On the deck of the going merry, the sun was just right.
Ian was half-reclining in a specially made lounge chair, his eyes slightly closed.
Princess Anna knelt beside him, her slender fingers gently massaging his temples with just the right amount of pressure. On the other side, Nami carefully peeled a grape and brought it to his lips.
After several days of "hard work," Nami's service had become even more thoughtful and attentive, which greatly pleased Ian.
Good work, of course, deserved a reward!
Ian opened his eyes, signaling Anna to stop the massage, and casually pulled a heavy leather pouch from his In my arms, tossing it into Nami's lap.
"You've performed well during this time, consider it your reward."
"Clink!"
The crisp, heavy sound of metal clinking as the leather pouch landed in her hands was, to Nami, the most beautiful music in the world.
She fumbled to open the pouch, and a golden glow instantly spilled out, almost blinding her.
The next second, Nami let out an excited shriek, springing up from the deck like she had springs in her feet, her eyes completely transformed into two spinning Berries symbols.
"Gold... gold coins! It's a whole bag full of gold coins!"
She held the leather pouch high above her head, as if showing off her spoils to the whole world, saliva almost dripping from her mouth. In her mind, countless gold coins were already raining down, completely submerging her in a blissful scene.
Gion and Tina, standing nearby, shook their heads helplessly at her money-grubbing appearance.
"Since Nami likes these things so much," Princess Anna stopped her movements and said with a smile, "why don't we let Nami help Gunko-sama with her worries from now on? All our expenses, as well as the Young Master's, will be handled by her. What do you think, Young Master?"
Ian glanced at Gunko, who was standing beside him, and said with a warm smile, "This Young Master thinks this is an excellent suggestion."
Gunko had no concept of money; letting her manage the accounts was purely because her Young Master needed it.
Now that someone was helping her with her worries, she was naturally happy to be at leisure.
"Everything will be arranged by the Young Master."
Gunko nodded slightly, then looked at Nami, "Come with This Princess."
"Huh?" Nami was still immersed in the joy of striking it rich and didn't react immediately.
When she realized that she had not only received a bag of gold coins but would also control the entire ship's finances, she was so excited she almost fainted on the spot.
"Thank you, Young Master!"
Overwhelmed by the enormous surprise, Nami no longer cared about being reserved. She lunged forward and gave Ian a big kiss on the cheek, then, like an excited little rabbit, she bounced and skipped after Gunko.
Gunko led her to a heavy iron door deep within the ship's cabin.
When Gunko expressionlessly opened the door, the sight behind it instantly made Nami's breathing stop.
There were no account books or abacuses as she had imagined.
What greeted her eyes was a mountain.
A mountain of Berries banknotes, neatly stacked!
Around the mountain were open, huge treasure chests, filled with various gems, pearls, and gold bars stacked like bricks. The dazzling light shimmered, almost illuminating the entire cabin.
"This place is yours from now on." Gunko said, then turned and left, closing the door behind her and leaving this golden world to the petrified girl.
"Ah--"
After a scream that echoed through the clouds, Nami excitedly dove into the Berries mountain, flailing her arms and legs, happily rolling around, scattering bundles of banknotes into the air, letting them fall like snowflakes.
"Mine! It's all mine! Long live the Young Master!"
...The going merry continued its voyage amidst Nami's happy laughter.
The next day, the ship smoothly passed through the treacherous Calm Belt.
As soon as Ian stepped out of the cabin, Gunko floated down from the mast, pointing to a faint island ahead and saying, "Young Master, that island ahead is called Kuja Island. Do we need to stop?"
"Kuja Island?" Before Ian could speak, Gion's delicate brows furrowed slightly. She then stepped forward and explained, "Saint Ian, Kuja Island is also known as Kuza Island. There is a country on the island called Amazon Lily, and all its citizens are women. Its Empress, Boa Hancock, is one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea."
"Most importantly," Gion's tone became a bit more serious, "Kuza Island has a rule: absolutely no men are allowed to land on the island. Intruders will be killed without question."
After listening, Ian's eyes narrowed slightly. "What a 'no men allowed' rule. Don't they know the principle that all land under heaven is the King's land, and all people within its borders are the King's subjects? There is no place in this world that This Young Master cannot go."
"Gunko--"
"Send word to the Empress of the Women's Country, Boa Hancock, and tell her to wash up and wait for This Young Master."
...Meanwhile, on Kuza Island.
From the towering watchtower, a sharp-eyed Kuja warrior spotted the going merry breaking through the waves.
"Alarm! A ship is approaching at high speed! It's not a Marine ship! Nor is it a pirate ship!"
The piercing alarm broke the tranquility of Kuza Island.
"Prepare for battle!"
With a command, countless agile figures began to gather on the streets and rooftops. They wore animal skins, held longbows entwined with venomous sea snakes, their eyes as sharp as eagles, exuding a powerful aura.
The entire country instantly transformed from a peaceful land into a heavily guarded fortress.
In the magnificent hall of the Kuja City palace.
Boa Hancock, who had just finished handling state affairs and was about to head to her chambers for a bath, heard the alarm from outside the hall and a hint of impatience appeared on her face.
"Who dares to be so bold as to trespass into This Concubine's country?"
Her proud yet melodious voice echoed in the hall. Just the act of standing up exuded a suffocating charm.
"Elder Sister, please leave it to us!"
Hancock's two younger sisters, Boa Sandersonia and Boa Marigold, immediately stepped forward, ready to personally deal with the invading enemy.
Just then, a Kuja warrior stumbled and crawled into the hall, her voice trembling violently from extreme fear.
"Empress-sama... the other side has sent a message!"
"The person on the ship is Saint Ian, the Young Master of the Nerona Family, from the Celestial Dragons of Mary Geoise!"
"They also said to tell Empress-sama to wash up... and wait for him!"
The name "Neirona Ian Saint" exploded in Hancock's mind like a clap of thunder.
The arrogance and languor on her face instantly froze, and the color drained from her face at a visible speed, turning deathly pale.
For the first time, those beautiful eyes, which usually looked down upon all beings and surveyed the world with disdain, showed an emotion called "fear."
The magnificent golden hall before her began to twist and blur. In its place were cold dungeons, the indelible mark of shame branded on her back, and that high and mighty Celestial Dragon, the Young Master of the most powerful Nerona Family in Mary Geoise, Neirona Ian Saint, who looked at her with the eyes of someone watching a plaything.
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