"No… no limits?!"
The moment Red said those words, disbelief flashed across the eyes of Boa Hancock's three sisters, as well as Granny Nyon, who had also been drawn into the Pokémon world.
After all, in just a few short minutes, Red could grant someone a variety of powerful moves and abilities…
If that power truly had no restrictions at all, then it was simply—terrifying.
Compared to Red's ability, even the Dark-Dark Fruit, which could steal Devil Fruit powers, looked like a grandchild bowing before its grandfather!
Hancock and the others instinctively exchanged glances, then swallowed hard in unison.
The next instant, a glimmer of light appeared once more in Granny Nyon's eyes.
She abruptly raised her head, her gaze passing over Monkey D. Luffy—who was stuffing his face without a care—and the proudly smiling Straw Hat crew, until it locked firmly onto Red.
"Lord Red…"
Tempted by the possibility of a beautiful future, Granny Nyon took the initiative to lower her status, openly showing submission to Red.
Then, without beating around the bush, she asked directly:
"Lord Red, if your ability truly can be used without limit… then could I ask you to help the children of Amazon Lily obtain the power to protect themselves?"
"We already… don't want to experience the same tragedy ever again."
Since a decision had already been made, there was no longer any face to save.
Granny Nyon stepped forward on Hancock's behalf and made the request.
"Granny Nyon!"Hancock's face immediately flashed with anger when she saw this.
Although she too wished for Red to grant powerful strength to Amazon Lily's warriors, having just pledged loyalty and then immediately asking for something felt completely against her principles.
However, at that very moment—
Red, the one being implored, suddenly spoke.
"Sure."
"…Huh?!"
"What?!"
Red's short and straightforward answer instantly caught Hancock and the others off guard.
They looked up at him at once, eyes fixed on his face.
They saw a young man not particularly old, yet wearing a calm smile that seemed to hold everything firmly in his grasp.
Taking a sip of Amazon Lily's special fruit juice, he casually said:
"Even if you hadn't asked, I was planning to do that anyway."
"After all…"
Red's eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at Hancock and the others with a teasing expression.
"The more I give you, the more you'll be able to give me in return…"
"Isn't that right?"
"..."
"Y-Yes! Yes! Yes!"
Granny Nyon nodded vigorously the moment she heard this.
Her already heavily wrinkled face twisted further as she forced a flattering smile.
Of course, the worldly Granny Nyon understood this very well…
The more they gained from Red, the more they would have to give back in the future.
But none of that mattered!
From the beginning, her intention had been to deepen the bond between them and Red.
To turn this verbal alliance into something truly solid.
Hancock, still young, might not see it yet—but Granny Nyon, who had once been part of the Rocks Pirates and had witnessed the tides of the world, knew all too clearly…
Red's power was enough to change the world.
In the future, he would either end up like Rocks—hunted down by the World Government and the Navy, becoming nothing more than dust in history—
Or he would truly bring something new into this world and make it different.
Which of those two futures would come to pass didn't matter anymore.
Because the Kuja Tribe had already enjoyed the dividends of this era in advance, witnessing the birth of a new age.
…
…
Half an hour later.
At Hancock's summons, a group of Amazon Lily's guard warriors—those still able to move freely—secretly gathered at a plaza within the palace.
Some wore curious expressions, others were calm, and some looked around restlessly…
Although Amazon Lily had just experienced a great battle the day before, these elite warriors were able to quickly shake off the lingering tension of war.
"Moqi, do you know why Lady Empress suddenly summoned us?"
"Huh? How would I know? But since it's Lady Empress's order, I'll just follow it."
"That's great! We get to see Lady Empress again! The last time I saw her was when I graduated from the recruit camp!"
"..."
"..."
Dozens upon dozens of women—different in stature and appearance, yet all dressed lightly—began whispering among themselves in the plaza.
They said that three women could put on a whole show.
With over a hundred gathered here, the fact that they hadn't blown the roof off already spoke volumes about their discipline as warriors.
And just then, someone shouted—
"Lady Snake Princess is here!"
In the next second, the entire plaza fell silent.
All the female warriors immediately lined up neatly, their gazes snapping toward the palace gates.
Moments later, the magnificent doors slowly opened.
A graceful figure with peerless beauty stepped forward—
The ruler of Amazon Lily herself: Boa Hancock!
Yet unlike the usual scenes where screams erupted at her appearance…
Standing beside Hancock this time was a young man wearing a red-and-white cap.
Although they were elite warriors, due to Amazon Lily's isolation, many of them had never heard of Red.
But at least one thing was certain—
Red looked exactly like the men described in books!
"Is that… a man?"
Someone bold enough voiced the doubt shared by many.
As curiosity spread, Hancock and Red stepped onto the raised platform at the center of the plaza.
Under the watchful eyes of the warriors, Hancock wasted no time and directly explained the purpose of today's gathering.
"Excellent warriors, I have summoned you today because I have a secret mission for you!"
"You are the most elite fighters of Amazon Lily. I trust you are capable of handling this task, yes?!"
With a flick of her long hair, Hancock spoke in a cold, lofty tone—nothing like a king addressing soldiers.
But the next moment—
"Of course!!!"
BOOM!!!
Dozens of warriors possessing at least two types of Haki roared in unison, their momentum soaring skyward!
"To give our lives for Her Majesty Hancock is our greatest honor!"
"Very good! Such spirit!"
With a subtle prompt from Red, Hancock did not hesitate to praise their valor.
Then she swept her gaze downward once more and declared with authority:
"Allow me to introduce someone to you…"
"Though I suspect I don't even need to say it."
"That's right!"
"The person standing beside me is—a man forbidden from entering Amazon Lily!"
"What?! He really is a man?!"
"So the rumors were true! I really want to see what's down there—apparently it can grow and shrink, sounds fun!"
"Wait, aren't men strictly forbidden on Amazon Lily?! Why is he standing beside Lady Empress?!"
"..."
"..."
A single stone stirred up a thousand waves.
What was completely ordinary in the outside world had become a matter worthy of national announcement on Amazon Lily.
But the very next second, a pressure like a raging storm burst forth from Hancock's body, surging toward the warriors below.
"Silence!"
Even without using Conqueror's Haki, she could have subdued the entire crowd instantly.
Yet seeing many of the warriors shamelessly staring at Red's lower body, a sudden, inexplicable anger rose in her heart.
She had briefly wondered if publicly standing with Red like this meant something like marriage…
But now, she just wanted this over as quickly as possible—before Red was ogled by these hooligans any longer.
Under the overwhelming pressure of her Conqueror's Haki, the warriors instantly behaved.
A satisfied smile appeared on Hancock's icy face.
Then she suddenly turned to Red, her voice soft and affectionate, eyes filled with emotion.
"Lord Red, I'll leave the rest to you."
Though she didn't understand why Red didn't want her to announce that he already held actual authority over Amazon Lily…
She simply wanted to obey him completely.
…
…
Meanwhile, in the shadows behind the platform—
With Sandersonia and Marigold beside her, Granny Nyon couldn't help but shake her head.
As someone who had once been captivated by a man herself, how could she not understand Hancock's current state?
Unfortunately…
With her seasoned eyes, Granny Nyon could tell at a glance—
Red, just like that Straw Hat boy Monkey D. Luffy, was not a man who would allow himself to be bound by emotions.
At least not until they achieved the goals they held in their hearts.
For now, all Granny Nyon could do was silently pray for Hancock.
…
…
After the introductions, Red successfully used the warriors' trust in Hancock to spread word of his identity as a Trainer.
Then, one by one, he brought the female warriors into the Pokémon world, granting them brand-new power.
Though Red was "taken advantage of" more than once by these bold warriors during the process, before the sun set, he had successfully turned over a hundred of them into Pokémon partners, each receiving different skills and moves.
All of it was preparation for the plans to come.
…
…
Time passed quietly.
In the blink of an eye, a full week had passed since the Black Lion Alliance's attack on Amazon Lily.
And on this day—
The New World, Marine Headquarters · New Marineford!
An urgent call suddenly rang into Fleet Admiral Akainu's office.
"Buru buru buru~"
"Buru buru buru~"
Akainu, who was preparing for the World Military Draft, frowned deeply as the crimson Den Den Mushi lit up.
He swiftly grabbed the receiver.
"Reporting to the Fleet Admiral!"
"Just now, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, Boa Hancock, contacted Marine Headquarters, claiming that her country is under attack by hostile forces!"
"She is requesting immediate naval support!"
"Huh?!"
Akainu's eyes flashed with rage.
"What nonsense?!"
"A piece of trash propped up by the system, and she really thinks the Marines are her personal guards?!"
"All pirates should die!"
"We don't have time to deal with this garbage!"
Though mildly curious about who would dare attack Amazon Lily, he had no interest in meddling in pirates killing pirates.
Just as Akainu was about to hang up, the reporting Marine spoke again:
"Please wait, Fleet Admiral!"
"The Pirate Empress also sent over a video message. She said that once the Marines see it, they'll definitely choose to support Amazon Lily."
"May I ask if you'd like to view it?"
"..."
Akainu paused, doubt flickering in his eyes.
Then he nodded at the Den Den Mushi.
"Patch it through."
"Yes, Fleet Admiral!"
The next moment, the Den Den Mushi on Akainu's desk froze.
Soon after, a projection appeared before him.
And then—
A grotesque man wearing a black captain's hat and cloak floated in the sky, a massive modified hand extended as he laughed arrogantly.
"Zehahahahaha!"
"Give it up, Pirate Empress!"
"You really think those Marines who bully the weak and fear the strong will come save you and your country?!"
"Join my Black Lion Alliance!"
"Not long ago, I successfully ambushed Golden Lion Shiki and stole his Float-Float Fruit ability!"
"I am now the only dual Devil Fruit user in the world!"
"What are you hesitating for?!"
"A mere Warlord—how could that compare to the new world I'm about to build?!"
"Zehahahahaha!!"
The ugly man waved his hand.
In an instant, massive chunks of rock rose from the ground and smashed toward a distant town.
Though the impact point wasn't shown, the deafening crash made it clear that the destruction was immense.
"This is—?!"
Akainu slammed his desk and shot to his feet, eyes blazing as he stared at the screen.
"Blackbeard! This bastard really can steal Devil Fruit abilities!"
"And…"
"He killed Golden Lion and took the Float-Float Fruit?!"
"What the hell is going on here?!"
(End of Chapter)