Knowing Shakky-nee disliked hearing anything about Wang Zhi—and knowing that with his strength and the World Government's shelter there was no way to settle scores for now—Toritoma (Torch Lily) smoothly changed the subject.
"Shakky-nee, that wicked woman from the Rocks—Linlin—stirred up a big mess. She captured a Marine Vice Admiral who went to suppress her and seems to be planning to bear his child. The Marines, for their part, have sent Admiral Zefa to rescue him."
"A woman who only knows breeding… 'Totto Land'? What a boring dream." Shakky's inner commentary was merciless; she clearly looked down on Linlin's one-track ambitions.
After a pause, Torch Lily continued.
"The wildest one in the New World is still Shiki. Lately he's been recruiting like a madman. His ambition to rule the world has the Government spooked—Sengoku and CP are tracking the Golden Lion, looking for a chance to wipe him out."
Seeing Shakky-nee unmoved by news of the Golden Lion, Torch Lily went on.
"That Rocks intern Redfield is expanding fast. The latest Marine bounty is 2,030,000,000 belli. Because he favors Zoan-type fruits, many powerful Zoan users in the New World are seeking protection and flocking to him. The name 'Beasts Pirates' is starting to spread."
"That crybaby when he drinks, huh." Shakky only sighed. She wasn't surprised Kaido had climbed so far. With that strength, a seat in the New World was only a matter of time.
"The 'Aloof Red' Redfield seems to have heard something. He solo-raided the non-affiliated Korobak Kingdom and, in a single day, annihilated everyone—tens of thousands. The land runs red."
"On the Marine side, Garp refused promotion to Admiral again. Steel Bone Kong looks intent on grooming Sengoku as the next Fleet Admiral and handing him full control of New World policy."
Torch Lily drew breath to report more, but Shakky stifled a yawn and raised a hand.
"That's enough, little Tori. No need to keep reading. In two years, once you've properly come of age, I intend to pass the Amazon Lily crown to you. Until you can stand on your own as Empress, I won't leave this island."
Shakky rose. Her half-thrown robe slipped; she calmly adjusted it and smiled—beauty like a blade, meant for private eyes alone.
Torch Lily's cheeks flushed at the effortless allure, and she glanced away.
Unbothered, Shakky stepped close and, instead of teasing further, rested a hand on Torch Lily's shoulder.
"For now, little Tori—how about a break? Let's get cleaned up and clear our heads."
Even so, Torch Lily was still early in her training and had trouble with the sheer charisma right in front of her. Shakky, world's foremost beauty by tradition, could make nine of ten pirates lose their composure without lifting a finger.
Just as Torch Lily was about to stammer a reply, urgent knocking rattled the door. Shakky let her hand fall, drew her robe on properly, and returned to the throne.
Relieved, Toritoma—Torch Lily—hurried to the door. She opened it to a guard in beast-pattern bikini armor, the woman's eyes wide with alarm.
Spotting Shakky seated on the throne, the guard—Dumanya—rushed inside.
"Your Majesty! Bad news—the harbor has been breached. Men have landed!"
"…?" Shakky was puzzled, but not flustered. A former Rocks pirate didn't rattle easily; strength wasn't her only backbone.
"All right, all right, Dumanya. Don't panic. Muster the Kuja officers. We'll go erase the intruders."
As if soothed by Shakky's aura, Dumanya truly did steady herself, spun on her heel, and sprinted off to assemble the troops.
At Amazon Lily's harbor—
Doflamingo sat cross-legged on a massive reef by the surf. Vergo and Pica stood flanking him like bodyguards.
At first sight they'd been cowed by his kingly presence. These days, after time under his command, they were wholly won over by his pull—far beyond his years. Capricious when he pleased, yet fiercely protective of family, he would fight to his last breath even for a weaker comrade. Add to that the planning and decision-making—every move bold and efficient—so on point it felt like he'd peeped the answer key. Following him was easy as water.
Time slipped by. Seated in silence, Doflamingo's eyes suddenly sharpened. A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. Finally.
"Whatever your aim, intruders—men are forbidden on Amazon Lily. Leave your lives here." Shakky arrived at the head of the Kuja officers, voice soft and saturated with killing intent.
The threat washed over Doflamingo like a spring breeze. Life and death had long since stopped troubling him.
"Fufufufufu… Shakky, Empress of Amazon Lily. Former Rocks pirate. I'm not here to fight. If anything, you could call my purpose a chance at new life for your island. If you'd rather certain things from the year before God Valley stayed buried, then I advise you to choose your next steps carefully."
"What?"
This time Shakky was truly surprised. Did this brat… actually know something?
Impossible. How old was he?
She didn't want to believe it, but the certainty in the kid's eyes was hard to ignore. For safety's sake, she had to verify.
"Little brother, how am I supposed to believe you aren't bluffing? Besides, things like that were erased."
The implication was clear. What the World Government wanted erased didn't leak—let alone something tied to Shakky herself.
Shakky's line was exactly what Doflamingo expected. He didn't rush. He spoke lazily.
"Fufufufufu. Then how about we talk in that forest up ahead—just us. Or are you, a former Rocks pirate, afraid of a 'nobody' like me?"
Shakky's expression didn't change. Afraid? Of a kid? Naturally not.
More than anything, Doflamingo intrigued her. A boy with two hands walked straight into the Calm Belt, and his body didn't show much in the way of wounds. That alone set him apart. And his words… struck too near the heart. This world was riddled with riddles.
"Boring provocation. Fine, little brother. Let's go."
At Shakky's side, Torch Lily hesitated—wanting to object, but wavering all the same.
(End of Chapter)
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