Because his body was still recovering, Leo didn't wake up until late morning the next day. Lying on the soft bed, he couldn't help but chuckle to himself as he recalled yesterday's farce.
As expected, trying to force modern thinking onto this world was a mistake. His mindset was fundamentally different from that of people in the One Piece world.
Still, it wasn't all bad. He had clearly seen that the Pirate Empress was moved. In fact, had he not tried to be clever and told the tale of One Thousand and One Nights, she might have already left with him yesterday.
He was a bit impatient, actually. If his calculations were right, there was still a chance that Enel on Skypiea hadn't eaten the Rumble-Rumble Fruit yet. If he could get to it first, even if he couldn't become an unstoppable fighter, it would still guarantee his survival.
But after ten years among the Celestial Dragons, if there was anything he'd mastered, it was the skill of "When in Rome, do as the Romans do." Now that he had decided to stay, there was no point in resisting. The best course was to enjoy it.
And truthfully, he was enjoying it.
After leaving the tavern with Hancock, he had returned with her to her palace quarters. After retelling the story he'd shared with Hancock to Sandersonia and Marigold, both sisters had come to accept him.
The pain of slavery often created a shared understanding—especially for the sisters, who had spent their childhoods under the tyranny of the Celestial Dragons. Their scars were deep, and their empathy genuine.
Hancock hadn't let him stay outside the palace either—because if he had, a powerless man like Leo would likely have been assaulted that very night by curious or impulsive Kuja warriors…
Living in the palace, at least his virtue was safe…
From today onward, though, things would be busier. Though technically "resting" on Amazon Lily, Leo wanted to personally witness Hancock's induction into the Seven Warlords of the Sea. He was especially curious to see which Marine would be brave—or strong—enough to come to the island.
Would it be Kizaru, Aokiji, or Akainu? Perhaps veterans like Tsuru or Garp? Or maybe one of the rising generation of vice admirals?
There was much to look forward to.
In Leo's analysis, the Marine's establishment of the Warlord system wasn't about rewarding pirates—it was a stalling tactic. The truth wasn't far off: the Marines simply needed the Warlords to buy time while they trained a new generation of officers.
Just look at the Seven Warlords:
Crocodile, entrenched in the first half of the Grand Line, who fed any pirate foolish enough to cross him to his namesake pets. That was the first filter.
Gecko Moria, who roamed the middle of the Grand Line, stealing pirates' shadows to build his undead army. The second filter.
Jinbe, the "First Son of the Sea," stationed near Sabaody Archipelago, who wiped out any pirate crew that dared attack fish-men. The third filter.
Donquixote Doflamingo, formerly one of the Celestial Dragons, operating in the New World. Even if Crocodile and Moria were has-beens in the New World, for rookie pirates, they were still insurmountable foes. Even the Straw Hats, blessed by protagonist power, barely survived their encounters.
Ordinary pirates stood no chance. Look at Krieg from the East Blue—he had a whole fleet and thought himself a ruler, yet had no Devil Fruit users under his command. He was utterly destroyed by Mihawk.
Any crew daring to challenge a Warlord was on a path to certain death. The Marines knew this. Their strategy was clear. The Warlords, whether they liked it or not, had to play along.
The Kuja Pirates were the only crew able to freely sail the Calm Belt and potentially threaten Impel Down. So recruiting them made strategic sense—at least until the Marines developed ships made of Seastone that could counter them.
As for Mihawk and Bartholomew Kuma, they were powerful wild cards—neither fully ally nor enemy. The World Government had no choice but to bring them in to keep them from causing chaos.
Thus, the Seven Warlords were set.
From Leo's future-informed perspective, all of it made perfect sense. But not everyone in this world could see through the Marines' strategy.
His calm, clear analysis felt like a breath of fresh air—and it greatly pleased Gloriosa.
What Amazon Lily lacked most right now was a strategist. Though Gloriosa still had some wits left, she was in her eighties and nearing ninety. How much longer could she serve as the island's advisor?
Once she passed, there would be no one to keep Hancock in check.
Though... judging by how things were going, Hancock might already have a "restraint mechanism" now…
Leo stretched and said casually, "So before the Marines arrive, I should probably get a check-up. It's a bit embarrassing, but I think there's something wrong with my body…"
He spoke without reservation. After all, the intel he'd provided already covered any cost.
The doctor of Amazon Lily was a middle-aged woman named Belladonna, who wore a headscarf. She was still somewhat graceful, but had thick lips and a rather unimpressive figure. Even though she dressed more provocatively than most, she failed to catch Leo's interest.
She was the one who had treated him while he was unconscious.
Now that Leo had Hancock's attention, Belladonna took her job more seriously. She thoroughly examined him again and, facing Hancock's worried gaze, reported:
"Lord Leo is simply a bit weak—physically even less robust than the average Kuja warrior. I didn't detect any other abnormalities."
"I see…" Leo frowned, stroking his smooth chin. He subconsciously reached for a nonexistent beard and instead felt only skin.
"Maybe once I'm stronger, I can try learning Haki?" He seemed to be talking to himself, but his gaze clearly fell on Hancock.
After all, she was the Haki expert here.
Hancock was taken aback as he looked at her, unable to respond properly, much less guide him through training.
Helpless, Leo turned his attention to Gloriosa—the old fox he wasn't exactly fond of dealing with.
But for now… she might be the only one who could help him.