, she replied,
"I'm here to see Hancock. I heard she's seriously ill, so I came to check on her."
"How dare you! You actually dare to speak Lady Hancock's name directly?!"
To these warriors, Hancock wasn't just their leader—she was a goddess. Now that she was ill, their emotions were stretched taut. They would allow no one to show the slightest disrespect.
Several warriors picked up their snake-bows and loosed a flurry of arrows toward Kaito.
Kikyo's heart sank. Of everyone here, she had the sharpest eye and had already realized that Kaito was no ordinary visitor. Provoking her could be dangerous.
But the arrows were already in flight. It was too late to call them back.
The arrows howled through the air from all directions. Yet Kaito didn't budge. An invisible repelling force formed a semicircular barrier around her, stopping the arrowstorm mid-air.
A flash of purple light gleamed in her Rinnegan.
The arrows frozen in the air shattered instantly into dust, scattering like ashes in the wind.
Shocked by this display, Kikyo's eyes landed on those deep purple eyes—and a name flashed through her mind.
She gasped.
"Those are Rinnegan! You're Admiral Shikiryū?!"
----------------
Pls Drop some Power Stones
+100 chapters and support me on Patreon(.)com/Jixo