Chapter 226 — The Empress
"Well… Mother asked me to escort you back."
Charlotte Pudding looked timidly at Ace and his crew as she spoke.
"I see. Then I'll be in your care," Ace said with a polite smile, glancing up at Pudding standing on the deck of her ship.
"N-No… it's nothing." Hearing Ace's words, Charlotte Pudding quickly covered her cheeks, blushing shyly.
Ace chuckled softly, keeping a friendly expression — but inwardly, he sneered.
This woman really is Big Mom's most beloved daughter. Her acting is flawless. If I didn't already know your true face, I might've been fooled.
And the fact that Big Mom sent you to 'see me off' while you act like a lovestruck girl? Hmph. Trying to recruit me as her son-in-law, are you, old hag? Keep dreaming.
---
After sailing aboard Charlotte Pudding's ship for several hours, they finally encountered another vessel — the Kuja Pirates' ship from Amazon Lily.
"Hey, Hancock! Everyone!~"
Luffy waved excitedly from the bow of the ship as he spotted them across the sea.
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"Sister, it's Luffy and the others!"
Sandersonia pointed toward the ship, smiling as she spoke to her elder sister, the Pirate Empress Boa Hancock.
"The Aijia sees them," Hancock replied coolly — but her eyes were fixed not on Luffy, but on the man beside him: Portgas D. Ace.
Marigold followed her sister's gaze and murmured, "That man… he's the Fire Emperor, isn't he?"
Ever since the news of Ace nearly killing a Celestial Dragon at Sabaody Archipelago spread, the three Boa sisters had been following his every move. It was because of Ace's connection to Luffy that they had even allowed him to remain and train on Amazon Lily.
The Empress said nothing, silently watching Ace from afar. She had always wanted to ask this man one question — face to face: Did he ever regret what he did to the Celestial Dragons?
---
A few minutes later, the two ships met on the open sea. Luffy and several Kuja warriors leapt aboard the Kuja Pirates' ship excitedly.
"Kikyo!"
Marguerite, Aphelandra, and Sweet Pea rushed to greet the tall warrior woman who served as one of Amazon Lily's national guardians.
Seeing them unharmed, Kikyo let out a breath of relief. Strictly speaking, Marguerite and her friends, like Kikyo, weren't official members of the Kuja Pirates — they were guardians of Amazon Lily itself.
"We're fine, thanks to Brother Luffy!" Marguerite said happily.
"Compared to that, we—" she began, but quickly fell silent as the three approached the Empress. They knelt down together.
"Lady Hancock, we've caused you trouble."
"It's fine," Hancock said calmly, not sparing them a glance. She waved her hand dismissively. "You may step back."
Then, her gaze turned back toward Ace.
---
Ace happened to look up at that moment, and their eyes met across the decks. He gave her a warm smile and raised his hand in greeting.
"Long time no see, Your Majesty — the Empress of the Kuja."
The last time they had seen each other was during the Paramount War at Marineford. They hadn't fought directly, but had stood on opposing sides.
Strictly speaking, this was their first real meeting.
"…"
Boa Hancock hesitated, as if she wanted to speak but couldn't find the words.
Seeing her expression, Ace immediately guessed her thoughts. She wants to ask me something… and it just so happens, I want to talk to her too.
"Miss Pudding," Ace said, turning to her with a nod, "thank you for bringing us this far. We can manage from here."
"N-No… you're welcome," Charlotte Pudding replied nervously, then gathered her courage and called out, "Umm… Mr. Ace — see you next time!"
"See you next time." Ace smiled and waved, then turned back to Hancock.
"My friends will arrive soon. Would you mind giving me a ride until then?"
"It's no trouble," Hancock said softly, then added, "Follow me. The Aijia… has something to ask you."
Without waiting for an answer, she turned and walked toward her cabin.
Ace smiled faintly. "Perfect timing. I have something to ask you too."
"I wanna go too!" Luffy said immediately, eager to follow — but Sandersonia and Marigold quickly held him back.
"Luffy, we want to hear what happened with Big Mom. Please stay and tell us," Sandersonia said.
"Yeah, we want to know too," Marigold added.
"Eh? Oh, fine then." Luffy scratched his head and began recounting what had happened — though, of course, his storytelling was a chaotic mess.
Fortunately, Marguerite and the others filled in the details, helping everyone understand the full story.
"I see…"
After hearing what had transpired with Big Mom, both Sandersonia and Marigold exchanged a glance — then turned toward the cabin where the Empress and Ace had gone.
"To be able to fight a Four Emperor to that extent…" Marigold whispered.
"That man… has become terrifyingly strong."
---
Inside the cabin, in the Empress's private chamber, Ace and Hancock sat across from each other.
"First of all," Ace began, bowing slightly, "thank you for taking care of my brother all this time. I'm truly grateful. I'll take Luffy with me later — he won't cause you any more trouble."
"It's fine," Hancock replied quietly, waving a hand dismissively. But her expression was conflicted. She stared at Ace for a long moment, clearly wrestling with something.
Ace smiled faintly. "If there's something you wish to ask, Your Majesty, please go ahead. As my brother's savior, you deserve an honest answer."
Hancock took a slow breath, then said, "Then I'll speak plainly."
Her eyes met his. "After you struck the Celestial Dragon at Sabaody Archipelago… did you ever regret it?"
"So that's what's been on your mind."
Ace smiled — not mockingly, but with calm sincerity. "To be honest… I did regret it."
Hancock's eyes widened in surprise, disappointment flickering across her face — but then, Ace continued.
What he said next left the Empress completely stunned.
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