The sky was blue with drifting white clouds. The sea was calm, reflecting shimmering waves. A large ship sailed through the waters, stirring up white splashes, as a cool sea breeze blew gently, bringing a hint of chill.
"This is roasted meat that I personally made," Hancock said with a soft smile as she pushed a dining cart over. "I learned it from the ship's cook. I hope it suits your taste."
Before leaving Amazon Lily, Hancock had surprisingly accepted the title of Shichibukai and sent the message to the World Government. It wouldn't be long before her appointment would be formally announced.
If Kaguya remembered correctly, Hancock deeply hated the World Government—even to the point of extreme loathing. Without the World Government's protection, the Celestial Dragons wouldn't have been so arrogant. If the Celestial Dragons were the culprits, then the World Government was the true instigator.
She hadn't expected Hancock to accept so readily.
But thinking about it, it made sense. Compared to the vast might of the World Government, Amazon Lily's strength was far too insignificant. Even hidden in the Calm Belt, they could not remain complacent forever.
Rather than openly opposing the World Government, it was better to pretend to submit and avoid unnecessary trouble.
Actually, Kaguya only had an enormous appetite when replenishing mana. Normally, her calorie needs weren't that high. However, seeing Hancock's expectant gaze, Kaguya couldn't bear to refuse. She casually picked up a piece of beef, placed it in her mouth, and said, "Not bad, it's delicious."
Hearing the praise, Hancock's face immediately lit up with a breathtakingly beautiful smile.
"Where are we now?" Kaguya asked, nibbling on the roast meat.
"We should be near Enies Lobby," Hancock replied.
Enies Lobby.
Kaguya's hand paused.
If she remembered correctly, Enies Lobby was one of the necessary passages to reach Impel Down and Marineford. Ships passed through Enies Lobby, entered a special ocean current, and were then transported toward Impel Down.
But there was a problem: to enter Impel Down smoothly, they needed the gate to open. If the gate remained shut, they would be trapped, endlessly drifting in the whirlpool current.
How exactly could they open the gate of Impel Down?
Kaguya fell deep into thought.
Meanwhile, Hancock rested her chin in her hands, staring at Kaguya with wide, beautiful eyes that didn't even blink, a faint blush unknowingly appearing on her face, as if admiring a precious figure.
Using Hancock's Shichibukai status to enter Impel Down wasn't impossible. But if exposed, it could provoke the Navy's fury, and Amazon Lily might become their next target.
Thus, Hancock couldn't be the one to act directly. As a Shichibukai, the Navy would hesitate to deal harshly with her unless she crossed a serious line.
Kaguya's eyes narrowed slightly. It seemed she would have to act personally.
"What?! You're going alone to Impel Down?" Hancock widened her eyes in shock, swinging her arms. "No, absolutely not! The security there is terrifying—there are unimaginable traps and powerful guards. It's not a place a person can escape from! I won't allow you to go alone!"
"It's just Impel Down. What's there to fuss about?" Kaguya said, the corner of her mouth lifting. "Relax, I'll be fine."
"No, you can't!" Hancock said anxiously. "If you insist on going, then I will go with you!"
Kaguya walked over, hooked her finger under Hancock's fair chin, and said mischievously, "You have more important things to do. Be good and wait for me to come back, alright?"
Hancock hadn't expected Kaguya to be so bold. Her eyes widened, and her face instantly turned red. She even forgot what she wanted to say.
"Don't worry, I'll be back soon," Kaguya said, dropping her hand and turning toward the ship's railing. With a backward glance and a smile, she added, "What you need to do now is trust me, understood?"
Hancock snapped back to her senses. She opened her mouth to protest but, seeing Kaguya's expression, stopped herself. Pressing her lips together, she said, "I understand... but," Hancock lifted her head with a serious look, "if you don't come back within ten days, I will personally go to Impel Down to find you."
"That's more like it," Kaguya said with a mischievous smile. "That's my adorable bride."
Adorable bride?
Hancock's pupils shrank, her face showing a look of disbelief. Her mind buzzed, and she immediately covered her blushing face with her hands.
She… just called her "bride."
Was that… a confession?
Hancock's heart pounded wildly, her chest tightening with excitement. She couldn't help but clutch her chest, overwhelmed and dizzy, completely missing everything else Kaguya said. Only those few words echoed endlessly in her mind.
At Enies Lobby.
"What? You said… you want to surrender?" Chief Judge Baskerville stared blankly.
"That's right," Kaguya said coldly. "I feel deeply guilty for previously attacking the Navy. To atone for my sins, I wish to turn myself in."
But… you look more like you're here to kill someone than surrender!
The white-bearded middle head of Baskerville roared angrily, "Do you know what a terrible crime it is to deceive the Chief Judge?!"
The left head spoke up, "She should be acquitted."
"No, she should be sentenced to death," said the right head.
"Shut up!" barked the white-bearded head. "First, tell us what crimes you've committed."
Kaguya began counting on her fingers, "I sank three Navy warships, killed over two thousand Navy soldiers, fought Admirals Kizaru and Akainu and injured them, and I also looted tens of millions of berries. That's about it."
At first, Baskerville didn't take it seriously, but as Kaguya continued, their faces grew more and more unsightly, cold sweat beading on their foreheads.
Sinking three warships, killing thousands of soldiers, and even injuring two Admirals?
Were they hearing an international joke?!
The first reaction of the three-headed Baskerville was disbelief. How could something so absurd be true?
If she had claimed to sink three Navy warships and kill thousands of soldiers, they might still find it understandable.
But to say she fought against two Admirals simultaneously and even injured them—that sounded like pure fantasy.
Impossible.
Even though they had never personally seen a Marine Admiral, they knew what an Admiral represented—the peak of Marine strength, among the world's top powers. Those who could attain the rank of Admiral were not just elite among elites; they were capable of destroying entire nations by themselves.
Yet she now claimed to have injured two Admirals. How could they believe that?
"Stop spouting nonsense!" the white-bearded middle head of Baskerville barked harshly. "You think I'd believe such ridiculous claims?"
"You don't believe me?" Kaguya gave him a cold glance. "If you don't, call Sakazuki. I'm sure he can confirm it for you."
Seeing how confident Kaguya was, the three heads exchanged glances, feeling uncertain. Could it really be true?
But… how was that possible?
Wait—the middle head suddenly recalled something. He stared closely at the girl before him, and his face abruptly changed.
He remembered receiving a report that two Admirals had been attacked en route to Amazon Lily. At the time, they dismissed it as street rumors. After all, given the Admirals' strength, which pirate would dare to throw themselves onto a spearhead?
But now… maybe those rumors were true.
Realizing this, the three-headed Baskerville instinctively took two steps back, his expression turning tense. With a forced fierceness, he shouted, "What are you planning by coming here? Some kind of conspiracy?"
The surrounding soldiers tensed up as well, quickly raising their guns and aiming them at Kaguya, fingers poised on the triggers.
"I already told you," Kaguya said coldly. "I'm here to surrender. If you don't believe me, you can use seastone cuffs on me."
There had to be a trap.
This thought flashed simultaneously through the minds of all three heads.
How could there be someone so stupid, actually coming here to surrender? Any other pirate would have fled. Didn't she know what fate awaited surrendering pirates?
So, there had to be a conspiracy.
Yes, definitely.
Just then, a voice rang out.
"Someone coming to surrender? That's a rare sight. Are today's pirates really this dumb?"
A tall figure approached—short silver hair, a sharply chiseled face, a broad, burly build, and a large cloak emblazoned with the word "Justice" draped over his back. Most striking was the two cigars clamped between his lips.
"It's Colonel Smoker!"
The Navy soldiers immediately recognized him. It was none other than Smoker, freshly transferred from Marine Headquarters.
The three-headed Baskerville visibly relaxed. With Smoker here, even if things went south, they had someone to shoulder the blame.
"Are you the one who wants to surrender?" Smoker stared coldly at Kaguya.
"Yes, it's me," Kaguya said indifferently. "What, are the Marines now too scared to even arrest people? If that's the case, then there's no point in the Navy existing anymore."
"Such arrogance," Smoker said coldly. "Do you know what your actions mean? This is a direct provocation against the Navy."
"Say whatever you want," Kaguya stretched out her fair arm and said, "Enough nonsense—are you going to arrest me or not?"
Smoker let out a cold snort, snatching the seastone cuffs from a nearby Marine soldier and clamping them onto Kaguya's wrist with a "click."
Trials were supposed to involve investigating cases and making judgments based on law.
But at Enies Lobby, trials were merely symbolic. There was no evidence collection, no real judicial process—everyone brought here was deemed guilty.
Simply put, Enies Lobby was a facade. Justice didn't exist here.
Naturally, Kaguya was sentenced to a heavy punishment—to be transferred to Impel Down. However, the prison transport ship had just left, so she would have to stay at Enies Lobby for a while.
The prison at Enies Lobby was no different from others—damp, dark, and reeking of blood and earth. As Kaguya stepped inside, she couldn't help but frown.
"Hey, look, another one."
"Yo, and it's a beauty."
"What luck, meeting such a pretty one here."
"Too bad—she's getting sent to Impel Down with us."
"Wonder what kind of torment awaits her."
"Of course, hehe."
The imprisoned criminals whispered lewdly, their greedy eyes sizing up Kaguya, some even licking their lips.
Kaguya's steps paused, her brows knitting together.
"Move!"
A Marine soldier tried to shove her forward, but when Kaguya shot him a cold glance, his outstretched hand froze in midair.
Kaguya continued walking forward. After descending several floors, they arrived at a spacious cell.
A Marine soldier opened the door and said, "Get in."
Had it been any other prisoner, he might have cursed, but the aura Kaguya exuded made him fearful, leaving him speechless.
Kaguya said nothing and stepped inside. This cell was slightly better—the floor was covered with straw, and there was even a crude bed.
As she entered, she noticed several thuggish-looking men inside.
"Another newcomer, and a woman too."
"This is going to be fun."
"Let me teach her the rules for newcomers."
"Hey, don't go too far. She's a woman."
"Heh, so what if she's a woman? In prison, everyone follows the same rules."
A fat, ugly man slowly approached Kaguya.
Kaguya's eyes grew cold, a glint of killing intent flashing within them. The fat man had no idea how close he was to danger.
At that moment, a figure suddenly appeared and kicked the fat man hard in the face, sending him flying across the cell.
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