The pirate ship was silent, without a single sound of commotion.
After all, most of the people on board had fallen into a deep coma the moment Kenji arrived, collapsing on the spot.
These female warriors, who had trained for many years, had firm muscles.
While some had relatively rough skin, many talented female warriors possessed fair and smooth skin.
The sight of them lying sprawled out had a rather vibrant, spring-like quality.
Among them, the one with the best figure and skin was the tall Monika.
Especially when facing her up close, her full figure, charming face, and naturally alluring eyes created a very strong impact.
However, Kenji wasn't looking at Monika at the moment.
His gaze went past the empress in front of him to a figure with long silver-white hair further behind.
It was Gloriosa, a former member of the Rocks Pirates and the previous Empress of Amazon Lily.
"So it was you causing trouble behind the scenes." Seeing Gloriosa, Kenji's doubts were resolved, and he said with a faint smile.
"Six years ago, after the Rocks Pirates were destroyed, the Marine couldn't find any trace of you... so you hid back in your old home."
"You are a major criminal on the wanted list!"
Not far opposite, Gloriosa heard this, and a look of reminiscence and emotion appeared on her face, which was already marked by time.
After a brief silence, she said with a bitter smile, "The Rocks Pirates no longer exist, I can't bear the title of a major criminal."
"Now, I am merely an ordinary retired empress of the Island of Women... occasionally teaching the younger generation."
"Even when I was still with the Rocks Pirates, I wasn't worth a Marine Admiral pursuing, was I?"
Hearing these words, Kenji was noncommittal, his expression so calm that it was impossible to discern his attitude.
Seeing this, Gloriosa's eyes shifted, and she asked with a curious expression, "A few months ago, you were still a Marine Vice Admiral, weren't you? When did you get promoted to Admiral?"
"And that Conqueror's Haki power you just used... could it be Conqueror's Haki Infusion?"
As a former member of the Rocks Pirates, Gloriosa was far more experienced than Monika and the others. She had witnessed grand events.
But even so, she still couldn't see through Kenji in front of her.
She remembered very clearly that six years ago, during the 'God Valley Incident,' he was just an ordinary Marineford Vice Admiral.
In that great battle, he couldn't even enter the central area of the battlefield.
Until five months ago, Gloriosa had not heard any rumors about Kenji's promotion to Marine Admiral.
And because the Island of Women is located in Calm Belt and has very little interaction with the outside world, their channels for understanding outside news primarily rely on the Nine Snakes Pirates bringing back recent newspapers when they go out to sea.
It might not even be the latest issue, it could be a previous one, or even a year-old newspaper. Getting any particular one was purely a matter of luck.
In recent months, the Nine Snakes Pirates had not obtained any newspapers, but their home itself is quite isolated, and the women on the island don't pay much attention to outside affairs.
Previously, Gloriosa had recognized Kenji's Marine Admiral identity through his coat.
"Being promoted to Marine Admiral, you should be considered to have achieved your wish, right?" Seeing Kenji give no response, Gloriosa spoke again with a sigh.
However, these words sounded somewhat like 'making conversation' or 'trying to curry favor,' giving off a sense of boredom.
After all, Kenji and Gloriosa weren't close.
'Who are you? You're also trying to build a connection?'
"Alright, no more nonsense."
Kenji raised his hand to interrupt Gloriosa's 'roundabout greetings,' and said with a sneer, "Since I'm here today, I'm going to resolve things completely."
"From today onwards, your Amazon Lily..."
His voice paused. Kenji had originally intended to declare Marine's authority, but at this moment, his heart suddenly stirred, and another idea popped into his mind.
And he felt that this idea looked pretty good.
Opposite him, Gloriosa fell silent upon hearing his words.
The scene instantly became very quiet, as there wasn't even the slightest sound of wind or waves because they were in Calm Belt.
At this time, Kenji silently considered and refined the idea that had suddenly popped into his head.
Not long after, he suddenly came back to his senses.
It wasn't because he had finished contemplating, but because a reward prompt suddenly appeared in his vision.
[Facing the attack of the Nine Snakes Pirates, you fearlessly defeated all members of the Nine Snakes Pirates alone, despite the immense dangers of the Calm Belt! Your performance shocked everyone present!]
[Mission (Main): Successfully subjugate the Nine Snakes Pirates! Capture Empress Monika of Amazon Lily! —Completed!]
[Reward: Upgrade a random owned trait 3 times!]
[Reward distribution in progress...]
[Your Superspeed Regeneration (Super Blue) has been upgraded... Light Purple... Purple... Dark Purple!]
[Current Superspeed Regeneration (Dark Purple)!]
[Name: Kenji]
[Traits: Armament Haki (Super Gold), Observation Haki (Super Gold), Conqueror's Haki (Super Gold), Physique - Human (Super Gold), Hand-to-Hand Combat (Light Gold), Swordsmanship (Light Purple), Sea Beast Power (Dark Purple), Superspeed Regeneration (Dark Purple), Steel Balloon (Dark White), Future Vision (Blue), Berserk (Dark Blue), Pressure of All Things (Light Blue), Giant Bloodline (Dark White)]
"This feeling..."
As the trait finished upgrading, a distinct sensation of change arose within Kenji's body.
This sensation was very strange. Kenji was certain he had never experienced such a change before.
But just like recalling a courtesan in a pleasure quarter in his leisure, with the warm touch still on the fingertips and the lingering fragrance in the nose, it was a sensation provided by the brain, and it also let him know what that sensation represented.
At this moment, a thought subconsciously emerged in Kenji's mind: this sensation represents youth!
"[Superspeed Regeneration] makes the body younger, and now that the trait has advanced... it should continue to change the body, making it even younger."
Kenji raised his hand to touch the stubble on his chin, his eyes flashing.
The 'Super Blue' rarity of [Superspeed Regeneration] had restored his body and appearance to his early thirties, a relatively young middle-aged look.
Now that [Superspeed Regeneration] had advanced again, reaching 'Dark Purple' rarity, and his body was further rejuvenating, would he eventually return to youth?
"Hmm, I'll know the subsequent changes in a few days..."
He collected his thoughts, his gaze returning to the system interface.
At this moment, a new mission prompt appeared.
[You expended great effort to finally defeat the Nine Snakes Pirates, and at the same time, you realized that the female warriors of Island of Women are very strong and can be used to supplement Marine's combat power!]
[You decide to first subdue Empress Monika, and then subdue Island of Women to add a powerful army to Marine!]