From the treetop, Aether observed the distant buildings. Their architecture was unusual, a blend of styles that gave the entire place an exotic and unfamiliar atmosphere.
Dropping lightly to the ground, he made his way forward, pushing through dense jungle filled with wild beasts and venomous insects. Before long, he reached a large city gate guarded by two won.
One was massive, nearly three ters tall, her build as imposing as a beast. The other was tall and striking, yet equally fierce. Both radiated a raw, untad strength.
Aether rubbed his chin, a faint smile on his lips.
"So this is the Isle of Won, just as I imagined."
Amazon Lily, also known as the Isle of Won, was ho to the Kuja tribe. As its na implied, only won lived here. They were raised as warriors from birth, handling every responsibility themselves. Even when pregnant, they only gave birth to daughters.
The island was located within the Calm Belt beside the Grand Line. With Sea Kings roaming those waters, ordinary ships could never approach.
Each generation was ruled by a Kuja Empress. The current ruler, Boa Hancock, was one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea and widely regarded as the most beautiful woman in the world.
Aether had co here partly to avoid potential pursuit from a Marine Admiral, and partly out of curiosity.
Noticing the guards were inattentive, he casually took a sack of vegetables from a nearby woman and walked straight toward the gate.
As he approached, the guards noticed his unusual attire. However, seeing the sack in his hands, they simply assud he was a peculiar forager and paid him little attention.
After all, Amazon Lily was isolated within the Calm Belt. Aside from Silvers Rayleigh's visit many years ago, no outsider had ever set foot here, let alone a man. The guards had long forgotten what n even looked like.
Inside the city, Aether's presence drew curious glances. Still, he walked openly through the streets, observing everything with interest.
At the center of the city stood an arena.
Inside, two won were engaged in combat. One was enormous, with the strength of a wild beast, while the other was small and nimble. Despite their differences, neither gained the upper hand.
Aether watched with interest.
Suddenly, a familiar system notification sounded in his mind.
S-Class figure Donquixote Doflamingo felt mild surprise toward the host. EXP gained.
Multiple S-Class figures felt mild surprise. EXP gained.
A-Class, B-Class, C-Class, and D-Class figures followed, their emotions converting into a massive influx of experience.
Level up.
Level 51 reached.
Aether raised an eyebrow slightly before letting out a soft chuckle.
"Morgans works fast."
The news of him killing a Celestial Dragon had already spread. As more people learned of it, their reactions translated into experience.
Compared to that, being hunted by an Admiral hardly mattered.
The news had not yet reached every corner of the world. As it continued to spread, the flow of experience would only increase. Among all groups, ordinary people were the easiest to influence.
Over the past few days, Aether had co to understand the system's chanics. Emotions such as hostility, friendliness, fear, and surprise all generated experience.
Among them, surprise required the largest volu to reach a noticeable level.
Even at Marine Headquarters, not everyone had reacted yet.
After selling the vegetables, Aether used the island's currency to buy food, then found a seat in the arena stands, watching the Kuja warriors spar.
It was an entertaining sight.
Off the coast of Amazon Lily, beside the corpse of a recently slain Sea King, two ships were anchored.
One was a large Marine warship, the kind only Vice Admirals or higher could command.
The other was a red pirate ship, pulled by two giant sea serpents.
It was the Kuja Pirates' vessel, belonging to their Empress, Boa Hancock.
The Kuja warriors showed no hostility toward the Marines. As one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, Hancock was allied with the World Governnt.
The Warlords were powerful pirates recognized by the governnt, granted the right to plunder freely. In exchange, they dealt with lesser pirates and assisted during major conflicts.
Unless they attacked a governnt-affiliated nation, even nearby Marines could not interfere.
One of the Kuja warriors looked at the Marine leader with admiration.
"Did you kill that Sea King?"
The Marine officer, a middle-aged man with a distinctive handlebar moustache, replied calmly.
"Yes. I've been waiting here for so ti. Before your ship arrived, it appeared."
He was Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral Momonga.
The admiration in the warrior's eyes deepened. Strength was everything to the Kuja.
Momonga continued, his voice firm.
"I am Vice Admiral Momonga of Marine Headquarters. I have co to summon you. Show yourself, Boa Hancock."
The Kuja warriors frowned at his tone.
"We already told you. Her Majesty will not see you."
Unbothered, Momonga tossed a newspaper onto the deck.
"Portgas D. Ace, Second Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, will be publicly executed. The ti and place have been decided."
"This summons is a direct order from the World Governnt. Refusal will be treated as relinquishing your title as a Warlord of the Sea."
"You will beco ordinary pirates again, hunted by both the Marines and the World Governnt. Do you understand, Boa Hancock?"
His voice carried across the sea.
Silence fell over the Kuja ship.
They all understood what losing the Warlord title would an for Amazon Lily.
Then, in the stillness, the sound of high heels echoed across the deck.
User Comments
0 comments from readers