Calm Belt, Grand Line — Amazon Lily, Palace Hall.
From a distance, furious shouting could already be heard echoing through the palace.
"Damn the World Government! Damn the Navy! How dare they order me to fight against Lord Leno! This is outrageous!"
Hancock ripped the summons to shreds and stomped on it repeatedly, her face twisted in fury.
Just the thought of standing as an enemy to her beloved Lord Leno made her chest ache. How could she possibly raise a hand against the man she loved?
"Damn that ridiculous summons! I won't go, no matter what!"
Watching the enraged Empress, Sandersonia and Marigold trembled silently, too afraid to speak.
Granny Nyon, however, frowned deeply. "Snake Princess, calm yourself. Things haven't reached that point yet. But this time, the Navy's actions are truly shocking. To use that man's family as leverage… that's something even they've never done before."
Sandersonia looked worried. "Granny Nyon, what should we do? If we don't respond to the summons, will Big Sister lose her Warlord title?"
"Of course," Nyon replied gravely. "It's a mandatory order from the World Government. Refusing it means relinquishing your position as one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea. And once that happens, Snake Princess will be wanted again, and Amazon Lily will fall back under the Government's scrutiny."
Listening to them, Hancock clenched her fists. "So what if I'm wanted again? I'll never fight Lord Leno!"
Her defiant tone made Nyon sigh in frustration. The old woman understood too well how difficult this decision was — torn between her savior and the safety of her people.
"Snake Princess, think carefully. Whatever you decide, it'll determine the future of the entire kingdom."
"Silence, you old hag! It was your nonsense that convinced me to accept that Warlord title in the first place!" Hancock's voice trembled with emotion as tears welled in her eyes. "And now you want to use the same excuse to control me again? I will never bow to those demons ever again!"
Memories of her years as a slave flooded back, and her voice broke.
"If not for Lord Leno, my sisters and I would still be… I'll never forget what those monsters did to us! I'll never forgive them!"
Overcome with emotion, Hancock collapsed back against Salome, trembling as her anguish poured out.
Sandersonia and Marigold turned pale, their bodies shaking as the nightmares of the past resurfaced.
Nyon could only sigh at the sight of the three sisters. "Then what will you do? Are you going to refuse the summons outright?"
"No," Hancock said after a pause, her eyes firm. "I'll go — and when I do, I'll stand beside Lord Leno in battle."
Nyon turned toward the exit with a weary sigh. "Then I'd best prepare our people… and get them ready for war."
Far away, unaware of these developments, Leno and his crew had been sailing nonstop for over ten days.
At last, they arrived at the island nearest their destination — the Sabaody Archipelago.
Hovering above Area 13, Leno looked at his exhausted companions.
"We've reached Sabaody. Marineford's not far now. Let's land, gather intel, and rest up for what's coming."
Everyone agreed without hesitation, and the Gale began descending slowly toward Area 13.
Inside the Shakky's Rip-off Bar, Rayleigh sat at the counter drinking with Shakky when both of them suddenly lifted their heads.
"They're finally here."
Ding-dong.
The doorbell chimed, and a group of travelers stepped inside.
"Shakky! Old man Rayleigh! Long time no see!"
Leno waved cheerfully as he entered.
"Ara~ Leno, it's been too long," Shakky said with a smile, her eyes lighting up at the sight of him.
Looking around, Leno asked curiously, "Shakky, why's the place so empty today?"
"I closed up shop just to wait for you guys. You'd better make up for my losses, you know."
Leno chuckled. "No problem — I'll compensate you double."
Grateful that she had gone out of her way for him, he readily agreed. Then he began introducing everyone.
When Robin heard the name Rayleigh, her eyes widened slightly. "Rayleigh… you mean Dark King Rayleigh? The legendary Vice-Captain of the Pirate King?"
Leno nodded with a knowing smile. "That's right — the one and only."
"What?!"
"The Pirate King's Vice-Captain?"
"Dark King Rayleigh?!"
Chopper, Nami, and the others all froze in disbelief, staring at the elderly man calmly sipping his drink.
This gentle old man was that Rayleigh? The right hand of Gol D. Roger himself? How on earth did Leno know someone like that?
"Hey now," Rayleigh said quickly, waving a hand. "I'm no Vice-Captain anymore. Just an old ship-coating craftsman these days."
Once the initial shock passed, Leno's expression turned serious. He faced Shakky and asked, "Shakky, you probably know why I'm here. Tell me — what's the situation with Belle-Mère's family? Where are they being held?"
The question instantly drew everyone's attention. Nami and Nojiko tensed, their faces pale.
Shakky's tone softened. "You're as impatient as ever, Leno. Don't worry. They're safe for now — unharmed and currently held in the Marine Headquarters' detention facility."
"That's great news! Hahaha!"
The crew collectively let out a sigh of relief and slumped into nearby chairs.
Seeing their exhaustion and worry, Shakky offered a gentle smile. "They haven't been mistreated — only imprisoned. As long as you arrive before the execution, they'll remain safe."
"Thank you, Shakky," Leno said sincerely. "That puts our minds at ease. Now we can prepare properly for what's next."
As he spoke, Rayleigh suddenly interjected, his gaze sharp.
"The execution is scheduled for the day after tomorrow. Tell me, Leno — do you plan to storm Marineford with just your crew?"
Leno nodded. "I've still got preparations to make. My crew needs to rest first."
Then he turned to Shakky again. "Shakky, I'll need coordinates for the Calm Belt."