"Amazon Lily?"
After hearing the name, Perona, who had been busy ordering the sea lion around, floated over with a puzzled look.
"Does that mean everyone living there is a woman?"
"Haha, looks like our little Perona is finally asking smart questions."
Arashi smiled and patiently explained,
"Amazon Lily, also known as the Island of Women, is inhabited entirely by females. But don't underestimate them. They are also known as the Kuja Tribe, a warrior race."
"The women of the Kuja are famous for carrying snakes that can transform into various weapons."
"And the nation formed by these Kuja warriors is called Amazon Lily."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"Because the island has only female inhabitants, they've maintained a strict law for hundreds of years—men are forbidden from entering the island."
"Any man who sets foot on Amazon Lily is immediately eliminated."
"Oh, right. The island is also home to the Kuja Pirates, an all-female pirate crew made up entirely of powerful women."
"Men who enter are killed?"
Perona blinked.
Then her eyes widened.
She suddenly jumped up.
"Then what about you, Arashi?!"
"If you go to Amazon Lily, won't you—"
Before she could finish speaking, murderous intent suddenly appeared on her face.
"If they dare attack you, I'll kill all of them!"
"You shouldn't casually talk about killing people, Perona. That's not a good habit."
Arashi laughed helplessly.
"Though, I suppose you'll do whatever you want anyway."
Then he added,
"But let me remind you of something."
"Many of the Kuja warriors are proficient in Armament Haki."
"You could say they're practically an army of Haki users."
"So be careful."
Meanwhile, on Amazon Lily.
Two Kuja warriors stood atop a forest-covered mountain, overlooking the imperial palace nestled at the foot of the cliffs.
The palace, built in an elegant style reminiscent of ancient Eastern architecture, was surrounded by rows of disciplined female guards carrying out their patrol duties.
Suddenly, one of the warriors—a tall, powerfully built woman whose physique rivaled that of a man—stared toward the sea.
Her expression changed immediately.
"Aphelandra!"
She pointed toward the horizon.
"Quick! Use the telescope and tell me what that is!"
Aphelandra picked up the telescope in confusion and swept her gaze across the sea.
The moment she focused on the distant silhouette, her pupils contracted sharply.
"Stoberry!"
"It's a sea beast!"
"No—wait!"
Her expression turned shocked.
"There's a ship behind it!"
"The sea beast is actually pulling the ship!"
Stoberry's face immediately darkened.
A sea beast pulling a ship?
There was only one explanation.
The people aboard that vessel had somehow tamed it.
And anyone capable of taming a sea beast was certainly no ordinary individual.
Without hesitation, Stoberry leapt down from the mountaintop.
As she sprinted toward the palace, she shouted behind her,
"Aphelandra! Stay here and continue observing!"
"I'm going to report this to Lady Snake Princess!"
Several minutes later.
Inside the grand audience hall of Amazon Lily.
A woman with long jet-black hair and deep blue eyes sat quietly upon the throne representing the highest authority of the kingdom.
She possessed breathtaking beauty.
The unrivaled beauty of the world.
Boa Hancock.
The current Empress of Amazon Lily.
Despite her incomparable appearance, her face rarely displayed any warmth.
She sat there like an iceberg queen—cold, distant, and untouchable.
Although she had only become Empress a few years ago, her prestige among the people had already reached unparalleled heights.
She was the object of worship and admiration throughout the entire nation.
"Lady Snake Princess! Lady Snake Princess!"
Stoberry rushed into the palace hall.
Kneeling immediately, she reported,
"An unidentified ship has appeared in the Calm Belt and is approaching the island!"
"Hm?"
Hancock shifted slightly on her throne.
Lowering the hand that had been supporting her chin, she asked,
"A vessel capable of navigating the Calm Belt?"
"Could it be a Marine warship?"
"No."
Stoberry raised her head.
Her expression was grave.
"The ship is moving because it's being pulled by a sea beast."
The atmosphere instantly changed.
The previously indifferent Hancock suddenly stood up.
Her beautiful face became cold.
"And why are you reporting such a trivial matter directly to me?"
A chilling killing intent spread through the hall.
"Do you require my personal orders for something like this?"
"Y-Yes, Lady Snake Princess!"
Feeling the pressure radiating from Hancock, Stoberry nearly suffocated.
She hurriedly bowed before rushing out of the hall.
The moment she stepped outside, she shouted to the royal guards stationed nearby.
"Everyone, move out!"
"We cannot allow that unidentified vessel to approach the island!"
"Yes!"
Dozens of Kuja warriors immediately followed her, rushing toward the coast.
Inside the palace hall, Hancock watched them leave.
Her beautiful eyes narrowed slightly.
Who could it be?
Meanwhile.
The Traveler, pulled steadily forward by the sea beast, finally entered Amazon Lily's waters.
Looking at the island in the distance, Arashi's gaze landed on the towering mountain where two enormous characters were carved into the stone:
Kuja.
He narrowed his eyes.
A slight headache began forming.
He knew very well that approaching Amazon Lily as an outsider would inevitably trigger the island's defenses.
It might even lead to a battle.
Of course, he could simply avoid landing altogether and head directly toward his next destination.
That would spare him a lot of unnecessary trouble.
But Arashi still wanted to get closer and see the situation first.
After all, the system hadn't issued any notifications yet.
Who knew?
Maybe the rewards here would be worth the trouble.
On the shore of Amazon Lily.
Stoberry and the royal guards had already assembled.
Every woman stood on high alert as they watched the sea beast and the approaching vessel.
"Stoberry, what exactly is going on?"
"My goodness, they actually made a sea beast pull their ship!"
"Who are these people?"
"Are they pirates?"
Listening to the murmurs behind her, Stoberry frowned.
Then she decisively drew her sword.
"Listen carefully."
"The moment that ship enters our attack range..."
She pointed her blade toward the sea.
"Do not wait for my orders."
"Attack immediately."
"Yes!"
The warriors responded in unison.
The archers immediately stepped forward.
Bows were drawn.
Arrows were nocked.
Every bowstring was pulled taut as they aimed at both the sea beast and the approaching Traveler.
The remaining warriors unsheathed swords, raised axes, and tightened their grips on their weapons.
Every one of them stared toward the sea as if facing a formidable enemy.
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