After his slip-up regarding their location, Leo kept his mouth shut. He fell into step behind Ran, relaxing as they wound their way through the capital of Amazon Lily.
The island was vast, with the city and its outskirts providing ample space for the Kuja warriors. Here, every citizen was a soldier. They trained in Haki from childhood, making their average strength far superior to anyone in the four outer seas. Even in the South Blue, where the pirates were most savage, few would dare provoke a nation where even the flower-shop girl could crush a man's ribs with a punch.
Leo watched them. He saw warriors settling disputes in the ring, blood flowing as freely as sweat. He saw smiths, carpenters, and farmers—all women—going about their daily lives with an order and discipline that rivaled a military camp.
It was a functional society. It just happened to be one without men.
As they walked, he became the victim of relentless, wide-eyed observation. Women dropped their tools and halted their sparring matches just to watch him pass.
It told him two things: first, the isolationist policy was absolute; most of these women had never seen an adult male. Second, he was a living curiosity—a rare beast in a golden cage.
He wondered briefly how they maintained their population. Did the government arrange "excursions" and simply keep only the daughters?
Unlike Luffy, who had arrived as a chaotic force of nature, Leo was an official "guest" escorted by Ran. Ran was a high-ranking officer in the Kuja Pirates, a veteran of a thousand battles. Her presence kept the more curious citizens at a respectful distance, but it also acted as a barrier.
Leo knew that convincing a veteran like Ran would be difficult. She had seen too much—pirates, thinkers, and Marines alike. She wouldn't be swayed by a few pretty words. But the "lambs" in the streets? They were a different story.
He needed to get into the grassroots, but Ran was in the way. He had to pivot.
"I'm starving," Leo said, breaking the silence. "Does the Snake Queen's kingdom have anything decent to eat?"
"My appetite isn't huge. Just a small roadside place will do," he added, setting the stage.
Ran led him to a small tavern on the edge of the market. Immediately, a crowd of women funneled in behind them, staring at him like he was a prize specimen in a zoo. Ran didn't stop them; as long as the Empress hadn't forbidden it, she allowed the curiosity to play out.
"Ren! Get him a Gorgon Cheese Pastry," Ran called out to the tavern owner.
Leo noted the names. Ran, Sandersonia, Marigold, Gloriosa—all named after flowers. It was a cultural pattern. He realized then that Shakuyaku, the woman who ran the bar with Rayleigh back at Sabaody, must have been one of them. A former Empress, perhaps? He filed the secret away, a small smirk playing on his lips.
"Hey, this male is actually quite good-looking," a voice whispered from the back.
"He is," another replied. "A bit refined, isn't he? Very different from the brutes we see on the posters."
"He looks weak, though. He probably couldn't even draw a bow."
"So? He doesn't need to fight. He can just stay home and raise children."
"I saw him first! Don't you dare try to claim him!"
The tavern was quickly reaching a fever pitch. The murmurs grew into a roar of feminine speculation. Leo ignored it all. Compared to a slave uprising in Mariejois, a few hundred curious women were nothing.
The owner, Ren, brought out a plate of golden, flaky pastries. They were toasted to a perfect crisp, oozing with melted cheese and tender meat. Ren lingered, leaning on the table to get a closer look at him.
"On the house," she said, slamming a bottle of liquor between Leo and Ran. It was a bribe for Ran's patience.
Ran didn't hesitate. She uncorked the bottle and took a long, heroic pull, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand.
Ren pulled up a stool. "So, little brother, where do you come from?"
Leo tore off a piece of the pastry, the golden cheese stretching in a satisfying string. He nodded politely. "I'm a survivor from the Grand Line. I was lost at sea until I found my way here. I owe your people my life."
"He's so polite!" someone chirped from the crowd.
"And handsome!"
The commotion was drawing more people from the street. Leo saw Ren's young apprentice slip out the door to spread the word—this tavern was about to become the most profitable spot on the island.
Leo's eyes brightened. This was the perfect opening.
Even Ran looked interested. The Kuja Pirates mostly raided ships on the fringes; they didn't spend much time immersed in the lore and legends of the Grand Line. They were hungry for stories.
Leo cleared his throat, leaning back with the bottle of liquor he had just swiped from Ran. It was sweet, like rum, but with a kick that told him it was at least thirty percent alcohol.
"Since you're all so curious," Leo said, his voice carrying through the tavern, "I'll tell you a story. A true one. It's about a man I met in the heart of the world..."