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Amazon Lily, a nation hidden within the Calm Belt, was a land shrouded in mystery. Its isolated location and natural barriers made it virtually impervious to invasion.
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For the men of the world, it was a legendary paradise, a land inhabited solely by women: the Island of Women.
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The nation''s ruler was a pirate, known as the "Empress" Boa Hancock, renowned as the world''s most beautiful woman.
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She was also the only female member of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
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Today, Hancock was noticeably agitated.
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Inside the grand palace of Amazon Lily, Hancock sat on her throne, a dark expression on her face, biting her fingernail in thought.
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After a while, a small, elderly woman scurried into the throne room.
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This was Gloriosa, the former empress of Amazon Lily, known affectionately as Nyon-ba, now serving as Hancock''s advisor.
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As soon as Nyon-ba entered, Hancock''s captivating face softened into a smile, her beautiful eyes sparkling with anticipation.
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Even after all this time, the Snake Princess is still so breathtaking! Nyon-ba thought, swallowing nervously. Leaning on her cane, she reported, "We''ve inquired with the Marines about the incident in Mary Geoise, but..."
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"They refused to divulge any information."
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Hancock''s beautiful features instantly hardened. In a flash, she was on her feet, her elegant leg lashing out like a whip, striking Nyon-ba.
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The startled advisor was sent flying out the window. Hancock''s furious voice echoed through the palace. "Then what was the point of coming back?!"
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Nyon-ba, rubbing her aching back, limped back into the throne room. "Must you treat an old woman with such disrespect…?" she muttered.
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Hancock''s face darkened. She grabbed the tiny old woman, ready to throw her out again. Nyon-ba, panicked, quickly explained,
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"Calm down, Snake Princess! If someone really did kidnap Celestial Dragons, the Government wouldn''t just spread the news!"
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"Even if they did, the news wouldn''t reach Amazon Lily here in the Calm Belt."
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Hancock''s expression softened slightly. After a moment, she released Nyon-ba, who breathed a sigh of relief.
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After a moment of contemplation, Hancock issued a command. "Inform the Kuja Pirates. Prepare for departure."
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Nyon-ba was taken aback. "Where to?"
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"To Sabaody Archipelago. I need to confirm the truth about this Celestial Dragon kidnapping."
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Nyon-ba''s eyes widened in alarm. She jumped in front of Hancock, pleading, "Sabaody is crawling with Celestial Dragons! Aren''t you afraid?"
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Hancock stopped. Just as Nyon-ba thought she had reconsidered, a sharp pain shot through her backside!If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.
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Bam!
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The unfortunate advisor was sent flying again, a trail of smoke marking her trajectory as she disappeared into the distant forest.
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The haughty Empress, looking in the direction Nyon-ba had flown, scoffed. "No one questions my decisions!"
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The Kuja Pirates, Boa Hancock''s Warlord crew, set sail in secrecy, their destination: Sabaody Archipelago.
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...
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Meanwhile, on Sabaody, the Underworld Pirates finally made landfall.
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Returning to this island evoked mixed feelings for the crew.
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Especially for Enel and Wyper, who had suffered their most humiliating defeat here.
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A certain Admiral with a troublesome Devil Fruit had effortlessly defeated them all, even infuriating Noir in their initial encounter.
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Enel, no longer in the mood for sightseeing, asked listlessly, "Captain, when are we leaving this island?"
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Noir stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Let''s find a coating mechanic first. Maybe there''s a coated ship readily available."
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As they spoke, they walked down the street, known for its bubble culture, a popular trend on Sabaody.
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"Speaking of which, we''re not going to run into any Celestial Dragons again, are we?" Wyper asked, scanning their surroundings nervously.
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Robin shook her head. "After what you did in Mary Geoise, I doubt they''ll let any Celestial Dragons roam freely for a while."
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Noir shrugged nonchalantly. "It doesn''t matter. They''re just Celestial Dragons. I''m not afraid of them."
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"But..." Enel hesitated. "Killing one Celestial Dragon costs us 10 billion Berries!"
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Everyone stared at him, sighing in unison.
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Ever since Noir had "borrowed" Enel''s Ark Maxim along with his gold, Enel had become exceedingly greedy.
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His greed was different from Nami''s or Noir''s.
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Nami''s greed was instinctual. She simply loved shiny things, but she was willing to spend money when necessary, though she was incredibly stingy with both herself and others.
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Noir was similar to Nami, but because he earned so much, he didn''t hesitate to spend it.
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Although the men on the crew received a fixed amount of money when they landed on an island, their daily expenses, food, clothing, and other necessities were far from cheap.
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Enel, on the other hand, hoarded his money, refusing to spend a single Berry. He simply enjoyed looking at his riches and giggling to himself.
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In a way, it was a sickness.
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As the crew collectively judged Enel for his miserliness, they unknowingly wandered out of the bustling streets and into the shadier parts of the island.
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Suddenly, the sound of a child''s cries reached their ears.
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In front of a shop, with its windows and doors smashed, a group of burly men barged inside.
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Moments later, a man emerged, carrying a sobbing little girl. A woman, her face bruised and swollen, clung to the man, pleading, "Sir! Please, spare my child!"
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"Her father has already been taken as a slave! I can''t lose my daughter too!"
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The man spat in the woman''s face, his ugly features twisted in a sneer. "Get lost! Don''t try to bargain with me!"
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"Your daughter will be auctioned off, and if a Celestial Dragon takes a liking to her, she''ll be set for life! Stop pretending to be pitiful!"
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The woman''s cries intensified. The man, growing impatient, punched her to the ground. The rest of the thugs surrounded her, kicking and beating her mercilessly.
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The surrounding people watched with indifference, no one offering to help. Noir was among them.
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He considered himself selfish. His journey on the sea was for his own benefit. He wasn''t about to sacrifice himself for others, let alone play the hero.
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"You bastards! When Devil Noir arrives, he''ll defeat all of you and the Celestial Dragons!" the little girl suddenly cried out.
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Silence fell over the scene. Everyone stared at the girl in disbelief.
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That name, in just a few days, had become a taboo on this island, a word that could get you killed.
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Noir stopped in his tracks, sighing. He muttered under his breath,
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"Hopefully, no one calls me a saint for this..."
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