Amazon Lily — The Island of the Kuja Tribe
This island lies in the Calm Belt, nestled between South Blue and the Grand Line.
Surrounded on all sides by the lairs of massive Sea Kings, the only ships that can traverse the surrounding waters are either Marine vessels equipped with Seastone or the Kuja Pirates' snake-powered ships dragged by venomous serpents.
Other vessels simply have no way of passing through the Sea King-infested zone around the island.
Even if, by sheer luck, a pirate crew managed to cross the Calm Belt and land on Kuja…
They would still face the formidable Kuja warriors, a fierce and battle-hardened matriarchal tribe.
Thanks to their favorable geography and formidable women, Amazon Lily—long dubbed "Paradise for Men" by those who dreamt of it—has managed to preserve its civilization and independence for centuries.
However…
Just the day before, an unprecedented event occurred.
For the first time in decades, a man had breached their sacred land.
Amazon Lily had always been able to repel invaders from the sea…
But no one had considered an invasion from the sky.
Three days prior, during the great incident at Sabaody Archipelago, Straw Hat Pirates' captain Monkey D. Luffy had been sent flying by a single blow from Shichibukai "Tyrant" Bartholomew Kuma.
He flew through the air for three whole days and nights…
And finally crash-landed on the island of the Kuja.
What followed was pure chaos.
Luffy's unexpected arrival threw the peaceful Kuja Island into a level of disorder it had never experienced.
Just then, as luck would have it…
The Kuja Empress—the world's most beautiful pirate, Boa Hancock—returned from her expedition.
The situation escalated even further.
Yet in the end, thanks to the blinding glow of main-character plot armor…
Straw Hat Luffy not only resolved all conflicts peacefully…
But was even invited to a Kuja feast.
In fact, he managed to capture even the heart of Pirate Empress Boa Hancock herself.
But fate rarely allows things to go smoothly.
By chance, Luffy learned from the elder Gloriosa that his brother Ace was about to be publicly executed.
He immediately sought Boa Hancock's help.
Unexpectedly, he was informed that the Pirate Empress had suddenly fallen ill.
When Gloriosa entered her chambers, her eyes widened at the sight before her.
There lay Boa Hancock—clutching her chest, her face twisted in pain, seemingly at death's door.
Gloriosa's expression changed drastically.
A bold thought sprang into her mind.
After a few probing questions…
She realized her suspicion was true.
"Impossible!" Gloriosa exclaimed, smacking her forehead.
"This is that… damn uncooperative virus!"
"Virus?"
"What do you mean, Granny? Do you know what's happening?" Boa's younger sisters asked worriedly.
"Granny… I'm in such agony… Am I… going to die?" Hancock gasped weakly.
"Yes, you will," Gloriosa said calmly.
"Previous empresses—two generations back, even myself—we've all been afflicted by this fatal illness. I only survived because I left this island. But the others…"
"Stop joking, Granny! There's no way our sister would die!"
Sandersonia and Marigold panicked.
Gloriosa ignored them and turned to Hancock. "The young man, Monkey D. Luffy, asked to see you. Will you go?"
"Wait, Granny! Sister's in no condition—"
Before they could finish…
Something shocking happened.
Just one second ago, Boa Hancock looked like she was moments from death.
Now, she suddenly threw off her blanket and stood tall.
Her aura returned to normal in an instant.
There was not a trace of the critically ill woman from moments before.
Everyone was stunned.
They could only watch as the Empress confidently walked out the door.
Upon seeing her, Luffy's eyes lit up. He rushed over with concern.
"Are you okay, Hancock?!"
Even someone as emotionally oblivious as Luffy hadn't forgotten to show concern.
"This illness cannot defeat me," Boa Hancock declared proudly.
"I see… well, I have a favor to ask. My brother, the Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, is going to be executed!"
"I want to rescue Ace, but I can't make it by ship anymore. Can you smuggle me aboard the Marine vessel you're riding and take me to Impel Down?"
Luffy looked desperate.
"Your brother… of the Whitebeard Pirates…" Hancock began.
Before she could finish her thought—
CRASH!
From outside the window, her younger sisters burst in, screaming.
They scolded Luffy for making such a reckless request.
They were sure of one thing:
There was no way their sister would agree.
More likely, she'd turn Luffy to stone and smash him on the spot.
However…
Reality often plays tricks on expectations.
Yet again, something completely unexpected happened.
"If this is your wish, then no matter where you go… I will accompany you," Hancock said softly.
In that moment, the once-icy Empress seemed to bloom like spring.
Love always strikes like a storm!
---
Later – Kuja Shoreline
Bloop bloop~
Vice Admiral Momonga, who had come to summon the Pirate Empress as part of the Shichibukai, received a Den Den Mushi call.
"It's me," came Hancock's voice from the other end.
"I accept the summons. However… I have a condition."
"If you cannot meet this one condition… I cannot come."
Vice Admiral Momonga: "?"
He was confused.
Hadn't she just rejected the call with such firmness earlier?
Why the sudden change?
He couldn't figure it out.
But he wasn't going to question it either.
As long as the Empress agreed to come, that was all that mattered.
"Very well. What is your condition?" he asked.
"Before we arrive at Marineford, I want to stop by Impel Down," Hancock replied. "I want to visit the prisoner responsible for dragging me into this war."
"You want to see Fire Fist Ace? Why?" Momonga frowned.
"I won't repeat myself," Hancock said coldly.
"…I understand. I'll try to arrange it."
---
Meanwhile – Marine Headquarters
In the Fleet Admiral's office—
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku! We have word from Vice Admiral Momonga. Pirate Empress Boa Hancock has finally agreed to the summons!"
A Rear Admiral reported urgently.
"Good. That makes six out of seven. Finally, some good news," Sengoku said solemnly.
Just then—
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku! Something terrible has happened!"
Vice Admiral Brannew stumbled into the room, pale.
"What now?" Sengoku asked, brow furrowing.
"Report! Just now, all twenty-three Marine ships monitoring the Whitebeard Pirates lost contact!"
"Not only did we lose their tracking pattern… we can't even pick up their movements anymore!"
"What did you say?!"
Sengoku's face darkened.
"Prepare all sectors. Especially Impel Down. Even if the war breaks out there—it will not come as a surprise."
"Yes, Fleet Admiral Sengoku! Also, one more thing—Vice Admiral Garp has departed for Impel Down."
"That old man—!" Sengoku clenched his teeth.