Chapter 186 - Could this Nine Snakes Island be Hancock's dowry in the future?
"Ah, just as you said, Renji, without trade there would be no harm."
Issho looked at the three sisters locked in chains and caged, a sigh flashing through his heart. Just as Renji said, the nobles—especially the Celestial Dragons—had a hand in pushing such evils forward.
The slave trade existed largely to serve the Celestial Dragons. Countless races were captured and sent to the Sabaody Archipelago, where they were auctioned or otherwise transferred to the Celestial Dragons and the nobles of various nations.
If these three girls had not met them today, they would likely have suffered the same fate.
"Face reality, Issho. The world will never move according to your will. The longer you live, the more you will realize that wherever there is light, there must also be shadow."
Renji spoke calmly. The deeds of the Celestial Dragons could only be described as demonic. Later generations of Celestial Dragons would turn the Navy's so-called justice into a joke—nothing but clowns wearing uniforms.
Perhaps Issho still had some fondness for the Navy, having seen mostly the greed of pirates. Though he was aware of the Celestial Dragons' atrocities, he believed the Navy could still change the world.
Yet what he saw now shook that belief. While his opinion of pirates remained the same, he began to doubt the Navy's justice deeply.
Did the Navy know what the Celestial Dragons did?
Perhaps the lower ranks didn't, but the higher-ups surely did. And still, they protected the Dragons. From Renji's words over the past few days, Issho realized the Navy defended the Dragons' interests, not those of ordinary people.
When those interests clashed, the Navy would never side with the common folk. That was not the world he wanted.
And if things truly were as Renji said, then Issho had made up his mind. He would join Renji. He wanted to change this world—he just needed a place capable and sincere enough to do it, and it didn't have to be the Navy.
"You're right," Issho said with a nod. "Perhaps only through understanding will we truly see it clearly."
This world was a tragedy.
"Enough of that for now. We can talk later." Renji nodded, then swung his sword, cutting through the chains binding the three sisters. "You're free to go."
The iron shackles on their wrists, ankles, and necks shattered under his blade. Hancock felt as if she were dreaming.
She had thought her life was about to fall into darkness, yet a sudden twist of fate had brought someone to save them?
"Thank you," Hancock said softly, lowering her head with gratitude.
When Renji led them out of the cabin and she saw the ship filled with corpses, Hancock finally believed him—he truly had come to rescue them.
Earlier, she had even wondered whether this was just another cruel joke, giving them hope before despair.
"Should we send them back?" Issho asked.
He wanted to see the country Renji had spoken of, the one that had changed.
But with these three girls in need of help, he thought it best to return them first. He couldn't just stand by.
"I don't mind," Renji said casually. Sending them back would earn him another draw, anyway.
"No need," Sandersonia waved her hands quickly. "You've already saved us, we can make our own way back. It's too much trouble for you."
"It's hard to reach that place," Marigold added quickly.
"The Calm Belt? Nine Snakes Island?" Renji said slowly. He had known from the start, but since they hadn't mentioned it, he hadn't either. Now that they had, there was no need to play dumb.
Hearing his words, Hancock's heart trembled. She grew wary—could he have designs on Nine Snakes Island?
Having just been captured, she found it hard to trust anyone.
After all, the traffickers who kidnapped them had also preyed on her compassion.
"Renji, how did you know?" Issho asked in surprise. No one had said anything, yet he already knew—and his guess made the girl instantly alert. Wasn't that counterproductive?
"It's simple. The nearest island from here is Nine Snakes Island. She said it's hard to reach, which means it's in the Calm Belt. Only the Calm Belt fits that description."
The slave ship had only recently departed from Nine Snakes Island, so it wasn't far. Renji had known all along; he simply hadn't said it to avoid suspicion. But since they'd revealed it themselves, there was no need to hide anymore.
"You're from Nine Snakes Island, right? Your attire matches their style. I know Gloriosa."
Renji had met Gloriosa back when he was in the Rocks Pirates. Though they weren't close, they knew each other.
It had been many years since the crew disbanded, and Gloriosa had returned to Nine Snakes Island.
"You know Granny Za?" one of them asked in surprise.
"Granny Za?" Renji echoed. Gloriosa shouldn't be that old yet.
"Granny Za is the Gloriosa you mentioned."
"I see. But has she really gotten that old?" Renji said in mild disbelief. Back in the Rocks Pirates, she had been beautiful.
Among the four famed women of that crew, the most beautiful had been Charlotte Linlin, followed by Gloriosa, then Miss Bakkin, and finally Kurozumi Muzen.
"She's not that old," Hancock said shyly. "We're just used to calling her that."
"I understand. So, shall I take you back, or do you prefer to go yourselves?" Renji asked evenly, leaving the choice to them.
The two younger sisters looked tempted but said nothing, turning their eyes toward Hancock.
"Wouldn't it trouble you?" Hancock asked hesitantly. She had feared Renji's intentions toward Nine Snakes Island, but upon reflection, that seemed unlikely. If he meant harm, he wouldn't need an excuse to escort them—he could go there himself.
Besides, he said he knew Gloriosa. Once back, she could confirm that easily.
"I said it's no trouble," Renji replied.
"Then we'll trouble you," Hancock finally said. They truly had no means to return; the Calm Belt was not something they could cross.
The slavers' ship had somehow entered it—had they been tricked by their own innocence? Had they been lured aboard so easily?
"Let me see," Renji murmured.
He closed his eyes, extending his perception outward to its farthest range. Once he locked onto Nine Snakes Island, he placed his hand on Issho and Hancock's shoulders. "You two, hold her hands."
"Okay," they answered obediently, not knowing what he intended but following his words nonetheless.
In the next instant, the space around them twisted, and all four vanished—reappearing on Nine Snakes Island.
The miraculous scene left the three sisters staring at Renji in utter disbelief.
What ability is this?!
So cool!!
"Renji, is this the ability you mentioned before—the power that lets you instantly return somewhere?"
Issho sighed in awe. This ability was truly convenient—one moment they were on the ship, and the next they were already on Nine Snakes Island.
"Sister, we're back!!"
Boa Marigold shouted excitedly as she looked around at the familiar scenery. Her earlier worries vanished completely upon returning home.
Meanwhile, Gloriosa, who had just organized a rescue party for Hancock, froze when she saw the three sisters suddenly reappear—and the familiar face beside them. This man had actually come, and even brought Hancock back?
"Well, Gloriosa, long time no see!"
Renji waved with a smile, feeling a surge of emotion. The once youthful and elegant Gloriosa now seemed older, even a bit shorter.
"It has been a long time. But why would someone like you come to Nine Snakes Island?"
Gloriosa's gaze locked sharply onto Renji. She hadn't seen him in years; everything she now knew about him came from the newspapers.
She didn't know his purpose for coming, and with many islanders standing behind her, she couldn't allow Renji to act recklessly.
"Granny Za, he's the one who saved us! We were captured by some very bad people—they said they were going to sell us!" Marigold ran to Gloriosa and recounted their ordeal.
After hearing the sisters' story, Gloriosa's wariness faded, replaced by guilt. She shouldn't have doubted Renji.
If not for him, the three sisters would have been taken away already. She had only just organized a team—they were nearly ready to leave the Calm Belt.
"I've brought them back safely, so I'll take my leave."
Since he had delivered them, there was no need to stay.
"Wait, may I go to sea with you?" Hancock called out, her eyes filled with longing. She wanted to travel with Renji.
The moment she spoke, Gloriosa's face changed. She had been grooming Hancock as the next queen of Nine Snakes Island. Hancock was the most gifted girl on the island—if she left with Renji, the island would fall into decline.
"No, Renji, you can't take Hancock away. We can negotiate other terms!"
Though she was grateful to him for saving Hancock, letting him take her away would be disastrous for the island.
"Why?" Hancock asked anxiously before Renji could reply. Why couldn't she follow him?
No one knew how much despair she had felt. If Renji hadn't come, she would already have been sold. She wanted to follow him to repay her life debt.
And deep down, she also felt guilty for ever doubting her savior.
"There's no reason, Hancock. You must stay on Nine Snakes Island, that's—"
"I don't want to hear it! You left Nine Snakes once too!" Hancock interrupted.
Gloriosa was stunned. She had left the island because of an illness that would have killed her if she stayed—but Hancock didn't know that.
Still, was she truly ready to defy her?
"Hancock, stay on Nine Snakes Island."
"Why? Renji, are you abandoning me too?"
Renji nearly laughed aloud at her words.
What did she mean by "abandoning"? He hadn't done anything yet!
"You want to help me, right?"
"Yes! Please, Renji, give me a chance—I want to repay your kindness!" Hancock nodded eagerly, her eyes full of hope. Surely Renji would agree.
"Then stay on Nine Snakes Island and train well. Become the queen of this country, and then you'll truly be able to help me. When you're strong enough, I'll come find you."
Taking Hancock with him now held no benefit.
But if she stayed and one day became the island's queen, Renji could later gain Nine Snakes Island's support. The entire island was filled with Haki users, after all.
"But…" Hancock hesitated, afraid he wouldn't return once he left.
Seeing her expression, Renji chuckled softly. He crouched down, extended his pinky, and said, "Let's make a promise. When you become strong, I'll come back for you."
"Alright! Then, Renji, you must come find me! I'll repay your kindness!" Hancock hooked her pinky with his.
"Then take this fruit."
The Love-Love Fruit.
He had obtained it at God Valley, but it was useless to him—Hancock was the perfect one for it.
Gloriosa's eyes widened in surprise when she saw the Devil Fruit in his hand. She hadn't expected Renji to give such a treasure to Hancock.
"I'll be off, then. Hancock, don't waste any chance to become stronger before I return."
"Yes, I will!" Hancock said firmly, watching Renji's departing back with determination.
When he came for her again, she would be the queen of Nine Snakes Island—with the strength to aid him in battle.
"Granny Za, please guide our training! I want to become stronger!!" Hancock bowed earnestly before Gloriosa.
After this ordeal, she finally understood how powerless she had been. If she had been stronger, she could have saved herself and her sisters, even after being tricked onto that ship.
It was her weakness that had led to everything.
"Alright," Gloriosa said softly.
Renji had unexpectedly awakened Hancock's drive.
She didn't know if that was good or bad, but she couldn't shake the feeling that Nine Snakes Island's fate was now tied to his. The things he aimed to do were dangerous—would the island be dragged into it too?
Could she even stop Hancock now?
She wasn't sure. Not at all.
[Ding! Changed Hancock's fate. Reward: one draw chance.]
Use.
[Ding! Draw successful. Congratulations—obtained: Sword of Ame-no-Murakumo.]
[Sword of Ame-no-Murakumo]: One of the Twelve Supreme Grade Blades.
A Supreme Grade Blade?!
Renji had originally planned to forge his own blade into a black sword, but now that was unnecessary.
"The Land of Wano… it truly opened my eyes."
After arriving there, Issho hadn't stayed by Renji's side. Instead, he traveled the country alone.
Everything he saw astonished him. Everything Renji had told him was true—the changes made in Wano could indeed be replicated across any island in the world. It was possible after all.
"There's something even more eye-opening."
"What is it?"
"Ohara—the island that's about to be destroyed for studying history."
Renji placed the new intelligence he had gathered before Issho, then realized Issho couldn't see it and recited it aloud.
He hadn't expected the World Government to move against Ohara so soon.
In the original timeline, it hadn't happened this early. Was this because of the other changes he'd made?
"As expected, history holds something they fear. They must have used many despicable methods to gain their world domination," Issho said grimly.
"Ohara, the island of scholars… are they really going to destroy it?"
"They're just scholars studying history," Issho continued, voice heavy. "And yet the World Government wants them wiped out?"
"It's normal," Renji replied coolly. "It's because they're only scholars that it happens."
"How so?"
"The World Government forbade it, and yet they kept digging. In the end, they brought it upon themselves. They had no power to protect themselves, but kept pursuing the truth. If you were in the Government's place—if you banned something and people kept defying your order—what would you do?"
In Renji's view, Ohara's destruction was simply self-inflicted.
They had no strength, yet kept pushing against the world's most powerful authority. Who would tolerate that?
Wiping them out was only natural.
(End of Chapter)
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