Inside Shakky's tavern, only Luffy, Zoro, Shakky, Caelan, and his group remained.
Shakky was quite thoughtful. She served a cocktail to each mber of Caelan's group, and even handed a glass of juice to Perona.
When the wine was handed to Hancock, her emotions stirred noticeably.
Boa Hancock, the current Empress of Amazon Lily, and the pillar of the island's strength, had always kept an eye on her. She also knew Hancock suffered from lovesickness.
Now it was clear that Caelan was the cause of Hancock's condition—and he had treated it well.
But if the empress followed Caelan, then who would rule Amazon Lily?
"Were you the previous empress?" Hancock looked at Shakky with so disdain.
She resembled a dried-up peony, not beautiful at all.
As expected, she was the most beautiful empress Amazon Lily had ever seen.
"Yes. I didn't expect you to know my identity." Shakky admitted openly, not minding Hancock's disgusted gaze.
Who wasn't a great beauty in their youth?
When you grow old, let's see if you can maintain it better than .
"In that case, I entrust you with the throne of Amazon Lily," Hancock said.
"From now on, I will follow Caelan to explore the New World!"
She threw herself into Caelan's arms, smiling joyfully.
"…"
Shakky didn't even know what to say.
After glancing at Caelan, she imdiately understood his reason for coming today.
It was clearly to put Hancock at ease so she could follow him to the New World.
So… he left the ss to her?
She, the forr empress of Amazon Lily, was just a prop in their little act.
How pitiful.
But Shakky gave Caelan another look and decided to follow her heart this ti.
This young man reminded her of Rocks.
No, even more powerful than the forr Rocks.
"Go explore. Leave Amazon Lily to Rayleigh and ," Shakky said as she lit a cigarette, her tone tinged with lancholy.
From now on, her peaceful retirent would co to an end.
She and Rayleigh would guard Amazon Lily against wind and rain.
As for Rayleigh being a man and not permitted to set foot on Amazon Lily, that was a minor issue.
There were plenty of islands nearby. They'd just pick one to station him.
"Thank you," Caelan smiled and expressed his gratitude.
Hancock also smiled, her heart light.
With Rayleigh and Shakky's protection, she no longer had to worry about Amazon Lily.
"You're welco. Anything else?" Shakky asked casually, blowing out smoke.
Now that she knew Caelan's real purpose, she felt more relaxed.
It looked like he wouldn't cause any major trouble in the next two days.
"Not much, really. Just wondering—are there any Celestial Dragons on Sabaody right now?" Caelan asked casually.
Hm? What?
You want to go after the Celestial Dragons again?
Are they really that worth killing?
Shakky inhaled a puff of smoke the wrong way, and then the backlash made her cough violently.
After a mont, she finally caught her breath.
"It's been less than a week since you killed two Celestial Dragons. They're scared out of their minds. There's no way they'd co back here!"
"Besides, word of your appearance in the Sabaody Archipelago must have spread by now. There's even less of a chance they'll show up."
Shakky responded, clearly annoyed.
If Caelan killed two more Celestial Dragons, she couldn't imagine how furious the World Governnt would beco.
What kind of pursuit would he face?
But she was completely wrong. The World Governnt would not easily act against Caelan.
At least, not until they found a way to counter his God-Slaying Spear.
"What a sha! I was hoping to blow off so steam for Hancock and make a little money too."
Caelan sighed in disappointnt.
The reward he received last ti for killing Celestial Dragons had left quite an impression.
It would've been nice to do it again.
"Caelan, you're really sothing…" Shakky was speechless.
Others feared the Celestial Dragons as if they were ferocious beasts.
But to Caelan, they were just mobile piggy banks—ready to be emptied at will. He trampled on the dignity of the so-called World Nobles like it was nothing.
Still, Hancock must be overjoyed.
Shakky turned to look at her.
Tears sparkled in Hancock's beautiful eyes, her emotions on the verge of spilling over.
Shakky knew what Hancock had gone through as a child. She understood Hancock's deep hatred toward the Celestial Dragons.
A partner like Caelan… was exactly what she needed.
With that thought, Hancock lost interest in chatting with Shakky and turned her full attention back to serving Caelan, with Rindo by her side.
The rest of the girls surrounded Shakky, engaging in lively conversation.
From ti to ti, silver-bell-like laughter rang out.
In the corner of the tavern, Luffy was happily eating, completely unaware he'd beco a hostage.
Zoro stared intently at Caelan's sword, his eyes unmoving.
Because he used both spear and swords, the massive greatsword was no longer ideal for dual wielding. The black blade, Shusui, had beco Caelan's new weapon.
"That blade looks like Mihawk's," Zoro thought silently.
The blade glead like water, exuding a chilling aura.
Its deep black color covered the entire surface, radiating murderous intent.
Thinking of Caelan carrying such a formidable weapon—and knowing he was a true swordsman—Zoro couldn't help but be stirred.
Just a week ago, he'd been defeated in a single move. He hadn't even seen Caelan's form clearly.
Now, after training under Rayleigh, he had made so progress in his swordsmanship.
He knew the gap between them was still massive. Caelan was not an opponent he could defeat yet.
But his warrior spirit surged.
He wanted to try.
"Caelan, please fight !"
Zoro took a deep breath and issued his challenge.
His loud voice echoed through the tavern, drawing everyone's attention.
Shakky and the girls were still chatting, Hancock was tending to Caelan, and Luffy was eating and drinking without a care.
"Haha! Go for it, Zoro!"
Luffy gave a thumbs-up, sincerely cheering for him.
He admired Zoro's spirit as a swordsman more than anything.
"Is he crazy?" Shakky and the other won stared at Zoro in disbelief.
How could he have the courage to challenge Caelan?
This was the man who had fought two Marine Admirals and a legendary Vice Admiral—and walked away.
"A nobody dares to challenge Caelan. I won't allow it!" Hancock raised her brows, about to punish Zoro.
But before she could move, Caelan stopped her.
"I accept your challenge."
Caelan gripped the black blade Shusui and looked at Zoro.
He had nothing better to do anyway. Might as well have so fun.
A young man with a dream needed to experience the dangers of the world.
Looking at Zoro's determined face, Caelan showed a wicked smile.
(To be continued.)
***
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