Chapter 38: Expel Rok Immediately!
[Ding! Congratulations, Host! You have completed the overnight sign-in task at the Amazon Lily Imperial Palace!]
[Rewards being distributed!]
[Reward: Complete Poison Immunity acquired!]
[Reward: Perfect-tier Navy Rokushiki — Moon Step (Geppo) acquired!]
[Reward: Demon's Blessing Heart ×0.5 acquired!]
[Reward: 60 billion beli acquired!]
Early morning sunlight spilled across the sea.
Rok stood on the palace balcony, admiring Daughter Island's dawn beauty while the system's pleasant chimes rang in his head.
Mood: excellent.
The only blemish was that Nami and Robin's exact situation remained unknown.
But since they were detained at Marine Headquarters, they should be safe for now.
Every level of the Marines, from Fleet Admiral Sengoku down to the lowliest seaman, was on high alert for the coming war.
Still, time was tight.
Who knew what new moves the World Government might pull?
As expected, the "Ultimate Evil Incident" at Sabaody had already exploded across the front pages.
The underworld emperors would never cover for the Government on something this huge.
At most they'd twist a few details under pressure.
"What…? Rok, you're lying!"
"There's no way Ace got caught by the Marines!"
Before heading to find Hancock, Rok finally told Luffy the truth about Ace.
He had held off yesterday to avoid Luffy charging off half-cocked.
Now that they were about to head to Marineford anyway, it was time.
Luffy's first reaction was pure disbelief.
Then he pulled out the piece of Ace's Vivre Card he always carried.
Watching it burn away bit by bit, his face crumpled.
Ace was really in danger.
"Not just Ace. Nami and Robin were taken by CP0 at Sabaody too."
"According to intel from Admiral Aokiji, they'll most likely be executed publicly at Marineford alongside Ace."
Luffy's expression turned thunder-dark.
Marine Headquarters…
They captured his brother and his friends.
"Nami and Robin were caught because of me. I have to save them."
"I'll ask the Pirate Empress for help in a minute. With a Shichibukai on our side, things will be a lot easier."
Rok dragged out the petrified Marine Commodore he had kidnapped last night.
Someone had to un-petrify the poor guy.
Only the bell-ringer could untie the bell.
Rok was immune to Hancock's fruit, but he couldn't reverse the petrification for others.
"Yeah! We'll definitely save Ace, Nami, and Robin! Just like we did at Enies Lobby. Even if the rest of the crew isn't here, we never abandon anyone!"
Luffy pressed his straw hat down firmly and nodded hard.
He had already made up his mind.
Straw Hat Luffy would never abandon the people he acknowledged.
Even if he had to go alone.
And now he had Rok.
After everything they'd been through, Luffy trusted Rok's strength completely.
A former Marine with insider knowledge?
They were getting everyone back. No question.
…
Amazon Lily — Forbidden Zone, Pirate Empress's Private Chambers
"Gloriosa, you're telling me to immediately expel Rok and Straw Hat Luffy?"
Hancock's flawless face was painted with displeasure and outright fury.
Moments ago, the former former former Empress, Granny Nyon (Gloriosa), had stormed in waving the morning's big news paper.
And the very first thing out of her mouth?
Drive Rok and Luffy off the island right now.
If Rok weren't staying in the palace, Hancock would have already kicked the old woman into orbit with a single perfume femur.
Luffy was one thing.
But telling her to expel Rok?
Unforgivable.
"Snake Princess, this concerns the survival of the entire kingdom! This is not the time for your tantrums!"
"I don't know why you've fallen for Douglas D. Rok, but you cannot keep him and Straw Hat here! If the Marines or World Government find out, Amazon Lily will be annihilated!"
Granny Nyon's wrinkled face was pure panic.
She wouldn't dare anger Hancock under normal circumstances.
But this was too serious.
The headline screamed:
"Marine Traitor Douglas D. Rok and the Straw Hat Pirates massacre Celestial Dragons at Sabaody Archipelago — the ultimate evil that shook the world!" Several Straw Hat crew members captured. To be publicly executed at Marineford alongside Fire Fist Ace as a warning to all. Main culprits Douglas D. Rok and Monkey D. Luffy still at large. World Government and Marine Headquarters pursuing with full force.
When Granny Nyon read it, she nearly had a heart attack.
If Headquarters learned the two most wanted men alive were hiding on Daughter Island…
The Kuja tribe would be erased.
And right now, a Marine Vice Admiral's warship was anchored just outside the Calm Belt!
That was why she rushed here—to beg Hancock to kick them out before it was too late.
"I'm not listening."
"I already ignored the Marine summons. I will never expel Rok."
Hancock's tone was absolute.
One more word and she looked ready to fight.
"Wow, lively morning! Sounds like you're all talking about me?"
Right at that moment, a tall, well-built young man strolled in casually, dragging a stone statue behind him like luggage.
The second Hancock saw Rok, her perfect cheeks flushed crimson.
Granny Nyon and every high-ranking Kuja in the room turned to stare, eyes wide with shock and reluctant admiration.
Because walking toward them, cool as you please, was the man who had openly beheaded a Celestial Dragon in broad daylight.
==============================================================
Support me and be 100 chapters ahead of webnovel:
patreon.com/inkshield