Chapter 495: Rayleigh's Arrival, A Displeased Hancock
On Amazon Lily, an island of women nestled within the treacherous Calm Belt, a rare sight was unfolding. Inside the grand banquet hall of Kuja Palace, two men were feasting among the warriors. To be more precise, the younger of the two was utterly gorging himself, inhaling mountains of food with single-minded determination.
Boa Hancock, the Pirate Empress, sat at the head of the table, languidly swirling a glass of wine. Her crimson eyes narrowed as she fixed her gaze on the older man. "Rayleigh," she began, her voice a low, dangerous purr. "State your purpose."
Silvers Rayleigh chuckled, his weathered face crinkling at the corners of his eyes. "I never imagined," he said, taking a sip of his own drink, "that after more than a decade, you would actually find your way to that little shop."
Elder Nyon, perched nearby, cackled. "I never thought the place you and Shakky used to talk about was real, either. And to think the Snake Princess has been there twice, and received salvation both times."
Rayleigh's hand paused on its way to his glass. His eyes widened slightly as a realization dawned on him. "Wait, wait, wait," he said, a note of disbelief creeping into his voice. "You don't mean... it's gone, do you?"
A radiant, almost beatific smile spread across Hancock's face, a stark contrast to her earlier imperiousness. "That's right! It was Shopkeeper Ren who personally removed the slave brands from myself, Sandersonia, and Marigold. He even cured the lovesickness that plagued my heart! As expected of the one and only Shopkeeper Ren!" She clasped her hands to her chest, her expression one of pure adoration.
Rayleigh let out a low whistle and leaned back. "Well, it seems Shakky and I were quite fortunate back then."
"Rayleigh!" Hancock snapped, her mood shifting in an instant. "The credit belongs to Shopkeeper Ren and him alone! What are you boasting for?!"
Undeterred, Rayleigh picked up a piece of roasted meat from some unidentifiable beast, chewing it thoughtfully. "Hoo, this is quite tasty," he commented with a smile. "But it's still a far cry from what Shopkeeper Ren can do."
Hancock's anger vanished as quickly as it had appeared, replaced by a pleased, smug smile. "Rayleigh! So you can speak the truth after all! Of course! How could the food of mere mortals ever compare to the divine creations of Shopkeeper Ren? Just remembering the dish he prepared especially for me fills this empress with indescribable joy!"
Luffy, who had been systematically demolishing a platter of fruit, paused, his cheeks bulging. "Huh?" he mumbled through a full mouth, a look of genuine curiosity on his face. "It's really that delicious? I wanna try it! Shishishi!"
Hancock shot him a withering glare. "Shopkeeper Ren's establishment is not a place one can simply visit on a whim!"
Luffy blinked, then broke into his signature wide grin. "Alright! Then I'll go after I become King of the Pirates! Hahahaha!"
Hancock pressed a hand to her forehead, sighing dramatically. "How utterly vulgar... Rayleigh, you didn't come all this way just to deliver old news, did you?"
Rayleigh's expression grew more serious. He glanced at the still-eating Luffy. "Luffy, you and your crew agreed to reunite in three days, but that deadline has long passed. They won't be able to make it. Some of them are likely still recovering from their injuries after being scattered."
Luffy chewed slower, the festive mood draining from his face. "That makes sense," he admitted quietly.
"And if you charge into the New World as you are now," Rayleigh continued, his voice steady, "do you truly believe you are strong enough?"
The memory of their devastating defeat on the Sabaody Archipelago flashed through Luffy's mind, followed by the crushing news of Ace's capture. His jaw tightened. "So... while they're healing, I need to get stronger!"
A sly smile touched Rayleigh's lips. "Exactly. But let's eat first. Hancock, there is something I wish to discuss with you afterward."
"This empress's time is a precious thing," she declared, looking down her nose at him. "You had best make it worth my while."
Beside her, Sandersonia and Marigold exchanged a look, the corners of their mouths twitching. Precious time indeed, they thought in unison. For the past few days, their sister had done little more than sit on her bed, hugging a pillow, muttering Ren's name until she fell asleep, only to wake up and continue her one-sided commentary.
Luffy, meanwhile, had been running on fumes, his worry for his brother robbing him of sleep and appetite. Now, knowing Ace was safe for the time being, the exhaustion hit him like a physical blow. The moment he finished his last bite, his head drooped, and he was fast asleep, snoring softly at the table.
With the boy out of the picture, Hancock's gaze returned to the Dark King. "Rayleigh. What is it you wish to say?"
Rayleigh met her stare directly. "Luffy's crewmate, the swordsman named Zoro... before Kuma sent him flying, he shouted for Nami to go to 'the shop'. You also confirmed you saw her there, which means she's visited at least twice. You know the way, don't you?"
"This empress naturally knows the path," Hancock confirmed, her tone guarded. "But what are you implying?"
"What else could I be implying?" Rayleigh grinned, a spark of longing in his eyes. "Tell me how to get there! It's been far too many years since I've had food that delicious or wine that fine!"
Hancock studied him for a long moment. "I can take you," she finally conceded. "However, you are forbidden from telling anyone else, save for Shakky."
"Of course, of course. My lips are sealed," Rayleigh promised with a smile. He then glanced at her two towering sisters. "But Sandersonia and Marigold... they seem a bit too large for a normal establishment..."
"This empress will have Shopkeeper Ren prepare something for you two to take away," Hancock declared, not missing a beat.
Her sisters nodded in gratitude. Their immense size often made dining out an impossibility.
A look of keen anticipation lit up Rayleigh's face. "When do we leave?"
"Shopkeeper Ren's shop only opens at night," Hancock explained. "We must wait until then. But it is almost dark now... Wait!" Her eyes widened in horror as a terrible realization struck her. "Why haven't I gone these past two nights?! What foolishness have I been engaging in?!"
Sandersonia sighed, a hint of helplessness in her voice. "Elder sister... you said yourself that you might be summoned by the World Government at any moment, so you couldn't risk disappearing for too long. That's why you remained here."
Hancock paused, processing her sister's words. "It seems the purpose of that summons was for Ace's public execution," she mused. "But if Ace is no longer in their custody, then there should be no need for the Warlords to gather. In that case, can I...?"
"Snake Princess!" Elder Nyon's sharp voice cut through her hopeful thoughts. "You are the Empress of Amazon Lily! You cannot abandon your duties for extended periods! Two or three days is the absolute limit! Any longer, and there will be trouble!"
Hancock's fists clenched, her face contorting with displeasure. "You old hag... I was merely thinking aloud! Must you always shatter my dreams?! Huh?! Nyon!"
"Some things are too important to be joked about, Snake Princess!"
"And what would you know, you who betrayed Amazon Lily?!" Hancock spat back.
That was the last straw. Elder Nyon shot to her feet, her small frame trembling with fury. "Snake Princess! Have you forgotten who it was that found you and brought you home?! Who raised you three as my own daughters?! Who helped you guard your secret and nursed you back to health?! If I hadn't lived in the outside world, how would you have ever found your way back to this island?! You—"
"Alright, alright, Elder Nyon," Sandersonia interjected, trying to soothe the old woman. "You know how elder sister is."
"Hmph! Do not speak to me of such trivial favors from the past!" Hancock sniffed, turning her head away haughtily.
Rayleigh watched the fuming Elder Nyon, an amused smile playing on his lips. "Hancock's personality has always been like this," he said calmly. "There's no need to take it to heart."
"Hmph! I refuse to stand here and be angered any longer! I'm leaving!" With that, Elder Nyon stormed out of the banquet hall.
Hancock knew exactly why she had left. It wasn't the first time she had provoked the old woman, but Nyon had never stormed off in such a huff before. It was obvious: with nightfall approaching, she didn't want to go to Ren's shop, but she couldn't bear to stay and watch them leave without her, either.
"Such a meddlesome old woman..." Hancock murmured softly, a hint of affection belying her harsh words.
Rayleigh simply smiled, saying nothing more. He returned to his wine, content to wait quietly for the night to arrive.
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