Grimm tilted his head slightly, his face filled with confusion as he listened to King Riku.
"What are you thinking?"
"To be honest… after you and the others left Dressrosa, agents from the World Government came to speak with me in secret. They wanted me to place a spy by your side. And the person they chose… was Violet," King Riku admitted through gritted teeth.
"Dressrosa was once a member nation of the World Government. Now that it has fallen under your protection, naturally, we have drawn their attention."
Grimm couldn't help but laugh. "So… you are telling me exactly who the spy is?"
"Violet is a kind‑hearted child. I know her well. She would never do such a thing."
King Riku sighed deeply. "You will never understand the pain of being caught between you and the Government. My wife passed away two years ago from an incurable illness; not even the priests at the church could save her. Scarllette has her own family now… so Violet is practically the only person I have left. I am entrusting her to you… hoping you will guarantee her safety."
"Then why not just send her to me quietly? Why tell me all this?" Grimm understood why Riku was doing this, but he could have simply followed the Government's instructions without saying a word. In fact, that might have been the safer choice.
"Because I know what happens to those who betray you," King Riku said solemnly.
Grimm paused at the answer. He lowered his head, realization dawning on him. Ah… so he is afraid they will end up like the nobles of those twelve kingdoms in the New World.
He is a smart man, Grimm thought. Right now, his position as king is far more fragile than theirs ever were. In the hearts of the people here, my reputation and standing are far greater than his.
If this plot were discovered, not only would Grimm punish him, but his own people would likely hang him in the streets.
Grimm looked at the sorrowful king. "Very well. Since you have been honest with me… I agree."
"Please… treat my daughter well," King Riku sighed.
"Continue being a good king, and I will treat her well."
Later that afternoon, as they prepared to set sail, Grimm brought Violet — who looked back with obvious reluctance — to Hancock.
Hancock's eyebrows twitched. She stared at Grimm with a mechanical, unblinking gaze. "Lord Grimm… and this is…?"
"This is the newest member of the Holy Light Pirates," Grimm announced.
Hancock ground her teeth in frustration. A new member? Even I am technically just the leader of an affiliated crew! How come this girl sounds like she holds a higher rank than me?!
"Sister Hancock… you must be so happy right now," Violet said, forming her hands into an upside‑down 'OK' shape and holding them up to her eyes like glasses.
"After all… this is something Brother Grimm has decided!"
"What did you say?!" Hancock glared at her. Far from being happy, she was absolutely furious. And 'Brother Grimm' now?!
"You can't bully me… because Brother Grimm decided this," Violet continued, keeping her hands over her eyes. "If you do… I'll tell him."
She possessed the power of the Giro Giro no Mi, which allowed her to see into people's hearts and minds.
"Violet… don't read people's thoughts without permission," Grimm said, gently patting her head.
Hancock watched this gesture. If looks could kill, Violet would have been torn to pieces a hundred times over.
Violet giggled, then bowed deeply to Grimm. "Well then… I look forward to working with you, Brother Grimm!"
King Riku had not explained any of this to her. But she had secretly used her Devil Fruit powers to look into her father's heart… and now she knew everything.
Damn you, World Government… but thank you! Now I can finally be by Brother Grimm's side!
"Let's go!"
Grimm walked to the docks. Mannoroth — the giant beast carrying a palace on its back — reached out a massive arm to serve as a staircase for Grimm to climb aboard.
Then, obedient as ever, it began swimming through the sea in its distinctive dog‑paddle style.
Hancock watched Grimm's departure, wanting to cry but unable to. Violet was right — this was Grimm's decision.
She could not refuse it, nor could she do anything cruel to a thirteen‑ or fourteen‑year‑old girl.
"You… are coming on my ship!"
It was the only thing she could do — keep the brat away from Lord Grimm.
Grimm shook his head helplessly. How does everyone end up becoming a romantic rival in your eyes?
If you were in one of those harem stories, the main character wouldn't survive past the first episode…
Elder Nyon slapped her forehead, looking distressed. "Oh dear… I fear life on these ships is going to get very lively from now on!"
As if things weren't chaotic enough with baby Shirahoshi on board… now they had Hancock's "rival" as well. The ship was going to be absolute bedlam.
As Mannoroth and the Kuja warships sailed away, Kyros turned to King Riku among those left behind to see them off.
"Your Majesty… is this… really alright?"
"It is the best possible solution," King Riku replied with a faint smile.
"What choice did I have? I was caught between two giants. This is good for Violet too… and who knows? Perhaps one day, the true power of Dressrosa will end up in her hands."
"I see…" Kyros scratched his head, still not fully understanding.
"Come, Kyros. Let's go find Scarllette… and have a drink or two."
"At once, Your Majesty."
Two weeks later.
After guiding the main ship and its crew to familiarize themselves with the surrounding sea routes, they arrived at one of Grimm's territories — the tropical island of Orunidia.
Tens of thousands of citizens from Amazon Lily, who had traveled far across the ocean, were already hard at work restoring the island's ruined cities.
At first, some were unsettled. Every now and then, they would spot dried bloodstains or skeletal remains left from when the island had been overrun.
But they quickly adapted. After all, every woman from Amazon Lily was tough and strong — true warriors.
"WAAAAAAH! WAAAAAAH!"
Suddenly, loud wailing echoed from the royal palace. Elder Nyon smacked her forehead.
"Ugh… why is Shirahoshi crying again?! Go and tend to her quickly!"
Hancock patted and rocked Shirahoshi's back, finally managing to calm her down.
She looked around the main hall of the palace — which was nearly identical in design and layout to the one back on Amazon Lily — and nodded in great satisfaction.
She walked out onto the grand balcony and looked down over the entire capital city of Orunidia.
As the cheers of her people rose from below, Hancock called out in a loud, clear voice:
"From this day forth… the New Amazon Lily is officially established!"
Three days later, once all arrangements were complete:
"Finally… now I shall go to meet Lord Grimm!"
Hancock held her cheeks in her hands, blushing and trembling with excitement.
Just then, one of the Kuja pirates ran up to her, breathless.
"Empress! The… the Whitebeard Pirates have arrived!"
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