"Then next…"
"Focus mainly on Kaido and Big Mom. We just need to send people to quietly follow the Kuja Pirates; sooner or later they'll meet Grimm. We'll see how things go then.
Keep investigating Fish‑Man Island as before. We must find out exactly what happened between Grimm and King Neptune."
After listening, Sengoku fell silent for a long time, then finally nodded. "Very well. Do as you plan."
...
New World, Dressrosa.
Upon receiving news that Hancock had arrived, Grimm returned to the kingdom.
Over these years, Dressrosa had changed completely. Through trade and commerce, its people had grown prosperous.
The Marines thought a lot of strange things had been happening lately—and Grimm agreed. There was the matter of Fish‑Man Island, the integration and development of the remaining citizens from the twelve nations under his rule, and the formation of what would become his "Self‑Defense Force," among other things.
But right now, his biggest concern was Whitebeard. Grimm had no intention of letting a war break out on his own territory.
Grimm looked at the newspaper in his hand—it had news about him.
[Pirate Empress Boa Hancock leads her crew to join the Holy Light Pirates. Bounty: 250,000,000 Berries!]
Alongside photos of Hancock defeating a group of pirates, the paper also printed her new wanted poster.
By the time Grimm landed in Dressrosa, the Kuja Pirates' ships were already lined up along the coast. They planned to use Dressrosa's teleportation gate to travel to any island they chose.
From far away, Hancock could already see Manolos—enormous as ever, swimming in his signature dog‑paddle style. Grimm had even built a magnificent palace right on the giant's back.
"Lord Grimm…"
When she saw him step down from the back of his giant wolf mount, Hancock let out a soft cry and hurried over.
Sandersonia, Marigold, and Elder Nyon followed, bringing the rest of the Kuja warriors and many residents of Amazon Lily with them.
"Lord Grimm, look! Aren't they beautiful? I had them all sewn on myself!"
Hancock pointed to the rows of Kuja ships anchored along the shore. On the reverse side of every sail—where the Kuja symbol usually stood—was now embroidered Grimm's own personal flag.
She spoke with big, bright eyes fixed on him, looking exactly like a child waiting to be praised.
"Honestly… good thing the Marines didn't attack when they saw it. I told you not to put the symbol up so soon…" Elder Nyon frowned.
She had spotted Marines and other pirates shadowing them along the way, and had been terrified—after all, every single person from Amazon Lily was on board those ships.
But Grimm's flag carried such overwhelming weight that no one dared to come near.
Hancock, who had been blushing and shy in Grimm's presence, suddenly snapped out of it. She stepped back, pointed one finger straight at Elder Nyon, and struck her famous pose. "Quiet, old woman! Whatever I do, I will always be forgiven."
"Because… I am simply too beautiful…"
She ran a hand slowly down her cheek, showing off her stunning features to full effect.
"Ah! Lady Snake Princess!"
"So beautiful!"
Cheers erupted—not just from the Kuja, but also from the people of Dressrosa watching from the cliffs above.
"That's the Pirate Empress!"
"Gorgeous! Absolutely breathtaking! She's the most beautiful woman in the world!"
After the cheers died down, Elder Nyon cleared her throat and stepped forward.
"Ahem… Lord Grimm. Looking at the eleven remaining islands under your control, I believe Orlneidia is the best fit for the Kuja. Please make it our new home. And if you would allow it, we'd like to rename it Amazon Lily—we are far more used to that name."
Orlneidia lay in the middle of the New World. It had once thrived on tourism, but with the chaos of recent years, that industry had collapsed entirely.
Grimm had already moved all its people to agricultural islands to work and produce food.
There was another reason Nyon had chosen it: just like Amazon Lily, Orlneidia had a warm, tropical climate.
"Sure. No problem at all," Grimm agreed easily. Then he shifted his gaze. "How's Shirahoshi doing?"
"She's sleeping now. Cried quite hard at first, but with me and Hancock looking after her, she's settled in quickly and fits right in with us," Nyon replied.
Thinking back on how much work it had taken to care for the princess, Nyon sighed inwardly—but at least it was done.
"Lord Grimm! King Riku invites you to the palace!" At that moment, Kyros arrived with a group of guards.
Grimm had originally planned to skip the palace and go straight back to his church. He still had things to handle here, and then he had to meet Whitebeard.
But he simply said, "Good timing. I'm starving."
As Grimm walked off toward the palace with Kyros and the others, a cold glint flashed in Hancock's eyes.
She remembered clearly the way Grimm had smiled at Violet the day he left Dressrosa. She followed behind, muttering to herself, "I won't lose… I will never lose…"
They made their way up to the palace grounds.
"Long time no see, Lord Grimm!" King Riku stood at the entrance to welcome him.
Plank, Gianna, and Yasuo had gone off to develop other territories and were not here right now. Only King Riku came out to greet him.
Though he was now little more than a figurehead, the people still saw him as their rightful ruler—and Grimm treated him with proper respect.
"Your Majesty King Riku. May I ask what brings you to see me today?" Grimm's eyes shifted to Violet, standing beside him.
She had changed a lot since they last met; the young girl had grown into a beautiful young woman.
"Welcome back, Lord Grimm! It's been too long!" Violet stepped forward shyly.
She had been bold and open before, but now that she was older, she had become much more reserved—though perhaps it was just shyness for the moment.
Before Grimm could answer, Hancock stepped in, glaring at Violet with open hostility. "Indeed it has been a long time. Why didn't you say hello to me too… little sister?"
"Ah, it's Sister Hancock! You've grown quite a bit yourself, haven't you?" Violet pouted. "I've heard that women with big chests usually have very little brains…"
"Enough, both of you. Quiet down," Grimm said firmly.
King Riku pretended not to notice the rivalry between the two women and continued, "Ahem… Lord Grimm… might I speak with you about something important?"
Inside the main hall of the palace.
Grimm and King Riku sat facing each other. Compared to the king's plain, simple chair, Grimm's seat—carved and encrusted with rubies—was far more luxurious, and truly worthy of being called a throne.
"What is it you wish to say?" Grimm asked calmly.
King Riku hesitated for a long time before speaking. "If it is at all possible… would you be willing to take Violet with you… and keep her by your side?"
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