Off the coast of Amazon Lily.
Guided by the Smart Pointer, Victor and Hancock first encountered the Nine Snakes Pirate Ship, which had sailed out to greet them.
The Titanic X was so massive that the island's port couldn't possibly accommodate it.
Though Hancock was reluctant to part with the luxurious vessel, she eventually agreed to Victor's suggestion and stored the ship away.
As for how Victor could make such a gigantic ship vanish into thin air, Hancock simply assumed it was the power of his Devil Fruit. After all, the seas were full of strange abilities.
Hancock accepted it easily, but the crew of the Nine Snakes Pirates were shaken. What kind of terrifying power was this?
The Sanda-Sonia sisters in particular felt it.
Victor… was different.
Just his presence now gave them a faint sense of pressure.
Not long after, Victor and Hancock met Trafalgar D. Water Law—who had rescued Luffy—and Ivankov, the okama king, who had escaped by hijacking a Marine warship.
"Hee-haw! Victor-boy, I really must thank you! You saved us all from that hellhole prison. You're the savior of all okamas!"
"The savior of all okamas! Long live Mr. Victor!"
Ivankov's enormous face shook as he led the Newkama to shout their sincerest gratitude.
Victor was grateful, but honestly… this was a pretty awkward sight.
"Haha! Straw Hat-boy is in your hands now. Victor-boy, all of us okamas will never forget your kindness. One day, we'll repay you!"
After repeating his thanks, Ivankov departed from Amazon Lily's waters with his followers, leaving behind only Trafalgar Law and the Heart Pirates.
"Boss Victor, nice to meet you. I'm Trafalgar Law."
Law forced himself to greet Victor, but he couldn't hide the tension in his voice.
How could he not be nervous? He had already heard from Ivankov about Victor's terrifying performance in the war that had just ended.
According to Ivankov, this young man—barely Law's age—
had thrown Impel Down into chaos,
joined the great battle at Marineford,
crossed swords with the world's greatest swordsman,
clashed with Admiral Kizaru,
defeated Admiral Akainu,
and destroyed Marine Headquarters.
These achievements eclipsed anything the so-called "Supernovas" could ever dream of.
Even though Law hadn't personally seen all of Victor's fights, he had seen him in the heart of the battlefield among the world's strongest.
That alone was enough to make him wary.
After all, Admiral Kizaru was the kind of man who could crush a Supernova at Sabaody with a single kick—yet Victor had fought him evenly.
"Ah, hello Trafalgar. How's Luffy's injury?"
Victor had no idea Law was secretly terrified of him. If he had known, with his personality, he might have killed Law just for being cautious.
Though Law wasn't strong enough to pose a direct threat, his strategic mind made him dangerous.
"The Straw Hat captain has an incredibly strong will and body. His injuries aren't life-threatening. He'll wake up after some rest."
Victor nodded. Luffy's wounds were serious, but only physical.
Thanks to Victor's intervention, Ace had survived, so Luffy's spirit hadn't been shattered. With Law's medical abilities, his recovery was just a matter of time.
"Boss Victor, since Straw Hat is out of danger, my crew and I won't go to Amazon Lily. Could I trouble the Nine Snakes Pirates to take care of him for now?"
Law had weighed the situation carefully. His fear of Victor was so strong that he decided it was safer not to step foot on Amazon Lily at all.
Victor hesitated. Truthfully, he didn't like the idea of other men setting foot on Hancock's island—Luffy included.
[Ding! System Choice Triggered!]
[Choice 1: Bring Luffy to Amazon Lily. When Rayleigh arrives, accompany Luffy to Marineford to deliver a message to the rest of the Straw Hats. Reward: 100 Island-Wide Anti-Aircraft Cannons (combined sea and air defense, powerful enough for national defense!)]
[Choice 2: Refuse to help Luffy. Reward: Wooden Paddle.]
Victor was speechless. A wooden paddle? What next—turning pirate ships into rafts?
"Alright, Trafalgar. Luffy's my friend, so it's only right that I help. Thank you for bringing him here. Farewell!"
Victor accepted without hesitation, and Hancock ordered the Nine Snakes Pirates to carry Luffy onto the island.
Law's submarine then submerged and departed.
Inside the sub, Bepo tilted his head and scratched at his bear ears.
"Captain… something's off. Usually you're so cool, but you're acting weird."
Law's expression darkened.
"That man, Victor… he's terrifying. With his strength, he could crush Doflamingo. Honestly, without him, calling us Supernovas is a joke."
Though fearful, Law was also calculating. Victor's existence would have to be factored into his future plans.
Friend or foe, it was too soon to tell—but if Law could turn Victor to his advantage, his strategy's success rate would skyrocket.
————————
When Victor and Hancock returned to Amazon Lily, they were welcomed by the citizens with cheers of "Snake Princess!" and "Lord Victor!"
The recognition warmed Victor's heart. To him, this island felt like home alongside Hancock.
Still, his mind lingered on the new reward—100 island-wide anti-aircraft cannons. A foundation for Amazon Lily's defense once he and Hancock sailed out to sea.
Victor also kept an eye on Luffy's condition, waiting for him to wake—and for Silvers Rayleigh's arrival.
Sure enough, Luffy's strong body recovered quickly, and not long after, the Dark King himself—former first mate of the Pirate King Gol D. Roger—arrived at Amazon Lily.