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After taking a bath, Shaka felt refreshed and full of energy. He stepped outside into the laboratory and continued working on his project—crafting his own Six Paths Staff.
It wasn't long before Kikyo, the captain of the Imperial Guards, arrived.
"You're here..."
Kikyo's face flushed red, her eyes burning with emotion as she gazed at him with deep affection. "I hope I'm not disturbing you, Lord Shaka..."
Yesterday's experience had been something unprecedented for her—an experience that left her wanting more. Unable to suppress her feelings, she found an excuse to visit him alone, refusing the company of Stobi, Margaret, and others under the pretense of not disturbing Shaka too much.
However, upon stepping into the hall, she was taken aback to see a giant panda playing around with a massive flower-patterned python.
"Is that... Lady Boa Hancock's pet, Salome?"
As the hand-picked leader of the Imperial Guards, personally chosen by the Empress herself, Kikyo naturally recognized her pet.
"Hancock is resting inside. I just finished treating her, so let's not disturb her," Shaka said casually, patting Kikyo's head with a smile. "Come, let's do your treatment here today."
"Oh, I see..." Kikyo suddenly understood. But then a thought struck her, making her blush even deeper.
Did Lady Hancock also go through that shameful experience?
"Stop overthinking it and focus on your treatment!" Shaka chuckled, seeing right through her thoughts. He playfully ruffled her hair.
Though he enjoyed teasing her, he didn't take things too far—after all, he still had to respect Hancock.
In less than half an hour, the treatment was done, and Shaka sent Kikyo on her way.
"I'll be going then, Lord Shaka..." Kikyo looked reluctant to leave, a tinge of disappointment in her eyes.
"Don't be so down, there will be plenty of chances in the future!" Shaka said with a smirk, playfully patting her round, perky backside. Then, he pinched her cheek and added with a grin, "In a few days, I'll personally ask Hancock to let me take you with me. I imagine you'd like to travel the seas with me, wouldn't you?"
"Of course I would, Lord Shaka!" Kikyo's face lit up with joy.
Having lived on this island her whole life, she had always been curious about the outside world. The opportunity to explore it—especially with him—was beyond exciting.
With her heart full of anticipation, she left happily.
Shaka watched her leave, smiling to himself.
"They say not to fish in your own pond... but I'm a man, not a rabbit."
For someone like him, surrounded by beautiful, strong female warriors, it would be impossible to simply ignore them. He had already planned that when the time came to form his pirate crew, he would ask Hancock to let him bring some of these warriors along.
Of course, Stobi was out of the question—he had to leave some warriors for Amazon Lily. His focus was on Kikyo, Margaret, and Aphilandra. Not only were they stunningly beautiful, but they also had solid combat potential with some proper training.
Having them around would definitely be pleasing to the eye—especially since his ship would soon be filled with beauties like Flame Blossom and Hancock.
Someone had to serve tea and keep things in order, after all.
That afternoon, Hancock finally woke up.
Not seeing anyone beside her, she panicked for a moment. But after hearing sounds from outside, she relaxed.
Despite the soreness in her body, she quickly dressed and made her way outside, though her steps were a little unsteady.
"Hiss~ Hiss~"
Upon seeing her, Salome, who had been lazing around with the panda, slithered over excitedly, rubbing against her affectionately and flicking its tongue.
If it weren't a female snake, Shaka might have neutered it out of jealousy.
"Guh... guh..." The panda, not wanting to be left out, waddled over and waved its paw, pointing ahead—indicating that Shaka was working.
"Hancock, you're awake," Shaka said, setting aside his work on the Six Paths Staff as he turned to look at her.
She was as stunning as ever, but now there was a newfound maturity to her, an allure that made her even more breathtaking.
Hancock stroked Salome's head before quickly stepping forward and throwing her arms around Shaka, her eyes glistening. "I thought you had left me!"
The proud Empress of Amazon Lily had completely fallen for him, terrified that he might disappear without a word.
"Of course not. Even if I had to leave, I would at least say goodbye," Shaka reassured her, gently caressing her face with a smile.
"Then stay... don't leave, okay?" Hancock pleaded. "I don't want to be apart from you!"
She knew it was unrealistic, but she couldn't help but hope. She gazed at him with eyes full of longing.
"Be good. I would never abandon you or Flame Blossom or anyone else," Shaka said warmly, stroking her head. "You're the Empress of Amazon Lily, but you can always come find me. Or better yet, why not start training a successor? Then you could join me on my journey."
"But..." Hancock hesitated.
Amazon Lily was in the Calm Belt, making travel difficult. The Kuja Pirates had to leave the island regularly to raid supplies they couldn't produce themselves, which meant long, dangerous voyages.
Unlike Shaka, she didn't have a pet like White Dragon the panda, who could fly her wherever she wanted. Even if she wanted to see him, it would take at least ten days—possibly longer.
But the thought of being away from him made her heart ache.
And leaving the throne, as previous Empresses had done, to chase after him? She couldn't abandon Amazon Lily so selfishly.
Finding a successor strong enough to lead both Amazon Lily and the Kuja Pirates was no easy task. With the Marines developing new warships capable of entering the Calm Belt, the Empress had to be powerful to protect their nation.
If she suddenly abandoned her post, the Marines would waste no time in attacking.
"Don't worry. I'll take care of everything," Shaka reassured her, gently patting her head. "You take your time choosing the right successor to lead the Kuja Pirates. Leave the rest to me."
"If the World Government dares to make a move against Amazon Lily, Flame Blossom and I won't just sit back—we'll make sure they never return alive!"
"Actually, I think your two younger sisters might be excellent candidates."
Years ago, on an uninhabited island in the Grand Line, Shaka had encountered a young Lunarian.
Thinking of Amazon Lily's future, he had convinced this Lunarian—with the promise of preserving their bloodline—to use artificial insemination to impregnate a Kuja warrior who had been preparing to set sail in search of a mate.
Fate had a funny way of working.
That child turned out to be the former Empress of Amazon Lily, Toritoma.
She had inherited the Inu Inu no Mi, Model: Nine-Tailed Fox from Flame Blossom, using its powers to hide her Lunarian heritage while building the Kuja Pirates' reputation.
Even now, the World Government and the Marines had no idea she was a Lunarian.
But, like every Kuja Empress before her, she eventually followed tradition—handing over the throne to an 18-year-old Hancock before vanishing from Amazon Lily.
If he hadn't been trapped back then, maybe he would have convinced that Lunarian to father more children, embedding their bloodline into Amazon Lily's future.
A nation of warrior women infused with Lunarian strength... now that would be a force to be reckoned with.
"....."