Amazon Lily — Kuja Island.
The lingering glow of sunset spilled across the palace's golden domes, bathing the isolated Land of Women in a melancholy orange-red hue.
Upon the throne, the newly crowned Empress, Torch Lily, rested her head against one hand. Sorrow weighed heavily between her brows, her hollow gaze fixed beyond the palace doors.
"Snake Princess's condition…"An aged voice spoke softly from the side."Has there truly been no improvement?"
Gloriosa leaned on her serpent-headed cane as she slowly approached. Her deeply lined face was etched with worry, and as she looked at Torch Lily, a flicker of guilt passed through her eyes.
Roger had died at fifty-three.And now she—the first empress of that era—had grown old as well.
Especially after losing her will, the passage of time had become cruelly apparent.
"You're asking me?" Torch Lily snapped her head up at Gloriosa, her voice trembling with emotion."You and Sister Shakuyaku abandoned everything back then and dumped the entire burden of the Kuja on my sister!
She carried it alone for all these years—and now that you've finally come back, she's…"Her voice broke off abruptly.
Because, in truth, part of the blame lay with herself as well.
She had always believed her sister to be invincible. That belief was precisely why she had followed Gloriosa and Shakuyaku into the New World without hesitation.
And Snake Princess had always watched her leave with that same gentle smile, saying softly—
Go without worry. The Kuja have me.
But now, that strong and tender woman had fallen.
"Torch Lily…" Gloriosa fell silent for a moment before letting out a long sigh."Back then, we left to search for a new path for the Kuja. The situation in the New World was complicated—we had no choice but—"
"That's enough!" Torch Lily cut her off sharply, tears trembling in her eyes."Stop making excuses! In the end, wasn't it all because of men? I'm well aware of that!"
Her voice cracked as tears threatened to spill."And even if it weren't—what's the point of saying any of this now?!"
"She… my sister…"Her voice collapsed entirely."She's dying!"
The great hall fell into suffocating silence, broken only by Torch Lily's suppressed sobs.
Snake Princess—the strongest warrior of Kuja Island, the only female great swordsman on the seas—was now bedridden by lovesickness.
Her vitality was visibly draining away, day by day.And across all of Kuja Island, there was no cure for this "illness."
"Perhaps…" Gloriosa slowly closed her eyes, her voice low."We should consider seeking help from outside."
"Help?" Torch Lily sneered coldly."Have you forgotten the Kuja's laws? Men who step foot on this island are to be executed on sight!"
"Rules are dead. People are alive." Gloriosa raised her head, her gaze deep and unwavering."It's time for Snake Princess to leave."
Torch Lily's pupils shrank violently, her breathing turning ragged.
"You mean… let my sister follow the same path you did back then?"
"It's the only way." Gloriosa's voice was heavy."Otherwise, Snake Princess won't survive another week."
...
Three days later — early morning, waters outside Kuja Island.
The White Gull cut through the thinning mist as it slowly entered the Calm Belt. The sea lay utterly still, smooth as polished glass.
Gern Reginald Sigmar stood at the bow, the black blade Bahuang slung at his waist, his gaze fixed on the gradually emerging outline of the island ahead.
"Vice Admiral Gern… are we really just landing directly?" Tezoro frowned."Kuja Island isn't exactly friendly to outsiders—especially men."
"Relax." Gern's lips curled slightly."They'll welcome us."
"Gern! Gern!"Lipo leaned over the railing, her rabbit ears perked up with excitement."Is it really a country with nothing but girls?"
At the same time, atop Kuja Island's lookout tower, a female warrior was conducting her routine patrol.
The moment she clearly saw the approaching Marine vessel, she didn't hesitate.
The alarm bell rang out sharply.
In an instant, piercing chimes echoed across the island, shattering the tranquility of dawn.
"Marine invasion! All units to battle stations!"
The warning spread like ripples through water. Kuja Island's defenses erupted into motion.
Female warriors surged toward the coastline from every direction, bows drawn, spears clenched, eyes locked onto the incoming ship.
"Hurry! Notify Empress Torch Lily at once—this Marine ship means trouble!"
The palace's side wing — Snake Princess's chambers.
Torch Lily sat beside her sister's bed, gently wiping sweat from her forehead.
The once-dominant, flirtatious great swordswoman—who had shamelessly teased Gern in the past—now breathed faintly, her face pale as paper, clearly on the brink of death.
"Sister… someone as strong as you… someone who despised love…"Torch Lily's gaze drifted to the pillow beside Snake Princess, pain flashing briefly through her eyes before hardening into resolve."How could you fall like this… because of one man…?"
Suddenly, hurried footsteps echoed outside.
A female warrior dropped to one knee at the doorway, her voice shaken."Empress Torch Lily! A Marine warship has been spotted approaching Kuja Island! All warriors are standing by—please issue orders!"
"Marines?" Torch Lily frowned, her hand pausing mid-motion."The Kuja Pirates haven't provoked them recently. Why would they come? …Tch."
She rose, draped herself in an outer robe, and spoke coldly:"Pass the order. Prepare for battle.If they dare make a move—sink them immediately."
"Yes!" The warrior responded and hurried off.
After issuing the command, Torch Lily turned back to Snake Princess, her voice softening."Sister… I'll be back soon."
With that, she strode out, heading straight for the coastal defenses.
Kuja Island — coastal front line.
Gloriosa stood at the forefront, squinting at the White Gull in the distance, confusion filling her heart.
"It's only a small warship. No Seastone hull…""How did they cross the Calm Belt and reach Kuja Island?"
As she pondered this, Torch Lily arrived with an elite unit in tow.
She glanced at the ship and snorted coldly."A mere little vessel dares approach Kuja Island? Give the order—prepare to sink it immediately!"
But before her words could fully land—
The lookout warrior suddenly began to tremble violently.
The telescope slipped from her grasp and hit the ground with a sharp clatter.
"Empress Torch Lily… we might not be able to sink that ship…"
"What do you mean?"
"Because…"The warrior turned, her face deathly pale, her words squeezed out through clenched teeth."The person on that ship is—"
"Heaven-Shaker."
The entire coastline fell into instant silence.
"Hea—Heaven-Shaker?!" Torch Lily's pupils contracted violently.
The Marine legend who captured the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger!
The man her sister longed for night and day!
"How could it be him?!" Gloriosa lunged forward and snatched up the telescope.
At the bow of the warship stood a man dressed in a black shirt beneath his Justice coat, the black blade Bahuang at his waist.
His half-long black hair fluttered in the sea breeze.
And he was smiling.
Upon confirming that familiar silhouette, complex emotions surfaced across Gloriosa's aged face.
"So it really is him…" she murmured.
The Marine who had personally captured the love of her life.
Heaven-Shaker—Gern Reginald Sigmar.
"Heaven-Shaker…" Torch Lily clenched her teeth, her chest heaving violently.
Anger. Resentment. Fear. Worry.All of it churned within her eyes.
At last, she raised her arm sharply and shouted:"All units, maintain full alert! Do not let them set foot on Kuja Island!"
"Wait!" Gloriosa hurriedly grabbed her arm."Torch Lily, calm down! Attacking rashly will only provoke him!"
"Provoke?" Torch Lily sneered."He's the reason my sister ended up like this—and you think I'm afraid of provoking him?!"
..
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