A week later, and without causing any major commotion, the Red‑Hair Pirates emerged safely from Big Mom's territory after seven days inside.
No one knew exactly what had taken place during that time.
"Truly worthy of Red‑Hair — he didn't even end up in a fight with that old hag. Or should I say, anything else?"
From a suspended balcony in the Kuja Palace, Grimm glanced at the news reporting that Shanks had left Big Mom's domain unharmed, looking thoroughly unimpressed.
He had secretly hoped to see just how far the former member of Roger's crew had grown over the years.
"Lord Husband, you really do have a way of making people misinterpret your words!" Hancock said, blushing slightly as she lightly touched her cheek.
"Anything else" with that woman?
Her mind immediately jumped to suggestive implications.
Putting Shanks and Big Mom together in that light made the already experienced Empress shudder. What a bizarre pairing…
Grimm tossed the newspaper aside and reached out to pat her head. "How is Shirahoshi doing lately?"
Hancock absolutely loved it when he did that — after all, Grimm was nothing like the stiff, unfeeling Tim. She flushed even deeper and replied happily, "She is already communicating well with the Sea Kings, and her powers are beginning to awaken."
For the past two years, Grimm had rarely set sail. While most of his plans were already in motion and required no immediate action, part of the reason was indeed Shirahoshi — until her full power as Poseidon emerged, he preferred to stay close.
Violet's mind‑reading ability had already rooted out every last spy within their ranks, yet the World Government continued to scheme and plot ways to seize Shirahoshi. The sooner she awakened her true strength, the better.
A hush fell over the room. Hancock drew the balcony curtains closed, leaving only dim light. She had already sent Violet away on an errand, leaving them alone.
Seizing the rare opportunity, she lifted the hem of her silk robe and pressed her soft body close against Grimm.
---
Several hours later, Hancock stepped out of Grimm's quarters, her face glowing and her spirit renewed.
Seeing her, Gentian — who had been waiting outside — flicked her cigarette aside and hurried forward to report.
"Your Majesty, there is a pirate crew not under Lord Grimm's command waiting offshore. They have requested an audience."
"The Donquixote Pirates?" Hancock frowned, having read the news of their recent arrival in the New World.
"Is Doflamingo here himself?" she asked. Though his bounty was lower than hers, if the "Heavenly Demon" had come in person, she would still need to be cautious.
"No, it is two young subordinates sent by him. They are here to invite us to attend the first major auction the Donquixote Pirates are hosting in the New World," Gentian replied.
"Just two children? Hmph!"
Hancock lifted her chin in disdain and turned back toward the palace.
"Do they think they can look down on Lord Husband? Tell them to leave. If they truly wish to extend an invitation, let Doflamingo come here himself."
Sending mere youngsters as envoys struck her as an insult. Who does he think he is? And who does he think Grimm is?
"Understood!" Gentian answered, then hesitated before adding, "But Your Majesty — should we inform Lord Grimm about this?"
Hancock waved her hand dismissively. "It is only Doflamingo. Why bother Lord Husband with such trivial matters? I can handle it myself."
Now one of the Five Elite Commanders of the Holy Light Pirates, Hancock felt more than capable of dealing with an invitation from someone of Doflamingo's standing — even if it came to a fight, she had no fear.
"Very well."
Gentian led her squad down to the shore, where they found two of the few female crew members of the Donquixote Pirates: Baby 5 and Monet. Sitting behind them was a man with protruding buck teeth and a neck that looked like a set of spinning blades — Buffalo, also part of the Spade Army and a user of the Spin‑Spin Fruit, which granted him the ability to fly.
That was how they had arrived so quickly.
Though Gentian was only a mid‑ranking officer in the Holy Light Pirates, the sheer weight of being on the territory of an Emperor made the young visitors, all under twenty, feel extremely uneasy.
Doflamingo had chosen these three for good reason: Buffalo could travel fast, and sending only women and one man avoided provoking the all‑female Kuja crew unnecessarily.
Monet, with short green hair and thick glasses, swallowed hard and forced a polite smile as Gentian approached.
"Might we have Lord Grimm's reply?"
Gentian lit a cigarette and exhaled a cloud of smoke. "Lord Grimm knows nothing about this."
"Excuse me?" The three visitors froze in confusion.
"I passed your master's invitation to Her Majesty the Empress," Gentian continued, as if stating the obvious.
"She decided it was too minor an issue to trouble Lord Grimm over."
Minor? An invitation from the Heavenly Demon is 'minor'?
"To put it as kindly as possible," Gentian went on, "Her Majesty says if the invitation is truly sincere, then your master should come in person."
She then glanced at Buffalo with undisguised contempt.
"And remember — the Kuja do not welcome outsiders. To us, having any man other than Lord Grimm set foot on our island feels like a disgrace."
"What did you say?!" Buffalo fumed. How dare she speak to me like this? Is it because I'm not handsome enough?
In truth, Gentian's words were far milder than Hancock's actual order — she had deliberately left out the word "scram."
"Buffalo, let's go," Monet said calmly, pulling him back. She knew full well what happened to those who offended anyone in Grimm's territory.
Monet and Baby 5 climbed onto Buffalo's back. His neck blades began to spin rapidly, lifting them high into the sky.
"Dammit! Dammit! Dammit!" Buffalo ranted for a good ten minutes before calming down. "This is the first time I've been so humiliated since joining the crew!"
Monet ignored his complaints and picked up a Den Den Mushi to relay their reply back to Doflamingo aboard the Flamingo.
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