As the sun dipped below the horizon and the sea turned crimson under the evening glow—
"Empress! Amazon Lily is coming into view!"
A lookout aboard the Kuja Pirates' ship reported.
"Good. And the Navy warship—where is it now?"
"Well… we haven't spotted it. There's no sign of a Navy vessel anywhere near Amazon Lily!"
"Hmph. Maybe it got attacked by Sea Kings and sank already, huh, sister?"
Sonia licked her lips playfully.
"That would be ideal… but judging by the way that Marine was speaking, I doubt he's the type to go down that easily…"
"What was his name again? Engoku? Was he a Vice Admiral? Or Rear Admiral?"
"He's not Fleet Admiral Sengoku, so he can't be anyone important. Full speed ahead!"
"Yes, ma'am!"
Propelled by two massive sea serpents, the Kuja Pirates' ship Perfume Yuda charged toward Amazon Lily at high speed.
"…Strange. If they were attacked by Sea Kings, there should at least be wreckage."
But in the waters surrounding Amazon Lily, there was nothing—no ship debris, no Sea King remains.
"No way…!"
"Empress! The Navy's warship is anchored inside Amazon Lily's inner sea!"
"The inner sea!? Who the hell allowed them entry!? What is the border guard doing!?"
Upon hearing that a World Government vessel—tools of the Celestial Dragons—had docked within her own empire's inner waters, Boa Hancock's face began to contort with rage.
"Expel them immediately!"
"Th-That's…"
"What's the problem!?"
"It's… a Supermarine-class warship!"
A Supermarine-class vessel—one of the Navy's largest ships, normally reserved for Admirals. It was over six times the size of the Perfume Yuda.
"How could a ship of that class be anchored here in Amazon Lily…?"
"But the one who came wasn't an Admiral. He wasn't Sakazuki, Kuzan, or Borsalino!"
With that kind of size difference, firing upon it or attempting to repel it would be pointless.
The Navy's secondary cannons were as big as the Kuja's main cannons. And the Navy's main guns were 1.5 times larger than the Kuja's.
"What should we do, sister?"
"Give us your orders!"
Sonia and Marigold turned to Hancock, whose expression grew darker.
"…They said it was a negotiation, right? Fine. Let's see the face of whoever is responsible."
They signaled the Navy ship from the Perfume Yuda, and a composed-looking officer disembarked.
"Greetings. I'm Colonel Jose, currently commanding this vessel."
Hancock blinked in disbelief.
"Colonel? I was told it was someone of flag rank."
"Vice Admiral Rengoku has already entered Amazon Lily."
"Then who gave you permission to dock here!?"
"Vice Admiral Rengoku."
"This isn't some random beach—you think you can just walk in wherever you want? I demand you leave immediately!"
Colonel Jose wiped his sweat nervously and responded.
"I-I'm afraid that's impossible. We follow Vice Admiral Rengoku's orders."
"I told you—no dog of the World Government is to set foot in this land!"
Hancock's body trembled with fury. Her usual commanding aura was gone.
Seeing her condition, Sonia and Marigold stepped in to cover her and addressed Jose in a more diplomatic tone.
"The Navy may follow military law, but now that you're in Amazon Lily, we ask you to respect our laws as well. Please leave the inner sea."
"That's difficult. Nightfall is approaching, and we can't move the ship into the Calm Belt while it's teeming with Sea Kings."
Jose's reasoning was sound.
"In that case, allow me to guide you. Outside the island is a designated anchorage zone where Sea Kings can't approach," said Marigold, stepping forward.
"Urgh… please wait a moment."
Colonel Jose immediately took out a Den Den Mushi and attempted to contact Rengoku.
BZZZZ.
Click.
"Yes? Colonel Jose, what is it?"
"Justice! Vice Admiral Rengoku, pardon the interruption, but I wanted to inform you that the Pirate Empress, Boa Hancock, has returned to Amazon Lily."
"That's excellent news!"
"However, the Kuja Pirates are strongly demanding that we remove our ship from the inner bay."
"It's nearly sunset and night is falling. That's impossible."
Rengoku's firm response left Jose with no choice but to comply.
At that moment, Marigold spoke into the Den Den Mushi.
"Vice Admiral, was it? This is the Kuja Pirates."
"Yes? What is it?"
"According to the laws of Amazon Lily, Navy vessels are not permitted in our inner sea. However, understanding your circumstances, we're willing to allow you to move the ship to a designated safe anchoring area outside. I will personally guide you."
"You will? And who exactly are you?"
"I am Boa Marigold, younger sister of [Pirate Empress] Boa Hancock."
Upon hearing her identity, Rengoku paused for a moment, then responded calmly:
"Understood. I'll accept your offer. But…"
"But?"
"If anything happens to my men… you'll be held responsible."
In other words, if this was a trap, not even being a Warlord would save them—he'd burn it all down.
"There's no need to worry. We have no intention of worsening relations with the Navy."
"Very well, then."
The call ended, and Colonel Jose returned to the ship with Marigold, preparing to move the vessel.
Meanwhile, Hancock, still trembling, was in no state to be seen by the rest of the Kuja Pirates. Sonia made a quick decision.
"Move all supplies now and begin wrapping things up. My sister and I will return ahead."
"Yes, ma'am!"
...
Inside Amazon Lily – Royal Palace, VIP Chamber.
"…She's returned faster than I expected," said Elder Nyon after listening in on the Den Den Mushi.
"Mmm! That spares us the wait—quite the ideal situation," Rengoku replied, seemingly pleased.
"This is a mission directly from the World Government and the Navy Headquarters. I just hope the Empress listens…"
Despite having retired, Elder Nyon—once the Empress three generations prior—was always first to worry about the safety of Amazon Lily.
SLAM!
The doors to the chamber burst open violently as Sonia stormed in.
"Sonia? Where is the Empress—why are you here instead?" Nyon exclaimed.
"Nyon!"
Upon seeing Nyon in the chamber, Sonia became furious.
"You! You brought that man here, didn't you!?"
Despite being nearly four meters taller than the old woman, Sonia didn't hesitate to lift her up by the collar.
"N-Nyon?!"
Nyon was taken aback by Sonia's sudden outburst.
"What's the meaning of this?"
"My sister… she collapsed! I don't know why, but after seeing the Navy warship—she fainted! She has a fever now! What are you going to do about it?!"
Tears welled up in Sonia's eyes as she clutched Nyon's collar.
"She collapsed… just from seeing the Navy warship? Wait—tell me, did you bring a Supermarine-class ship?"
At Nyon's question, Rengoku nodded.
"…Oh no. This is bad. Really bad."
-------------------
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