Near Amazon Lily, several large Sea Kings had appeared, but they were swiftly dealt with by Rengoku and Vivi.
Once the Marine warship anchored just off the island, a few women wrapped in snakes appeared from Amazon Lily.
"What is a Marine ship doing near Amazon Lily?"
"Hmm! Judging by your outfits, you must be the border guards! We've come to speak with your Empress."
Rengoku explained his purpose to the women.
The border guards shook their heads.
"That'll be difficult. The Snake Princess is currently at sea, leading the Kuja Pirates on an expedition."
Vivi, standing beside Rengoku, looked troubled upon hearing that Boa Hancock was away.
"What should we do? If she's out sailing, it might be a while before we can meet her..."
"Unfortunate, but we didn't come all this way just to turn back empty-handed!"
"You should turn back anyway. We already told you—the Snake Princess isn't here. Don't loiter around!"
The border guards showed no respect, speaking rudely to a Marine Vice Admiral.
"What did she just say? How dare she speak like that to a Vice Admiral of Marine Headquarters!"
Some soldiers on the deck grumbled in anger even before Rengoku or Vivi could respond.
"Stand down. You're not ready to deal with them. I'll go down and handle the negotiations myself."
Rengoku calmed the agitated soldiers, then leapt from the bow of the ship and landed on the island's border.
"What do you think you're doing?! Even if you're Marines, stepping onto our land without permission is an act of invasion! Leave at once!"
Startled by Rengoku's sudden move, the border guards immediately grabbed the snakes coiled around them, forming bows and drawing their strings.
"I have no business with you. I came to meet Boa Hancock. If she's not here, I'll wait for her return."
With that, Rengoku sat down exactly where he was.
"You bastard…! Get lost!"
Seeing that Rengoku wasn't moving an inch, the guards released their arrows.
Multiple arrows flew toward Rengoku, but he caught every one of them mid-air with ease.
"Oh? You've imbued your arrows with Haki. Impressive."
Tap.
He calmly placed the arrows down on the ground.
"But this level of strength isn't enough to face me. I don't intend to harm you. Once I meet Boa Hancock, I'll leave peacefully."
The border guards realized the vast difference in strength after seeing their close-range arrows so easily intercepted.
"There's no point in throwing a fit! We told you— the Snake Princess is away at sea!"
"According to our intel, she's supposedly been at sea several times before despite actually being on the island—just to send the Marines away. But this time, it's an important matter. I must meet her in person!"
"Grrr..."
The guards hadn't expected their usual excuse to come back and bite them like this.
But this time, it really was true—Boa Hancock had taken the Kuja Pirates out to raid nearby waters for supplies.
"What do we do...?"
"No idea. He got all the way here and blocked our arrows like they were nothing. Doesn't seem like the type to back off easily."
"Should we at least report it?"
Finally, the border guards took a step back and began whispering among themselves.
"Y-Yeah, even if he's a Marine, we'd better report it. This is way out of our league."
After wrapping up their quick discussion, the guards took out a Transponder Snail and contacted the Kuja Pirates.
Brrr... Brrr...
Click—
"Is this the border guard? What's going on?"
"Lady Ran! The Marines have arrived at Amazon Lily!"
"The Marines? Can't you just chase them away?"
"T-That's the problem... They're beyond our ability to repel! We believe members of the Kuja elite need to be dispatched!"
A sigh was heard over the transponder snail from Ran, a member of the Kuja Pirates.
"Haa... I'll report it. But until we arrive, do not let them step foot on Amazon Lily."
"U-Um... About that..."
The border guards hesitated, and Ran's voice returned sharply through the transponder snail.
"Don't tell me... they've already landed?"
"W-Well... only one of them, but it seems he's the Marine in charge! We couldn't stop him... S-Sorry!"
"...Fine. I'll report it. Just remember—there will be consequences."
Though Ran's warning was chilling, the border guards felt some relief just knowing that a report was going up the chain of command.
Soon after, another voice—a regal and commanding one—came through the transponder snail.
"Do you hear me? It is I."
"Snake Princess!"
"I've heard of your failure. But for now, the Marine must be dealt with. Hand him the transponder snail."
"Y-Yes! Right away!"
The border guards handed the transponder snail to Rengoku.
"This is the Snake Princess you wanted to see. Show some respect!"
"Oh! You've made direct contact? Much appreciated."
Rengoku gave his thanks and accepted the snail.
"So, you're the so-called Pirate Empress, Boa Hancock?"
"You dare utter my name so freely, Marine scum?"
Hancock snapped, clearly furious. But Rengoku remained calm.
"I am Rengoku, Vice Admiral of Marine HQ, also known as the Flame Pillar. I would like to meet with you in person. Where are you currently?"
"I told you not to speak my name so casually!"
"Boa Hancock, as a Warlord of the Sea, it is your duty to answer the Navy's summons. I respectfully ask you to return at once."
Click.
Boa Hancock hung up the snail without another word.
"Well... that's troublesome. Can we reach her again?"
"What did you do to anger the Snake Princess so badly?!"
The border guards were outraged.
"She may be a queen or pirate empress, but she's still a Warlord under the authority of the World Government. If she ignores a summons, we will be forced to issue a mandatory recall. If she ignores that, Amazon Lily itself could be considered in rebellion. If her title is revoked, we are within our rights to arrest every citizen on this island."
"Are you mocking the proud warriors of the Kuja Tribe?!"
"I'm only stating facts. All I ask is to meet her. If not..."
Brrrr... Brrrr...
Just then, the transponder snail rang again.
Click.
"Hey! Who said you could answer that?!"
Ignoring the border guards, Rengoku picked up the call.
"Boa Hancock, have you changed your mind about returning?"
"I have. But know this—if this turns out to be some pointless errand, your life will be forfeit."
"Good! I look forward to your return."
Click.
She hung up again.
Now that he had confirmation of Boa Hancock's return, Rengoku relayed the information to the ship.
"Negotiations with the Pirate Empress have begun. Move the warship into Amazon Lily's inner waters!"
---------------
Want to read 20 advance chapters ahead?
Go to my patreon: patreon.com/Kinglass