Chapter 109: Chapter 109: Leno
Amazon Lily.
Surrounded by a dense, lush forest filled with rare and exotic snakes, Amazon Lily is a land fiercely guarded by warriors of the Kuja Tribe.
And today, at its harbor, a ship flying a black dragon flag with blood-red edges approached.
The island's legendary "man ban" was broken as Leno set foot on its soil—only he held the privilege to do so.
Boa Hancock had returned from East Blue the previous year, bringing a wealth of supplies, including food, fabrics, ironware, and rare seeds. Her journey had strengthened Amazon Lily, a kingdom born of fierce warriors shaped by the harsh Calm Belt environment, where supplies are traditionally secured through raids.
Money? They knew what it was, but it was useless without enough of it.
Amazon Lily's currency held no value to the outside world, leaving the Kuja Pirates to rely on raids to sustain their needs. The Kuja Pirates existed long before Hancock, passed down from empress to empress, carrying the heavy burden of raiding for survival.
The people adored Hancock as an Empress because she could bring back valuable resources. In Amazon Lily, strength was the measure of a ruler's worth. A benevolent ruler without the power to sustain their people was as worthless as an emperor without a throne.
As Hancock's ship arrived filled with supplies, cheers erupted from the warriors of Amazon Lily. Learning that these were gifts from Leno, his reputation on the island soared. Hancock seized the moment to issue a new decree: the man ban was lifted for Leno alone. He was free to enter and leave any part of the island, including Hancock's own chambers.
The warriors and citizens gathered at the port, eager to catch a glimpse of their powerful benefactor. The man before them was not just any outsider, he was Leno, the one who had defeated Kaido, the strongest hunter in the world, the founder of the Hunter Guild, a man known across the Grand Line.
"Leno!" Hancock greeted him, stepping forward in a flowing purple cheongsam, her pet snake, Salome, by her side. Along with her were Gloriosa, the wise elder, and a number of other Kuja warriors like Kikyo and Gentian, ready to welcome Leno.
Hancock's gaze lit up as she saw Leno disembark. The man was everything she dreamed of—tall, powerfully built, with intense, handsome features. Leno was everything Hancock longed for in a man, a vision that stirred her deepest affections.
Her heart raced as she thought, "This is the man of my dreams!" Without a second thought, she leapt into his arms, wrapping herself around his neck.
"Leno, you've finally come to see me again—I'm so happy!" she exclaimed, her eyes misty with emotion.
The crowd gasped.
"Hebihime-sama!"
"Be dignified, please!"
Yet, as they watched, the Kuja warriors murmured,
"Well, if it's Leno, we can understand. He's so powerful and kind. And look at how handsome he is!"
Some women in the crowd cheered enthusiastically, "Hebihime-sama, have a child with Leno! Imagine the strength that child would have, a future emperor of Amazon Lily!"
Hancock blushed deeply as the crowd's words echoed in her mind. Still clinging to Leno, she whispered with fervor,
"Leno, please, pamper me! This Empress is willing to bear a child for you!"
Leno, holding her gently, let out a chuckle and patted her forehead. "Let's focus on business first, shall we?"
Reluctantly, Hancock eased her grip, standing beside him, her cheeks flushed. Meanwhile, Leno turned to Gloriosa, knowing the wise elder would help keep matters in check.
"I've brought the supplies in thanks for your assistance with the Hunter Guild's recent mission," he said.
Last year, Hancock had taken 200 Kuja warriors to complete the rigorous hunter assessment, with 158 passing the trials. During the inspection period, every one of them demonstrated their value. Now, Amazon Lily warriors guarded a perilous route through East Blue and South Blue, a segment fraught with danger that brought the Guild substantial revenue.
"Because of this route, Amazon Lily has seen more wealth than ever, far more than from previous raids," Leno continued.
This new alliance with the Hunter Guild and the steady income it brought changed everything. As Leno looked around, he realized just how deeply the people of Amazon Lily respected him, willing even to break ancient taboos for his sake.
Leno declared, "I have two matters to discuss!"
Gloriosa gave a polite nod and replied, "Please, come to the palace so we may properly extend the hospitality of our island."
Kikyo and the other warriors boarded Leno's ship, offloading supplies, including grains like soybeans and rice, and even a seawater purification system—something that would prove useful on the ships of the Kuja Pirates.
Hancock and the others warmly welcomed Leno to the palace, and since Robin was with him, they allowed her to join. Robin observed with a quiet smile as Hancock and the others lavished attention on Leno, though she couldn't help but notice Hancock's not-so-subtle hostility toward her. It was like a puppy guarding its prized bone, baring its teeth at anyone who came too close. Robin found it amusing.
For Robin, any fondness she felt toward Leno was simple gratitude. She'd been able to live peacefully in the Hunter's Guild for two years without the constant fear of being chased, thanks to the man in front of her.
Inside Amazon Lily's palace, a banquet awaited them, with a feast already set.
As they settled in, Leno explained his purpose: he had come to Daughter Island to invite a few skilled Haki instructors from the Kuja Pirates to teach at the Hunter School. Over the past year, he had devoted himself to the Hunter's Guild, strengthening its organization and structure. Now that the school was finally complete, there was an urgent need for instructors, especially in Haki.
In East Blue, masters of Haki were scarce. Though Leno had considered Kozaburo and Koushirou, both were reluctant to leave due to their samurai heritage and the potential trouble it could bring with the CP.
Leno turned his attention to the Kuja Pirates, renowned for their exceptional Haki techniques, passed down and perfected over generations. In terms of Haki, they had insights that were rare outside the Grand Line. To Leno, their accumulated wisdom made them ideal candidates for teaching.
"Haki is within everyone," he mused aloud, "but unlocking it requires more than simple strength; it needs the right guidance—a key to the door, so to speak."
Gloriosa readily agreed to help. "In addition, I understand you'll soon be heading to the New World," she noted. "Are you planning to seize territories during the chaos caused by the Red Hair Pirates?"
Leno nodded. "This is a guild mission, and every hunter who contributes will have it recorded in their personal files."
"The mission will be dangerous, so I'll be conducting a strength assessment. Only those who pass will join."
The New World was unpredictable, with dangers that included fierce weather, magnetic fields, sea monsters, and the ever-present threat of the Four Emperors. Establishing a foothold for the Hunter's Guild would likely put Leno in direct conflict with those forces.
Upon hearing about this mission, Hancock's eyes lit up. She spoke with determination, "Leno, I am willing!"
Leno nodded. He would be taking Hancock, Kuina, Luwell, and Buggy with him, giving them a taste of the New World's challenges.
That evening, as preparations for the expedition were underway, Leno was taken to Hancock's quarters. The palace guards respectfully escorted him to the grand bedroom, with a fresh quilt laid on a large bed draped in gauze. As he was about to turn back, he noticed a closed door guarded by the Kuja warriors.
"Mr Leno," one of the warriors, Lan, said respectfully, "please wait a moment. Hebihime-sama is bathing, and she will join you shortly."
As he looked at the closed door, Leno suddenly understood—it wasn't just a physical door, but a door to Hancock's heart, guarded and locked by her painful past.
He approached the door, understanding what he had to do. Hancock's status as a former slave weighed heavily on her, a shame that seemed impossible to erase. That brand was more than a scar; it was a reminder of a past she'd rather forget.
Summoning his Conqueror's Haki, he calmed the guards, who fell unconscious as he approached the heavy, steaming bath. Hancock was inside, quietly tending to herself, her black hair cascading down her back. She tensed when she heard his footsteps and, upon seeing him, her eyes widened with a mix of fear and anticipation.
"L-Leno?" she stammered.
He moved forward, looking at her with a calm but unyielding expression. "Stand up," he commanded.
Startled, she shook her head but reluctantly obeyed, rising halfway out of the water. She finally allowed her hands to part her hair, revealing the Celestial Dragon's infamous brand—an indelible mark of suffering.
Leno's Observation Haki enveloped her, and he spoke firmly, "Hancock, trust me. I will remove it."
She looked at him, a glimmer of hope in her eyes, yet she hesitated.
"It's useless," she whispered, almost to herself. "Nothing has ever worked, no matter how much I've tried."
Leno looked at her steadily. "Have you forgotten who I am?"
A spark of realization flickered in Hancock's eyes, and with a timid smile, she asked, "Can you really... erase it?"
He nodded with certainty. The mark that had haunted her for years could finally be lifted. Hancock blushed, nearly tripping as she turned away to reveal the brand in full. It was a circle with three claw-like marks—a grim reminder of the past.
With the gentlest touch, Leno pressed his hand against the brand, feeling her body tremble under his palm.
"Does it hurt?" he asked quietly.
Hancock bit her lip, a tear slipping down her cheek. Her voice wavered as she whispered, "It's the pain of a lifetime."
Leno's hand remained steady, offering her comfort and understanding she had never known. For the first time, Hancock felt hope—real hope—that her painful past could be erased. And in that moment, she began to let go.
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