For several days after leaving Qing Kingdom, the Little Ul sailed on the sea until it encountered a naval warship.
"You've really done something incredible, Ulquiorra!"
Smoker, with two cigars dangling from his lips, stood at the bow of the warship, his face revealing neither joy nor anger.
He never dreamed that his dear friend, whom he called a monster, would almost lose his life at the hands of the person in front of him.
"If the World Government wants to target me, they should be prepared to be trampled under my feet."
Cifer's words were full of disdain, clearly showing his contempt for the siege of the Sabaody Archipelago.
"So, you've come here to cause me trouble?"
"Forget it. Not to mention that headquarters would never allow us to easily fight a man of your caliber, I'm not that arrogant myself."
Smoker was just passing by.
If nothing unexpected happens, he will also apply for a transfer to the New World, after all, the Sabaody Archipelago incident showed him just how terrifying the battles between the world's top combatants can be.
Even those little devils with Bounty exceeding 100 million, known as the Worst Generation, and the Pacifista are human weapons, can only become cannon fodder.
Moreover, Hina has already transferred there to become stronger, so I, as her contemporary, can't be left behind.
"Smoker, please help me!"
"Are you kidding me?!"
Cifer's sudden remark made the veins on his forehead bulge.
"Mr. Cifer ...we are the Navy..."
Tashigi, standing behind Smoker, also thought the statement was outrageous. Although she knew that the other party might not necessarily be evil, how could Captain Smoker possibly become a pirate?
"Let me reiterate, we are not pirates, and being a Marine does not equate to justice."
Smoker did not answer, but simply ordered the warships to leave. The words he had heard from Kuzan a few days earlier seemed to echo in his ears.
"You want that guy as a companion?"
Enel had been with Cifer the longest and had also met Smoker, so he knew that Cifer was a tough nut to crack.
"We don't need that many companions; we should say we want him to be a colleague!"
What Cifer liked was his stubbornness.
The most handsome man is one who firmly believes in justice and sees it through to the end.
"Speaking of which, it seems we'll be crossing a Calm Belt next."
Lucci was at the helm. After glancing at the nautical chart, he turned his gaze toward Cifer.
Their current destination is Twin Snake Island in the West Blue, where they will search for the original Security Officer of the Qing Kingdom.
However, sailboats like the Little Ul have difficulty navigating in the Calm Belt, and they also encounter many Sea Kings, which is another problem.
"You underestimate me far too much, don't you think? A mere Calm Belt?"
Nolan flicked his finger, and the entire ship lifted off the sea and into the air.
"Nolan is amazing!"
Chopper stood on the bow of the ship, looking down at the azure sea, his eyes seemingly shining.
"Ahead... seems to be the country of that Pirate Empress."
Bear looked at the island's outline gradually becoming clearer in the distance, and thought of the Straw Hat Kid who had been sent flying by his own hand. He wondered how the boy was doing now.
"The Pirate Empress... Amazon Lily? I've heard it's a country made entirely of women."
Lucci rested his chin on his hand; he had heard a little about it.
"That's right. It's said that their queen, Boa Hancock, one of the Shichibukai, is the most beautiful woman in the world. I'm a little curious!"
Robin, who was reading a book nearby, seemed to have his interest piqued as well.
"Hmm? Is that the woman who kept staring at Cifer in Marineford?"
Bonney seemed to remember something and chimed in.
"Hey~ Captain Cifer, do you have some kind of story with that woman?!"
"Is she really as beautiful as the rumors say? How much prettier is she than me?!"
Perhaps it was a woman's curiosity, or perhaps it was her competitive spirit, Nolan developed a strong interest in this woman who was rumored to be able to charm all creatures.
"If you want to know, just go and see for yourself. We have plenty of time, we can go wherever we want, we are free."
Cifer returned to his usual sunbathing routine, answering casually.
The world is so vast, there is nowhere they cannot go.
"Alright! Let's go!"
Nolan puffed out his cheeks, as if he had mustered all his energy.
About ten minutes later, the Little Ul landed and docked in a bay in Amazon Lily.
"Yo~ Lucci!"
As soon as the ship docked, a familiar voice came from not far away. Lucci looked in that direction and saw Kaku running towards him, with his other companions behind him.
"You... how did you get here?!"
Lucci looked on with curiosity, never expecting that they would meet again here so soon after parting ways in the Sabaody Archipelago.
"Miss Shakky couldn't find anywhere to stay, so Mr. Rayleigh brought us all here first, blah blah blah~"
Chopper answered his question first.
"It was Mr. Rayleigh who said you seemed to have arrived, so we came to find you."
Kalifa adjusted her glasses and explained why they had arrived at that exact moment.
"By the Lucci, that Straw Hat Kid is also on this island."
Kaku added a comment.
Although the other party was largely responsible for their current predicament, they have come to terms with it. It was all because of that bastard commander Spandam!
Moreover, continuing to serve as a lackey for the World Government is not necessarily a good thing.
Having walked in darkness for many years, Kaku suddenly came into contact with the light again, and he felt that it was not bad at all.
"Isn't it said that men are prohibited from entering this place? Why are you all allowed in...?"
Robin looked puzzled.
"Men are indeed forbidden from entering here, so including myself, we all live on the shore."
Wearing flip-flops, Rayleigh emerged from behind them, making his grand entrance while uttering the most humble words.
In fact, given Rayleigh's own strength and his gratitude to the Empress, he could come and go as he pleased.
However, that was a long-standing rule in the country, and he was too embarrassed to break it.
"Mr. Rayleigh, when did you arrive here?"
Kuma looked at the crowd in front of him and suddenly spoke.
"Me? We only arrived three days ago, is there a problem?"
Rayleigh was puzzled, but answered truthfully nonetheless.
"Then the time should be about right... Didn't you run into Straw Hat Kid? My ability should have sent him to this island."
"Luffy? I didn't run into him."
Rayleigh was completely bewildered.
Bear felt a little guilty. He had originally wanted to film Straw Hat Kid here to see if he could learn Haki from the people here.
Logically speaking, he should have arrived around that time... Could something have happened to him?
After all, he was his close friend's son. He looked at Cifer, wanting to go in and ask him something.
"Who... left a kitten on my way?"
A melodious sound came from the mountains and forests, followed by clear footsteps.
Immediately, an adorable kitten was kicked into Nolan's hands, but it wasn't hurt at all.
"Hancock, what brings you here?"
Rayleigh was somewhat surprised, as she had never come to see him during the several days he had been there.
"I didn't want to come here and see you stinky men."
"But even without consciously sensing it, I know who has come from this domineering aura."
Beneath the high slit of her skirt, a pair of long legs were gracefully walking towards them.