Chapter 224

"Great Im-sama, have you already decided who is to be erased from history this time?"

"If you have already reached a conclusion, then please speak that person's name."

From high above the empty Throne of the Void,

a woman's voice, aloof and lofty, rang out.

"The status of the Celestial Dragons permits no challenge; who should die, you should know perfectly well."

The Five Elders lowered their heads.

"We obey your command."

After the Five Elders departed,

Im, clad in an exceedingly long black robe, rose from the Throne of the Void, descended the steps step by step, and came to stand among the flowers of every kind in full bloom. A butterfly flew to her side; she raised her gloved hand and let that butterfly rest on her fingertip.

On the ground behind her, a sword was thrust in at an angle.

A bounty poster was pinned to the longsword.

The sword tip pierced through the photograph on the bounty poster.

The black-haired young man in the photograph had his eyes closed.

196, Return to Shedao, Shocked Hancock

After Lei Li and Luo En and the others arrived at Shedao, they were immediately surrounded by a crowd of Amazon Lily warriors.

"This island seems rather unwelcoming to guests."

Kaya, her hair tied in a high ponytail, reached out and gripped the hilt of Wado Ichimonji at her waist. A powerful sword pressure radiated from her, bearing down on the shoulders of Margaret and the other Amazon Lily warriors.

"Such tremendous sword pressure… just who are you people?"

Margaret asked, forcing herself to hold steady.

"Lei Li, didn't you say you were acquainted with the Emperor of this island? Why don't they recognize you?"

Bonney, her long pink hair draped over her shoulders, dressed in denim hot pants and tall boots, said to Lei Li with her arms crossed.

"Uh…"

Lei Li scratched his head, somewhat embarrassed, and asked Margaret, who led the Amazon Lily warriors: "Is Hancock on the island?"

"You bastard, how dare you address Snake Princess-sama by name!"

An Amazon Lily warrior beside Margaret could not hold back, and immediately shot an arrow wrapped in Haki at Lei Li.

"Ha-ta!"

Kung Fu Sea Lion Little Seven let out a strange cry, threw out a punch; the fierce force of the fist shattered that arrow, and the gust of the punch forced those Amazon Lily warriors back several meters.

"We mean no harm; we only wish to meet with your Snake Princess-sama."

Conis, her long golden hair loose, dressed in a white gown, spoke. She raised her hand, and steel chains stretched out from the empty space beside those Amazon Lily warriors, coiling toward them to bind them.

Two years of tempering on Zou Island, and nearly three months of sparring under Lei Li, had raised their strength by an entire tier.

"Luo En."

Carrot, the rabbit Mink wearing a hat, shook Luo En's arm, her big eyes full of curiosity as she gazed at those Amazon Lily warriors bound by steel: "Are all the humans on this island women?"

"Because this is the Island of Women, a nation that forbids men from entering."

Lei Li answered in Luo En's place.

"We'd best not break the rules of this island either."

"Then how are we to meet that Pirate Empress, Boa Hancock?"

Luo Bin asked.

"Simple."

Luo En smiled.

The next second,

a powerful Conqueror's Haki burst forth from between his brows.

In an instant it spread across the entire Island of Women.

Hancock, within the palace of the Island of Women, sensed this astonishing Conqueror's Haki at once.

"This, this is…?"

Nia (Nyasha) broke out in a cold sweat.

"Conqueror's Haki… so powerful…"

Boa Marigold cried out in horror.

Boa Sandersonia looked toward Boa Hancock, who had risen from the throne: "Snake Princess-sama…"

On Empress Hancock's incomparably beautiful face, her expression grew somewhat grave.

This Conqueror's Haki was stronger than her own!

"So they've come for me… a challenge? How interesting."

Hancock's eyes narrowed slightly.

She rose from the throne, her long straight black hair falling to her waist.

"Marigold, Sandersonia, come with me to take a look."

"Yes, Snake Princess-sama."

When Hancock arrived at the shore with the members of the Kuja Pirates, she caught sight of Lei Li and Luo En and the others at a glance.

Especially upon seeing, among the group, that young man with the tall, sturdy build, the composed expression, and the closed eyes,

a flash of surprise and delight could not help but pass through her eyes.

"It's him!"

When Hancock caught sight of them, Lei Li and Kaya and the others likewise caught sight of them.

When Hancock came into view.

A flash of admiration shone in the eyes of Luo Bin, Konis, Bonney, and the others.

"So beautiful."

Konis murmured, utterly spellbound.

"So that is Pirate Empress Boa Hancock… truly the most beautiful woman in the world."

Luo Bin could not help but remark.

"Sure is prettier than me, the rumors weren't lying."

Bonney gazed at Hancock, bit into the chicken drumstick in her hand, and said.

"Is that the most beautiful woman among humans?"

Kung Fu Dugong Little Seven and Carrot tilted their heads, a little puzzled.

The two of them had a different aesthetic from humans, so they could not really appreciate Hancock's beauty.

Hancock and the others walked up to the group.

Lei Li grinned at Hancock in greeting: "Yo, Hancock, it's been a while!"

Hancock, however, ignored him, her cool gaze falling on Marguerite and the others.

"Snake Princess…"

Marguerite and the others, bound by steel, lowered their heads as her gaze swept over them, feeling ashamed and embarrassed.

"Konis."

Luo En spoke.

Konis nodded, and at a thought, the iron chains binding them all shattered into pieces.

"You may go back first."

Hancock said to Marguerite and the others.

"Yes, Snake Princess."

After Marguerite and the others had left.

Only Lei Li, Luo En's group, and Hancock's three sisters remained on the shore.

The very first words Luo En said facing Hancock made Luo Bin and the others pause slightly.

"Boa Hancock, we meet again."

Again?

Had Luo En and this Pirate Empress met before?

"Last time we met was two years ago, wasn't it."