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After catching the Sword thrown at him, Abona looked at it, bewildered. He hadn't even fully processed what had just happened.
Where did His Majesty King Anos get this weapon, and why had he handed it to him?
"Your Majesty, this...," Abona began, hesitant.
Anos merely replied, "This is Dawn, a Supreme Grade sword. It's fitting for a swordsman of your standing. I may not know the full extent of your skill with the blade, but if you can't reach the heights of a great swordsman, such a weapon would be a shame to carry."
"The Supreme Grade...!"
Abona's eyes widened in shock. As a swordsman, he understood the gravity of what he now held.
The realization of the sword's significance left him speechless.
Finally, regaining his composure, Abona knelt on the deck, bowing low. "Your Majesty, I will not fail in the mission you've given me!"
Daiki who stood by, gave a slight, approving smile, while King Anos simply nodded, motioning for Abona to rise.
"Stand up. Don't take this too seriously," Anos said, his tone more relaxed.
"Your Majesty has not only saved my life but has also entrusted me with such a treasure. Everything I've done, I would do a thousand times over," Abona declared, his voice full of conviction.
"Alright, stand up. Let's not give the impression that we're under too much pressure," Anos replied, his attention already shifting to the approaching vessel of the Kuja Pirates.
He focused intently, barely acknowledging Abona's continued pledge of loyalty.
As the two ships drew closer, each crew member could make out the other's faces, yet neither side fired.
It was evident that Boa Hancock's crew had no intention of outright hostility at least, not yet.
The men aboard Anos' ship, however, had a very different reaction. Upon noticing the all-female crew of the Kuja Pirates, they were visibly eager, some nearly abandoning their posts to admire the famed beauties of Amazon Lily.
"Oh, so those two giant snakes are pulling their ship!" Suzu observed, fascinated by the Kuja Pirates' unique vessel.
"Quite the sight," Daiki remarked, nodding in agreement.
"Your Majesty," Abona interjected, "would you like me to go over and assess their intentions first?"
"We'll approach them openly. No need for rash action," Anos said with a steady tone.
Although the ship had taken some damage during its recent skirmish with Admiral Kizaru, it was still seaworthy.
Anos seemed unworried, focused instead on the Kuja Pirates.
Meanwhile, the Kuja Pirates observed the approaching ship with equal curiosity.
The flag flying on Anos' vessel was unfamiliar to them, though the women showed little concern.
As long as the ship didn't belong to the Marines or the World Government, it was no threat in their eyes.
"Sister, they don't seem scared at all," said Marigold, one of the Kuja warriors, noticing the open, almost appreciative looks directed toward them from Anos' men.
The two ships were now close enough for voices to carry across the water, and the Kuja could hear their counterparts' reactions.
On the Kuja ship, Hancock narrowed her eyes, sensing that something was unusual.
Typically, any vessel, whether a merchant ship or from a foreign kingdom, would either flee or show signs of fear upon sighting pirates.
Yet, these men showed none of the typical signs of distress.
"Snake Princess, they're within our attack range. Shall we engage?" one of the Kuja warriors called out to Boa Hancock.
As she weighed her options, the ships drew even closer.
On the deck of his vessel, Anos glanced at Daiki and Abona. "Let's go. Remember, don't initiate anything rash," he instructed.
"Understood, Your Majesty," they both replied and followed him as they leapt onto the Kuja Pirates' ship.
When they landed, Hancock's intuition was confirmed these men were indeed formidable.
She recognized this with a guarded expression as she observed King Anos and his two companions, who radiated an imposing aura.
Stepping forward, Anos addressed her directly. "Are you Boa Hancock?" he asked, his gaze unwavering.
Hancock, the famed Snake Princess and Warlord of the Sea held her head high, her voice carrying a regal air.
"Did you come here specifically for me? What is it you want?" she demanded, looking down at him with her characteristic pride and defiance.
The Kuja Pirates, now fully on alert, braced themselves, awaiting Hancock's word.
The atmosphere was tense, with the slightest movement potentially sparking a confrontation.
Hancock's eyes narrowed as she sized up Anos, realizing that her initial assessment was correct this man and his companions were more than they appeared.
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