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...
Amazon Lily, a nation hidden within the Calm Belt, was a land shrouded in mystery. Its isolated location and natural barriers made it virtually impervious to invasion.
For the men of the world, it was a legendary paradise, a land inhabited solely by women: the Island of Women.
The nation's ruler was a pirate, known as the "Empress" Boa Hancock, renowned as the world's most beautiful woman.
She was also the only female member of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
Today, Hancock was noticeably agitated.
Inside the grand palace of Amazon Lily, Hancock sat on her throne, a dark expression on her face, biting her fingernail in thought.
After a while, a small, elderly woman scurried into the throne room.
This was Gloriosa, the former empress of Amazon Lily, known affectionately as Nyon-ba, now serving as Hancock's advisor.
As soon as Nyon-ba entered, Hancock's captivating face softened into a smile, her beautiful eyes sparkling with anticipation.
Even after all this time, the Snake Princess is still so breathtaking! Nyon-ba thought, swallowing nervously. Leaning on her cane, she reported, "We've inquired with the Marines about the incident in Mary Geoise, but..."
"They refused to divulge any information."
Hancock's beautiful features instantly hardened. In a flash, she was on her feet, her elegant leg lashing out like a whip, striking Nyon-ba.
The startled advisor was sent flying out the window. Hancock's furious voice echoed through the palace. "Then what was the point of coming back?!"
Nyon-ba, rubbing her aching back, limped back into the throne room. "Must you treat an old woman with such disrespect…?" she muttered.
Hancock's face darkened. She grabbed the tiny old woman, ready to throw her out again. Nyon-ba, panicked, quickly explained,
"Calm down, Snake Princess! If someone really did kidnap Celestial Dragons, the Government wouldn't just spread the news!"
"Even if they did, the news wouldn't reach Amazon Lily here in the Calm Belt."
Hancock's expression softened slightly. After a moment, she released Nyon-ba, who breathed a sigh of relief.
After a moment of contemplation, Hancock issued a command. "Inform the Kuja Pirates. Prepare for departure."
Nyon-ba was taken aback. "Where to?"
"To Sabaody Archipelago. I need to confirm the truth about this Celestial Dragon kidnapping."
Nyon-ba's eyes widened in alarm. She jumped in front of Hancock, pleading, "Sabaody is crawling with Celestial Dragons! Aren't you afraid?"
Hancock stopped. Just as Nyon-ba thought she had reconsidered, a sharp pain shot through her backside!
Bam!
The unfortunate advisor was sent flying again, a trail of smoke marking her trajectory as she disappeared into the distant forest.
The haughty Empress, looking in the direction Nyon-ba had flown, scoffed. "No one questions my decisions!"
The Kuja Pirates, Boa Hancock's Warlord crew, set sail in secrecy, their destination: Sabaody Archipelago.
...
Meanwhile, on Sabaody, the Underworld Pirates finally made landfall.
Returning to this island evoked mixed feelings for the crew.
Especially for Enel and Wyper, who had suffered their most humiliating defeat here.
A certain Admiral with a troublesome Devil Fruit had effortlessly defeated them all, even infuriating Noir in their initial encounter.
Enel, no longer in the mood for sightseeing, asked listlessly, "Captain, when are we leaving this island?"
Noir stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Let's find a coating mechanic first. Maybe there's a coated ship readily available."
As they spoke, they walked down the street, known for its bubble culture, a popular trend on Sabaody.
"Speaking of which, we're not going to run into any Celestial Dragons again, are we?" Wyper asked, scanning their surroundings nervously.
Robin shook her head. "After what you did in Mary Geoise, I doubt they'll let any Celestial Dragons roam freely for a while."
Noir shrugged nonchalantly. "It doesn't matter. They're just Celestial Dragons. I'm not afraid of them."
"But..." Enel hesitated. "Killing one Celestial Dragon costs us 10 billion Berries!"
Everyone stared at him, sighing in unison.
Ever since Noir had "borrowed" Enel's Ark Maxim along with his gold, Enel had become exceedingly greedy.
His greed was different from Nami's or Noir's.
Nami's greed was instinctual. She simply loved shiny things, but she was willing to spend money when necessary, though she was incredibly stingy with both herself and others.
Noir was similar to Nami, but because he earned so much, he didn't hesitate to spend it.
Although the men on the crew received a fixed amount of money when they landed on an island, their daily expenses, food, clothing, and other necessities were far from cheap.
Enel, on the other hand, hoarded his money, refusing to spend a single Berry. He simply enjoyed looking at his riches and giggling to himself.
In a way, it was a sickness.
As the crew collectively judged Enel for his miserliness, they unknowingly wandered out of the bustling streets and into the shadier parts of the island.
Suddenly, the sound of a child's cries reached their ears.
In front of a shop, with its windows and doors smashed, a group of burly men barged inside.
Moments later, a man emerged, carrying a sobbing little girl. A woman, her face bruised and swollen, clung to the man, pleading, "Sir! Please, spare my child!"
"Her father has already been taken as a slave! I can't lose my daughter too!"
The man spat in the woman's face, his ugly features twisted in a sneer. "Get lost! Don't try to bargain with me!"
"Your daughter will be auctioned off, and if a Celestial Dragon takes a liking to her, she'll be set for life! Stop pretending to be pitiful!"
The woman's cries intensified. The man, growing impatient, punched her to the ground. The rest of the thugs surrounded her, kicking and beating her mercilessly.
The surrounding people watched with indifference, no one offering to help. Noir was among them.
He considered himself selfish. His journey on the sea was for his own benefit. He wasn't about to sacrifice himself for others, let alone play the hero.
"You bastards! When Devil Noir arrives, he'll defeat all of you and the Celestial Dragons!" the little girl suddenly cried out.
Silence fell over the scene. Everyone stared at the girl in disbelief.
That name, in just a few days, had become a taboo on this island, a word that could get you killed.
Noir stopped in his tracks, sighing. He muttered under his breath,
"Hopefully, no one calls me a saint for this..."
...
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