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"One Piece" Events:
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[Calm Belt, the seas around the island of women.]
"You're certainly brave, stopping in the middle of a sea full of monsters."
"Yeah, we were just attacked...!! Even though our ship is plated with Seastone, if we stay here for too long, they'll spot us again."
In the sea, a Marine warship stood alongside a pirate ship, with a massive fish carcass behind them, cut into pieces.
The person who had just spoken, Vice-Admiral Momonga, continued speaking:
"It's not easy for us, but... In accordance with the agreement the government has with the 'Kuja,' we are forbidden to come within three kilometers of the Island of Women's coast."
"We have no choice but to wait for you here, in the midst of these sea monster nests."
Behind Vice-Admiral Momonga, some of his soldiers whispered to each other:
("I've heard that the 'Kuja' are monsters who can turn men into stone.") ("That's ridiculous...")
On the pirate ship, a beautiful woman with short black hair responded to Vice-Admiral Momonga after seeing the massive dead Sea King on the side:
"And did you finish off that Sea King?"
"Well, even our cannons didn't have much effect... So I sliced him open from the inside out. I'd like to leave this sea as soon as possible."
"Yes, it seems you are quite strong...!!" she added.
"We've been waiting for you, and now you've finally come back, Kuja Pirates!! I am Vice-Admiral Momonga of Marine Headquarters!!!"
Momonga took a deep breath before declaring:
"Royal Shichibukai, 'Pirate Empress' Boa Hancock!! Show your face!! We've come to retrieve you!!"
•———•———•———•———•———•
Marine Headquarters, Marineford:
The Marine fortress proudly stood amidst the turbulent sea waves today, an unusual sight. Of course, the symbol of the Marine, undeterred by the raging waves pushed by the turbulent sea, was Marineford.
Today was somewhat unusual, not due to the changing weather, but because on this day, most Marines wished to be free from duty to enjoy a manga day instead of waiting for an extra day or two to read "One Piece."
However, only the fortunate ones would be free from duty today, as due to the stormy weather, many soldiers had to descend to the docks to face the storm and relieve the pressure on the naval structures.
...
..
"It's Momonga again..." said Sengoku with a sad tone.
Since Garp left the Marines, Sengoku's mood had been out of place, and even "One Piece" couldn't restore it to normal.
Garp's decision to leave the Marines had been incredibly sudden; he had simply left, leaving only a resignation letter on his Marine coat on the chair overlooking the sea.
Upon reading the resignation letter, Sengoku couldn't believe it had happened.
After that, there had been no announcement that the Marine hero had actually left. Sengoku had only informed the Five Elders, who had ordered him to keep the matter temporarily secret.
"Momonga and most high-ranking Marine figures first appeared in the Golden Lion Shiki Arc... Now it seems Momonga has truly become a powerful Vice-Admiral," said Tsuru.
The current Momonga had recently been promoted to Vice-Admiral, still two decades younger than his appearance in the manga. Therefore, it was clear he didn't possess the same strength as his manga counterpart, as Tsuru pointed out.
"Even we Admirals might be much weaker compared to our manga counterparts despite the strengthening we've been through," this time it was Akainu speaking.
Except for Assistant Admiral Zephyr, Akainu was the only Admiral present at Marineford after Aokiji and Kizaru left for their secret mission.
"Pirate Empress? Another Shichibukai? Boa Hancock?"
"Another leading figure from the Island of Women... What a headache..." said Sengoku.
The Island of Women had long been a headache for the World Government. Its location within the Calm Belt ensured its stability, and its knowledge and mastery of Haki made the Kuja Pirates from there, formidable opponents, causing headaches for Marines in the first half of the Grand Line for many years, if not decades!
Boom! At that moment, Akainu slammed the table next to him as the veins on his forehead bulged from what he saw in the manga.
"What's with these cursed women? What's with this arrogant and haughty attitude in front of the forces of justice?"
Akainu felt like he was about to vomit when he saw the weak women acting arrogantly in front of a Vice-Admiral and his soldiers. In his eyes, this was completely unacceptable.
"Calm down, Sakazuki. They must have their reasons to put on this haughty act. We'll soon find out the cause," Sengoku said in an unusually calm tone.
At that moment, Momonga, who still looked as young as he did in the first chapter of the Golden Lion Shiki Arc, appeared.
"I heard I made another appearance in the manga, Fleet Admiral. Did I maintain the pride of the Marines with my appearance?"
"Oh, Momonga? You've returned from the cloudy seas already? You can enter and join today's meeting," ordered Sengoku.
For the top brass of the Marines, every manga day meant they would hold a meeting of the highest leadership to learn about and assess future events. This was their version of reading manga, as mandated by the World Government.
Momonga quickly took a seat and started reading the chapters from the beginning, rapidly reaching the scene of his appearance.
"It's indeed dangerous to stay in the territory of the Sea Kings for too long... I wonder how we managed to get here without our warship being destroyed?" Momonga wondered in amazement.
"That's the invention Koby mentioned before, thanks to Dr. Vegapunk... Did you forget?" Sengoku pointed out the thing that everyone had overlooked.
"The ship's hull is coated with Seastone."
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•———•———•———•———•———•
"We already have your reply. 'I will immediately comply with the summons.' But you seem to have no intention of coming."
Momonga threw a newspaper to the pirate ship across, then announced shocking news, "This morning's paper... Whitebeard Pirates, Second Division Commander Portgas D. Ace... The location and date of his execution have been set!! There is no turning back now!!"
Momonga continued, "This time, the Shichibukai are under the strictest orders to assemble!!! If you refuse, our treaty will be broken!! Your 'Shichibukai' title will be revoked!!!"
"Can you hear me, Boa Hancock!!?"
•———•———•———•———•———•
Island of Women:
"This... as expected..."
"I came here with a vague idea of why you brought our daughter here, Rob."
"So... our daughter, Hancock, will also become a pirate in the future like Robin..."
Olvia smiled as she looked at the manga events unfolding.
"The Kuja Pirates can turn people into stone? What an unexpected legend people have about us... Fufu~" Shakky laughed upon seeing the strange legend.
"Ace execution event again... It seems the World Government is preparing for war already... Hancock doesn't seem to have the desire to enlist for the war," Bell-mère said with a gleeful expression.
In her view, since Hancock was a Shichibukai, it meant she was powerful. Her refusal to participate in the war on the Marines' side would be wonderful.
"Oh... there's little Hancock. What a violent demeanor~ Fufu~ She has a cold heart to kick such a small and cute kitten like that," Otohime commented with a sad smile after witnessing the scene.
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Upcoming chapter titles (spoilers):
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Chapter 581: Am I More Beautiful or Is She?
Chapter 582: The fate of Sanji's look-alikes is to turn into stone in her presence.
Chapter 583: Former-Former-Former Empress of Amazon Lily, Gloriosa!
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