Chapter 30: Forbidden Ground — The Pirate Empress's Private Bath!
Amazon Lily — Cliff Edge
Rok stood at the precipice, staring down at the magnificent palace below.
When Marguerite mentioned that Hancock's private bath was directly beneath them, a very bold (and very stupid) idea popped into his head.
"Lord Rok, what are you thinking? Lord Hancock hates men. Letting any man on the island is the kingdom's iron law."
"If you're lucky, you and Luffy should pray she never finds you. Otherwise… you'll be turned to stone."
Marguerite, who had been forcibly dragged along as their guide, kept warning him.
She already knew the full story— they hadn't meant to invade. They were literally shot here by an enemy.
They just wanted to find their crew.
She believed they were good guys. That's why she was helping.
"Luffy, wake up. On Hancock's turf, meeting the Shichibukai Empress is unavoidable."
Rok smirked mysteriously.
Before anyone could respond— shouts erupted behind them.
"There they are! Give Marguerite back!"
"Filthy men—get out of our country!"
The Kuja Guard had caught up and surrounded them.
"Captain, stop! They're good people! They won't hurt us!"
Marguerite stepped forward, trying to explain.
But someone shoved her from behind— straight into her comrades' arms.
"Marguerite, know your place. Lord Hancock has returned to the palace."
Captain Kikyo caught her, then shot Rok a sharp look.
As a veteran warrior, she understood exactly why Rok had pushed Marguerite away.
If Marguerite kept defending men, Kikyo would've been forced to treat her as a traitor.
If Hancock found out the Guard sheltered intruders— the entire unit would be punished.
"Fire! Kill them, then beg Lord Hancock for forgiveness!"
With Marguerite safe, Kikyo gave the order without hesitation.
SWOOSH—
A storm of arrows coated in faint Armament Haki rained down.
"Watch out!"
Marguerite's face went white.
Then— everyone gasped.
Instead of dodging or fighting back, Rok grabbed Luffy by the collar— and jumped straight off the hundreds-of-meters-high cliff.
Dead silence.
Marguerite thought they were committing suicide.
The Guard thought they just crashed into the most forbidden place on the island— Hancock's private bath.
If the Empress was bathing right now…
They were all screwed.
While the Kuja panicked on the cliff, Rok and Luffy plummeted.
At the last second, Luffy stretched his arm, grabbed a tree branch, and saved himself.
Rok?
Not so lucky.
BOOM!
He crashed straight through the roof of the bathhouse.
Dust settled.
Hot steam filled the air.
Rok stood up, brushing off debris, and froze.
Through the thick mist— the most perfect silhouette he'd ever seen.
Long, flawless legs. A waist you could wrap one arm around. Curves that could launch a thousand wars.
Then his eyes traveled upward— and locked with a pair of ice-cold, furious violet eyes.
"Who… are you?! How dare you trespass in my bath?!"
Pirate Empress Boa Hancock was livid.
No one—no one—had ever barged in while she bathed.
This place was forbidden for a reason.
She had a secret to protect.
And now a man had seen her naked?!
Whoosh—
Without hesitation, she grabbed a pebble and hurled it at him, using the steam as cover to reach for her clothes.
But before she could move— a warm breath brushed the back of her neck.
Her body froze.
He saw it.
The mark.
The Hoof of the Soaring Dragon on her back.
"The world's most beautiful woman. Shichibukai. Pirate Empress Boa Hancock."
Rok's calm voice came from directly behind her.
"My name is Douglas D. Rok. First time meeting you. Hope I didn't startle you."
(He was totally staring at the mark.)
"I don't care who you are— DIE!!"
Hancock spun, naked and furious, ready to murder him on the spot.
But Rok spoke first, voice steady.
"Don't be so angry, Boa Hancock."
"I almost had that same disgusting brand burned into my skin. But I fought back. And I killed the Celestial Dragon who tried."
"What I'm saying is— You did nothing wrong. The ones who should be ashamed and hiding… are those evil bastards."
"We were the victims. The only thing we owe them… is revenge."
He gently touched the mark on her back, voice soft but firm.
Hancock's body trembled.
Three seconds of silence.
Then— her voice, cold but shaken:
"You… killed a Celestial Dragon?"
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