By the second day after Zoro regained consciousness, Wright had already concluded his battle with Mihawk. After healing both their injuries, he departed ahead of time.
Mihawk would be heading to Marine Headquarters, while Wright's destination was Amazon Lily—to notify the last remaining Warlord of the Sea, the "Pirate Empress" Boa Hancock.
As for the outcome of their duel—when it came to pure swordsmanship, Mihawk could no longer gain the slightest advantage over Wright's blade.
At this point, even without using his abilities, Wright's swordsmanship alone placed him among the world's greatest swordsmen!
"You've caught up to me so quickly… Well then, try surpassing me!"
That was the challenge Mihawk issued to Wright at the battle's end.
A challenge extended only to a truly equal opponent.
"That day will come soon enough… So hold onto your throne as the world's greatest swordsman!"
The two exchanged knowing smiles before turning away, each heading in opposite directions.
As for checking in on that green-haired swordsman… They could do that after the war.
...
Amazon Lily—an island that, for hundreds of years, had forbidden the presence of men. Any man who set foot upon its shores faced only one fate: destruction.
But today, the island was in turmoil.
Marguerite, a warrior of the Kuja Tribe, had discovered and rescued a peculiar individual during a hunt—a person completely covered in mushrooms. This person was then recognized by Elder Nyon, the former empress from several generations prior, as something shocking.
A man!
And not just that—this man was quite the escape artist!
Yet, none of this chaos concerned Hancock.
At this moment, the Empress stood at the bow of the Kuja Pirates' ship, three kilometers off the coast of Amazon Lily, awaiting the arrival of the Marine Admiral "Orange Horse" Wright and his fleet.
"I was supposed to inform you yesterday, but I ended up fighting that Hawk-Eye fellow for a full day, which delayed me. I hope you don't mind, Hancock."
Standing at the prow of his warship, Wright greeted Boa Hancock, who stood at the bow of the "Perfume Yuda."
As for the Marine soldiers—Wright had already shielded them with the Holy Light Wall. Having them collapse from Hancock's overwhelming charm at such a moment would be utterly disgraceful.
Moreover, the large-scale Holy Light Wall also prevented any classified conversations from leaking.
Ignoring the groans of his men lamenting their inability to gaze upon the Empress's beauty, Wright offered Hancock an apologetic smile.
"Admiral Wright… I do not mind at all!"
Hancock's face flushed with a rare shyness, leaving the Kuja Pirates utterly stunned.
"Ah~ I'm going to faint! The blushing Snake Empress is too adorable!"
"Snake Empress-sama~!"
"Ahhh~!"
Wright scratched his head. "Well… Although this is a mandatory summons, the scale of this war is unprecedented. If you don't participate, it would be quite a waste."
"But… I despise those World Government scoundrels. I have no intention of fighting for them."
Hancock gradually calmed down after her initial excitement at seeing Wright. On one hand, she harbored deep hatred for the World Government and had no desire to act as their pawn.
On the other hand, Wright had come to personally extend the invitation. What was supposed to be a "forced conscription" now carried more weight as a request from Wright himself.
Seeing her hesitation, Wright smiled.
"Hancock, this situation isn't exactly as you think. The Warlords aren't fighting solely for the World Government."
"More importantly, we're assisting the Marines in defeating the Whitebeard Pirates—and right now, or rather in the near future, fighting for the World Government and fighting for the Marines are not necessarily the same thing."
"Besides, you became a Warlord to protect your country. If you refuse the summons, you'll lose your title, and all your efforts will have been for nothing."
Wright's words carried a deeper meaning.
"Now that you have nothing holding you back, it's time to repay your debt to your people."
"…"
Hancock bit her lower lip, a flicker of pain crossing her face.
How could she not understand what Wright was implying?
For years, she and her sisters had deceived their own people. And now, could she really stand by and watch their protection be stripped away?
After all, she was no longer the same as before. And perhaps, neither was the Navy…
"Fine. I will go to Marineford. But I will not set foot in Mary Geoise!"
Hancock clenched her jaw and made her decision. If it weren't for Wright himself coming…
She wouldn't have gone to Marine Headquarters at all!
"Of course… All the Warlords summoned will remain at Marineford. There will be no involvement with Mary Geoise."
Wright nodded with a smile. "Then please prepare yourself. We shall depart for Marineford together!"
"Ah… To travel alongside Admiral Wright…"
A faint blush rose on Hancock's cheeks as she quickly turned away. Her long hair swayed, revealing a flawless, bare back. Ever since that day, Hancock had come to love wearing these backless gowns, which accentuated her beauty to the fullest.
"I… shall make my preparations immediately!"
...
"Fufufufufu…"
Dressrosa Palace.
Seated on a luxurious sofa, the Warlord Donquixote Doflamingo held a wine glass in hand, veins bulging on his forehead.
"That 'Akainu' bastard… Is that how you ask someone for a favor?!"
"That rabid dog… Have those World Government fools lost their minds, having the Marines contact me?!"
"And judging by the timing, Akainu was clearly the last to reach out to me… Is this his way of putting me in my place?!"
"Hahahaha… Doffy, that Akainu is way out of line… No matter how you look at it, even as an Admiral, he's still just the World Government's—no, the Celestial Dragons' lapdog!"
"And you, Doffy… Your status is a hundred times nobler than his!"
From the shadows, one of the highest-ranking executives, Diamante, emerged, taking a seat on the sofa.
"He doesn't seem to understand that you're just here to watch the show! Hahaha!"
Doflamingo downed his drink in one gulp, pressing a hand against his throbbing forehead as he chuckled darkly.
"Fufufufufu… My position as a Warlord still serves its purpose…"
"While I could abandon it at any moment, there are still a few loose ends to tie up…"
"Diamante, while I'm gone, I'm leaving things in your hands."
"Come on now! Managing such a grand operation makes me sound like some kind of genius!"
"You are a genius, after all…"
"Well… Since you say so, leave it to me!"
"Fufufufufu… How very reliable, Diamante…"
Doflamingo stepped out of the room as his secretary, Monet, approached.
"Young Master, we've already informed Kaido about the Marines' plans."
"Excellent… Whitebeard alone isn't enough to throw this world into chaos… Fufufufufu…"
"After this war, who will emerge as the next Emperor…?"
"And that 'Blackbeard' Teach… Now he's an interesting one… Fufufufufu!"
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