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Kuja Island, also known as Amazon Lily, is an island located in the Calm Belt. Its inhabitants are composed entirely of women.
At this moment, inside the royal palace.
The current queen of Kuja Island, a new member of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, and the woman known as the world's most beautiful, Boa Hancock, was lounging gracefully on her throne.
The palace's style was classical, resembling the elegant architecture of the ancient East.
On either side of the throne stood two tall women with distinct serpentine features, as well as female guards armed with spears.
"Hancock!!"
A short, elderly woman with long, wavy white hair, a flower tucked behind her left ear, and holding a staff, walked steadily out from a corner of the palace hall.
She held a newly arrived newspaper and shouted at Hancock on the throne: "This is the paper I just got today! Something major has happened!"
"——?!"
The two women beside the throne were startled. They hadn't even noticed when this white-haired old woman had entered the hall!
"Elder Nyon..."
"This is my palace. Why are you here?" Hancock asked, lifting her eyes slightly, her expression cold and arrogant.
"Elder Nyon... How did you get in?" The female guards, slow to react, also looked astonished.
This unassuming woman was the empress three generations before the current one.
Despite her advanced age, her status on Kuja Island was second only to the current empress, Hancock!
Ordinary tribe members had to bow their heads upon seeing her and were not allowed to look directly at her!
"I get in everywhere..." Elder Nyon said, her expression unchanging, putting on a profound air.
However, Hancock was far more willful than she had imagined. She immediately waved her hand and ordered the guards beside her:
"Throw her out!!"
"Wait! Snake Princess! You can't be so willful! The World Government has captured Tiger!"
Hearing Hancock's order to expel her, Elder Nyon's face fell. She held up the newspaper in her hand and shouted.
"What did you say?!"
At these words, Hancock, who had just been cold and indifferent, instantly turned grim. A thick killing intent emanated from her.
"You..."
She pointed at the female guards, who were still confused. "Get out!!"
Hearing the news about Tiger, Hancock understood. There were some things that others on Kuja Island could not know. It was the lifelong shame of her and her sisters!
"Yes, Lady Snake Princess!" The female guards bowed and quickly retreated.
"You said Tiger... was captured by the World Government?"
After confirming that only Elder Nyon and the three sisters remained in the hall, Hancock asked in a deep voice.
"When did this happen?"
"About a week ago."
Because Kuja Island is in the Calm Belt, there are very few human settlements, so News Coo rarely visit.
The News Coo won't make a thankless effort to go to a place where there's no money to be made.
Therefore, the newspapers that arrive on Kuja Island are always delayed. Elder Nyon values the news from every paper.
It couldn't be helped; she was the only person on the entire island interested in world events. After all, such matters concerned the safety of Kuja Island!
"...Can my Warlord privileges be used to demand a pardon from the World Government?"
Hancock was silent for a moment, her expression turning ugly.
Just as Atlas had said before, even though Tiger was a Fish-Man, his act of freeing the slaves was enough to earn the lifelong gratitude of all who benefited!
"I'm afraid not... After all, Tiger's crime is something the World Government cannot tolerate."
Elder Nyon shook her head with a bitter smile. She was also very grateful to Tiger.
Although Hancock had a bad temper, it was undeniable that as the Empress of Kuja Island, her strength and talent were the most outstanding of any empress in history!
"In that case...I shall lead the Kuja Pirates to attack the Impel Down!!"
Hancock shot to her feet, her expression so dark it looked like it could drip water. Her words sent a cold sweat down Elder Nyon's back.
"You must not be rash, Snake Princess!!"
Elder Nyon was shocked. She quickly threw aside her staff and, with an agility that defied her age, leapt forward and hugged Hancock's leg, wailing.
"This country is protected entirely by your Warlord title! In the past, we could rely on the strong barrier of the Calm Belt to defend Kuja Island from enemies!"
"But now, the World Government, using new shipbuilding technology, can travel freely in these waters..."
"It is only because you are a Warlord that they do not set foot on Kuja Island, even though you act as a pirate!"
As she spoke, Elder Nyon managed to squeeze out a few tears.
"Once you lose the title, we will become a pirate nation again, and tragedy will strike! What will happen to the old and young of the island then?"
"How annoying! So rude!" Hancock looked down at the weeping Elder Nyon, a disgusted curl on her lip. With a shake of her leg, she kicked Elder Nyon away!
She then leaned back, facing the ceiling, and pointed her index finger at the flying Elder Nyon, looking down on her.
"Even if my willfulness leads to the country's ruin... everyone will forgive me!"
"The reason is...Because I am...Too beautiful!" There it was, Hancock's classic "looking down" pose!
"Sister, please be gentler with Elder Nyon..."
Marigold, at her side, couldn't help but interject.
"Who do you think you are? You are just a traitor to Kuja. If not for the previous empress's mercy in taking you in..."
Suddenly, Hancock strode forward and grabbed the still-dizzy Elder Nyon.
"That's why I'm living humbly in the corner of the village..." Elder Nyon struggled, but she didn't stop retorting.
"Then go live your little life...How dare you lecture the current empress? Such insolence!!"
Swish!!
Thud—!
With a dull thud, Elder Nyon's body was thrown out of the palace gates. A purple snake was tossed out along with her.
Pat, pat, pat—!!
Dusting herself off, Elder Nyon showed no sign of anger. Instead, a mysterious smile appeared on her face.
She understood. Although Hancock hadn't said it, she had most likely given up the idea of attacking the great undersea prison.
Inside the palace.
Hancock picked up the newspaper Elder Nyon had dropped, reading the front-page headline, word by word.
...Kizaru personally planned...
Rustle—!
Her eyes narrowed slightly, her slender hand suddenly clenched, and the entire newspaper was instantly crumpled into a ball.
Grand Line, at the entrance to the great undersea prison.
Several massive warships were docked on either side of the prison entrance, with rows of solemn Marine soldiers guarding the exit.
Although the Marines and Impel Down are both organizations under the World Government, the prison's military strength naturally cannot compare to the Marines, the government's most powerful military force.
Therefore, external security was handled by the Marines. At this moment, at the end of a wooden deck extending from the prison.
A whale shark Fish-Man with wild eyebrows and sideburns sat cross-legged.
His topknot hairstyle was slightly messy, and the short, coarse black beard on his chin fluttered in the wind. His eyes were sharp and piercing.
This was the newest Warlord of the Sea—"Knight of the Sea" Jinbe!
Today was the day the World Government had promised to release the Sun Pirates. He was here early to welcome his comrades.
And... to suppress any riots from the more radical elements.
Rumble—!
The heavy gates opened, the sound like rolling thunder spreading in all directions.
The Fish-Men of the Sun Pirates, escorted by guards, walked out of the dark undersea prison with grim faces.
They already knew. Their leader, Tiger, would not be coming out with them. His fate was unknown.
Given the Celestial Dragons' hatred for Boss Tiger, he was probably...
"Brother Jinbe..."
"So you became a [Warlord]... became the World Government's..."
"Lapdog!!!"
Before Jinbe could speak, a cartilaginous Fish-Man with two pigtails sticking up lunged forward, his eyes glaring wide.
"Kuroobi..."
Jinbe recognised him. He was a follower of Arlong from the Fish-Man District. Like Arlong, he held very extreme views against humans.
The Sun Pirates were composed of roughly three factions: First, ordinary Fish-Men who were captivated by Tiger's charisma.
Second, soldiers who had followed Jinbe out of the Neptune Army. And third, Arlong's crew from the Fish-Man District.
The first two groups respected Jinbe, the Sun Pirates' second-in-command. This is why, in the original timeline, Jinbe deservedly became the second captain of the Sun Pirates!
Now that the Marines had killed Arlong, the Fish-Man District riffraff who had idolised Arlong were certainly furious with Jinbe for willingly becoming a lapdog of the World Government.
A fellow Fish-Man, who should be seeking revenge against the hateful humans, had instead become a Warlord!
"Have you forgotten Boss Tiger's warning? Do not live in hatred and anger!"
Jinbe's gaze hardened, his cape fluttering behind him as a terrifying aura pressed down on Kuroobi.
"You're good at seeing which way the wind blows, Brother Jinbe...If I become your subordinate now, I'll be in your 'safe zone,' right? But I won't do it!"
"Brother Arlong cannot rest in peace! I will never compromise with the World Government!"
Kuroobi gritted his teeth, his eyes bloodshot, and stared at the calm Jinbe, his expression full of desperate ferocity.
"I'm taking the comrades who used to be with Arlong and leaving!"
Hatred. A deep-seated hatred for humans. Jinbe could see that Kuroobi had inherited Arlong's will.
"..."
"This is goodbye. If you're going to stop me no matter what, then right here, right now...Kill me!"
Kuroobi screamed, and a group of Fish-Man comrades gradually gathered behind him.
Chew, Kaneshiro, Shioyaki, Pisaro...
Jinbe slowly scanned the Fish-Men, who looked nervous yet fierce-eyed. His expression darkened, and he spoke slowly:
"I will not let you leave here today..."
"...Brother Jinbe, I am the one..."
"Who has inherited Brother Arlong's will! I represent the anger of the Fish-Man race!"
Kuroobi roared, the veins on his neck bulging. He was clearly enraged.
"Don't be so full of yourself!!"
The moment he spoke, his thick, blue giant palm shot out. Massive amounts of water vapour gathered in his palm, letting out a terrifying shriek as it cut the air.
Boom—!!!
With just one strike, Kuroobi and all the Fish-Men behind him were knocked down. The dull sound of bodies hitting the deck rang out, sending up a cloud of dust.
"Brother Jinbe! Stop!!"
The Fish-Men, led by Aladdin, rushed forward to stop him.
Even though they didn't agree with Arlong's crew's philosophy, it didn't mean they wanted to see them dead!
"Don't worry, I held back. They'll be fine!"
Jinbe's expression was dark. He looked at the unconscious crew of Arlong and said coldly:
"Tie these guys up. Let them cool down!" Compared to their lives, a little restriction on their freedom was nothing.
He remembered the words that man had left him with.
'If you can't control them, I'll personally help you send them to hell!!'
...
Marine Headquarters, top floor of the office building.
The offices of the Marine high command, including Sengoku's, were on this floor.
At this time, in one of the central offices.
Atlas was leaning back in his office chair. The decor was minimalist, with pure white floors and ceilings, and a beige sofa in the centre.
On the gray-white wall, a calligraphy scroll, written with fierce strokes, hung in the centre!
It read: [The Strongest Justice]
Click—!
The crisp sound of a phone being hung up was heard. Atlas let out a long sigh.
Tiger's situation was finally settled, for the most part. He had just called Magellan and made arrangements.
At the very least, Tiger wouldn't be taken from the prison by the Celestial Dragons, and his life was fundamentally guaranteed.
Although Impel Down was just an institution under the World Government, given Magellan's potential and current status, it would be difficult for an ordinary Celestial Dragon to bypass him and forcibly take Tiger.
And, although Atlas and Magellan hadn't had many dealings, perhaps due to the mutual respect between the strong, they had exchanged Den Den Mushi numbers long ago.
Moreover, Magellan himself was a man who possessed a sense of justice. While he didn't necessarily agree with Tiger's actions, he would never deny that Tiger was a true hero!
Pele! Pele! Pele! Pele!
Suddenly, a Den Den Mushi in Atlas's pocket rang urgently.
Kacha!
Atlas's pupils shook. This Den Den Mushi...
It was the one he had given to Tesoro on Minion Island. If it wasn't something critically important, Tesoro's personality was not one to contact him lightly.
Thinking of this, Atlas quickly pulled the Den Den Mushi from his pocket and picked up the receiver.
"Hello! This is Atlas!"
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