IW: Chapter 186 - Is Amazon Lily Hancock's dowry from now on?
"Alas, it's just as you said, Bai Ye, no buying and selling, no harm."
Issho looked at the three sisters, chained and caged, a hint of emotion flashing in his heart. Just as Bai Ye had said, nobles, especially Celestial Dragons, were the driving force behind many things.
For instance, in the slave trade, most slaves served the Celestial Dragons. Various races were captured and brought to Sabaody Archipelago, then auctioned or otherwise transferred to Celestial Dragons and nobles from various countries.
If these three girls hadn't been met today, they would most likely have suffered the same fate.
"Issho, face reality. This world won't always go your way. The longer you live, the more you'll realize that for every light in the world, there's a Shadow."
Bai Ye said indifferently. The Celestial Dragons' actions could truly be described as demonic. In later stages, the Celestial Dragons directly turned the Marine's justice into a joke; they were truly no different from clowns.
Perhaps Issho still had some goodwill towards the Marine at this time, because he saw more of the pirates' greed. Although he also knew about the Celestial Dragons' evil deeds, Issho believed that compared to pirates, the Marine could change this world more effectively.
But what he saw and heard now, while not changing Issho's view of pirates, severely made Issho doubt the Marine's justice.
Did the Marine know about what the Celestial Dragons did?
Perhaps the low-ranking Marine did not know, but the high-ranking Marine certainly did, yet they continued to protect the Celestial Dragons. From talking with Bai Ye these past few days, it was clear that the interests the Marine protected were those of the Celestial Dragons, not the common people.
After a conflict of interest between the two sides, the Marine would definitely not stand with the common people, and that was not what he wanted.
And he became even more convinced that if things were truly as Bai Ye said, he would definitely join Bai Ye. He wanted to change this world, but he needed a sincere and capable place to do so, not necessarily the Marine.
"You are right."
Issho nodded in agreement. Perhaps only by understanding more would he grasp this matter.
This world is a tragedy!
"Let's not talk about this for now, we can discuss it later." Bai Ye nodded, then directly cut the chains binding the three sisters with a single sword stroke: "You can go now!"
After Bai Ye cut the iron chains on her wrists, ankles, and neck, Hancock had an unreal feeling.
She had originally thought her life was about to enter its darkest moment, but unexpectedly, someone had saved them?
"Thank you."
Hancock lowered her head, a hint of gratitude flashing across her face as she spoke.
It wasn't until Bai Ye led them out of the ship's cabin and they saw the ship full of corpses that Hancock could truly believe it. It turned out Bai Ye was right; he really had come to save them.
Hancock had originally wondered if it was just a cruel prank by those guys, giving them hope only to plunge them into despair again.
"Should we send them back?"
Issho asked.
Although he really wanted to see the country Bai Ye had mentioned that had been changed.
But now there were three girls here who urgently needed their help, and he wanted to send them back first. At least he couldn't just stand by and watch.
"I don't care."
Bai Ye was indifferent. Sending them back would also give him a chance for a lottery draw.
"No need, we can go back ourselves."
Sandersonia waved her hands repeatedly. They had just been rescued, and now they were going to be sent back? Wouldn't that be too much trouble for them?
"It's not easy to get there."
Marigold also quickly said.
"The Calm Belt? Amazon Lily."
Bai Ye slowly said. Although he had known for a long time, Bai Ye wouldn't say anything until they did. But since they had already said it, there was no need for him to play dumb.
Hearing Bai Ye's guess, Hancock's heart jolted, and then she felt a bit worried. He wouldn't have any ideas about Amazon Lily, would he?
Having just been captured, she found it difficult to trust others at this moment.
The human traffickers who came to Amazon Lily before had used her sympathy to capture her and her sisters.
Would this person also be like the others?
"How do you know, Bai Ye?"
Issho was also a bit surprised. The person hadn't even said anything yet, and you already knew? And this little girl instantly became vigilant, so you really did guess correctly!
But did this backfire?
"It's simple. The closest place here is Amazon Lily. When she said it's not easy to get there, isn't she referring to the Calm Belt? Only the Calm Belt is difficult to reach."
The slave ship had only left Amazon Lily a short time ago, so this place was still relatively close to Amazon Lily.
Plus, Bai Ye already knew. He hadn't said anything before to avoid being misunderstood as having ulterior motives, but since the other party had already spoken, he didn't need to hide it anymore.
"You are girls from Amazon Lily, right? That clothing style is very similar to Nine Serpent's. I know Gloriosa."
Bai Ye had known Gloriosa when he was with the Rocks Pirates. Although their interactions weren't very deep, he did know her.
Speaking of which, it had been a long time since he had seen her after the Rocks Pirates disbanded.
It seemed that after leaving the Rocks Pirates, Gloriosa returned to Amazon Lily.
"You know Elder Nyon?"
"Elder Nyon?"
Bai Ye was a bit surprised. Gloriosa didn't seem to be that old yet, did she?
"Elder Nyon is the Gloriosa you mentioned."
"I know, but is she already that old?"
Bai Ye remembered her looking very beautiful when he saw her in the Rocks Pirates.
Back then, there were four golden flowers in the Rocks Pirates: Charlotte Linlin was the most beautiful, followed by Gloriosa, then Miss Bakkin, and finally Kurozumi Higurashi.
"She's not that old, we just got used to calling her that."
"I understand. Should I send you back, or will you go back yourselves?"
Bai Ye wasn't very proactive; the choice was in their hands. He let them decide whether they wanted to be sent back.
Upon hearing Bai Ye's words, the two younger sisters were also somewhat tempted but didn't speak, instead looking at Hancock.
"Will it be too much trouble for you?"
Hancock initially worried if Bai Ye wanted to harm Amazon Lily.
But then she thought it seemed impossible. Since he knew, there was no need for him to use the excuse of sending them back to make a move; he could just go there himself.
Moreover, he said he knew Gloriosa, so once they returned, they could just ask Gloriosa to clarify.
"I said it's no trouble."
"Then we'll trouble you."
They had no way to return. The Calm Belt was simply not something they could navigate back through.
And it was unknown why this slave ship had come to the Calm Belt. It was only because they were naive that they were tricked into getting on board and leaving with it.
"Let me see."
Bai Ye closed his eyes, extending his perception to the farthest distance. After locating Amazon Lily, he placed his hands on Issho and Hancock: "You two hold her hands."
"Mhm, mhm."
Although they didn't know what Bai Ye was going to do, they obediently followed Bai Ye's instructions and held Hancock's hands.
Immediately after, space spun, and the four of them were thus transferred to Amazon Lily. This miraculous scene made the three sisters widen their eyes in disbelief, staring at Bai Ye.
What kind of ability is this?!
So cool!!
"Bai Ye, is this ability the power you mentioned earlier that can instantly return us to that place?"
Issho exclaimed with emotion. This ability was indeed convenient. They were just on the ship, and the next second they were on Amazon Lily.
"Sister, we're back!!"
Boa Marigold instantly became excited looking at her surroundings.
She had perhaps been worried about whether they could return, but now that they were back, her worries were gone.
And Gloriosa, who had already organized a rescue mission for Hancock, looked at the three sisters who had suddenly returned and the familiar face from her memories. She was also a bit surprised; this man had actually come, and he had brought Hancock back?
"Oh, Gloriosa, long time no see!"
Bai Ye waved his hand in greeting, a surge of emotion in his heart. The once vibrant Gloriosa was now old, and her height even seemed to be shrinking.
"It has been a long time, but why would a person like you come to Amazon Lily?"
Gloriosa stared intently at Bai Ye. She hadn't seen Bai Ye in a long time; everything she knew about him now was from newspapers.
She didn't understand the purpose of Bai Ye's visit. Behind Gloriosa stood many people from Amazon Lily, and she couldn't allow Bai Ye to act recklessly.
"Elder Nyon, he saved us! We were captured by a group of very bad people who said they were going to sell us!"
Marigold ran to Elder Nyon and recounted their earlier ordeal.
After hearing the three sisters' story, Gloriosa's caution dissipated. At the same time, she looked apologetically at Bai Ye, realizing she shouldn't have doubted him.
If it weren't for Bai Ye, the three sisters would probably have been taken away.
She had just finished organizing her people, and they were almost out of the Calm Belt.
"I've delivered the people to you. If there's nothing else, I'll be leaving."
Since the people had been delivered, there was no need to stay here any longer.
"Wait, can I go out to sea with you?"
Hancock called out to Bai Ye, her eyes filled with anticipation. She wanted to go out to sea with Bai Ye.
After she spoke, Gloriosa's expression immediately changed. She had been training Hancock to be the next empress.
Hancock was the most talented girl on Amazon Lily. If she left with Bai Ye, Amazon Lily would definitely fall into a state of disarray.
"No, Bai Ye, you cannot take Hancock. We can discuss other conditions!"
Although she was very grateful to Bai Ye for saving Hancock, if Bai Ye really took Hancock away, what would happen to Amazon Lily?
"Why?"
Bai Ye hadn't spoken yet, but Hancock was already anxious. Why couldn't she go out to sea with Bai Ye?
No one knew how desperate she had been at that time. If Bai Ye hadn't come, she might have already been sold to others.
She wanted to follow Bai Ye to repay his life-saving kindness!
And deep down, she also felt a trace of guilt because she had actually doubted her savior earlier.
"There is no why, Hancock, you must stay on Amazon Lily. This is..."
"I don't want to hear that. You once left Nine Serpent too!"
Listening to Hancock's words, Gloriosa was at a loss for words for a moment.
The reason she left Amazon Lily back then was because she had contracted a disease, and if she didn't leave Amazon Lily, she would definitely die, but she... surely not?
"Hancock, stay on Amazon Lily."
"Why? Lord Bai Ye, are you going to abandon me too?"
Look at what you're saying.
Bai Ye's heart was filled with complaints as he listened to Hancock's words.
What do you mean, 'I'm going to abandon you too'?
He hadn't seemed to do anything.
"You want to help me, right?"
"Mhm, mhm, please, Lord Bai Ye, give me a chance. I want to repay your kindness!"
Hancock nodded repeatedly, her eyes full of anticipation. She had said so much, surely Bai Ye would give her a chance, right?
"You stay on Amazon Lily and cultivate well. Becoming the empress of this country will allow you to help me better. When your strength is enough to help me, I will come back for you."
Taking Hancock with him was the least cost-effective option.
But leaving Hancock on Amazon Lily, she would become the empress of Amazon Lily in the future, and after that, Bai Ye could easily gain Amazon Lily. Amazon Lily was full of Haki users!
"But..."
Hancock was a little afraid that Bai Ye would leave and never come back for her.
Seeing her like this, Bai Ye chuckled inwardly, then squatted down and extended his pinky finger in front of Hancock: "Let's make a pinky promise. When you become strong, I will come find you!"
"Mhm, mhm, then Lord Bai Ye must come find me. At that time, I will repay you well!"
Saying that, Hancock extended her pinky finger and hooked it with Bai Ye's.
"Then, take this Devil Fruit."
The Love-Love Fruit.
A Devil Fruit he had obtained from God Valley. It was useless to him, so he would give it to Hancock. It suited her perfectly.
Gloriosa's eyes flashed with surprise as she looked at the Devil Fruit Bai Ye took out. She hadn't expected Bai Ye to give this Devil Fruit to Hancock.
"Then I'm leaving, Hancock. Don't give up any chance to become stronger before I come for you!"
"Mhm, mhm, I won't!"
Watching Bai Ye's departing back, Hancock nodded with determination.
The next time Bai Ye came for her, she would be the empress of Amazon Lily, and she would also possess the combat power to help Bai Ye.
"Elder Nyon, please guide us in our cultivation. I want to become stronger!!"
Hancock bowed earnestly to Gloriosa.
After this incident, Hancock realized her insignificance. If she had been stronger, even if she had been tricked onto the ship, she could still have rescued herself and her sisters.
It was precisely because of her weakness that this series of events occurred!
"Alright."
That fellow Bai Ye unexpectedly stimulated Hancock's enthusiasm.
Gloriosa didn't know if this was good or bad.
However, the future Amazon Lily seemed to be tied to that fellow Bai Ye. What that fellow wanted to do was very dangerous, and she felt that Amazon Lily would also be brought into danger!
But... could she persuade Hancock?
She wasn't actually sure, and didn't even have much confidence.
[Ding! Changed Hancock's fate, rewarding one lottery chance.]
Use.
[Ding! Lottery chance used successfully. Congratulations on obtaining: Kusanagi Sword.]
[Kusanagi Sword]: Supreme Grade Sword of the Twelve Supreme Grade Swords.
Supreme Grade Sword?!
Originally, Bai Ye had been thinking of forging his current sword into a Black Blade.
But now it seemed unnecessary.
"Wano Country, it really is an eye-opener."
Issho did not act with Bai Ye after arriving in Wano Country, but instead explored Wano Country from his own perspective.
Everything here surprised Issho. It turned out that everything Bai Ye said was true, and the changes Wano Country made could also be applied to any other island in the world. It turned out what he said could really be achieved.
"There's even more to open your eyes to!"
"What?"
"Ohara, which is to be destroyed because it researches history."
Bai Ye placed the information he had just received in front of Issho, then suddenly realized that he couldn't see it, so he told him about it.
He hadn't expected the World Government to move so quickly against Ohara.
In the anime, it didn't seem to happen this fast. Was it due to other changes?
"Sure enough, there's something in history that frightens them, which is why it's strictly forbidden. It's probably because they used many despicable methods when they gained world hegemony."
"Ohara, that's an island of scholars. Do they really intend to destroy it?"
Issho said in a deep voice.
They were just a group of scholars researching history, yet they were to be annihilated by the World Government for that very reason.
"It's normal. It's precisely because they are just a group of scholars that this happens."
"How so?"
"The World Government has strictly forbidden it, yet they continue to research. Ultimately, they are courting death. They have no power to protect themselves, yet they are so curious about history. If you were in the World Government's position, and you had strictly forbidden this matter, but people kept defying your ban, what would you do?"
In Bai Ye's opinion, Ohara's destruction was purely self-inflicted.
You don't have any power, and they've already said research is forbidden, yet you're almost done with your research. Who wouldn't lose their temper in that situation?
Destroying you is perfectly normal!