Calm Belt — Near Amazon Lily
The sea was as still as a mirror, reflecting the cloudless blue sky. Amidst that ominous tranquility, a massive Marine warship lay anchored, surrounded by a tense silence.
On deck, dozens of marines stood in rigid formation. Some held swords, others carried rifles—all with serious expressions, their eyes fixed on the imposing natural wall that concealed the legendary island of women.
Suddenly, with a metallic creak echoing in the distance, the great gate guarding the island's entrance began to open. An ornate ship emerged from the island's shadow, gliding toward the Marine vessel with a threatening elegance.
"Vice Admiral! That's the Perfume Yuda! The main ship of the Kuja Pirates!" shouted a lookout, clutching his binoculars with trembling hands.
"All hands on alert!" commanded Momonga, his voice firm as steel.
"Don't forget… we're dealing with the Pirate Empress. Never underestimate what she's capable of."
The soldiers exchanged glances, swallowing hard. The collective gulp cut through the silence.
"Gulp~"
Even amid the tension, there was a barely concealed curiosity among the men. After all, Boa Hancock's fame as the most beautiful woman in the world had reached even the most remote corners of the sea. And even though they were trained warriors… they were still men.
"Heh… all nervous over a pretty lady?" Luffy said casually, seated atop one of the cannons, munching on an apple with complete indifference to the tense atmosphere.
"Luffy! This is serious! Show some respect!" Momonga scolded, frowning.
The Perfume Yuda drew closer, the rhythmic sound of waves being pushed by the ship echoing clearly. The vessel was majestic, adorned with carvings and decorations emblematic of Kuja culture. The pirate flag fluttering on the mast bore a skull encircled by nine coiled serpents, gleaming like sunlight.
But what stood out most was its structure: rather than relying solely on sails, the ship was propelled by two massive sea serpents—snake-camels—that pulled it through the Calm Belt, a region where sea kings made ordinary travel suicidal.
On the pirate ship's deck, dozens of Kuja warriors stood in position, watching the marines with sharp eyes and proud expressions.
"A Marine warship dares to anchor in the heart of the Calm Belt… Is that boldness or foolishness?" mocked a short-haired woman with a pink snake coiled around her arm and a quiver on her back. Her voice dripped with sarcasm.
Luffy looked at her curiously, trying to recall where he'd seen her before.
"Hmm… I've seen that one before…" he murmured, confused.
"We're here because we have the means," Momonga replied firmly.
"This is one of the Navy's new warships, equipped with Kairoseki coating. It masks our presence and allows us to go undetected by the sea kings. But we can't remain idle for long. They will eventually notice us."
His words made some of the Kuja warriors frown. Technology capable of fooling the Calm Belt's predators? The Navy was getting bold.
"Regardless, there's an agreement between the World Government and the Kuja Pirates. Our ship must not come within three kilometers of the island, and your cooperation is part of that agreement."
Momonga took a deep breath and stepped forward, his voice turning firmer.
"Boa Hancock! Can you hear me? I'm here representing Marine Headquarters! This is an official summons!"
"So loud... do all men shout this much?" retorted one of the warriors, rolling her eyes.
"Men… always so impatient and lacking in elegance."
"It's rare to see so many at once… Lately, any ship crossing our path flees the moment they see our flag."
Their scornful murmurs made several marines flush with embarrassment and anger.
A vein bulged on Momonga's forehead.
"Kuja Pirates! Every time the Government summons you, you give empty promises! 'We'll attend as soon as possible,' you say… and never show up!" he growled.
"This time, it's a mandatory summons! Refuse, and your title as Shichibukai will be revoked without hesitation! I hope that's clear, Pirate Empress!"
At that moment, a distinct sound broke the tension.
Creaaak~
The rear tower door of the Perfume Yuda slowly opened.
The rhythmic sound of high heels on wood echoed like a war drum.
And then, she appeared.
Tall, graceful, with black hair flowing like a cascade, Boa Hancock emerged before all with the poise of a goddess descending from the heavens. Her expressions alternated between absolute coldness and unshakable arrogance. Her lofty gaze scanned the faces aboard the Marine ship as if she were observing insects.
The Kuja warriors immediately parted to make way for her, as if her presence alone repelled the very air.
"So you've finally decided to show up..." said Momonga, his expression hardened.
Hancock walked elegantly across the deck, stepping onto one of the sea serpents' heads. With a delicate gesture, she raised her arm, pointing at the warship.
Her voice rang clear and icy:
"A mandatory meeting of the Shichibukai… and they send a Vice Admiral as the messenger? The World Government must be truly desperate."
She smirked with disdain, her piercing gaze aimed straight at Momonga.
"But I suppose it's understandable. After all… without me, the world's balance collapses."
The warriors behind her sighed, as if hearing divine poetry.
"So beautiful…"
"She's always right…"
Momonga clenched his fists. What a difficult woman to deal with…
The sea serpent's head rose with elegance, gliding fluidly as it carried the graceful figure toward the Marines. Like a living staircase, it brought her to the edge of the warship.
And then, she stepped fully into view.
The aura she exuded seemed to crush the air around her. Her beauty was now a tangible vision, stunning everyone present.
She was tall and slender. Long black hair fell like silk to her waist, shimmering ethereally. Her forehead was smooth and clear, almond-shaped eyes piercing and cold enough to make many avert their gaze. A straight nose, small mouth, and rosy lips formed a face sculpted by the gods. Golden serpent-shaped earrings swayed gently in her ears with each step. Her black cheongsam, embroidered with golden threads, outlined her figure perfectly, while the white cape fluttered in the wind, reinforcing her regal presence.
With one hand on her hip and her head slightly tilted, she cast a silent, haughty gaze over the marines.
"Hmph… Tch. Men." she murmured with disdain.
The impact was instant.
"S-she's... the real Pirate Empress," one marine muttered, his voice choked.
"I've never seen her before... She really is... the most beautiful woman in the world…"
"Damn... she's looking at us like we're bugs... but why does that make me want to smile?"
One by one, the soldiers' stern faces softened, and then… melted into awe. The tension gave way to enchanted expressions. Trained warriors, undone by a single glance.
Momonga's face visibly darkened. A vein throbbed in his forehead.
"How shameful…"
On the other side, Luffy remained seated atop the cannon, calmly eating his apple. His eyes observed the woman with curiosity, but also calm.
"Huh… So that's Boa Hancock?" he murmured.
"She's really different from Nami and Vivi…"
She exuded something he couldn't describe. A beauty so intense it felt like a weapon. But there was more… something hidden beneath that crushing pride.
"She's beautiful… but… also kinda empty inside…" Luffy thought, chewing.
Sensing the unraveling situation, Momonga decided to end the enchantment.
"Enough games, Boa Hancock!" he shouted, stepping forward with authority.
"Our ships are gathered here under direct orders from Headquarters. What is your answer, Hancock?"
Boa Hancock let out a long sigh, as if the entire matter bored her.
"Haah… what a dilemma. Join a war alongside filthy men or lose my Shichibukai title… Truly a regrettable choice."
"There is no middle ground," Momonga growled.
"You are not above the law, Hancock!"
She lifted her chin haughtily, showing not a shred of concern.
"Relax, Vice Admiral. I'm considering participating… for a reasonable price, of course."
She then gave a faint smile, almost imperceptible, but enough to make many soldiers collapse inside.
"I want the goods aboard your ship," she said casually, as if requesting tea.
Momonga's fist trembled.
"Are you mocking us? This isn't a bazaar—this is an official World Government operation!"
"Oh, don't be stingy…" Hancock replied, blinking slowly.
But before the vice admiral could respond, chaos erupted behind him.
"H-hurry! Bring the crates! Give her whatever she wants!"
"What a magnificent woman…! If she wants my entire paycheck, she can have it!"
"Here, take my sword! And my medals!"
"Idiots!!" Momonga roared, spinning abruptly.
"Are you Marines or love-struck teenagers?!"
At that moment, Hancock descended lightly from the serpent's head, her expression overflowing with irony and confidence. She opened her arms, forming a heart with her hands in front of her chest.
"Pathetic fools… The corrupt desires you harbor for me are your own undoing. Mero Mero Mellow~!"
A heart-shaped beam burst forth in sparkling waves. In seconds, dozens of marines—eyes sparkling and hearts floating—were petrified on the spot, turned into stone statues with euphoric expressions.
The deck filled with the sound of cracking stone.
Momonga, seeing the wave of energy coming, grabbed his dagger without hesitation and stabbed his own hand, blood spurting out.
"Grrrraaah!!" he roared, resisting the technique through sheer pain.
As the petrified soldiers glistened under the sun, Hancock turned gracefully, crossing her arms and casting a scornful glance over her shoulder.
"Men… So weak. So easy to manipulate. That's why I despise them."
And with that, she calmly returned to the sea serpent as if nothing had happened.
Luffy continued watching, still seated.
"Huh. That was… interesting."
---
(End of Chapter)
"Hmph. If you really want to be useful, then entertain me, try to throw those pathetic power stones at me. Let's see if even your insolence can amuse a king."