บท 260: 260. See You Soon

I have started the vote for the new book in Patr*on, and it will go on till the next week

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On the Grand Line.

A massive island ship stretches across the Calm Belt, its seagull flag soaring on the mast, swaying with the wind. The pristine white sails are neatly secured around the sturdy mast.

——The ship is called the "Ryu-Sen"! ! !

They didn't opt to make the hull see-through in the Calm Belt.

The Ryu-Sen's immense size serves as its best protective camouflage. If it were made transparent, Sea Beasts wouldn't be able to see the Ryu-Sen's hull with the naked eye. Surprisingly, this could lead to more potential collisions, complicating the situation.

Following Sengoku's orders, Atlas headed to Amazon Lily to enlist Hancock, one of the Shichibukai.

Unlike other Shichibukai, Marines typically send them a notification, and they respond promptly. Boa Hancock, however, was an exception. Despite receiving the Marine's call-up order, she didn't respond immediately; instead, she chose to ignore it.

Sengoku was perplexed as well.

That woman holds an unexplainable grudge against the Marines. While it's common for pirates not to be fond of the Marines, Boa Hancock's aversion is notably stronger than that of other pirates. Regular Marines would struggle to handle her, for sure.

Furthermore, the headquarters is currently facing constraints on warship resources. Even though shipbuilding technology across the Calm Belt has been accessible for a while, its high cost means it's typically employed on only a limited number of warships.

Observing Sengoku's uncertainty, Atlas stepped forward and willingly offered to go to Amazon Lily.

Who asked him to initiate this war on his own?

Furthermore, the directive from Sengoku this time wasn't merely straightforward. There were two distinct orders – either accompany the warship to the Naval Headquarters or, alternatively, the only reception awaiting Boa Hancock would be imprisonment! !

Beauty doesn't dictate terms to soldiers, and standing before Sengoku, even the most beautiful woman in the world, wouldn't receive any mercy whatsoever.

The colossal island ship kept advancing, causing numerous Sea Beasts to withdraw wherever it went.

Even the Sea Beasts in the Calm Belt, typically intimidating and fearsome, showed deference to the powerful. If it were an average warship, it would be swiftly overwhelmed.

Of course, the Sea Beasts summoned by the Ancient Weapons Poseidon aren't included in this consideration.

The sheer magnitude is so immense that even the Ryu-Sen, renowned as the world's largest three-masted sailing ship, appears as tiny as an ant in comparison.

With great size comes great power.

"Vice Admiral, we're nearing Amazon Lily!!"

The sailing time swiftly elapsed, and the destination was at last within reach.

The island has a distinct shape, characterized by mostly mountainous terrain with relatively sparse vegetation.

At the center stands a structure intricately carved into nine giant snakes, each roaring in different directions. Two large characters in regular script are etched onto the towering wall -

Amazon Lily! ! !

And this is also Atlas' journey's end.

"Have you prearranged communication with Amazon Lily?"

Atlas, positioned at the ship's bow, tilted his head and inquired of Smoker, who now functions as his interim secretary. Ain is expected to complete her elite training in approximately a year.

They've exchanged pleasantries, and when her graduation arrives, she'll report directly to his ship.

Handling tasks like secretarial work might be more hassle-free for girls.

"Well~ not quite there yet..."

An awkward but courteous smile surfaced on Smoker's face as he helplessly scratched his short silver-white hair.

Honestly—

How could someone like Smoker, naturally rugged and apprehensive, manage such a delicate job?

Atlas sighed inwardly and gestured dismissively with his hand.

"Go ahead. Sengoku should have given you Boa Hancock's contact details, right?"

He opted not to push his way in. He still had some grasp of the principle of adapting to local customs.

Amazon Lily has a regulation against male residence. Even if he's a Marine, breaking this rule would be challenging, especially considering the island's owner is one of the Shichibukai, acknowledged by the World Government.

In terms of rank, they stand no lower than their Marine counterpart, the Admiral.

.....

Inside the palace hall on Amazon Lily,

A female warrior, adorned in an animal-skin flower skirt and equipped with a bow and arrow, rushed in, gingerly holding a Den Den Mushi .

"Snake Princess, Marine... Marine is calling!!"

"Leave them!!"

At the mention of the word "Marine," Hancock's eyebrows shot up abruptly, and she coldly shouted.

"Hancock, you can't be so headstrong. Marine's recruitment is likely for the upcoming war with Whitebeard."

Indeed, before the female warrior could reply, Granny Nyon entered through the window and emphatically intervened:

"Huh... Hancock, the Shichibukai's status is crucial for Amazon Lily. If you reject the World Government's call, the safety of Amazon Lily won't be assured!"

"Throw her!!"

Hancock issued the command with an impassive expression.

Without delay, two female warriors, armed with spears and stationed on the left and right, stepped forward. They seized Granny Nyon's arms and pulled her towards the palace gate.

Unlike other individuals on Amazon Lily, they didn't concern themselves with the identity of the former ruler, the Amazon Lily Empress. Their loyalty solely lay with the present empress.

"Wait—!!"

Granny Nyon, clearly distressed, was sweating profusely as she let out a scream.

"The Marine who arrived this time is unlike other Marines. He's the one brimming with the malice typical among pirates..."

"Naval Headquarters Candidate Admiral Hakuryu!!!"

Hakuryu? !

Hancock's eyes narrowed.

"Wait! Release her!"

"Snake Princess?"

The two female warriors halted, exchanging skeptical glances with Hancock above.

Ignoring them, Hancock focused on her struggling Elder Nyon.

"Whom are you referring to?"

"...Hakuryu, what's the matter?"

Granny Nyon stood still, responding with a blank expression.

Hancock, known for her paranoia, shifted her demeanor so swiftly that it caught some off guard.

"Let's go meet that Marine."

Hancock uttered these words calmly and descended straight from the throne. The giant snake named Salome trailed behind. Its massive serpent body twisted and turned, the scarlet snake tattoo swiftly responding to external signals.

"Snake Princess... did you agree to Marine's recruitment?"

Granny Nyon's aged face displayed disbelief, and she was momentarily taken aback.

"That's enough, Granny Nyon!"

"I am the current empress of Amazon Lily. Are you, an old woman who has long passed away, trying to instruct me on how to conduct myself?"

"Furthermore, whether I'm with the Marines or anyone else, whatever I do, I'll be forgiven!!"

Hancock declared, placing one hand on her hip and pointing her slender index finger at Granny Nyon. She leaned back, almost parallel to the ground, with two delicate white masses seemingly ready to emerge, saying, "Because... I am beautiful!!"

"Hancock..."

Even though her Granny Nyon was already quite old, under the influence of Hancock's allure, a fleeting trace of admiration flickered across her aged face with already wrinkled skin, and a hint of awe shone in her eyes.

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