Chapter 193: Going for an Imperial Audience

Chapter 193: Chapter 193: Going for an Imperial Audience Chapter 193: Going for an Imperial Audience Two days later at noon, there were now three days left until Ace’s public execution. Propelled by the Super Express Shrimp, the Merry, like a white wave, sped across the calm sea surface. Since leaving Impel Down, they had separated from the other Supernovas. Only Ivankov and Jinbe were following them. The pair of Log Poses they had purchased on the Sabaody Archipelago pointed to Impel Down and Kuja Island, respectively. They had given the one they had to Rayleigh and had gotten another one from the others. At the edge of the deck, Franky looked dejected. "Looks like the paddle wheels on both sides can be dismantled. I’m feeling down this week." Every time he witnessed Reiner’s Super Express Shrimp, he would feel depressed for a while. Not only was it fast, but it also saved on cola. In comparison, the paddle wheels he designed seemed completely useless. His mind couldn’t help but start thinking about what to modify in the empty space where the paddle wheels used to be. Looking up, he saw a small black dot in the far distance in the direction they were heading. "Are we about to arrive?" Franky had just begun to think this when he heard a confirming voice from above. "We’re almost at Kuja Island, everyone!" Reiner shouted, leaping down from the mast to the entrance of the second-floor cabin. The Calm Belt was a sea area with no wind and no currents, which meant they wouldn’t encounter any bad weather like in the Grand Line. Their sailing speed was very stable. Reiner only rested once during the journey. The speed of the Super Express Shrimp was terrifying, and so was the rate at which his stamina was drained. "Coming!" Bang! The door was violently opened, and Luffy was the first to rush out excitedly. Perhaps his nerves were too big, or perhaps deep down he knew that being anxious now was useless. Even knowing that Ace was about to be executed, he wasn’t gloomy all day, but did what he usually did. "Wait for me, Luffy!" "Kuja Island!" Following closely behind Luffy were Chopper and Usopp. Soon, the others also came out onto the forecastle deck. As the distance rapidly closed, the appearance of the island gradually came into view. Steep mountain peaks stood tall on the island. On the cliff face of the central mountain, the two large characters for [Kuja] were carved. Above it, several giant snake heads were carved, their ferocious mouths open, revealing their fangs. "Kuja Island, the legendary Maiden Island. A country composed entirely of women, Amazon Lily..." Looking at the approaching island, Sanji took a drag from his cigarette and murmured to himself. As he spoke, he put his hand on Luffy’s shoulder beside him and said softly: "...Luffy, do you remember what my goal for going to sea was? ...Perhaps after this operation, I will have to part ways with everyone." "Eh?!" Hearing his words, Luffy was instantly stunned. The others also turned their heads to look at him in shock. "Wait a minute, Sanji!" "Why?!" "Because I..." Sanji tilted his head up and slowly exhaled a puff of smoke. Two lines of tears welled up uncontrollably from the corners of his eyes. He clenched his fists and shouted excitedly at the sky, "I’ve already found the All Blue!!" "The hell you have!!!" "Are you crazy!!" Bang! Bang! Chopper and Usopp yelled, baring their teeth, each landing a punch on the back of his head. "This decision was very painful for me too!" Sanji knelt on the ground, clutching his chest, tears streaming down his face as he spoke, "The thought of not being able to protect Nami-san and Robin-chan in the future, my heart just can’t stop aching!" "No, you don’t have to," Nami said, speechless. She just hoped he wouldn’t be too embarrassing after they landed on the island. Just then, Reiner took a step forward and spoke slowly, "Sanji, Amazon Lily’s law forbids men from setting foot on it." "What?!" Hearing his words, Sanji was instantly petrified on the spot. As if his life force had been drained, he instantly took on a gaunt appearance, his mouth repeating like a broken record, "Men are forbidden... forbidden..." Clang! Zoro drew his sword directly, a corner of his mouth lifting into a savage grin. "Don’t be nervous! Let me help you realize your dream, curly-brows!" "Moss-head..." Sanji murmured, looked down at his lower body, pursed his lips, and fell silent. —Hiss! Reiner and the others instantly sucked in a sharp breath! You’re actually hesitating?!! "Wait a minute!" Chopper and Usopp rushed forward in panic and hugged Zoro tightly, crying and shouting at the person behind them, "Don’t be rash, Sanji!" "If it gets cut off, even I can’t heal you!" Sigh, I didn’t want to use this trick either, Reiner sighed helplessly, made a shushing gesture at Ivankov, and patted Sanji’s shoulder. "Sanji, remember Kamabakka Kingdom I told you about last night? Actually, the island that country is on is called Momoiro Island. Besides being good at making attack cuisine..." Reiner paused, then said, "Actually, it’s also known by the outside world as the second Maiden Island. On that island, there is also not a single man. And, men are very welcome there." "...Not a single man? The second Maiden Island?" A trace of vitality gradually returned to Sanji’s empty eyes. He opened his mouth slightly, his voice hoarse. "Is it true, Reiner? You’re not just trying to comfort me, are you? A Momoiro Island that welcomes men?" "Mm," Reiner’s gaze was resolute. "If there’s a single lie in what I just said, may I be struck by lightning every day from now on." Ivankov: "???" First, he was indeed not lying. Second, he was already struck by lightning every day. Is there a problem? No problem at all! "I see," Sanji slowly stood up and patted his clothes. A fire burned in his pupils as he said in a firm tone: "Kuma, right? Let’s hurry up and recuperate, then set off for Marineford to be sent flying... to rescue Ace!" Everyone: "..." Sigh... the greater the hope, the greater the disappointment. I hope you don’t hold a grudge against me, Sanji. Reiner sighed helplessly. Why am I this kind of person? He reflected on himself for a moment. Then he decisively took out a camera, snapped a picture of Sanji’s current expression, and went to develop the photo with a clear conscience. Before long, the Merry approached Kuja Island and, under guidance, sailed to a shore outside a forest and docked. As for the person guiding them... "Rayleigh!" Luffy excitedly jumped off the ship and rushed forward. "Why are you here? Oh right, we gave you the Log Pose." "Hello, everyone. Was your operation at Impel Down successful this time?" Rayleigh smiled and greeted the group, then looked at Reiner. "Well? Was this old man of any help?" Reiner naturally knew what he was referring to. He looked at him with dead fish eyes and said with disgust, "Trash. Can’t even beat Garp." "Hahaha!" Rayleigh wasn’t angry, just laughed heartily. "Is that so? You ran into Garp? It seems you failed then." "Hee hee hee, a complete failure." Luffy was unconcerned, grinning cheekily. "But we won’t give up." "A good attitude. That’s how it should be," Rayleigh smiled faintly. Seeing the Straw Hat crew interacting so naturally with Rayleigh, Jinbe and Ivankov stood stunned, their eyes wide. "Silvers Rayleigh?" "To think I would be able to see such a legendary figure." How is it that you haven’t even entered the New World, yet you already know almost half of the big shots on this sea? The two of them looked at Luffy with deep shock in their hearts. Don’t tell me you know the Four Emperors too?! Shanks: Yo, your path has broadened, you two. Rayleigh, seeing the two new faces, also greeted them directly. Compared to the others, Sanji, however, suddenly thought of something. He pointed at Rayleigh’s nose and shouted: "Hey, wait a minute! Didn’t Reiner say this island forbids men from setting foot on it? Why do you seem so familiar with this place? You even guided us to shore just now!" "Well, I have some history with Kuja Island. It’s a long story." Rayleigh waved his hand. "Didn’t Shakky tell you? She is the former empress of Amazon Lily." "Eh?!" Nami was startled. So Shakky has such a prominent background! "I knew you guys would come when you gave me the Eternal Pose, so I’ve been waiting here." Before the others could ask more, Rayleigh took the initiative to speak, "I’ve already spoken with the current empress. After hearing about your deeds, she has agreed to let you rest here for a bit." "Does that mean we can go in!!" Sanji was instantly excited. The thought of the countless beauties awaiting them made his two eyes turn directly into hearts, and he could barely stop his nose from bleeding. "Well, unfortunately, she only allows you to be active on the edge of this forest, and forbids you from stepping into the territory of Amazon Lily. After all, the ’men forbidden’ rule has been the custom here for hundreds of years." Rayleigh shattered Sanji’s fantasy with a sheepish smile. Even he wasn’t very welcome by Hancock. If it weren’t for Elder Nyon, it wouldn’t have been easy for him to even speak with her. Actually, he hadn’t had much hope that she would agree in the first place. For her to allow the Straw Hat crew to be active on the edge of the island was already a bit unexpected. Rayleigh guessed it was probably related to their deeds on the Sabaody Archipelago. His gaze shifted to the two people in the crowd, and he suddenly said: "Except for Black Snake Reiner and Roronoa, all other men are forbidden from taking half a step into the territory. Those were Hancock’s original words." Rayleigh explained again, "Hancock is the current empress of Amazon Lily." "What!!!" Hearing this, Sanji’s entire body instantly burst into flames! His eyes flashed with a scarlet, ferocious light, and his entire face twisted like a demon’s. He directly grabbed the neck of Reiner beside him and roared, "Why! I can’t accept this! What did you two do!" Not being able to go in is more painful than death! Reiner and Zoro being able to go in is more painful than dying a hundred times over!!! Reiner: "..." He was even more speechless than Sanji. Killing a Celestial Dragon only raises my status in Hancock’s heart to be on par with a woman? Celestial Dragons are so cheap. "Yo, looks like someone can only wait outside." Seeing Sanji in this state, Zoro was overjoyed. A corner of his mouth lifted as he mocked, "Could it be that she could smell your perversion from a great distance?" "I can’t accept this fact! Go to hell, you two!!" "Alright! Let go of me, you pervert!" "I’ve been wanting to cut you down for a long time, you stinky cook!!" Bang! Bang! Bang! Reiner, Zoro, and Sanji started fighting again. Ignoring the three idiots, Nami walked straight forward and asked with a puzzled expression, "But why? Did Reiner and Zoro do something?" "It’s probably because of the Celestial Dragon incident." A hint of hesitation flashed in Rayleigh’s eyes. He sighed. "It’s better if you go and meet her in person. She’s allowing Reiner and Zoro to enter probably because she wants to meet them." "An audience with the Empress!" Sanji, pinned to the ground by Reiner, shed two lines of unmanly tears, pursing his lips and sobbing: "That’s the world’s most beautiful woman, Boa Hancock! I’m begging you, take me with you! I’m willing to be your ox and horse in the next life." "He’s actually yielding to Reiner and Zoro!!" "What’s going on! Is the sky falling?!" "To think I’d live to see the day Sanji would speak so humbly to these two!" Usopp and the others cried out in terror, holding their faces. The might of the Empress is terrifying! "Alright, this is good too." Reiner patted his hands and stood up. He had originally wanted to use another method to negotiate, but with Rayleigh having greeted them in advance, it was more convenient. "Since she wants to see us, that’s just as well. I’ll go get the meeting gift." With that, he turned and walked towards the ship. Before long, following Rayleigh’s directions, Reiner and Zoro headed towards the interior of Kuja. With them were Nami and Robin. The restriction of "men forbidden" naturally did not include them. Passing through the forest, the four of them soon saw the so-called border, which was actually just a wooden fence. The buildings of Kuja Island were built along the mountain. The outer ring was the village, and the innermost was Hancock’s palace. As Reiner understood, it was all in the ancient architectural style he was familiar with from his previous life. Looking from afar, one could even see many large red lanterns hanging by the doors. Several female warriors guarded the entrance, wearing animal hides or scant cloth clothing. A long snake was coiled around each of them, and they wore quivers of arrows. They seemed to have expected their arrival and didn’t show much hostility, but their gazes were fixed on Reiner and Zoro as they whispered among themselves. "Daisy, look! Is that what a man is?" "They don’t look much different from us." "Their chests are so small." "But they look very firm." Reiner: "..." Zoro: "..." Are you f-ing kidding me? Nami and Robin also couldn’t help but whisper behind them. "Have they never seen men before?" "I’m afraid that’s the case. There are no men on the island, and men are forbidden from entering. They would have to go out to sea to see men." "By the way, how do they have children?" "I’m more curious about what would happen if a boy was born." Robin couldn’t help but think of something dark, and an aura that made Nami feel terrified emanated from her. Reiner and Zoro both rolled their eyes. Women are all the same. As they approached, the several female warriors at the entrance came forward. Although they didn’t show much hostility, they still kept one hand on their quivers, ready to draw an arrow at any time. A woman with slightly curly short blonde hair had a rather wary look in her eyes. She asked for confirmation, "You are from the Straw Hat Pirates, right?" "That’s us. Don’t be rash," Nami took the initiative to step forward and said with a sheepish smile. Hearing Nami’s words, the other’s hand left her quiver. She took out two wanted posters and carefully compared them with Reiner and Zoro for a moment, then revealed a smile. "My name is Marguerite. You two must be Lord Reiner and Lord Roronoa. Her Majesty said that if you came, you could be brought to the palace for an audience." "Ah, then we’ll trouble you," Reiner said casually. He had some impression of the person before him. When Luffy was sent flying to Kuja Island, he had met her. She was a kind-hearted girl, although she almost got Luffy snipped... "You’re all together, right? Come with me." Marguerite turned and led the group inside, while at the same time saying to a tall woman at the side, "Sweet Pea, could you please go and announce them first?" "Leave it to me," the tall woman said with a smile and headed towards the palace first. Reiner blinked. This felt like having an audience with an emperor. To say it was a country, Amazon Lily wasn’t that big. Passing through the town of pavilions and towers, they soon arrived at the center of the island. In the valley surrounded by towering peaks, a real stone city wall was built. Below it was a continuous stretch of exquisite buildings, and at the center was a huge arena. Reiner looked back at the long rectangular wooden box he was dragging. This meeting gift should be fine, right? What was his name, Ros-something Saint? Oh well. (End of Chapter) ♧♧♧ -> SUPPORT ME WITH POWER STONE -> FOR EVERY 200 PS = BOUNS Chapter ♧♧♧ -> 25 Advanced Chapters Now Available on Patreon!! -> https://www.patreon.com/c/Segais (Just remove the hyphen to access patreon normally) If you like this novel please consider leaving a review that’s help the story a lot Thank you