Chapter 148 Luffy Shakes the Blank Page: A Century-Old Secret and Wins Over the Empress"There was once a fellow named Im, who not only betrayed Joy Boy but also manipulated twenty greedy 'kings' under his guise."
"This guy, relying on his immortal body and wielding those superweapons considered national treasures, brazenly declared war on Joy Boy's prosperous and vast kingdom."
"That war turned the past century into an unspeakable secret."
"Joy Boy was also soft-hearted; not wanting to see the world ravaged, he could only grit his teeth and swallow his anger, choosing to surrender."
"After the war, those twenty kingdoms, once allies, trembled with fear and moved directly to Mary Geoise, the original territory of the gods, establishing a world government that later became feared by all."
"Except for the Nefertari family and their ilk, who were clear-headed enough to relinquish their privileges upon realizing they were being used as pawns, the descendants of the remaining nineteen families became the worthless bunch of self-proclaimed Celestial Dragons with fishbowls on their heads."
Luffy leaned back lazily in his chair, casually recounting this world-shaking secret as if it were a bedtime story.
Everyone around him nearly popped their eyes out, their faces screaming, "I've heard something I shouldn't have!"
Robin was so excited she could barely hold her coffee cup, her voice trembling: "This is...this is the truth behind the erased Void Century?!"
"The so-called high and mighty Celestial Dragons, deep down, are a bunch of traitors who stole the nation's treasures?!"
Seeing the crowd's indignant yet utterly shattered expressions, Luffy's lips curled into a playful smile: "Who knows if it's true or not? Just treat it as some idle gossip."
"The only downside is that the Devil Fruit Joy Boy ate in the story seems to be the same type as the one I have in my stomach."
"So, you know, you have to look forward to life. You can't wait until you have a knife to your throat to sharpen it."
"You agree, don't you, Hancock?"
Luffy said, his eyes filled with affection as he lowered his head and gently pecked the little head that was almost buried in his chest.
Hancock in his arms was completely limp, curled up like a clingy Persian cat.
Looking at his crew, who were completely taken aback by his words, Luffy nodded with satisfaction and turned to Hancock, saying, "Then it's decided."
Hancock, at this moment, had her eyes filtered through an eighteen-level beauty filter; her mind was filled with Luffy's handsome face, and she hadn't heard a thing of the earth-shattering history lesson she'd just heard.
Before her lover could even process what she was saying, her mouth instinctively gave a resounding "Ah? Oh! Of course I agree!"
Everyone present was speechless.
When she finally came to her senses, Hancock covered her flushed cheeks, practically melting with embarrassment. "Oh dear, what's wrong with me? My body just won't listen to Luffy's requests! I'm not even scared of going to Marine Headquarters anymore!"
Grandma New, adjusting her reading glasses, sighed with an air of wisdom, "That's love! When love comes, its force is stronger than a tsunami!"
"The torment of not being able to see your beloved, if not relieved in time, can weaken you to death."
"Think of our previous emperors, all of them stifled their love because of their status, and ultimately died in sorrow. What a tragic lesson!"
"Now that you've agreed to go to Marine Headquarters with Luffy, that's a brilliant move. Not only have you saved your own life, but you've also secured a way out for our Amazon Lily."
As Granny New spoke, a wistful look of nostalgia for her youth appeared on her wrinkled old face: "This is what it's like for a woman in love. I was like that back then..."
Margaret, looking at the old woman's multicolored face, couldn't help but ask worriedly, "Ah! Granny New, you look like you've been poisoned. Are you really alright?"
Granny New instantly lost her composure, her old face darkening: "...╯︵┻━┻! You little brat, you're so annoying!"
Immediately afterward, Hancock, in her esteemed capacity as Queen of Amazon Lily, formally announced the formation of an alliance with Luffy.
The instant the alliance was formed, Luffy, bearing his special title, saw his image in the eyes of the entire nation of Amazon Lily instantly rise, his admiration reaching its peak.
At the same time, that familiar mechanical voice rang in Luffy's mind.
[Congratulations, host, for successfully subduing your first Shichibukai force, unlocking the achievement 'Three Kingdoms Stand Together,' rewarding 20,000 achievement points!]
[Congratulations, host, for casually securing the personal achievement 'First Blood,' rewarding 2,000 achievement points!]
[Congratulations, host, on activating a new bond: Empress Boa Hancock (Bond effect: The more severely the host is injured, the higher Hancock's combat power will rise, and the amplification intensity is increased by the host's base strength)]
Hearing this series of notifications, Luffy's lips twitched involuntarily: "..."
He helplessly rubbed his temples, glancing down at Hancock who was still clinging to him, recalling the online jokes about "being a kept man" from his past life.
Although he didn't know if those jokes from his past life were true, this bond attribute now firmly pinned the "kept man" label on him.
So, as long as Luffy has a breath left, this woman can easily crush the Four Emperors, right?
Glancing at the system panel, his collection points had already increased to 17, and his achievement points were even more plentiful, a full 46,537.
Luffy scanned the dazzling array of skills in the collection section, his eyes gleaming with barely concealed excitement.
For the next two days, Luffy, Robin, and Kalifa completely let loose in Amazon Lily, indulging in a two-day, two-night party.
Until only five days remained until the public execution that would change the world's destiny.
Luffy led the entire Kuja Pirates to the shore in a grand procession.
This operation was meticulously planned. Not only did he bring the formidable Hancock to Marine Headquarters to set the tone, but he also brought the entire Kuja Pirates on board, preparing for a seamless integration of these female warriors into the Marines after the battle.
Looking at the thick, still-unmelted ice surrounding Amazon Lily, Hancock's anger had vanished, replaced by eyes full of stars: "Lord Luffy is so strong!"
Robin stood behind, watching Luffy's retreating figure, and couldn't help but sneer, "Speaking of which, how come your body has changed so much again, like it's been inflated like a balloon?"
It was midday, the sun blazing down, and Luffy's physique had grown to a terrifying size; he was practically a match for Whitebeard, that old monster.