Chapter 60: 60: Arrived

Check out advanced chapters on P@treon: [email protected]/CosmicKaminari ---------- The Calm Belt is notoriously difficult for ships without a specialized propulsion system. With no reliable wind to carry them and the constant presence of enormous Sea Kings, most ships find themselves trapped or destroyed. For Amazon Lily, however, this danger has become a natural defensive barrier, protecting the island from intruders and reinforcing the island's reputation as a powerful and isolated nation. Amazon Lily's warriors have adapted to these challenges. Their ships are powered by specially trained snakes, which act as a unique propulsion system. These snakes not only provide movement but also emit an aura that keeps Sea Kings at bay, allowing the Kuja Pirates to navigate the Calm Belt freely. Thus, those who sail on the Kuja Pirates' ship are considered Amazon Lily's elite warriors, embodying both beauty and strength. When Hancock and her sisters, still young and inexperienced, first boarded the Kuja ship, they hadn't anticipated the dangers awaiting them just beyond the Calm Belt. Their lack of strength left them vulnerable, leading to the unfortunate capture that brought them here. Now, Alex reclined on a cushioned chair, feigning a casual interest as Hancock began explaining Amazon Lily's inner workings. Eager to repay his kindness, she openly shared what she knew—describing the geography and defenses of Amazon Lily, the structure of the Kuja Pirates, and even some secrets about the current political climate. At present, Amazon Lily had no reigning empress. The former empress, renowned for her strength, had succumbed to a tragic illness known as "Lovesickness" after returning from a voyage two years prior. This rare affliction, which was said to cause unbearable heartache, had ultimately taken her life. In the wake of her passing, no one had stepped up with the strength or authority needed to claim the throne, leaving the position vacant. For now, the position was held in trust by Elder Nyon. As Hancock spoke of her, a warmth filled her voice, revealing deep respect and admiration for the elderly woman. Alex listened with a smile, noting Robin's presence as she sat nearby, her attention piqued by Hancock's account of the mysterious Lovesickness. Robin raised an eyebrow and exchanged a glance with Alex, suppressing a slight smile at the story of Elder Nyon's miraculous survival after overcoming her own bout of Lovesickness. "It seems you hold your former empress in very high regard, Hancock," Alex remarked, intrigued by the loyalty Hancock showed. Hancock nodded, a look of sincerity in her eyes. "When I was younger, I once wandered into a dangerous forest and lost consciousness. It was the empress who rescued me and my sisters, bringing us to safety and taking us under her care." In many ways, this experience mirrored her recent rescue by Alex, yet she regarded his kindness as even greater, given the grave danger he had saved them from. Alex's presence in her life now equaled the significance of Elder Nyon's care in her heart. Hearing this, Alex pondered the possibility that perhaps during a moment of crisis, Hancock's Conqueror's Haki had emerged unconsciously, catching Elder Nyon's attention. It might explain why she was being closely watched and why the throne of Amazon Lily remained vacant. Perhaps Elder Nyon saw in her the potential to be the island's next empress, choosing to delay a successor until Hancock could realize her full strength. "Tell me, Hancock," Alex said, his tone both gentle and probing. "Do you have any thoughts on becoming the next Empress of Amazon Lilly?" "Or, do you want to be the Snake Empress?" "I do!" Hancock responded without a moment's hesitation, her voice filled with determination. For her, it was more than just an aspiration—it was destiny. With the Amazon Lily throne left vacant, every warrior on the island who revered strength dreamed of becoming the most beautiful and powerful leader. Hancock, blessed with the rare Conqueror's Haki, felt a stronger pull toward the position than most. "Ambition is a good thing," Alex said with a satisfied nod. "Hancock, you have the spirit of a true ruler, and I look forward to the day you grow into the Empress you're meant to be." These words of recognition sent a thrill through Hancock's heart. Alex's acknowledgment filled her with pride and a newfound sense of purpose. She didn't yet grasp all that Alex hoped for her future, but his words gave her confidence. In less than a day, they had covered the distance from the waters near Sabaody Archipelago to Amazon Lily in the Calm Belt. As they neared the island, the ship descended from above, easily bypassing the Nine Snake gates that usually guarded the island from invaders. As the ship's shadow fell over the island, the residents spotted the unfamiliar vessel in the sky, immediately perceiving it as a threat. Without hesitation, the warriors of Amazon Lily sprang into action, preparing their weapons. Swish! A volley of arrows, each infused with Armament Haki, shot up toward the ship like a dark storm, deadly and precise. But before they could reach their mark, a white blur leaped from the ship. The figure transformed mid-air into a crackling bolt of lightning, tearing through the swarm of Haki-laden arrows with explosive force. BOOM! The thunderous impact scattered the arrows, reducing them to charred ashes that drifted back down to the ground. Blue-white lightning flashed through the air as the island's defenders gasped, realizing they faced more than one Devil Fruit user. "More than one ability user! Keep firing!" shouted a seasoned Kuja warrior, rallying the troops. The archers readied another barrage, their eyes trained on the descending ship, awaiting the order to attack once more. "Everyone, stop!" A firm, elderly voice cut through the tension. The soldiers froze, recognizing the voice of Gloriosa, the acting empress of Amazon Lily. "But, Master Gloriosa!" one of the warriors protested. "They're intruders—why should we hold back?" "Can't you see? Our attacks are useless against them," Gloriosa said, her eyes sharp as she assessed the ship hovering above. "Besides, we don't yet know their intentions. Better to save our strength and see what they want." Given Amazon Lily's isolation, Gloriosa paid close attention to any news from the outside world. She remembered a tale from nearly a year prior: a powerful newcomer who had inherited the legacy of the legendary pirate Golden Lion, a "Flying Admiral" who could make anything float at will. On the Calm Belt island protected by the Sea Kings, with the ship flying rather than sailing, Gloriosa, from the perspective of Amazon Lily, was most worried about someone with flying powers coming to the island. Unexpectedly, her worst fears have come true.