đ´ââ ď¸ Chapter 2
Amazon Lily had never been so alive.
Banners with Luffy's straw hat symbol hung from every tree. Fireworks burst into the sky in bursts of red, gold, and violet. The normally fierce Kuja warriors were running around with ribbons and flowers, preparing for the grandest event in pirate history.
The marriage of the Pirate King and the Pirate Empress.
In the center of the island, on a wide-open platform carved by Franky and decorated by Nami, stood a raised altar with white sakura petals fluttering in the breeze. It overlooked the sea, the same view Hancock used to stare into, longing for the man who now stood beside herâday and night.
đ Somewhere deep inside the Empress's palace...
Luffy sat awkwardly on a silk-covered chair while Hancock fidgeted in front of a mirror. The Empress of Amazon Lilyâthe strongest woman on the seaâwas blushing like a teenager.
"You sure you wanna wear that thing?" Luffy asked, tilting his head as she tried on a long, red kimono with golden serpent designs.
"I-It's⌠traditional," she stammered. "A wedding gown fit for a goddess... I mean a wife!"
"Looks hot," Luffy said simply, grinning.
She blinked, then slowly turned toward him. "Hot�"
"Yeah. I like it. But I like you more without it."
Her heart exploded.
"Youâ!! L-Luffy!" she squeaked, covering her burning cheeks.
Luffy scratched the back of his head. "Did I say something weird again?"
Hancock looked away, her voice barely a whisper. "No. Just⌠perfect."
⊠Outside â Straw Hat Chaos Begins
Sanji was flipping shrimp midair as the island's kitchens burst into steam and fire.
"Nami-saaaan~! Try my wedding dish for the reception!"
Nami, holding a clipboard full of logistics, didn't even look up. "If it's not ready in 10 minutes, I'm cutting your wedding cake budget."
Usopp was teaching Kuja kids how to build a cannon-slingshot launcher shaped like Luffy's hat.
Chopper was nervously preparing a "just-in-case" medical kit filled with everything from heart medicine to aphrodisiacsâalthough he didn't quite understand what those were.
Robin and Jinbei coordinated guest seating, and Brook rehearsed a violin solo he had composed just for the wedding kiss.
Zoro? Sleeping on a rooftop with a sake jug balanced on his chest.
"Should we wake him up for the wedding?" Usopp asked.
"Only if Luffy dies during the vows," Nami muttered.
đ Elsewhere⌠in the Shadows
Across the sea, a cold figure stared at a map glowing with red marksâeach one a location of Luffy's victories.
"His wedding is our chance," the figure hissed.
In the darkness, several cloaked figures nodded.
The Heir of Blackbeard had risen.
And they weren't coming to congratulate the Pirate King.
đ Back to the Wedding
The sun dipped low as guests poured in from around the world:
The Revolutionaries: Dragon and Sabo appeared from the skies, cloaked in wind and shadow.Former enemies turned alliesâLaw, Kid, even Crocodileâstood in stunned silence, watching the island that once banned all men.The Red-Haired Pirates anchored far off the coast. Shanks leaned against the mast, smiling. "He really did it, huh?"
At sunset, drums sounded.
Luffy stepped onto the altar wearing a loose white robe with red flame designs, his scar visible, his grin wide.
Boa Hancock followed, escorted by her sisters, in a flowing red-gold kimono and a crown of blooming lilies.
The music faded.
Silence reigned.
Then, Robin stepped forward, holding an old scroll.
"In the name of the seas⌠and the legacy of pirates⌠I declare this union eternal. Monkey D. Luffyâdo you accept Boa Hancock as your wife?"
Luffy blinked. "Of course I do!"
Hancock's breath hitched, her eyes shimmering.
"Boa Hancock, do youâ"
"Yes! A thousand times yes!" she shouted, hugging Luffy so hard he lifted off the ground.
The crowd erupted in cheers and fireworks exploded overhead.
Kiss?
Oh, they kissed.
Hancock nearly melted into him, and for once, Luffy didn't pull away. He closed his eyes and leaned inânervously but willinglyâas their lips met, setting off an explosion in the hearts of everyone watching.
Sanji fainted again.
Nami and Robin smiled.
Even Zoro opened one eye. "âŚFinally."
đ But not all cheers were for loveâŚ
Far away, atop a Marine warship cloaked in black, a new Admiral watched through a transponder snail.
"Let them laugh," the Admiral muttered. "The Pirate King's love⌠will be his greatest weakness."
đš End of Chapter 2
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As the honeymoon begins, Luffy and Hancock share their first night alone together. Meanwhile, the Heir of Blackbeard gathers the remnants of the old world for a strike that will shake the Pirate King's paradise. Love is in the air⌠but so is war.