Kuja Pirates

A pirate ship approached the Sabaody Archipelago.

Seeing the flag waving, which bore a skull with nine snakes emerging from behind it, other ships gave way and dared not approach.

The pirate ship looked unique with a large pink structure in the center. Paddle wheels were installed at the stern instead of a rudder, and instead of a ship's bow, two giant snakes were tied to the front to help steer the ship.

"That is..."

Eiji immediately recognized the approaching pirate ship.

"You seem to already know. Yes, we will hitch a ride on the Kuja Pirates' ship. Fortunately, I have always had a good personal relationship with the captain of the Kuja Pirates."

Glancing sideways, Rayleigh was not surprised by his response. Instead, he would have been shocked if Eiji did not know about the Kuja Pirates.

There were countless pirates in the ocean. Even the Marines could not suppress them all. Hence, the World Government established the Shichibukai.

The Shichibukai are a group of powerful pirates who work for the World Government to stop other pirates in exchange for protection and special rights from the World Government.

The Shichibukai's reputation is second only to the Yonko. As a result, pirates would turn around as soon as they encountered the Shichibukai as if they were seeing Marines.

The captain of the Kuja Pirates is one of the well-known Shichibukai.

"Members of the Kuja Pirates are quite wary of men. You wait here, I will talk to their captain."

Throwing away an empty beer bottle, Rayleigh leaped forward and landed on the ship docked in front of them.

"..."

"So that's Boa Hancock. I have to admit, she is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen, even among many worlds."

On the ship's deck, Eiji saw Rayleigh chatting with a woman of unparalleled beauty.

The woman had a proportional body that easily captivated men's desires. She was very tall and slim with long black hair extending past her waist, strands framing her face down to her chin, revealing her high forehead, deep blue eyes with long thick eyelashes, and pale skin. She had a slim waist and very large breasts.

She was Boa Hancock and was universally acknowledged by everyone as the most beautiful woman in the world.

Not only were men enchanted by her beauty, but even women were no exception.

Due to her unmatched beauty, she was given the title of Pirate Empress.

On the ship's deck.

"Rayleigh, you better have a good reason for asking me to come. We were almost at Amazon Lily, but because of your request, we had to turn back."

Sitting atop a snake named Salome, Hancock vented her complaints to Rayleigh.

A few days earlier, she and her crew had escorted Luffy to the Sabaody Archipelago to set sail again after a two-year hiatus. After that, Hancock and the others returned to Amazon Lily. However, Rayleigh had called via Den Den Mushi, asking her to pick him up.

No wonder Hancock was so upset about having to go back and forth.

"Don't be angry, Hancock. I know I was wrong, and for that, I apologize. There's an unexpected situation." Rayleigh said, smiling apologetically while scratching the back of his head.

"An unexpected situation? Could it be that the Marines are unhappy because you trained Luffy, so they decided to capture you?" Hancock asked, concerned.

To her, Rayleigh was like a father. She didn't want to see him captured and executed.

"Ah, you misunderstand. Don't worry, the Marines won't capture me as long as I don't cause big trouble." Rayleigh said lightly.

In fact, the Marines knew that the Pirate King's right-hand man now lived in the Sabaody Archipelago, but they made no attempt to do anything to him. Although he had aged, he remained a formidable foe. The Marines didn't want to pay a high price to capture him, so they simply turned a blind eye and let him retire peacefully.

"Then what is the unexpected situation you mentioned?"

"Recently, I accepted another student. I want to train him in the place where Luffy previously trained."

"Is that person a man?"

"Yes, it's a man."

"I refuse. Rayleigh, you know Amazon Lily has a rule of not accepting men. Luffy was an exception, but I won't make another exception."

Hancock firmly rejected Rayleigh's idea of using Amazon Lily as a training ground for his student.

If it were a woman, she wouldn't mind, but she opposed any man setting foot on Amazon Lily.

It should be noted that Amazon Lily is an island with a 100% female population. Geographically, Amazon Lily is located in the Calm Belt, an area in the Grand Line where there is no wind or sea currents. Under the Calm Belt sea, there are many Sea Kings.

This means the island is guarded by many ferocious Sea Kings. Only ships with engines can reach this island.

As part of the island's belief, men are forbidden on the island, but Monkey D. Luffy was an exception because the queen fell in love with him.

Rayleigh was also another exception because the queen of two generations ago, Shakuyaku aka Shakky, fell in love with him.

In short, exceptions for men were given by the queen who fell in love with the man.

"I know the rule. But... This student has a very sensitive identity. It would be troublesome if others found out about him. In my opinion, the isolated Amazon Lily is a suitable place to train him. I promise, I will train him on a small island next to the main island. What do you think?"

Rayleigh pleaded gently.

"..."

Seeing him so stubborn, Hancock's heart softened. After all, Rayleigh was like a father to her.

"Sister, I think it's okay to agree. As long as the man doesn't come to the main island, it's fine."

"We will keep an eye on that man. If he dares to step on the main island, we can just drive him away."

Hancock's two sisters, Boa Marigold and Boa Sandersonia, spoke up.

They used to be slaves of the Tenryuubito. Because of their suffering as slaves and how the first man they ever saw branded their backs with the slave mark, Hancock and her sisters hated men. However, thanks to Rayleigh's sincere care and their interaction with Luffy over the past two years, their hatred for men was not as intense as before.

"Before that, I want to see what kind of man can become your student besides Luffy." Said Hancock.

"Fine. I'm sure you won't refuse after seeing him. Moreover, I'm sure you will respect and thank him very much." Rayleigh said with a mysterious smile.

Hearing this, Hancock became very curious about the man.

"Oi, come here."

Rayleigh waved his hand, calling Eiji, who was still waiting on the dock.

*WHOOSH*

Eiji jumped and landed beside Rayleigh.

"Sister!"

"Captain!"

"Queen!"

Immediately, the Kuja Pirates' crew drew their weapons, and the atmosphere became very tense.

"Eh...?"

Rayleigh did not expect them to respond as if facing a very dangerous enemy.