In the Calm Belt, the Kuja Pirates' Perfume Yuda outperformed even standard Marine warships.
Especially in terms of speed, with two enormous serpents providing propulsion, it was only slightly slower than the SWORD Ship.
So Michael didn't have to wait long on the shore before the Perfume Yuda arrived, bringing the Kuja Pirates ashore.
And in this critical moment, Amazon Lily, which normally strictly forbade the presence of men, couldn't be bothered to bring up the issue.
Even the seasoned veterans of the Kuja Pirates tacitly avoided mentioning it.
After all, they merely followed tradition—they didn't actually despise men.
So even though the SWORD had many male members, they temporarily ignored it.
"Hyacinth, Gomphrena… as expected, it's you two."
At that moment, a voice came from behind Michael.
It was Shakky, who had been sitting nearby earlier, talking with the three Boa sisters.
The moment the two elderly women saw Shakky's face, they froze in shock.
It took them a while to snap out of it.
"Sh-Sh-Shakky-sama!"
"You're actually still alive?!"
The two old women immediately burst into tears and rushed towards Shakky.
This was Shakky!
Among the recent generations of Amazon empress, she was the most intelligent one!
Especially compared to that reckless brute Gloriosa!
Though they had always assumed Shakky had also died of lovesickness, it seemed that wasn't the case!
But no matter what… Amazon Lily was saved!
"Stop, stop, stop—what are you two doing?"
"The previous empress passed away a year ago and the current princess is still too young. Why don't you reclaim the throne and take charge?"
The two little old ladies clung to Shakky's legs, clearly dead set on keeping her there.
Michael even saw them using Armament Haki.
"This matter… can we discuss it later?" Shakky's lips twitched—she had known something like this would happen if she returned to Amazon Lily.
"Right now, the priority is the issue with the princess and the Marines."
Only after Shakky's reminder did Hyacinth and Gomphrena remember Michael's presence.
And then they realized—the former empress …
Had come to Amazon Lily with this Marine.
"This…"
"Let's head to the palace first," Shakky said to the two old women, then turned to Michael.
"Have your people follow as well."
***
After a chaotic journey, the group finally arrived at the palace of the Amazon lily Empress.
The citizens of Amazon Lily, endlessly curious about the concept of "men" were ultimately kept outside the gates.
Michael wiped his sweat.
These women, who had never seen a man before, were terrifying in their own ways.
Extreme "curiosity" had led to this situation.
"So I still don't understand—why must Amazon Lily only allow women within its borders?"
Michael shrugged, looking at Shakky, who was guiding the three Boa sisters.
"Even I don't know the answer to that. All I know is that it's an ironclad rule Amazon Lily has followed since ancient times." Shakky's brows furrowed slightly in frustration.
"I don't understand the reason behind it either, but when I was the Kuja Empress, I had no choice but to uphold it."
After all, her ascension had been rather hasty, given that Gloriosa had abruptly abandoned her post at the time.
Listening to their conversation, the two elderly women, Hyacinth and Gomphrena, were inwardly shaken.
If Shakky was this familiar with a Marine, then what exactly did he want Amazon Lily to do?
And judging by Shakky's attitude, she didn't seem opposed to the conditions this Marine was about to propose…
In fact, she might even support them?
The two elderly women exchanged a glance.
For now, they could only take things one step at a time.
As everyone took their seats, Shakky did not return to the throne of the Snake Princess, despite Hyacinth and Gomphrena's coaxing.
Instead, she sat beside Michael.
Compared to her identity as the former Empress, she much preferred being known as the informant Shakky or the tavern owner Shakky.
"Sigh… Sir Marine, please state your terms" Hyacinth finally exhaled deeply and looked at Michael.
"Since you've returned our princess to us, we will honor our promise."
Michael nodded.
This reaction was something he had anticipated.
At this point in time, Amazon Lily was at its lowest point in history.
The Marines currently had little interest in a pirate crew that only plundered without indiscriminate killing.
Far more dangerous pirates were rampant throughout the Grand Line.
Thus, Amazon Lily could still enjoy fleeting peace.
Ironically, this moment of lowest visibility was the perfect opportunity for the Kuja Pirates and Amazon Lily to undergo a transformation.
"I hope that, starting today, the Kuja Pirates will be completely disbanded."
The moment Michael spoke these words, everyone—aside from Shakky and Issho, who had already been briefed—was stunned, including the members of the SWORD.
"Disband… the Kuja Pirates?!" Hyacinth shot to her feet.
"Sir Marine—"
"Don't be hasty, Lady Hyacinth," Michael interjected, his tone gentle and courteous from start to finish.
"Hear all my terms before you speak."
"The reason I ask you to disband the Kuja Pirates is that, from the moment you agree, you will become part of the Marines."
"From this day forward, the nation of Amazon Lily will no longer be seen as a pirate kingdom but will gradually transform into a Marine nation!"
As he spoke, Michael gestured toward the three young girls.
"As for Princess Hancock and her two younger sisters, I will personally oversee their training, ensuring they grow up to secure a prominent place within the Marines!"
Silence fell over the room after Michael's declaration.
Everyone felt their worldview being upended.
Especially Hyacinth and Gomphrena, who had lived through the reigns of four generations of Kuja Empress.
The identity of a pirate nation was deeply ingrained in them.
Yet here was Michael, proposing they become Marines.
They had initially wanted to reject the idea outright, but the dire situation Amazon Lily was in, coupled with the calm demeanor of their former empress…
They hesitated.
They began to consider the possibility…
"Military funding will replace plunder and the finest men in the Marines will be at your disposal."
"Ensuring livelihoods while also increasing the population to bring prosperity to the nation."
"The future Empress will still hold a high position within the Marine's!"
"You all..."
"Are you really still hesitating?"
Accompanied by Michael's gentle yet irresistibly tempting voice, Hyacinth was completely swayed.
She looked once more at this Marine named Michael.
Behind him were pristine white Wings, yet why...
Did it feel like two demonic horns should be sprouting from his head to complete the picture?
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