On the eve of their departure, Hancock used a Den Den Mushi to contact Vice Admiral Momonga, who was waiting on his ship in the outer sea. She presented her condition for agreeing to the summons.
That condition was: before going to Marine Headquarters, she would go to Impel Down.
Meanwhile, Nyon arrived at the Kuja Pirates' ship. Luffy and Perona were already there.
Only Hancock and her snake would be going to war. Perona would be escorted by the Kuja Pirates to the Sabaody Archipelago.
But Nyon still had one question.
Luffy's surname was not common on the sea. But it was very famous. Combined with the intel that Garp had been at Sabaody, Nyon could confirm that Luffy was Garp's grandson.
But why did Luffy say Ace was his brother?
Their surnames were clearly different.
She asked him.
"Ace keeps calling Grandfather 'old man,' but he also acknowledges him as his grandfather."
Luffy said, "Ace and I are sworn brothers. We don't have the same father. Ace's father is Gol D. Roger."
Nyon nodded, automatically responding, "Roger, I see."
But the next moment, her expression froze.
Her old eyes widened like saucers, fixed on Luffy. Her voice changed. "DID YOU SAY ROGER?!"
Luffy was startled by her reaction. He leaned back.
"Y-Yeah."
"AS IN THE PIRATE KING, ROGER?!"
"Y-Yeah."
"THE GOL D. ROGER WHO STARTED THE GREAT PIRATE ERA?!"
"That's right."
Luffy stepped back a few feet. He wasn't sure why Nyon was reacting so strongly.
Nyon seemed to be drained of all her strength. She stumbled back until she hit a wall, then collapsed to her knees.
"No wonder Rayleigh helped. Because he's Roger's child?"
"Of course... of course. There were rumors back then. I never thought it would be Fire Fist Ace."
"Wait. This is too confusing. Roger's son calls Whitebeard 'Pops'? He also calls Garp 'Grandfather'?"
It was all completely mixed up!
Luffy watched Nyon huddled in the corner, her worldview shattered. She looked like she had taken a serious blow.
Luffy and Perona were saying goodbye to Marguerite.
"Marguerite, thank you for taking care of us."
Since arriving on Amazon Lily, Marguerite had been helping them. Luffy was very grateful.
Perona floated over. "Thank you for the clothes. They fit well."
Though the style was very different from her Gothic Lolita dresses, they were comfortable.
But the Kuja ship's supplies included dresses. She chose a purple one. She almost looked like a lady.
Just then, Hancock walked over.
She was now wearing a relatively conservative, high-collared qipao that completely hid her beautiful figure.
Now, her body belongs only to Luffy-sama!
She also wore a thick, wool-lined coat, which both shielded her from the sea wind and provided concealment.
A barely noticeable blush was on her face. When her eyes met Luffy's, little pink hearts appeared.
"I'm counting on you, Hancock."
Standing before her, Luffy said, "This might get a little tricky."
Not a little tricky. Quite tricky.
On a Navy ship under the Navy's nose, the only possible way to hide him was to have him cling to Hancock.
Their skin would be pressed tightly together!
Fortunately, it wasn't the worst-case scenario.
If the second-stage punishment activated while he was clinging to Hancock—
That would be impossible to explain!
"L-Leave it to me."
Hancock's face grew redder. Her voice was very soft, completely lacking the Empress's usual arrogance. She had become a shy, love-struck girl.
Seeing this, the women warriors around them had pink hearts in their eyes.
"The shy Snake Princess is also so beautiful!"
"Ahhh! So cute!"
Cute?
Perona only found it terrifying!
She could clearly see the moment Hancock's gaze moved from Luffy to her—it hardened.
"Tch. When we're sailing through the Calm Belt, I'll find an excuse to throw her overboard. The Sea Kings can have her."
Hancock bit her finger and muttered to herself.
"I HEARD THAT, YOU BASTARD EMPRESS!"
Perona stomped the air, her face red.
Seeing this, Luffy quickly stood between them, laughing. "She's joking, aren't you, Hancock?"
"Yes. I'm joking!"
Hancock's expression changed instantly. She gave Luffy a shy smile and nodded obediently.
Perona watched the Empress's lightning-fast expression change. She could only cry.
Why did she feel she'd somehow become part of some strange little game between those two?
...
As agreed, the Kuja Pirates escorted Hancock to the waiting Navy ship in the outer sea.
"So, you came after all, Boa Hancock."
Momonga was relieved that this unpredictable Empress had finally agreed to the summons. He was also relieved that the higher-ups had quickly agreed to her strange condition.
Hancock nodded.
Perona was in the Kuja Pirates' departure party, pretending to be one of them.
All she could do now was pray for Luffy's safety.
And, as an official member of the Straw Hat crew, she would succeed at the first important mission her captain had given her.
To find "Dark King" Rayleigh!
And to find a way to contact their scattered crewmates.
Hancock left the Kuja Pirates. With great elegance, she boarded the Navy ship.
The Marines she had previously turned to stone had no memory of what had happened.
Momonga sighed at his men's incompetence.
But who in this world could resist the Pirate Empress's charm?
Fortunately, she was on their side now!
Aside from the large snake, Salome, that was openly accompanying Hancock, another "snake" was coiled under her thick coat and high-collared qipao, wrapped around her waist and torso.
Monkey D. Luffy!
This was the only way they could think of for Luffy to sneak onto a heavily guarded Navy ship and, eventually, into Impel Down.
Fortunately, Hancock was tall and curvy. Luffy was not large. From the outside, she just looked slightly bulkier than usual.
A Marine Vice Admiral.
Luffy felt a presence.
Not very strong.
For him. If Impel Down's security, or the so-called Warden, was at this level, he could definitely rescue Ace before the Navy could send reinforcements.
"Bear with it a while longer, Luffy."
Hancock spoke to Luffy, hidden under her clothes, in a barely audible voice. "If they find you here, everything is over."
She could clearly feel the warmth of Luffy's body and the strange feeling of his rubber. Her heart raced. Her cheeks were pink.
She paused, her voice trembling with embarrassment. "Could you... hold me a little tighter? I'm having trouble keeping my balance."
Like this?
Luffy grunted in agreement. He tightened his hold. His arms pressed harder against her.
"Mm..."
Hancock, caught off guard, let out a tiny, soft sound. Her legs nearly gave out. Her cheeks turned as red as boiled shrimp.
"Empress? Are you all right?" Momonga stared at her, confused.
"I'm fine. I'm tired. I want to rest."
"Your quarters are ready. The higher-ups have also agreed to your request. But going to Impel Down… it's an odd request."
"Is there a problem?" Hancock, maintaining her aloofness, gave Momonga a cold look.
Momonga didn't want to have another incident with this madwoman. Her ability to turn people to stone was too dangerous.
She had fooled them.
Hancock took a deep breath and steadied herself.
Maintaining the Empress's proud demeanor, she walked through the respectful, wary Marines toward her cabin, her fingertips trembling and the tips of her ears blushing.
...
Meanwhile, in distant Marineford.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku had just received Momonga's confirmation. He rubbed his tired brow. "So, Boa Hancock finally agreed. Good. As long as she arrives on time. That woman is not to be underestimated."
After the shock of Luffy on the Sabaody Archipelago, Sengoku was now more guarded in evaluating any top combatant's strength.
If another unexpected factor, like Luffy, appeared during the coming war with Whitebeard, he didn't know what he'd do.
As Fleet Admiral, he had to consider every possibility.
That was why it was so important to gather all the strength he could.
"Now, six of the Warlords have agreed to the summons," a staff officer reported.
Sengoku nodded. "What about the one who still refuses, who's still causing trouble in Impel Down? Is he finally willing to listen?"
"Sir, 'Knight of the Sea' Jinbe still strongly opposes the war. He says he is prepared to give up his Warlord title."
Sengoku's eyes, behind his glasses, were unreadable. He tapped his desk. "I thought he'd be one of the most cooperative. To be so stubborn now. That bastard Jinbe!"
The Warlords were undeniably strong.
Jinbe's connections to the Fish-Man race made things even more complicated.
Managing their relationship might help solve the problem of more and more pirates entering the New World.
So, despite Jinbe's refusal, Sengoku had not yet taken stronger action.
Another messenger ran in, breathless. "Sir! Admiral Kizaru, dealing with the aftermath on the Sabaody Archipelago, has arrested over 500 bounty criminals! They are being sent to Impel Down. Impel Down says they are having trouble keeping up with the records!"
Sengoku waved his hand, irritated. "For now, I don't need to hear secondary reports! Only matters concerning Whitebeard!"
The Sabaody incident would have repercussions.
Three Celestial Dragons dead.
That Straw Hat kid... It was Garp's fault! What was wrong with that man's blood?
His head throbbing, Sengoku asked, "Where is Garp?"
"Vice Admiral Garp left Headquarters alone. It seems he is heading toward Impel Down."
Sengoku stood up in a flash, shocked and anger. "That old bastard! At a time like this, what does he want now?"
Still so arbitrary!
He could imagine Garp's intention.
The messenger asked nervously, "Should we send someone to bring him back?"
Sengoku took a breath, forcing himself to calm down. He waved a hand, defeated. "Forget it. At a time like this, no one could persuade that stubborn old man."
Even he could not always control what Garp did.
Another communications soldier ran into the office. "Sir! Bad news! The Whitebeard Pirates are on the Move!
Finally.
What was inevitable was inevitable.
Sengoku asked, "A report from the surveillance ships? Put one through. I'll take it."
But the soldier's next words stopped him short.
"No, sir. The 23 warships tasked with monitoring Whitebeard's main ship, the Moby Dick, and his main fleet have all lost contact!"
"What?!" Sengoku's voice rose.
"In addition, unconfirmed reports indicate other New World pirates are also mobilizing! We have no information about the Whitebeard Pirates' fleet size, their exact position, or when they will arrive!"
"So, this is their move."
"I'll send out more ships!"
"Calm down!"
Sengoku slammed his hand on the desk. The room fell silent.
His face was livid. "They got the drop on us. Their operation has begun. We cannot let them set the pace."
He took a breath and gave the order, his voice low. "Alert all units. Highest alert. The war has begun."
"Yes, sir!"
...
At the same time, Garp's special status allowed him to walk, unhindered, into the "impregnable" underwater prison. Impel Down.
His heavy footsteps echoed in the empty, gloomy corridors.
Going deeper.
Impel Down.
Level 6, Infinite Hell.
It was cold and damp here. The only sound was the clinking of Kairoseki restraints.
Sometimes, from some dark corner, came a sound that had lost all meaning, the result of too long without human contact.
Everlasting darkness blanketed this abyss that held the world's worst criminals.
Only recently, many important people had been dropped in, one after another.
Starting with Crocodile, a Warlord, all kinds of famous criminals had been imprisoned.
Shiki the Golden Lion had returned to his "suite."
Then came Fire Fist Ace. And Jinbe, Knight of the Sea.
"Right this way, Vice Admiral Garp."
A guard respectfully led the way.
"Hey, hey, hey."
An unhinged voice came from a nearby cell. "Long time, no see, you bastard Garp. What are you doing here? All these years, and I've never seen you here before."
Garp stopped. He turned, expressionless, toward the voice.
The special cell held a blond man who had lost his legs. A ridiculous ship's wheel was stuck in his head.
The legendary pirate, Shiki the Golden Lion, who had recently, by Garp's grandson, been brought here.
"It's you, Shiki."
Garp's voice was flat. "You're back where you belong."
"Garp! Something must be happening out there. Tell me."
Something felt different about Impel Down, lately.
The guards' faces had given the more perceptive pirates hints.
"The world outside has nothing to do with you."
Garp ignored his old enemy's rant. "I'm not here to catch up with you. You will spend the rest of your life rotting in here."
"So arrogant, you bastard!" Shiki gritted his teeth.
Garp continued walking. Finally, he stopped before a cell with especially tight security.
Through the Kairoseki bars, he could see a familiar figure. Kairoseki handcuffs and shackles. His head was bowed. His long hair covered most of his face. He seemed weak.
Garp stood there, watching for a long time.
"You look pathetic."
"Still alive?"
"Ace."
The figure inside stirred, as if woken from a long sleep by the familiar voice.
"Gr-Grandfather?"
Ace slowly lifted his head. Through his fallen hair, he saw the tall, familiar figure outside the bars. "What are you doing here?"
Garp looked at the visible wounds on Ace's body. His brow furrowed slightly. "With injuries that bad, it's a miracle you're still alive."
Ace was quiet. He didn't answer right away.
Some of those wounds came from Blackbeard, Teach, and his vicious crew. The erosive power of the Yami Yami no Mi and those monsters' merciless attacks had left deep marks.
But some of the older wounds came from a different Warlord.
Donquixote Doflamingo.
Before he found Blackbeard, he'd had a run-in with him.
It had been unusual for a Warlord to be in the East Blue. Ace was sure that bastard had been looking for him.
Ace had no time to fight him. Doflamingo had just said, with a disgustingly smug look, "That old man, what did he send you to do here? Everyone knows he's sick. He'll soon be replaced."
Ace's fist had burst into flames, right on Doflamingo's body.
Ace could tolerate an insult to himself. He would never allow anyone to insult the man he had acknowledged as his father.
The name of this era is Whitebeard!
A Warlord of the Sea?
The Warlords were nothing!
Ace could have been one, if he'd wanted, soon after setting out to sea.
It had been a hard fight.
Doflamingo had well developed the powers of the Ito Ito no Mi. But Ace, a Logia user, had shown Doflamingo why Logias were considered the strongest type of Devil Fruit!
***
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