Amazon Lily, also known as the Island of Women.
This secluded island lay hidden deep within the Calm Belt, an area of the sea devoid of wind and currents, rendering it nearly unreachable by traditional ships. To the outside world, it remained shrouded in mystery.
There were no men on this island. With a population in the tens of thousands, its entire citizenry consisted of the Kuja Tribe, a warrior race of women who had built their own nation: the Queendom of Amazon Lily.
From birth, these women were raised to be fighters. They shouldered every burden, be it war or labor. Even pregnancies resulted in only daughters, never sons. Each of them bore a serpent companion that could transform at will into a weapon, a unique trait of their people.
As for the Kuja Pirates, they weren't just a rogue crew, but an officially sanctioned naval force of Amazon Lily, led by the nation's ruler herself.
Yato followed the pirate crew through the sea gate, entering from the waterway. And what met his eyes left him genuinely surprised.
The island's architecture exuded a unique charm, elegant, antique, and distinctly reminiscent of ancient aesthetics.
At the shore, rows of scantily dressed women stood at attention to welcome their Empress's return.
Hancock was the first to step onto the wooden plank connecting the ship to land. Behind her, the crew began unloading crates and supplies.
Yato remained half-submerged in the water, his massive dragon head poking out as he scanned the cargo between them.
He hadn't forgotten his true purpose. During the journey, he'd already come up with an excuse.
Right now, he was the so-called "Guardian Deity". Since that was the role he was playing, then surely the people of Amazon Lily owed him a little tribute, no?
All he needed to do was figure out which box contained the energy source he sought.
At that moment, Amanda was giving instructions to the crew.
"Be careful with everything. This haul seems especially valuable. Once it's unloaded, take inventory and report back to me."
"Yes, ma'am!"
With that done, she turned toward Yato, her face glowing with reverence.
"Guardian Deity, since it's inconvenient for you to come ashore, I've arranged- "
Before she could finish, Yato shook his dragon head.
"Who said I can't come ashore?"
"Eh?"
She froze in confusion.
The next moment, the sea dragon shot out from the water. His serpentine body spiraled in the air, twisting once before soaring toward land.
On the shore, the assembled women gasped in shock.
"A dragon?!"
"A Sea King?! Enemy attack! Protect Lady Hancock!"
"Wait, he doesn't seem hostile…"
Amidst the rising panic, Yato's body began to glow.
A dazzling white radiance enveloped him as he touched down. When the light faded, what stepped out from it was, a black-haired man.
Handsome, well-proportioned, and sharp-eyed. His outfit looked a little strange, but that aside…
"Where did it go?!"
"No! The dragon… it turned into a human!"
"W-What is happening?!"
The women on the beach were stunned.
At the front stood a woman with long green wavy hair. Though she tried to remain calm, she turned to Hancock with a questioning look.
"Sister… who is this?"
Even Hancock frowned slightly as she looked toward Yato.
"Don't be alarmed," Yato chuckled. "This is simply my human form. If a Guardian Deity couldn't do even this… would I really be worthy of the title? Don't you think so, Empress?"
"Hmph."
Hancock scoffed, turning her head away in disdain, but her heart couldn't help but stir.
Was this sea dragon actually a human who had eaten a Devil Fruit?
Could it be a Zoan-type fruit… one of the mythical variants, like the Phoenix?
But no, that didn't make sense.
Devil Fruit users couldn't move so freely in seawater.
What a strange creature…
That was all she could conclude for now.
If not for the fact that he showed no signs of hostility, she would've already ordered his expulsion from the island. As its ruler, that was her right.
Amanda, on the other hand, was now completely starry-eyed.
"As expected of our Guardian Deity! If that's the case, I'll prepare a palace for you immediately!"
"Much appreciated." Yato accepted without hesitation, fully committing to the role. The thickness of his face knew no bounds.
Hancock, seeing his smug expression, grew visibly more irritable, but could do nothing about it. Her teeth practically ached with frustration.
"Lady Hancock?" Amanda turned to her for final approval.
Hancock hesitated briefly before nodding stiffly. Things had gone too far now. She had no choice but to allow the sea dragon to stay, at least for now. If he ever showed any signs of ill intent, she would personally deal with him.
This was her island. On land, she had full confidence she could handle even a Sea King.
Yato followed Amanda into the city.
Along the way, he finally got to admire the full scope of Amazon Lily's architecture.
His residence was a palace, at least in name. In reality, it was more like a villa inside the royal compound.
Then again, the entire palace wasn't that large. It was, after all, just the capital of a tiny nation.
"Not bad, not bad. At least I don't have to worry about food and shelter for a while."
He inspected the place as he muttered inwardly.
Once done, he turned to Amanda.
"Say, do you all happen to have… you know, that thing?"
"If you need anything, just give the word, Guardian Deity."
"Ahem… I, this dragon, recently changed into human form. I'm feeling a bit drained. Go fetch me some tribute."
"Are you hungry? Understood!"
"No, no, not food, tribute!" Yato waved her off. "You brought back quite the haul today. Hmm… actually, forget it. I'll go speak to the Empress directly."
He turned toward the door.
"Take me, take this dragon, to see the Empress."
Amanda nodded and quickly arranged the meeting.
Shortly after, Yato found himself standing inside Hancock's private chambers.
The Empress was seated elegantly on her couch, one leg crossed over the other, eyes locked onto him.
She was assessing him.
Compared to the awe-inspiring pressure of his dragon form, Yato now seemed much more… mundane. Human.
"What business do you have with me?" Hancock asked coolly.
Oh please… I once shook hands with a vice president of a 1.3 billion–person superpower. Now I'm getting attitude from a provincial pirate queen?
Yato mocked her silently, though his face remained calm.
Just a nineteen-year-old girl. No way I'm losing to you.
He inhaled and spoke softly.
"Empress, I have the ability to see into people's hearts. From the moment we met, I could tell, you've suspected me of being a Devil Fruit user."
"So let's settle this.
Let's make a bet."