In the first half of the Grand Line lay Rusukaina Island.
It was uninhabited, and also known as Forty-Seven Seasons Island. According to legend, a kingdom had once stood there in ancient times, its people living and multiplying on the island.
But humanity had ultimately lost to the island's brutal climate. Its constantly shifting seasons and ferocious beasts had brought the kingdom to the brink of extinction. In the end, its people had no choice but to abandon it and move to nearby islands.
Near Rusukaina Island lived a world-famous warrior nation made up entirely of women.
In fact, the entire country was made up of women. Any man who dared approach their island would be killed without mercy.
That warrior nation was Amazon Lily, ruled by the Pirate Empress, Boa Hancock.
During his adventures in the first half of the Grand Line, Werther had always wanted to explore Amazon Lily and find out exactly how those women reproduced.
Without men, it was a miracle the country had not died out. Or perhaps those fierce warriors captured men at sea for their own purposes?
Judging by the island women's attitude toward men, though, that seemed highly unlikely.
That only made it more astonishing. Had these women somehow mastered reproduction without men?
The image was almost too much to imagine.
Yet even these formidable women were wary of the nearby uninhabited Rusukaina Island.
That alone showed how dangerous the island of forty-seven seasons was.
At that moment, a deafening crash rang out across Rusukaina Island.
"Gum-Gum...!"
A roar echoed across the island.
Boom!
Vegetation flew everywhere as an enormous ape was sent hurtling away. It arced across the sky above the island and nearly landed in the sea.
"I finally did it! Gear Fourth is starting to take shape. As for