Monkey D. Dragon was training as usual when a sudden chill crept down his spine. He froze mid-punch and instinctively looked up at the sky. A vast shadow moved above the clouds—an unseen presence that made his blood run cold. It felt as if an army of monsters was staring straight at him.
Sweat gathered on his forehead. "What… what is this feeling?" he muttered. His eyelids twitched, heart pounding. Something terrible was coming.
High above the clouds, aboard the golden ship, the Hell Pirates were already watching him.
"Gurara~! As expected of Garp's son," Newgate laughed heartily. "He actually withstood the pressure of our Conqueror's Haki. His potential is extraordinary!"
He crossed his arms, smiling with approval. "That boy's spirit isn't any weaker than Kaido or Kozuki Oden. He's got the makings of a real monster."
Shiki the Golden Lion scoffed. "He doesn't have Garp's recklessness at all. Hard to believe that kid was raised by that mad dog."
"Brother Brook," Redfield interjected with a grin, "why not take him as a disciple? A prodigy like that shouldn't be left to waste."
At once, Kozuki Oden and Borsalino turned their heads, eyes widening. "Another junior already?" Oden muttered.
Brook chuckled softly, resting a hand on his sword. "Yohohoho~ Not a bad suggestion. Shiki, go fetch him. Keep it quiet."
He wasn't sure whether fate had placed Dragon under the schemes of the Sun God Nika or Joy Boy, but it didn't matter. Even if he couldn't recruit him, he could at least plant a seed for the future.
Shiki grinned and dove through the clouds.
Down below, Dragon's unease grew stronger. The wind shifted unnaturally, and before he could react, a golden figure descended from the sky, smiling wickedly.
His eyes widened. That face… that unmistakable golden mane…
"The Golden Lion," Dragon whispered.
He had read about him in the papers—one of the most dangerous men alive, second only to the Two Overlords. If the Hell Pirates were here, then… did that mean they were targeting him?
"Why me?" he thought, trembling. "Did Father offend them? Are they here for revenge?"
Shiki's laughter echoed across the clearing. "Hahaha! So you recognize me and still have the guts to stand, eh? Not bad for a brat. Come on, you're coming with me!"
Before Dragon could move, a massive force wrapped around him. Shiki's invisible power yanked him into the air, his protests drowned by the roaring wind.
Moments later, Dragon was thrown down before Brook on the deck of the golden ship. He landed deftly, twisting mid-air and rolling to his feet. Every eye turned toward him—Kaido, Newgate, Shiki, Redfield, Oden, and others—all watching silently.
Dragon's heart pounded. "Why… why are you doing this? I haven't done anything!"
"Yohohoho~," Brook laughed, the sound echoing like a ghostly bell. "Monkey D. Dragon. From today onward, you are my final disciple."
"What?!"
Brook stepped forward, his form towering over the boy. "This bond will remain hidden until the World Government falls. Until then, live however you wish. Become a Marine, a pirate, or something else entirely. I do not care."
He leaned closer, his hollow eyes burning with strange light. "But remember this—the D family are the natural enemies of the so-called gods. No matter how much your father achieves, the Celestial Dragons will never allow him to stand among their ranks."
Dragon's breath caught. Brook raised a glowing finger, pressing it gently to the boy's feet. His soul energy etched symbols into Dragon's skin: the word Earth upon his left foot, and Hell upon his right.
For an instant, a green light flared, then faded, leaving no visible trace.
Dragon staggered back, staring in shock. "You—what did you do to me?!"
"Yohoho~ A little insurance," Brook said cheerfully. "If you ever need guidance, seek me out. If you wish to awaken your power, come find me. And if you need money…" He waved a hand. "Ask Antonio."
Antonio saluted and handed over a high-grade Den Den Mushi.
Before Dragon could protest, Crocus stepped forward, holding a syringe. "Stay still."
"Wha—wait!"
Two vials of blood were drawn from Dragon's arm, followed by a small piece of flesh. The doctor healed the wound instantly with the power of the Heal-Heal Fruit, but Dragon was left dazed and furious.
He could do nothing. The strength difference was overwhelming. Within minutes, he found himself back on the ground, surrounded by silence, a golden chest beside him and a strange Den Den Mushi resting on top.
The golden ship rose again, vanishing into the clouds.
Dragon stood motionless for a long time. His young mind couldn't comprehend what had just happened. Inside the chest lay stacks of gold berries, along with training manuals for Armament and Observation Haki.
And Brook's final words echoed in his ears:
If you wish to awaken Conqueror's Haki, kill a Celestial Dragon. If you can't, I'll help you find another way.
For a while, Dragon simply stared at the items, the wind tugging at his dark hair. Then he sighed, gathered the books and Den Den Mushi, and buried the gold deep in the forest.
No one could know what had happened today.
If the Navy discovered the Hell Pirates had contacted him, his father's career—and perhaps his life—would be over.
That night, Dragon sat alone in his small room, staring at the strange Den Den Mushi. "Why me?" he whispered. "Did he really mean to help me… or was it just another game?"
No answer came. Only the faint hum of the sea outside.
Whatever Brook's intentions, the boy's destiny had already been altered. The son of a hero was now bound by fate to the ruler of the sea.
Far above, the golden ship continued its voyage. It soared out of the East Blue, crossed the Calm Belt, and aimed toward the South Blue.
But before they reached their destination, a Den Den Mushi on Brook's desk rang sharply. He lifted it, recognizing Shakky's voice on the other end.
"Brook, my cover's blown. The World Government found out I killed a Celestial Dragon. The Navy's already blockaded Amazon Lily. The women can't set sail anymore."
Brook's voice hardened. "How bad is it?"
"Bad," Shakky replied calmly. "If their ships could cross the Calm Belt, the island would've already fallen. Gloriosa's ready to step down. She wants me to become the new empress—and she's willing to pledge Amazon Lily to the Hell Pirates. But only if you move the entire island to the New World. Every last woman must survive."
Brook was silent for a long moment. Then he nodded. "Understood. Hold your position. I'll come for you myself."
He hung up and turned to Shiki. "Change course. We're heading for the Calm Belt."
Shiki grinned. "Heh, looks like we're picking up another division."
Brook's laughter echoed through the ship. "Yohohoho~ The Second Division, led by our dear Shakky, returns at last."
-----------
Borsalino leaned against the glass window of the golden ship, watching in disbelief as the massive vessel glided effortlessly across the Calm Belt.
Everything he'd learned about navigation had just been shattered.
The Calm Belt—impassable to ordinary ships, home to the Sea Kings, and devoid of wind—was supposed to be a death trap for sailors. Yet the Hell Pirates' golden ship crossed it as easily as if it were sailing on calm seas.
The vessel's lightning propulsion system hummed quietly, and with the Golden Lion's Float-Float Fruit enhancing its movement, even the wildest weather meant nothing. To them, this place was no different from a highway in the sky.
Nearby, Buck—the user of the Drunken Fruit—gawked at the view with sparkling eyes. "Someday, I'll build a ship like this! A ship that can fly, swim, and fight all at once!"
Wolf, who stood beside him, was far more interested in the ship's construction. He had already begun studying the ancient schematics Brook had obtained from the treasure temple on Minion Island, hoping to unlock more of the lost technology.
Brook himself was thoughtful. "The Kirin Lion's Wind-Control Fruit will be crucial for moving Amazon Lily," he mused. "But dragging an entire island from the Calm Belt will slow us down… and make us visible."
He wasn't wrong. Transporting an island would be a monumental task—even for the Hell Pirates.
"Yohohoho~, I can already feel the headache coming," he muttered under his breath.
Laughter suddenly burst out from the deck.
"Hahaha! Newgate, you old fool! Shakky told me she found you a little giant woman from the Amazon Lily!" Shiki the Golden Lion bellowed with glee, his cigar nearly falling from his mouth. "You should settle down already, big guy!"
He waved several camera-type Den Den Mushi in the air. "I'm going to record the moment you fall in love. Consider it revenge for that Yinbei incident!"
Whitebeard only smirked, his booming laugh echoing across the deck. "Gurara~! You're as noisy as ever, Shiki. I've got no time for marriage."
"Don't lie! Shakky said she found you a short-haired, golden warrior!" Shiki teased. "Your romantic luck's finally turning!"
Whitebeard exhaled slowly, unamused. "My dream has nothing to do with women. They'd only slow down my sword arm."
Shiki clicked his tongue. "Tch, figures. You're as hopeless as I am."
Brook chuckled at their banter. "Yohohoho~ You three have such powerful bloodlines. It'd be a shame if none of you passed it on. Especially you, Redfield—your lineage shouldn't end with you."
He raised a finger, half-joking, half-serious. "If you're not interested in women, there's always in vitro fertilization. I can arrange everything—provided you're willing."
The deck went silent for a moment. Brook's tone, though light, carried the weight of intent. He wasn't kidding.
Redfield's eyes flickered. "We'll talk about it in a few years," he said flatly, looking away. "When the Celestial Dragons are gone, maybe I'll consider it."
"Captain Brook! Don't just talk to them—Scaredo and I are interested too!" Hiruba shouted eagerly. "If we can't chase after Miss Bakkin anymore, we'll just find someone on Amazon Lily instead!"
At once, the ship's cook, Streusen, joined in, crossing his arms seriously. "Aye! The women of that island are famous across the seas. Finding a wife there wouldn't be so bad!"
Brook laughed heartily. "Yohohoho~ Then you'll have to convince Shakky! But I'll cheer for you."
The mention of Shakky immediately caught the attention of several crewmates. The thought of Amazon Lily—the all-female island filled with strong, beautiful warriors—lit a fire in every single man aboard.
Even the stoic Lunarian, Aroan, found himself intrigued. His courtship of Alice had gone nowhere, and seeing Jennifer—another Lunarian—already pregnant with Abefu's child stirred something inside him.
Perhaps it was time to give up and look elsewhere.
Brook, upon learning about Jennifer's pregnancy, personally named the unborn child Abel, confidently declaring it would be a boy. He even chose a future title for him: Jin.
No one quite understood what it meant, but no one questioned Brook's intuition either.
As the golden ship entered the airspace above Amazon Lily, excitement rippled through the crew. An entire island of women awaited below, a sight that sent murmurs and whistles across the deck.
On the island, Shakky stood at the shore wearing a crimson cloak, her posture regal, her expression calm. The women of the Nine Snakes watched her with admiration. The small memory seahorse perched beside her buzzed softly, having taken the form of a hornet.
It was strange—so many Zoan fruits existed, yet this creature had chosen one of the most ordinary.
Before her, Gloriosa—the former empress of Amazon Lily—stood silently, leaning on her cane. "Shakky, from today onward, the title of captain of the Kuja Pirates and ruler of the Kingdom of Women belongs to you. May you lead our people to greater strength."
Her voice carried both pride and sorrow. She never thought the day would come when they'd be forced to leave their homeland, to abandon the Calm Belt that had sheltered them for centuries.
Shakky smiled faintly, her cigarette glowing in the twilight. "Don't worry, Captain Gloriosa. I'll make sure our island thrives in the New World. The women of Amazon Lily won't just survive—they'll evolve."
Her tone hardened. "We'll keep our traditions. No one will marry out easily. When we need strong blood, we'll go out and take it. That's the law of the Kuja."
A faint laugh rippled through the gathered warriors. They knew exactly what she meant.
Every few years, the Kuja Pirates ventured out—not only for supplies, but also for inheritance. The women of the island bore daughters almost exclusively, carrying forward the blood of their tribe.
Shakky's plan was simple: combine their powerful lineage with the extraordinary genes of the Hell Pirates. It was mutually beneficial—her women gained strength, and Brook's legacy expanded.
However, full marriage was out of the question. The warriors of Amazon Lily would never be tied down. Short encounters, temporary bonds—those were acceptable. Love was fleeting; survival was eternal.
Gloriosa sighed. "After entering the New World, will we settle near the Calm Belt again, or stay close to your fleet's base?"
She looked toward the sky, where the golden ship gleamed like a second sun. "Following the Hell Pirates may keep us safe for now… but it will also put us at risk. That ship brings both protection and danger."
Her eyes softened. "If you hadn't killed that Celestial Dragon, none of this would've been necessary.".
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