Lovesickness

As children, the Boa sisters had lived carefree lives. At the age of twelve, the three of them officially boarded a Kuja Pirates ship and became apprentice pirates.

That same year, slave traders abducted them from the ship. After much hardship, they became slaves of the Celestial Dragons. The first men they had ever encountered were scum like the Celestial Dragons, leaving the three sisters with a powerful aversion to men.

Their four years as slaves were hell. Every day, they lived in constant fear, and every day, countless slaves died around them.

Just as they were on the verge of a mental breakdown, a man climbed into the holy land of Mary Geoise. He not only set Mary Geoise ablaze and caused chaos, but also rescued thousands of slaves from the holy land.

That man, who had accomplished such a world-shaking feat, was the Fish-Man Fisher Tiger, a former adventurer and a highly respected figure on Fish-Man Island.

Fisher Tiger had once been captured by humans and made into a Celestial Dragon slave during his adventures. After finding an opportunity to escape, he voluntarily returned to Mary Geoise to free the slaves.

He had two wishes. One was for Fish-Men to walk openly beneath the sunlight; the other was for there to be no slaves in the world.

After rescuing the slaves, Tiger led the slave Fish-Men and former slaves to form the Sun Pirates. He spent his time sending the slaves back to their homelands, becoming the World Government's number one thorn in its side.

Yet such a respectable hero was ultimately betrayed by humans. In his despair at the brink of death, he refused no matter what to accept human blood into his body. Only at life's end did he waver in his lifelong beliefs. What a regrettable fate for a hero.

"What a respectable man. I really wish I could have met Fisher Tiger."

After listening to Hancock's account, Sal felt sympathy for the sisters and regret for Tiger.

Remembering the fate of the man who had saved her, Hancock's eyes filled with tears.

"If our benefactor hadn't tried to save us, he wouldn't have died."

After chatting with the four women for a while longer, Sal rose to leave. Hancock had only casually draped an outer garment over herself, exposing far too much skin. It was truly quite a test for any normal man.

During their conversation, his gaze was drawn over there from time to time. After all, he was still a hot-blooded young man.

The matter of borrowing a ship went smoothly. Hancock agreed readily, and in two days, the Kuja Pirates would personally take him to his destination.

As night fell, the women of Amazon Lily began their banquet. Fine wine and delicious food filled the venue. As the only two men present, Sal and Luffy were surrounded so tightly by the women of Amazon Lily that not even water could get through.

Most of the women there had probably never seen a man in their lives. They were filled with extreme curiosity toward the men who had suddenly appeared.

Many restless hands kept stroking the two of them. Even Sal, who considered himself a man who enjoyed both food and women, couldn't stand this kind of sexual harassment. He preferred being the one taking advantage, not being taken advantage of by countless women.

Some women even reached for his crotch. Fortunately, Sal noticed early enough, or his "late-life honor" would have been ruined. Being treated like a male escort was not something an ordinary man could endure.

The two retreated to the rooftop with food in hand. At that moment, Gloriosa walked over as well. She was rather interested in the two young men who had dared to attack Celestial Dragons.

Handing over some fine wine she had kept for years, Gloriosa asked curiously.

"Sal, what are you planning to do after leaving Amazon Lily? If it needs to remain secret, you don't have to tell me."

Sal punched Luffy away when he tried to snatch the wine from him, then answered without hiding anything.

"First, I'll go meet some 'old friends.' Then I'll probably make a trip to Marineford."

"Marineford? Don't you know a great war is about to break out there? You actually dare to step into such muddy waters? Given your crime of killing a Celestial Dragon, I'm afraid you'll be singled out."

Sal continued holding down the lunging Luffy. This kid was truly stubborn when it came to food. With Armament Haki reinforcing his fist, he smacked two lumps onto Luffy's head.

"It hurts, it hurts! What are you doing, Sal? I just wanted a bite."

That grinning face made Sal keep him pinned down. Only after dealing with the troublesome brat did he slowly answer.

"It would be such a shame to miss something this interesting. After all, quite a few 'old friends' will be gathering there too."

"True. A man like you wouldn't miss such a major event. There are always fools at sea willing to lay down their lives. I hope you return safely."

"Haha, thank you for the kind words."

Luffy was utterly confused by their conversation. What Marineford? What major event? Even the meat in his hand no longer tasted good as he asked curiously.

"Granny, what are you talking about?"

"Luffy, you don't know yet? The Whitebeard Pirates' Second Division Commander, Fire Fist Ace, is to be executed at Marine Headquarters in Marineford. This will inevitably trigger a war between the Marines and the Whitebeard Pirates."

Upon hearing the news, Luffy's expression changed from blankly eating to utter shock. Food even fell from his mouth, making Sal look at him in disgust.

"Ace... Ace is going to be executed? How is that possible? No, I have to save Ace. I have to go save Ace right now."

Luffy no longer cared about food and immediately intended to leap away to rescue Ace. Sal pressed him back onto the table with one hand and said speechlessly.

"Where are you going to save Ace at this hour? Do you have a ship? Do you know where Marineford is?"

Only then did Luffy suddenly realize that he had no ship and no crew. How could he possibly save anyone? He immediately pleaded with Sal.

"I don't have a ship, but you do, Sal! Please, take me to save Ace! He's my brother! Sal, I'm begging you. Boohoo..."

Seeing snot running from Luffy's nose, Sal pushed him away in disgust. If this guy dared smear snot on his clothes, Sal would beat the crap out of him.

"I'm not taking you. We're not even headed the same way. But if you ask Hancock, she might be able to help you. And with your strength, don't even think about going to Marineford. There are many top-tier powerhouses there. If you go to the deep-sea prison, Impel Down, you might still have a chance to save Ace."

Sal's sincere suggestion left Luffy stunned. Though Sal knew that even if Luffy went to Impel Down, he would not be able to save Ace, the trip to Impel Down could at least bring out several combatants with Shichibukai-level strength.

If the Butterfly Effect caused Luffy to lose his life in Impel Down, then that could only mean the kid was capable of no more than that.

Gloriosa, who had been listening in, was speechless. What did he mean, going to Impel Down might allow him to rescue someone? The deep-sea prison was known as an impenetrable fortress, and over the centuries, only the legendary pirate Golden Lion had ever escaped from it.

And even he had paid the price of both legs. Ordinary pirates could forget about escaping.

Impel Down had two great powerhouses guarding it: Magellan, a Venom-Venom Fruit user whose strength approached that of an Admiral, and Shiryu of the Rain, a great swordsman.

Among the great swordsmen of the seas, even the weakest possessed the strength of an ordinary Shichibukai. Not to mention that ten large warships guarded Impel Down's entrance. With such a force stationed there, even an Admiral would not be confident of breaking through Impel Down.

Just as they were chatting happily, footsteps sounded outside. Boa Sandersonia hurried over and said.

"Granny, this is bad! Big Sister has collapsed. Hurry and take a look!"

"What? The Snake Princess fell ill at a time like this?"

The news left the two people present in disbelief. The Snake Princess had been full of vitality just moments ago, yet she was sick now. Only Sal felt a strange feeling rise within him. Could it be that kind of illness?

The four arrived at Hancock's chambers, where they found her drenched in fragrant sweat, looking feverish and weak.