The Amazonian guards stepped aside, clearing a path before Renji Kai and his crew."Hmph—at least you know your place. Let's go."Renji Kai snorted, striding confidently toward the palace.
After a short walk, they entered a majestic throne room.
Seated atop a raised dais was a breathtaking woman—long raven hair, towering beauty, adorned with snake-shaped golden earrings, a crimson serpent coiled around her—her stern gaze fixed on them.
Renji Kai admitted the female pirate Boa Hancock hadn't seemed that remarkable in the anime—but seeing her in person, he found himself genuinely stunned.
"Are you here to see me?" Hancock tossed her hair and spoke in a voice as sweet and silken as silk.
Everyone, Renji's crew included, was momentarily spellbound by her hold. Even the Amazon guards hovered, entranced.
Renji shook himself and spoke earnestly:"You look so much better in person than on TV."
"…TV?" Hancock paused, confused."Nothing—just saying you're beautiful!" Renji clarified.
Of the crew, only Crocodile had met her before; Bartolomeo and Douglas Bullet were seeing her for the first time. Bartolomeo, young and hot-blooded, was visibly excited. Bullet, more composed, simply kept a neutral expression.
"Hello, I'm Bartolomeo—the main crewmate on Renji Kai's ship. Want to get to know me?"Bartolomeo blurted out, stepping forward.
Every Amazon in the room stared at him, their expressions turning cold with fury.
"What's with the looks? Did I say something wrong?" he asked, unsettled.
Sandersonia snapped:"You dare insult our Queen with words—without bowing? That's a crime!"
"Me—insulting? You're a bunch of clueless girls!" Bartolomeo sneered.
"Don't test me—or I'll kill you!" Sandersonia threatened.
"Enough, sister—let them be." Hancock intervened, cool and commanding.
Clearly, she understood their opponents were dangerous. Crocodile, a Warlord-level fighter, had bowed before them—and Renji Kai wasn't a fool. Hancock realized that even with her strength, the crew could be formidable.
Sandersonia grudgingly stepped back, her gaze never leaving Bartolomeo.
"You boys have caused enough trouble. I don't welcome any men here—what is your purpose?"Hancock's tone was icy.
"Have you been ignoring the news? Or pretending not to know why we came?" Renji Kai shot back, exposing her pretense.
Instantly, Hancock's face hardened—her presence coalesced into a wintry chill.
"You think you can defeat the Amazon Lily Kingdom? This kingdom is a member-state of the World Government, under its Navy's protection!"
Renji Kai replied bluntly:"They only care who has the stronger fist. We're weak? They don't care. As for your kingdom—this plot to eliminate the Warlords came from them. They're done playing along.Does Amazon Lily matter to them? It's in the Calm Belt, plagued by Sea Kings. It's not fit for trade.It doesn't matter—nor will it to the Government."He delivered his words unapologetically, in front of them all.
Renji Kai's reasoning was solid: Amazon Lily had purposefully remained isolated, trading with no one. Hancock had accepted the Warlord title for protection—but now that Renji Kai's crew aimed to replace the Warlords, the World Government had shifted to the role of judge.