Chapter 142 Luffy freezes Amazon Lily, shocking the Empress.The ship's hatch opened, and Luffy strolled leisurely out of the cargo hold.
A patrolling Marine soldier was startled by Luffy's sudden appearance, but quickly saluted after recognizing him.
"Reporting, Vice Admiral Luffy! We've arrived at Amazon Lily, but these women seem quite unwelcoming! They say Empress Boa Hancock isn't in the country and have ordered us to remain in coastal waters, not to approach!"
The soldier reported anxiously.
"Is that so? Then we'll wait."
Luffy waved his hand dismissively.
He remembered clearly that the Empress returned to Amazon Lily about a week before her public execution, and there were still 10 days until the execution day—perfect timing.
"But Vice Admiral, this is the Calm Belt! Although the ship's hull is fitted with Seastone to conceal our presence, staying here too long will definitely attract the attention of Sea Kings—it's too dangerous!"
The soldier was sweating profusely.
The words had barely left his lips when a gaping maw, large enough to swallow the heavens and earth, burst forth from the seabed, its shadow instantly engulfing the entire warship.
"Shut up."
Luffy's eyes turned cold. He vanished in a flash, appearing directly before the colossal Sea King.
"Sit upon the Frosty Heavens! Hyōrinmaru!"
His Zanpakutō instantly released its Shikai, the crescent-shaped chain at the hilt transforming into a gigantic frost dragon, instantly coiling around the Sea King's body.
Crack! Crack! Crack—!
An extreme burst of cold air erupted, freezing the Sea King into a gigantic ice sculpture before it could even close its mouth.
Not only that, the cold air spread from its body, instantly freezing the entire ocean below.
"Ice Age!"
Luffy exhaled a puff of white frost, mimicking Aokiji's tone with a boastful air.
Looking down at the frozen sea, including the coastline of Amazon Lily, Luffy nodded in satisfaction. "No wonder Aokiji likes to use English so much; his style is definitely different."
The Marines on deck, staring at the colossal ice sculpture of a beast rising from the icy plain, were so terrified they collapsed to the ground, their jaws nearly dropping.
Isn't that Admiral Aokiji's ultimate attack?! When did our Vice Admiral steal that technique?!
Luffy, admiring his masterpiece, felt a surge of pride.
In this cold weather, those scantily clad ladies on Amazon Lily will probably be wearing more layers, right? After all, seeing too much of that can get visually tiring; they should take care to stay warm.
Meanwhile, inside the Amazon Lily Palace.
The former Queen Newe, standing on a high platform, stared in shock at the vast expanse of white outside the window, her cane falling from her hand. "This chill... could it be that Admiral Aokiji himself has come down here?!"
Meanwhile, on the Kuja Pirates' ship not far from Amazon Lily's shores...
Empress Hancock, looking at the endless ice field before her, was equally bewildered.
Is this really the Calm Belt? Have I wandered into the wrong movie set? Where's the sea?!
...
"How dare you anchor your ship right in the middle of the Monster Sea! Are you behind all this ice around Amazon Lily?!"
On the frigid ice, the petite Kuja executive, Purple Fan Flower, shivered, loudly questioning Luffy, who was enjoying a hot pot on the warship's railing.
"Huh? Aren't you all cold dressed like this? It's winter, everyone!"
Luffy, bowl in hand, peered down at the Kuja Pirates members shivering on the ice, a concerned smile on his face as he teased them.
"Stop talking nonsense! Are you looking for death, Marines?!"
Purple Fan Flower's face turned purple with rage. She drew her bow, a dark aura instantly covering the arrowhead, radiating murderous intent.
"Don't be impulsive, beauties."
Luffy slurped up a mouthful of steaming noodles, smiling at the women below. "Even though you're the Seven Warlords of the Sea, the Marines have mastered navigation in the Calm Belt."
"If you dare attack a Vice Admiral, believe me, I'll bring annihilation to Amazon Lily in no time!"
"Besides, according to the government agreement, we've been obediently staying three kilometers away, very law-abiding."
Hearing this, the Kuja officers, though still holding their bows, visibly tensed, as if eager to drive away these plague-like figures.
"So what are you all here for?"
"Oh dear, I almost forgot about the important matter. I'm here on a strict order from Marine Headquarters to escort Boa Hancock, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, to a meeting."
Luffy grinned, revealing a set of bright white teeth, and addressed the group of Kuja officers who were standing by, ready for action.
"What bad timing. No matter what you say, Lady Boa Hancock is absolutely not stepping out of her room today."
"We've repeated that nonsense countless times. Don't waste your energy."
A group of female warriors shouted at Luffy, their words full of intent to drive him away. However, inside the luxurious carriage being carefully carried by them, the legendary Empress remained as silent as air.
Luffy was very puzzled, his gaze fixed on the ornately decorated carriage. Logically, this haughty Empress should have already stepped out to give him a show of force.
But at that moment, Luffy's Observation Haki clearly detected Boa Hancock's presence inside the carriage, as faint as a candle flickering in the wind.
"What happened? Is your Empress seriously injured?"
Luffy's brows furrowed instantly as he questioned the warriors below.
"Nonsense! Her Empress is incredibly powerful, how could she be injured!"
"That's right! Lady Boa is just resting because she's a little tired from the long journey!"
"Oh? Is that really so?"
Luffy stroked his chin, his eyes appraising the clearly flustered officers below. "In that case, let me see for myself."
"What did you say!"
The officers' hearts skipped a beat. They had just assumed defensive stances to intercept him when, to their horror, Luffy vanished into thin air, instantly reappearing before the carriage curtain!
"Stop! Don't be rude!"
The officers were terrified; they couldn't fathom how Luffy could move at such an absurd speed.
"Captive Arrows!"
In an instant, countless pink, heart-shaped arrows rained down from the gap in the curtain.
"Ouch, that was dangerous."
Luffy nimbly leaped backward, gracefully dodging all of the Empress's attacks.
"Just a few days ago..."
"I would never participate in such a pointless war..."
"Even if you strip me of my title as a Shichibukai, I will not hesitate..."
Boa Hancock spoke to Luffy, her breathing heavy and rapid, through the heavy curtains.
Luffy grinned mischievously. It seemed the plot hadn't gone astray; there really was a yandere empress here.