IW: Chapter 235 - The User of the Face-Face Fruit, Shanks, What is Your Goal?
"Hancock, you cannot be this willful!"
Elder Nyon banged her staff against the floor, her voice cracking with desperation as Hancock brought up the matter yet again. If the Empress simply abandoned her people to follow Bai Ye, what would become of Amazon Lily?
While it was currently impossible for standard Marine fleets to navigate the treacherous, monster-infested waters of the Calm Belt, the Kuja tribe still relied entirely on raiding nearby shipping lanes to survive. If Hancock rejected the World Government and fled, the Marines would inevitably deploy heavy blockades just outside their borders. For a nation built on plunder, a tight blockade meant slow starvation.
Seeing that Hancock was completely deaf to reason, Elder Nyon swung her gaze toward Bai Ye, her expression dead serious.
"Bai Ye, I am speaking to you with the utmost gravity," the old woman said, stepping forward. "While I know what you offer Hancock is enticing, the Marines have recently approached us with an official invitation. They want the Empress to join the Seven Warlords of the Sea—the Shichibukai."
She took a sharp breath, making sure he understood the weight of her words. "I am sure a man of your intelligence knows exactly what that title guarantees: legal piracy. Complete immunity from the Marines and the World Government while we plunder. For a nation like ours, that is a lifeline we cannot afford to throw away!"
Elder Nyon hoped desperately that Bai Ye would be the rational one. If Hancock were just an ordinary Kuja warrior, she wouldn't lift a finger to stop her from chasing love. After all, as Hancock had ruthlessly pointed out, Nyon had committed the exact same sin in her youth; she had no moral right to lecture anyone.
But precisely because she had once worn the crown, Nyon knew the devastating cost of a ruler's desertion. Without a powerhouse like Hancock, Amazon Lily would lose its primary deterrent. Worse, as the Marines steadily grew in strength, a hostile pirate nation sitting right on their doorstep would inevitably become a primary target. The World Government's envoy had already made it clear: accept the Shichibukai position, or the full might of the Navy would be directed at Amazon Lily next.
Every single woman on the island was a warrior capable of wielding Armament Haki. To the World Government, they were either a perfect asset to recruit, or a threat too dangerous to leave unchecked.
Faced with Elder Nyon's heavy, desperate appeal, Bai Ye merely offered a calm, almost pitying smile.
"The Shichibukai system is nothing but a thankless, short-sighted trap, isn't it?" Bai Ye said smoothly, his voice echoing in the tense room. "Tell me, Elder Nyon... do you honestly believe the Calm Belt will protect you forever? Are you aware that the Marine Headquarters is currently finalizing technology to cross those safe waters—and that they have almost succeeded?"
He let the revelation hang in the air.
"Right now, the World Government is feeling the immense pressure of a changing era, so they offer you a seat among the Warlords out of pure necessity. But the Shichibukai system is a double-edged sword. As time moves on and the Marines no longer need to fear the Calm Belt, the Government will stop seeing you as allies. They will only see the Shichibukai as a stain—a lingering disgrace that needs to be wiped clean."
After offending the pirate forces, the Shichibukai were ostracized by the World Government. Didn't the anime show the situation of besieging the Shichibukai?
"How is that possible?!"
Elder Nyon was originally thinking that Bai Ye would have nothing more to say.
After all, the benefits of becoming a Shichibukai were even better. If Bai Ye really wanted to win over Hancock, he could let Hancock become a Shichibukai, and then they could verbally form an alliance.
But if the World Government really had the ability to cross the Calm Belt, then Amazon Lily would no longer be safe.
"The World Government once captured Vegapunk."
Bai Ye's words made Elder Nyon silent. If it was Vegapunk, it seemed really possible.
If they really possessed the ability to cross the Calm Belt, then Amazon Lily's terrain would no longer be safe.
"Installing Sea Stone at the bottom of the ship will prevent the Sea Kings from discovering it."
"…"
This!?
He even knew how to get here.
If Bai Ye knew, didn't the World Government also know?
Elder Nyon actually believed that Sea Stone was effective, after all, Bai Ye had no need to deceive her. Although Sea Stone was not abundant, Amazon Lily also possessed this item.
Since Bai Ye told her the effect of this item, she could certainly try it.
"I've long said that those guys in the World Government are not to be trusted at all!"
Hancock was originally more inclined towards Bai Ye. Now that she heard Bai Ye say this, she felt even more that there was no need to cooperate with such despicable people like the World Government.
If it weren't for Bai Ye back then, she might have already been sold to the Celestial Dragons. At that time, on the slave ship, she clearly heard the other party wanting to sell their three sisters to the World Nobles!
So, she was resistant to cooperating with the World Government in her heart.
"Bai Ye, you know the situation of our Amazon Lily. If we don't become a Shichibukai, the Marine will come to annihilate us at all costs, just like you said… they might have already mastered the plan to cross the Calm Belt!"
Elder Nyon ignored Hancock and instead focused her gaze on Bai Ye.
She was actually quite conflicted in her heart. If Hancock left with Bai Ye, it seemed not bad either.
At least some people could be preserved.
The warriors of Amazon Lily had always lived on this island, and they did not want to leave this island just like that.
"So I can take the entire island with me, if you are willing to leave here."
Bai Ye offered a solution.
Actually, he also knew why Elder Nyon had been against him taking Hancock away.
Taking Hancock away would leave Amazon Lily with a mess.
So if they really wanted to leave with him, Bai Ye could naturally take them all with him.
At that time, he would just place them above Wano Country.
"Even the entire island?!"
Elder Nyon looked at Bai Ye in shock. She didn't hear wrong, did she?
How was Bai Ye going to take the entire island with him?
"That's right, the entire island. I plan to connect all the continents into one piece later!"
He had already thought about it. Later, he would connect all the islands together.
At that time, even if a huge tsunami came, he could use gravity to pull all the land into the air. With Issho's Gravity Fruit and Golden Lion's Piao Piao Fruit, he could put them down after the water level dropped.
However, Bai Ye didn't hold too much hope. The main force should be himself.
After all, these were not just a few islands, but connecting all the islands together.
In fact, this world should have originally been one. The Red Line might have been formed by excavating land from other places to raise that area, causing the land to disperse and the world to be separated. Seven hundred years ago, the World Government began building the Bridge on the World, clearly knowing everything at that time.
"I agree!"
"…"
Elder Nyon glanced at Hancock, and all those words were stuck in her throat, unable to be spoken.
Although she wanted to refute, Hancock was now the queen of Amazon Lily, and Bai Ye had also offered a better choice.
"Hancock, don't you consider the feelings of your people?"
"Whatever Concubine does will be forgiven, because Concubine is simply too beautiful!"
Although she didn't have that contemptuous look, did Hancock's current tone still reveal that vain personality?
Speaking of which, she indeed had the qualifications. With the Love-Love Fruit, Hancock's charm was irresistible even to women.
Robin, Yamato, Lilia, and Gion behind Bai Ye, at the moment Hancock's fruit ability was activated, their eyes were also filled with admiration as they looked at her.
This also pulled Hancock's thoughts away.
She had just been so engrossed in chatting with Bai Ye that she forgot there were other women around Bai Ye?
Who were these women?!
And all four of them were beauties!
Although none of them matched her beauty, it still made Hancock feel very nervous inside.
Should I just turn them all to stone?
Lord Bai Ye shouldn't be angry, right?
After all, I'm too beautiful, even if I do this, Lord Bai Ye will forgive me!
"Lord Bai Ye, who are they?"
Hancock asked unhappily, although for a moment she wanted to freeze the other party directly.
But in the end, she decided to wait and see, after all, Bai Ye was not affected by her fruit ability right now.
The reason she used her fruit ability earlier was to see if Bai Ye would be captivated by her charm if she did so. If he was, then she would strike while the iron was hot and propose that Bai Ye marry her.
But it was clear that Bai Ye was not affected by her ability, which also made Hancock a little frustrated.
"My companions, release your ability, Hancock."
Hancock's Love-Love Fruit, combined with her beauty, would constantly emit charm even when her ability was not activated.
Once the ability was activated, even a Vice Admiral like Doberman had to rely on injuring himself to resist Hancock's ability.
Blackbeard landed on Amazon Lily back then just to snatch Hancock's fruit.
The thought of Blackbeard's Mero Mero Mero suddenly gave Bai Ye goosebumps. At the same time, he also thought of a question: would anyone really be turned to stone by Blackbeard?
"Companions…"
Although a little unwilling, she still released her ability.
After all, they were called companions, but so many beautiful female companions really made her heart feel uncomfortable!
Could this be love?!
Hancock thought that this might be the test that love had to face, and her heart suddenly felt relieved.
Then let me accept this test!
After releasing her ability, the people around her also recovered from their frenzied state, and Elder Nyon at this moment also complained, "Hancock, can you stop activating your ability all the time!"
Why use your ability on your own people!
"Love-Love Fruit's ability!"
A hint of vigilance flashed across Gion's face.
Would even she be affected by this ability?
"I'm finished, I actually fell for a woman!"
Yamato's eyes widened, looking utterly dejected. After recovering, the thought of actually falling for a woman just now made Yamato realize that she seemed to be doomed.
"That's a fruit ability, right?"
Robin had also heard Gion's words just now, the Love-Love Fruit?
She had seen the ability of this fruit in documents before, which seemed to explain it.
"Eh? So I didn't fall for a woman?"
"Of course not, but not necessarily…"
After Robin said the first half of the sentence, Yamato was clearly relieved, but the latter half immediately made Yamato nervous.
No?!
Did she really fall for a woman?
Thinking of this, she immediately looked at Bai Ye, clearly wanting to get an answer from him.
"I don't know."
"…"
I'm finished!
Yamato was now unsure if she liked the other person.
This appearance, falling into Hancock's eyes, a hint of disdain flashed in her heart. The opponent was so vulnerable, it seemed that her previous worries were all unnecessary.
"Bai Ye, tell me, how are you going to take Amazon Lily with you?"
Elder Nyon understood that Calm Belt was no longer safe.
She had previously begun to weigh which option offered greater value: leaving with Bai Ye or staying put.
Ultimately, she concluded that leaving with Bai Ye was the better choice.
At least, judging by Bai Ye's performance at God Valley, his strength was sufficient to contend with the World Government. Bai Ye had been dormant for many years, and based on Elder Nyon's understanding of him, he was definitely preparing for something.
Now, he must be ready, which is why he came to invite Hancock.
Even for pirate nations like theirs, becoming a Shichibukai didn't guarantee that the World Government wouldn't go back on their word in the future.
Instead of letting their vital weakness be exploited by the other side, it was better for them to control their own destiny!
"As long as you are willing to leave, I will use my own method."
It seemed Amazon Lily would choose to leave with him.
The Shichibukai plan, huh.
Who could they invite now?
Previously, when Wano Country was invaded by Moriah, Kaido directly defeated Moriah and captured him.
Mihawk and Kuma had already joined him, and now Empress had joined. After the Fish-Man Island incident, Bai Ye also had the confidence to win over Fish-Man Island.
This meant that Jinbe also couldn't join the Shichibukai. It seemed only Crocodile and Doflamingo were left?
Now, this Shichibukai plan seemed a bit meager.
And after the island was submerged by the sea, it seemed Jinbe's version was coming!
"Lord Bai Ye, let's go now!"
Hancock was full of anticipation. She could finally leave with Bai Ye. The time ahead would be for her and Bai Ye to cultivate their relationship.
"No rush, I need to go to East Blue first."
Bai Ye was still planning a trip to East Blue because of the Fruit Replication Ticket. So, Bai Ye decided to replicate the Nika Fruit.
The Vampire Fruit could be slowly searched for later; he would definitely be able to find it before Red Count appeared from Impel Down.
Speaking of which, Red Count seemed like a good target to win over as well.
"With them?"
Hancock pointed at Lilia and the others. Although she felt they shouldn't be her opponents, she thought it might be better not to let them all go together.
"Yes."
"Can I go too?"
She definitely couldn't stop them. Since she couldn't stop them, Hancock felt she could go with them. Anyway, she had already agreed with Bai Ye.
However, when this request was rejected by Bai Ye, Hancock felt utterly disheartened.
The reason was quite valid: because they were evacuating, moving the island might shake the entire island and affect its structure, so they needed to stay behind to reinforce Amazon Lily.
After making the promise to return and help them move later, watching Bai Ye's departing figure gradually disappear from her sight, Hancock suddenly felt as if all the strength in her body had been drained, and she collapsed weakly.
She wondered when she would be able to see Bai Ye again.
"Sister, what's wrong?"
Her two younger sisters quickly stepped forward to support Hancock. They also felt something strange about Hancock's unusual state.
"No way?"
Only Elder Nyon, seeing Hancock like this, had a bad premonition in her heart.
She had experienced such a thing before, but if the target was that guy Bai Ye, could Hancock really succeed?
Speaking of which, that guy was surrounded by so many beautiful women back then, and she truly didn't feel any attraction at all. But now, Hancock...
And she showed symptoms right after he left. This was not good news.
Bai Ye and the others had already left Calm Belt. Bai Ye didn't have time to waste on travel anymore; he directly flew to East Blue using Susanoo.
Now, he needed to replicate Nika and also change a few things that should be changed. Since he was going to have a decisive battle with the World Government, he had to take some things down.
Foosha Village.
Inside Makino's bar, the door was pushed open, and the Red Hair Pirates, who were originally drinking and reveling, instantly tensed up.
Everyone looked at the newcomer in disbelief.
"Yo, I didn't expect such a big shot like you to come to a small place like East Blue?!"
Red Hair Shanks subconsciously touched the straw hat on his head, but then suddenly realized that he had already given his straw hat to Luffy. A hint of daze flashed across his face. He seemed to have gambled his arm and his straw hat in the New World.
"Didn't you come too? The intern kid from Roger's ship. I saw you back when Roger was executed." Bai Ye familiar pushed open the door and walked to the bar table, then looked at Makino and said, "Just a glass of water."
"I want to drink alcohol!!"
Yamato raised her hand and said. She really wanted to drink alcohol.
However, in Wano Country, her father had stopped her, saying that a little girl shouldn't drink.
Now she wasn't in Wano Country anymore. Surely no one could stop her now, right?
Thinking of this, she subconsciously looked at Bai Ye, still feeling a bit nervous.
"No, I promised your father I wouldn't let you drink."
Although Bai Ye wasn't entirely sure why Kaido was so dead-set against Yamato touching alcohol, the giant beast of a man had looked him dead in the eye and earnestly entrusted her care to him. Bai Ye wasn't one to break a promise, so he held the line.
The moment the words left Bai Ye's mouth, Yamato's face dropped completely.
How could this be?! she screamed internally. She wasn't even in Wano Country anymore! Why was she still banned from drinking?!
"Her?!"
Standing across from them, Shanks' pupils constricted slightly. The moment his eyes landed on Yamato, a very specific, monstrous silhouette flashed through his mind: Kaido of the Beasts. Their physical features—especially those distinct, towering horns—were simply too uncanny.
Is she from the same unique race as Kaido? Shanks speculated silently. He didn't dwell on it for long, however, quickly shifting his focus back to Bai Ye.
For Shanks, analyzing the exact nature of this girl's relationship with Kaido wasn't the priority right now. His crew's stop at Foosha Village served two purposes: first, to check in on young Luffy; and second, to mark the absolute end of their long voyage through the Four Seas. The brutal struggle for supremacy in the New World had reached a fever pitch, and Shanks had finally resolved to enter the fray and contend for a seat among the Emperors.
This peaceful village in the East Blue was his final rest stop. Once they weighed anchor here, they would be rushing to the New World without a single pause.
Yet, he never expected to cross paths with a literal living myth like Bai Ye in a backwater place like this.
"Hey, Shanks! You look absolutely pathetic right now!" Lucky Roux chortled from the side, tearing off a massive chunk of meat from a chicken leg. He laughed heartily, thoroughly enjoying his captain's expense. "Look at you, shaking in your boots!"
"Haha! Cut me some slack, Roux. After all, I just bumped into a legendary pirate!" Shanks laughed back, rubbing the back of his neck. He didn't bother denying his brief lapse in composure, displaying the characteristic broad-mindedness that allowed his crew to tease him so freely.
Bai Ye was a powerhouse active all the way back in the Rocks era. But what baffled Shanks the most was how the man looked exactly the same as he did decades ago. Shanks had seen his ancient bounty posters, had spotted him amidst the chaotic naval clash between the Golden Lion and Roger, and had even locked eyes with him in the crowd during Roger's execution in Loguetown.
Time seemed to have completely forgotten Bai Ye.
"Speaking of which... I'm surprised you actually remember a small fry like me from back then," Shanks remarked, taking a slow sip of his drink as a wave of nostalgia washed over him. To think Bai Ye had noticed him standing in the rain at Loguetown.
"You currently possess the raw power to command the New World as an Emperor," Bai Ye replied smoothly, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Can someone like that still be considered a small fry?"
To the world, the existence known as Shanks had always been an enigma. Bai Ye knew the truth—Shanks' heritage as a Celestial Dragon of the Figarland family was a certainty. Yet, as a descendant of the world's tyrannical rulers, his motives were utterly baffling. Why would a Celestial Dragon wander the seas acting as a mediator, desperate to maintain the delicate balance of the world?
Furthermore, judging by Shanks' calculated ambush to steal the Hito Hito no Mi, Model: Nika, it was clear the red-haired pirate understood the deeper, hidden truths of the world. But that only made his overarching timeline more confusing. Was he trying to nurture someone to overthrow the World Government, or was he playing a completely different game?
"Hey, hey, Captain! Did you hear that? You've been officially recognized by a legend!"
"That's right! Let's hoist the sails, head straight for the New World, and claim our Emperor title right now!"
The Red Hair Pirates erupted into cheers and raucous laughter. Only Shanks let out a theatrical groan, rubbing his forehead in mock distress. "Please, spare me. With my current strength, marching into the New World like that is basically suicide."
Though he played it off as a joke, Shanks knew the reality. Claiming the title of an Emperor required far more than just a powerful main crew; it demanded an immense network of territories and a massive fleet of subordinate pirates. That was why monsters like Big Mom and Whitebeard were universally recognized—they ruled over empires.
As for him? He currently had none of that.
"Care for a drink?" Shanks broke the tension, sliding a pristine bottle of fine sake across the table toward Bai Ye.
Deep down, Shanks was burning with questions only a survivor of the old era could answer. However, he knew better than to interrogate a man like Bai Ye outright; he'd likely get nothing but deflections. But if they shared a few drinks, got a bit rowdy, and let the alcohol loosen their tongues... the answers might just flow naturally. There was no bond on the sea that a good drink couldn't forge. If one bottle wasn't enough, they'd just open a second.
"Sure, why not," Bai Ye agreed after a moment's thought. Luffy had already consumed the Nika Fruit, meaning Bai Ye's primary objective here was complete; he just needed to find a quiet moment to replicate it before he departed. Sharing a drink with a future Emperor wasn't a bad way to pass the time.
The moment he agreed, however, a burning, resentful glare bored into the back of his head.
Yamato was practically radiating petulance. What the heck?!
Why did he get to drink while she was forced to watch? She had successfully escaped Wano! Her tyrannical father wasn't anywhere near this ocean! By all accounts, she should be the freest, most uninhibited female warrior on the high seas! Bai Ye was the one who had preached that exact philosophy to her back then, yet here he was, actively hypocritical.
But as Yamato stewed in her anger, her thoughts took a sudden, wild detour.
Wait... this has to be Father's fault! she realized, her eyes widening as she successfully rationalized the situation. Yes! Father must have secretly threatened or begged Lord Bai Ye behind my back before we left, forcing Lord Bai Ye to restrict me! Lord Bai Ye is only doing this to respect a promise, all because of that stubborn old man!
With her logic perfectly aligned to shield her idol, Yamato's simmering resentment completely bypassed Bai Ye and flew halfway across the Grand Line, pinning itself squarely on Kaido back in Wano Country.
How could Lord Bai Ye possibly do anything wrong? It's entirely Father's fault!
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