The Kuja Pirates?
Everyone’s nerves tightened at once as they turned toward the harbor.
The first to come into view were the Kuja warriors leaping down from their pirate ship.
Leading them were Sandersonia and Marigold.
With more than a hundred women gathering together, the atmosphere in the plaza instantly became tense.
The scene from yesterday—when Boa Hancock, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, had been sent flying with a single blow—was still fresh in everyone’s mind.
They had to be here for revenge.
"Admiral Lucas," Tsuru said gravely as she stepped forward through the crowd, "it looks like your request for a performance bonus will have to wait."
"The women of Amazon Lily aren’t so easy to deal with."
"If Hancock weren’t one of the Seven Warlords, you could simply drive them away by force."
"But now..."
"You can’t touch them."
"Until we know whether the meeting between Whitebeard—the old Emperor—and the newly risen Emperor, Red-Haired Shanks, will throw the era into chaos..."
"The Seven Warlords are still indispensable."
"One pillar of the system has already collapsed."
"The Five Elders absolutely won’t allow a second one to fall."
She walked past Lucas and stood at the very front.
"When the Kuja Pirates first sailed out to sea, it was I who assigned Gion the mission to pursue them."
"And when Hancock was appointed as one of the Seven Warlords..."
"I was the one who personally delivered the summons."
"In a way..."
"I’ve shared some history with the Kuja Pirates."
"If I speak with them personally..."
"They may be willing to do me a favor and let yesterday’s incident go."
The elderly woman’s words carried a trace of nostalgia.
Many of the younger Marines listened with excitement.
Within Marine Headquarters, Sengoku, Garp, Zephyr, and Tsuru represented the glorious old generation of the Marines.
Simply hearing Tsuru recount those old stories was enough to become a tale worth bragging about.
"Vice Admiral Tsuru," Gion said, stepping forward, "I’ve had some dealings with them as well."
"If necessary..."
"I’ll go with you."
She had already given up on changing Sengoku’s decision about Lucas’s assignment.
Now she only wanted to ensure the mission proceeded smoothly.
Tsuru smiled faintly.
"Don’t worry, Gion."
"I may be old."
"My mind may not be as sharp as it used to be."
"But this old face of mine still carries a little weight."
"Besides..."
"There’s an old acquaintance among them."
"I’m sure she’ll grant me this small favor."
Her gaze settled on the approaching group.
"Gloriosa."
"I never expected we’d meet again."
"I still remember the days when you followed the Dark King, Silvers Rayleigh."
"We may still stand on opposite sides—Marine and pirate..."
"But after all these decades, we’re old acquaintances."
"Could you do me a favor..."
"And let yesterday’s matter rest?"
"The Dark King, Silvers Rayleigh?"
Gion’s expression changed dramatically.
"The right-hand man of the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger?"
"She’s connected to him?"
Back in Roger’s era, Gion had been nothing more than a trainee.
Even so, she’d long heard of the Dark King’s fearsome reputation.
She had never imagined that the wrinkled old woman before her had such a connection.
The revelation drew a chorus of shocked gasps.
"Heh."
Crocodile suddenly laughed.
"Vice Admiral Tsuru."
"Instead of trying to appeal to old friendships..."
"Wouldn’t the simplest solution be to release me?"
"Let me take the Kuja Pirates’ place as one of the Seven Warlords."
"Then none of you would have to deal with this troublesome group anymore."
"This time, I promise I’ll cooperate with the Marines."
Crocodile had always believed escaping would be easy whenever he chose to do so.
But after spending more time around Lucas...
He had completely lost that confidence.
If this was a chance to escape...
He didn’t care what kind of deal he had to make.
"Crocodile!"
Gloriosa stepped out from the crowd and slammed her cane against the ground.
"That’s enough."
"You’ve already been defeated."
"And now you’re trying to exploit an opportunity like this?"
"You challenged Whitebeard with nothing but blind ambition."
"I clearly misjudged you."
"Besides..."
"The Kuja Pirates aren’t like someone as opportunistic as you."
"We honor our promises."
Then she turned back to Tsuru.
"Chief Staff Officer Tsuru."
"It’s a blessing to see you again after all these years."
"But this time..."
"Even your reputation won’t help."
"You should know better than anyone."
"The women of Amazon Lily never forget a favor..."
"And they never forget a grudge."
"This time..."
"I didn’t come ashore in violation of the rules for my own sake."
"Every Kuja warrior here insisted on coming."
As she spoke, Gloriosa walked to the front of the formation and tightened her grip on her cane.
"In our generation..."
"A drop of kindness was repaid with a spring. "
"And a life-saving grace..."
"Was repaid with one’s hand in marriage."
"This time..."
"Admiral Lucas struck down a Celestial Dragon and saved the Kuja Pirates from disaster."
"That is a debt of gratitude greater than the heavens."
"Therefore..."
"I, along with every Kuja warrior present..."
"Am willing to marry him in repayment."
She looked directly at Lucas.
"Admiral Lucas."
"Choose whichever one of us you like."
"That’s right!"
The Kuja warriors shouted in unison.
"Admiral Lucas!"
"Please choose one of us!"
Their voices rolled across the plaza like thunder.
Everyone stared blankly at the hundred-plus Kuja warriors, each wearing an expression of complete determination.
The scene before them had veered completely off script.
They’d expected the Kuja Pirates to come seeking revenge.
Instead...
They had arrived to confess their feelings.
Every single one of them.
It was a devastating blow to every bachelor present.
Standing at the front, Tsuru—who had been so confident in relying on old friendships just moments earlier—completely lost control of her expression.
Now she finally understood why her reputation hadn’t worked.
Exchanging a stiff glance with Gion, the two silently retreated into the crowd.
"Admiral Lucas..."
"This is beyond us."
"Even together, we can’t handle this."
"Our reputation doesn’t mean a thing anymore."
"The Kuja women are all excellent."
"You’ll have to choose one yourself."
In an instant...
The man leisurely eating roujiamo and sipping baijiu became the center of everyone’s attention.
Lucas nearly spat out a mouthful of blood.
What the hell is this?
A royal bride-selection ceremony?
Setting aside the muscular Kuja warriors with physiques tough as stone...
There were admittedly quite a few beautiful women among them.
If they wanted to marry him, that was understandable.
Even Hancock’s younger sisters, Sandersonia and Marigold, while... admittedly not conventionally attractive...
Were at least young.
But...
Gloriosa?
Did that old woman seriously still think she was a cute little girl?
She’d even included herself?
What was she thinking?
That old ginger makes the best soup?
Lucas was absolutely certain...
He did not have that kind of preference.
Just then—
A cold, authoritative voice rang out across the plaza.
"What’s going on here?"
"Are all of you trying to start a rebellion?"
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