As soon as Hancock stepped through the palace gates of Amazon Lily, her crimson cape still draped over her shoulders, a female official came rushing toward her with barely concealed panic on her face.
"Your Majesty! An airship has suddenly appeared by the shore! They say... they say it's the 'Blasphemer' Bahr!"
"What?" Hancock whirled around, her serpent-shaped earrings glinting in the air. The lazy look in her eyes instantly sharpened into something electrifying.
Lord Bahr is here? He actually came to see me?
Her heart felt like it had burst into fireworks, her breathing growing rapid.
Could it be... could he be here to propose?
Hancock instinctively touched her cheek, her fingertips meeting burning skin as countless images flashed through her mind: Bahr kneeling on one knee, presenting a jeweled ring, declaring his intention to marry her, the two of them exchanging vows before an altar, citizens showering them with flowers and cheers...
"Your Majesty?" The official whispered hesitantly after seeing her remain motionless for so long.
"What's there to panic about!" Hancock snapped back to reality, feigning composure as she adjusted her cape—though her slightly trembling fingers betrayed her excitement. "This queen shall go at once!"
Before the words had even fully left her mouth, she was already lifting her skirts and dashing out, her high heels clacking urgently against the polished jade floor, her crimson cape billowing dramatically behind her. Gone was the usual dignified grace that commanded her people's reverence.
Nyon stood in the corridor, leaning on her snake-headed cane as she watched Hancock practically sprint away. She couldn't help but sigh softly, her clouded eyes flickering with complex emotions before settling into resignation.
She still remembered when news of Bahr's capture had arrived—how distraught Hancock had been. It was only when the Marines summoned the Seven Warlords of the Sea and rumors spread of the Straw Hat Boy storming Impel Down to rescue his brother that Nyon had mustered the courage to persuade Hancock.
At the time, it had been nothing more than a desperate gamble. Who could have imagined it would actually succeed?
Nyon tapped her cane lightly against the ground. That man, Bahr—daring to openly defy the authority of the Celestial Dragons—truly possessed a boldness rarely seen in this world. It was no surprise Hancock's heart had been stolen by someone like him.
Still... seeing her Majesty in such a lovestruck daze meant there would be endless worries ahead.
She glanced toward the shore, silently musing: Let's hope this "Blasphemer" knows how to cherish her. Otherwise, given Hancock's temperament, she might just gamble away all of Amazon Lily for him.
....
By the shore, the massive hull of the Ark Maxim rested in the shallows. The female warriors on the beach gripped their spears, eyeing the unfamiliar airship warily—though they couldn't help stealing glances at the men on deck.
Amazon Lily had never allowed men to set foot on its shores, yet now so many had arrived at once, each radiating formidable presence.
Mr. 5 scanned the island's scenery, his gaze lingering on the lightly clad female warriors before he couldn't resist commenting, "So this is the Island of Women... Tsk tsk, nothing but women. It's practically a paradise for men."
The undisguised envy in his tone earned him several furious glares from nearby warriors.
Mr. 1 stood beside him, his expression as cold and stern as ever, arms crossed as he stared toward the distant jungle—as if everything around him was irrelevant. Only the slight twitch of his fingers betrayed his vigilance against potential threats.
Enel leaned against the ship's railing, his golden rod resting on his shoulder as he glanced disdainfully at the island. "What a pointless place. Why even come here?"
In his eyes, an island filled with ordinary women wasn't worth a second glance.
Bahr's gaze, however, settled on Law standing beside the submarine. "So you're Trafalgar Law from the North Blue," he said leisurely.
A bead of sweat instantly formed on Law's forehead, his grip tightening around Kikoku.
He'd long heard of the "Blasphemer" Bahr—a man who dared challenge the Celestial Dragons, his strength unfathomable. Now that he'd been singled out, an invisible pressure bore down on him.
Steadying himself, Law replied coolly, "If you're asking about the Straw Hat Boy, he's out of critical condition."
Bahr waved a hand, clearly indifferent to Luffy's status. Instead, he studied Law with keen interest, as if examining a fascinating specimen. "Your ability—it's the Op-Op Fruit, isn't it?"
"!!!"
Law's head snapped up, his pupils contracting sharply. The air around him turned razor-sharp as he instantly shifted into a combat stance, the tip of his blade subtly pointing toward Bahr. "What do you mean by that?"
The secret of the Op-Op Fruit was known to very few. How did this man know? Alarm bells rang in Law's mind as he wondered if Bahr was after the fruit's power.
Amused by Law's defensive posture, Bahr chuckled. "Relax, I mean no harm. Just making conversation."
He was well aware of the Op-Op Fruit's value—a top-tier ability capable of performing the "Perennial Youth Surgery," something countless people coveted. With his strength, seizing the fruit would be effortless, but he had no interest in it.
"Don't worry, I'm not after your fruit," Bahr said casually. "Just figured since you're a doctor, you could give me a check-up."
Law studied Bahr suspiciously for a long moment before slowly lowering his blade—though his wariness remained. "You seem perfectly healthy. No check-up needed."
This man was far too mysterious and dangerous to let his guard down.
Just then, rapid footsteps sounded across the sand. Looking up, they saw Hancock running toward them, her skirts gathered in her hands, her crimson cape fluttering dramatically in the wind.
Bahr immediately forgot about Law, leaping from the Ark Maxim's deck in the blink of an eye and landing steadily on the sandy shore, sending up a spray of fine grains.
"Lord Bahr!"
Hancock skidded to a halt a few paces away, her chest rising and falling from her sprint. She struggled to maintain her empress-like dignity, but the joy and anticipation shining in her eyes were impossible to hide. "You... you came so soon?"
Bahr's gaze lingered on the blush coloring her cheeks and the slight tremble in her fingers. Teasingly, he asked, "What, not welcome?"
"Of course not!" Hancock waved her hands hastily, her cheeks flushing even darker as she stumbled over her words. "This queen is simply... overwhelmed with surprise. I never imagined you'd arrive so quickly."
Seeing the usually haughty empress so flustered and fumbling, Bahr's lips curled into a smile as he extended his hand. "Come, show me around your country."
Hancock's heart skipped a beat as she carefully placed her hand in his, nearly swooning the moment her fingertips brushed his warm skin.
Stealing a glance at Bahr's profile, she felt happiness overflowing in her chest.
It's just as I thought—Lord Bahr must be here to marry me!