Off the Coast of Amazon Lily.
Victor boarded the Kuja Pirates' ship that came to greet him and returned with Hancock to Amazon Lily.
At the same time, Straw Hat Luffy followed Silvers Rayleigh on his two-year training journey.
Victor and Luffy went their separate ways.
But as Victor thought back on the promise with Luffy, he grew uneasy. With his current strength, he could already conquer the New World. And in two years, he'd be even stronger.
So why had Luffy insisted on such an agreement?
Could it be that Luffy was worried Victor would leave him behind?
The more Victor thought about it, the more annoyed he became.
Who the hell said Luffy was just a stupid kid?!
"Husband! I... I'm so touched!"
The moment Victor set foot on deck, Hancock leapt into his arms, clinging tightly.
The Kuja warriors were no longer shocked by this. Scenes like this had become an irritatingly familiar sight.
"Hahaha! As long as you're happy, Hancock."
Victor grinned, enjoying her embrace. But in his heart, he silently swore:
One day, the spectacle I created at Marineford will be repeated in Mary Geoise itself!
Damn Celestial Dragons... just you wait.
Amazon Lily.
After resting for a few days, Victor set two tasks in motion.
First, he chose locations to deploy anti-aircraft weapons around the island.
Second, he discussed with Hancock the idea of forming a new pirate crew to sail the seas.
To Victor's surprise, Hancock showed great enthusiasm. She said that as long as she was with him, she'd do anything.
The sense of accomplishment Victor felt at that moment was intoxicating.
But Hancock also worried. If she left, who would protect Amazon Lily?
Meanwhile, the aftershocks of Marineford spread across the seas.
Victor's name now echoed worldwide. The World Government deliberately concealed many of his achievements, only branding him as the one who sowed chaos at Marineford.
But that didn't stop him from becoming a terrifyingly famous Supernova—one with a 2.1 billion berry bounty.
For Amazon Lily, however, the biggest concern was survival.
Because of Hancock and Victor's actions, Hancock had been stripped of her Seven Warlords of the Sea title, and Amazon Lily itself had been declared a hostile pirate nation.
That meant the island would forever live under the looming threat of a Marine invasion. To ordinary people, the Marines' "Buster Call" was nothing less than a death sentence.
Amazon Lily had long relied on the Calm Belt to protect it, but with new naval technology, warships could now sail those waters freely. Vice Admiral Flying Squirrel had already once brought a ship dangerously close.
Amazon Lily, National Assembly.
Most of the island's citizens had gathered in the arena—proud, fierce Kuja warriors filling the stands.
"I heard this assembly was called by the former empress, Elder Nyon Gloriosa!"
"Why not Lady Snake Princess herself? She's our ruler now."
"People say it's to stop Lord Victor and Lady Hancock from doing something reckless!"
"I bet it's about Lady Snake wanting to have children here, but Elder Nyon disagrees..."
Whispers spread like wildfire. Most didn't know the truth. To avoid panic, Nyon had not revealed that Amazon Lily was now officially an enemy of the Marines.
On the central platform stood Victor, Hancock, and Gloriosa.
Victor sighed inwardly. His Observation Haki caught every word from the crowd, and he felt more and more helpless the longer he listened.
They're even spreading rumors about kids already?
"Citizens of Amazon Lily! We gather today to discuss a matter that affects the very fate of our kingdom!"
Gloriosa's voice rasped through the microphone, echoing across the arena. She cast Victor and Hancock a look of frustration and blame.
If she could have persuaded them in private, she wouldn't have resorted to this.
The Pirate Empress Hancock, the ruler of Amazon Lily, intended to leave as a pirate once more—just because of love?!
"My fellow citizens, perhaps you don't yet know... because of Lady Hancock and Victor, the entire kingdom has been branded a hostile force by the Navy! Our island will forever face the threat of Marine attack!"
The arena fell into a stunned silence. For many, it was their first time hearing the news.
Hancock's peerless face turned cold. Gloriosa was trying to pressure her and Victor with the weight of the entire nation.
She was the Empress!
Hancock was about to retort, but Victor stopped her.
Then, to everyone's surprise, voices rose from the crowd:
"We have Lady Hancock and Lord Victor! Even if the Navy comes, we'll be safe!"
"Yes! We believe in them!"
"The Kuja are not afraid of war!"
"Lady Hancock!"
"Lord Victor!"
The silence broke into thunderous cheers. Not one voice blamed them—only support.
Victor's heart stirred at the sound.
Gloriosa, however, only smiled bitterly. "I also trust them... but…"
Her cane tapped the ground. She knew this approach would cut deeper than anger.
"But our Empress and Victor intend to form a new pirate crew! They will not be here to protect us!"
This time, her words struck hard. The cheers faded. The women of the island looked at Victor and Hancock with pained, silent eyes.
Did their rulers truly not care about them?
Gloriosa exhaled in relief. Even if she couldn't move Hancock, she might reach Victor.
She'd heard how he once risked himself to protect Kuja warriors. That compassion, she hoped, still lingered.
"Husband... I…" Hancock's voice trembled as she held Victor's hand tightly.
She knew—unless they secured the kingdom's safety, Victor would never rest easy.
Victor squeezed her hand in reassurance. Then he stepped forward, his voice booming through the arena.
"Amazon Lily is my home too! As long as I, Victor, draw breath, I will never let this island or its people fall into danger!
Hancock and I may leave, but before we go, I will build a defense line that makes Amazon Lily safer than ever!"
A massive anti-aircraft cannon materialized before him, shocking the entire arena.
"Is that... a cannon?" Elder Nyon asked, voicing the people's doubts. Could this truly protect them?
Victor only smirked. He had already tested its power.
These weren't ordinary weapons. The system's anti-aircraft guns didn't fire shells, but devastating laser beams, more powerful than even the Navy's own technology.
BZZZZZZZTTT!
BOOOOM!
The cannon fired, unleashing a blinding beam that split a mountain in half. The crowd gasped in stunned silence. Even Hancock looked at him with wide eyes.
No wonder he'd been so confident—he already had the solution in place.
He truly was the man she loved.
But Elder Nyon wasn't satisfied. "One cannon alone isn't enough to defend the kingdom!"
"One?" Victor grinned. "You underestimate me, Granny Nyon."
He raised his hand, firing a lightning signal into the sky.
FWOOOSH!
Suddenly, laser beams erupted in unison from all around the island. The light was so blinding it tore apart the clouds above.
Moments later, the warrior Daisy Margaret rushed into the arena, saluting before the crowd.
"Lord Victor! Lady Hancock! All ninety-nine anti-aircraft cannons have been successfully tested! The Amazon Lily Defense Line has been established!"
The arena erupted in disbelief.