At first, when Arima and Tsunade saw Hancock make such a grand display, they thought they were in for a fierce argument, perhaps even a fight.
But to their utter surprise, the Empress suddenly fainted in front of everyone, collapsing without a word.
For a moment, Arima and Tsunade exchanged puzzled looks.
Sandersonia and Marigold hurried forward from either side to catch their sister.
At first, they suspected that the strangers hovering in the air had launched some sort of attack that struck their sister down.
But when they recognized the man floating above, the very one their sister dreamed of day and night, they froze in confusion, unsure what to do.
At that moment, Elder Nyon, the former Amazon Empress, walked out from the palace.
With one glance, she immediately understood Hancock's condition. When she saw the man in the sky, her expression shifted, she knew exactly what was going on.
"Marigold, take Hancock back to her chambers to rest. Sandersonia, you'll come with me to welcome our guests," Nyon ordered calmly, regaining her composure with practiced ease.
"The former Empress of Amazon Lily warmly welcomes the arrival of a Yonko!" Nyon leaned on her cane and, along with Sandersonia, bowed deeply toward the floating figure of Arima.
The other female warriors followed her example, bowing respectfully.
Startled, Arima immediately descended and helped Nyon up.
"Please, there's no need for such formality. My wife and I came without notice, we hope we haven't disturbed you."
Tsunade also bowed politely beside him.
"Disturbed? Nonsense." Nyon smiled. "Please, both of you, come with me to the main hall and rest for a while."
With a wave of her hand, she dismissed the guards and led Arima and Tsunade to the audience chamber.
Once seated, Nyon spoke. "May I ask what business brings such honored guests to Amazon Lily? Whatever you require, if it is within our power, we shall assist you fully."
"You're too kind," Arima replied with a smile.
"Actually, I did come with a request. But it should also be a good thing for the Kuja Pirates. I'd prefer to discuss it directly with the Empress herself, if possible."
"This…" Nyon hesitated, her expression wavering.
"Is there a problem?" Arima asked.
"It's not exactly a problem," Nyon said carefully. "But as you saw earlier, our Empress… suddenly collapsed. She's fallen seriously ill."
"Oh? She's sick?" Arima raised a brow.
"That's quite a coincidence, I happen to carry a special medicine that works wonders on most illnesses."
He reached into his Kamui space and pulled out a vial of healing extract that Nono had specially prepared for him.
"Well… you'll understand once you see for yourself," Nyon finally said after a pause. Seeing that Arima was genuinely concerned, she decided there was no point in hiding the truth.
And so, Nyon and Sandersonia led Arima and Tsunade toward the Empress's private chambers.
As they walked, Arima asked, "You seem to know her condition quite well. What kind of illness is it exactly?"
Nyon's grip on her cane tightened. After a long hesitation, she said gravely, "This same illness once claimed the life of the Empress two generations before Hancock."
At that, Sandersonia's face went pale. "Elder Nyon, then… my sister, she's not going to…"
Nyon shook her head. "Unless a miracle cure is found, no medicine can save her."
Arima and Tsunade exchanged a glance. There was something off about Nyon's tone, it didn't sound as anxious as it should have. She was clearly hiding something.
While Nyon and Sandersonia were speaking, Tsunade whispered quietly to Arima, "Arima, don't you think that old woman's acting a bit… suspicious?
It's like she's deliberately dropping hints, as if the 'miracle cure' she mentioned is something we have."
Arima replied under his breath, "Let's see what kind of play she's putting on."
Before long, the group arrived outside Hancock's chamber.
Using Observation Haki, Arima and Tsunade quickly sensed the Empress's condition.
She was lying weakly on her bed, face flushed, sweat beading down her skin. Whatever this was, it didn't seem faked.
"This is… strange," Arima murmured, exchanging a look with Tsunade.
As they approached the curtains, they could faintly hear soft, pained moans from within. The Empress sounded as if she were truly suffering.
"Arima," Tsunade whispered, frowning. "Why do those sounds… feel a little off?"
"Don't overthink it," Arima muttered, cutting her off. "Let's just check her condition first."
Nyon turned to them. "As you can hear, the Empress is in great pain."
Tsunade straightened up. "Arima, wait here. I'll take a look at her."
Then to Nyon, she said, "I'm a medical ninja. Please allow me to examine her."
Nyon nodded and lifted a corner of the curtain, letting Tsunade inside.
Left alone, Arima idly glanced around the Empress's chambers. The room was elegant but simple, filled with a faint, soothing fragrance.
Suddenly, a glint on the dressing table caught his eye, the corner of a bounty poster.
His own bounty poster. Connecting that to Hancock's flushed state and Nyon's odd behavior earlier, the truth dawned on him, and his back went cold.
If Tsunade found out, he'd be in serious trouble. Even if he was completely innocent, she wouldn't believe it.
He quickly tore his gaze away and pretended to be very interested in the floor.
After a few minutes, Tsunade emerged from behind the curtain, her expression… complicated.
Behind her followed Nyon, Sandersonia, and Marigold.
Seeing the others present, Tsunade held back what she wanted to say and instead said simply.
"I'll prescribe her a calming medicine. With a good night's rest, she should recover by morning."
She handed Nyon a vial of Nono's restorative tonic.
"Thank you, honored guest. Please remain in Amazon Lily for a few days. Once Hancock wakes, she'll meet with you to discuss your business," Nyon said respectfully.
"Very well. We'll wait," Arima replied with a polite nod.
The sisters led Arima and Tsunade to a side hall in the palace to rest.
Once they were alone, Tsunade finally spoke up.
"Arima, her body's in perfect health. No physical illness whatsoever.
But her flushed face, rapid heartbeat, dilated pupils, excessive sweating, it all points to one thing… well, you know what I mean."
She couldn't bring herself to finish the sentence. Who would've thought that the so-called 'Most Beautiful Woman of the Sea,' Boa Hancock, would fall prey to something so… embarrassing.
Arima kept his expression neutral and said lightly, "Maybe it's a special ailment unique to Amazon Lily. Didn't Nyon say a previous Empress died from it?"
"It's obvious she's lovesick!" Tsunade sighed. "It really must take a special kind of man to drive the Empress of the Sea to such torment."
"Yeah… who knows?" Arima replied, forcing a laugh.
Tsunade, lost in her thoughts, didn't notice the sweat beading on Arima's forehead.
Watching her sink into contemplation, Arima let out a long sigh of relief. He was in deep trouble already, once Tsunade connected the dots, no amount of explaining would save him.
'Damn it, Dragon! If it weren't for your stupid mission, none of this mess would've happened!' Arima cursed silently.
…
Meanwhile, Dragon had just finished communicating with Kuma. Feeling pleased, he poured himself a drink.
Out of nowhere, he sneezed several times in a row.
"Heh, it's been a while since that happened. Arima should be wrapping up talks with the Empress about now. The revolution… is finally bearing fruit."
He smiled faintly and downed the rest of his drink in one gulp.
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