Amazon Lily.
As the name suggests, it is an island inhabited by women only.
The island is home to an all-female warrior nation known as the Kuja Tribe. Their defining trait is the serpents that coil around their bodies—serpents capable of transforming freely into weapons.
The country itself is built high among jungle-covered mountains. Its architecture carries strong Eastern (Huaxia-style) influences. For hundreds of years, the island has obeyed an absolute law known as the "Men Prohibition." Any man who dares set foot here meets only one fate: execution.
Karl didn't dare claim he was the first man ever to step onto Amazon Lily—
—but he could confidently say he was the first man formally invited onto the island.
As for Ain, Nelson, and the others, they weren't so lucky. They could only watch helplessly as Karl departed, remaining behind to guard the warship.
Walking through the city filled with Huaxia-style buildings, Karl's presence immediately drew astonished gazes.
After all—he was a man.
And not just any man, but a handsome one.
The women stared openly, making no effort to lower their voices as they "whispered."
"My goodness… so this is what a man looks like? He feels so charming—just like Lady Snake Princess!"
"How dare a man step into our land… unless—?"
Sandersonia and Marigold exchanged a glance before raising their voices.
"This is Marine Headquarters Major General Karl. It was he who lifted Lady Snake Princess's Gorgon Curse!"
A collective gasp swept through the crowd.
The Gorgon Curse—the terrifying affliction that had plagued their ruler for many years—had been lifted?
And by a man?
No wonder he had been allowed onto the island!
"Ahhh! That's wonderful! Lady Snake Princess's curse is finally gone!"
"Thank you! Thank you for everything you've done for Lady Snake Princess!"
Karl wore a slightly awkward smile.
After all… earlier today, he had beaten Hancock pretty badly.
…Wait. Why was he feeling awkward?
I beat her, sure—but I healed her afterward. I even lifted her curse while I was at it! They absolutely should be thanking me!
With that realization, Karl's smile grew more confident. He waved cheerfully at the residents of Amazon Lily, wearing an expression that clearly said:
"Greetings, comrades. You've all worked hard."
Inside the Palace
To Karl's surprise, the palace felt rather quiet. Apart from a few female guards, there was hardly anyone around.
"Dorna. Stobie," Sandersonia ordered, "Lady Snake Princess has decreed that no one is to enter the palace."
"Yes!"
Turning to Karl, the two sisters said,
"Our sister is already waiting for you. Please follow us."
Karl smiled politely.
"Then I'll have to trouble you."
As he stepped inside, a faint, refreshing fragrance drifted through the air—pleasant and soothing.
Karl looked around at the interior décor and felt slightly disappointed.
Perhaps due to limited resources and low production capacity, the palace wasn't particularly luxurious—honestly, it didn't even compare to his personal… ahem resting room.
Then he saw Hancock approaching him quickly, lightly made up, her expression tinged with excitement.
"You came."
Karl paused, briefly stunned by her beauty, then smiled.
"That cheongsam suits you very well. I like it."
The moment she heard his praise, Hancock felt as if her heart were soaked in honey.
He said he likes it…
He likes it…
'I like it' basically means 'I like you,' right?
Isn't this moving a little fast?!
After several rounds of intense internal imagination, Hancock spoke shyly:
"Um… I—I also like—"
She didn't get to finish.
A short, wrinkled old woman suddenly jumped out, abruptly shattering the atmosphere.
"Hancock! You're the Empress of Amazon Lily—have you forgotten your dignity?!"
The sharp scolding made Hancock's expression flicker.
It's this damned old woman again—ruining everything!
Hancock's chest rose and fell violently with anger. Normally, she would've thrown Granny Nyon straight out without a second thought.
But Karl was here.
She couldn't let him think she was a violent woman.
"Granny Nyon, this has nothing to do with you," Hancock said with a stiff smile.
"Who let her in?"
"Sandersonia—escort Granny Nyon out."
The word escort was spoken with a smile—but it sounded anything but gentle.
Sandersonia hurried in, grabbed Granny Nyon, and forcibly dragged her outside.
"Hey—hey! Let go of me! Have you forgotten you're the empress of the Kuja—?!"
(Her voice gradually faded.)
"…That elderly woman was…?" Karl asked.
"Don't worry about her," Hancock replied quickly. "She'll be fine."
Damn old hag—how dare she ruin my moment! she screamed internally.
"Call your two sisters in," Karl said calmly.
"I'll remove their 'curse' as well."
Hancock nodded.
Though she desperately wanted more alone time with Karl, she knew her priorities.
The sooner the curse was lifted, the sooner her sisters could finally be free.
"Sandersonia. Marigold. Come in."
The doors opened instantly. Both sisters rushed in, unable to conceal their excitement as they looked at Karl.
"We'll be counting on you, Major General Karl!"
"We'll be counting on you, Major General Karl!"
Seeing the two tall, powerfully built sisters, Karl couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
Only in the world of One Piece…
"No problem," he said with a smile. "It's just a small favor."
He spread his hands, forming two balls of holy light, which flowed into their bodies.
The effect was immediate.
Once the itching sensation faded, the sisters stared at each other in disbelief. They rushed to a private corner—and moments later, joyful screams rang out.
"It's really gone!"
"We're finally free—no more fear!"
Minutes later, they returned and bowed deeply to Karl in gratitude.
Seeing this scene, Hancock pressed a hand over her eyes as a single tear slipped down her cheek.
For the first time, she felt it truly, unmistakably—
That dark, nightmarish past was finally over.
No longer an inescapable shadow.
She had to speak.
"Karl… do you know? Ten years ago, when my sisters and I went to sea with the Kuja Pirates…"
She began to tell him everything—the days of enslavement, the humiliation, the suffering she had never been able to forget.
When she finished, Karl let out a quiet sigh.
"Celestial Dragons really are a disgusting species."
Hancock covered her mouth in shock.
As a Marine—weren't Marines supposed to side with the Celestial Dragons?
Seeing her expression, Karl said plainly,
"There are many in the Marines who hate the Celestial Dragons."
"I'm one of them."
Hancock's gaze grew almost molten with emotion.
Both sisters exchanged looks.
Big Sister… she's fallen in love.
Sandersonia quickly gave Marigold a look. The two slipped out, closing the door behind them.
Now—
Only Karl and Hancock remained in the room.
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