Chapter Text
The bar I sat in was a familiar one, Shakky's rip-off bar.
"Another cup?" Shakky offered me another glass after wiping down the counter, her cigarette hanging out of her mouth.
I nodded appreciatively, drumming my fingers against the counter. "Do you know when he'll come back?" I question Shakky about her husband.
"No, I already told you he hasn't been back in months." She reminded, handing me a glass full of sake. "Reminder, he's a married man."
"Not like it's bothered you before." I smiled cheekily causing her to blush. "Something's happening out there." My brows furrow and I sit up straighter, my ears twitching. "I'll be back." I chug have of my drink, waving her off before I step out, hastily making my way toward the auction house.
Marines rushed past me, some doing a double-take once realizing who I was. "Boa Yuri!" They swooned, some turning to stone without my command.
"What's going on here?" I question walking closer to the commotion and stepping out into the middle of the crowd.
"Monkey D. Luffy's punched a Celestial Dragon!" One of the marines informed me with a red hue—unable to look me in the eye.
My lips twitch up in amusement. "I see." I hold back a laugh.
"What's a warlord doing here?" The captain of the fleet stepped forward.
"Can't warlords participate in auctions?" I smirk smugly at the man and walk toward the entrance.
"Don't go in there! There are pirates!"
I turn to the marine with a sneer present on my face. "Did you forget I'm a pirate?" My eyes glared into his and he turned to stone. I continued my way into the auction house, ignoring the screams after me.
"Bonjour~" I purr out to the pirates, gaining their attention.
Most gawked at my sudden appearance, while others stared confused.
"Is that..."
"BOA YURI!~" A blonde rushed from his spot, twirling, hearts pouring out of his eyes. "You're here?! You're really here! The real Boa Yuri!~”
"Boa Yuri? The most beautiful woman on the sea?!" An orange-haired man wearing an orca hat screeched with joy.
"There are rumors about you, some say you're made up by the government since you rarely show face. Others, say you're even more beautiful than your sister and that she kept you hidden due to jealousy even though you're one of the warlords. One glance and everyone knows who you are despite these rumors." The laid-back man wearing a white puffy hat with black spots informed.
"I must say, the rumors are true." The jaggy-haired pirate smirked, looking me up and down.
"What's the empress' sister doing in Sabaody Archipelago?" Nico Robin asks.
"That is none of your concern. Anyway," I stepped forward, walking to the stage where the Celestial Dragon—Shalria—held the mermaid captive. "I sense someone I'm looking for." A small smile arises and I look over my shoulder to show them—my beautiful smile throwing them off guard.
A wave of Haki burst throughout the room and some standing knights fell, including the last Celestial Dragon in the room.
"There he is." I sigh contently, watching Silvers Rayleigh walk out from behind the curtains.
"The auction is over and I stole the money I wanted." He walked out cooly. "Time to head back to the casino." He then chugged the sake from his flask.
"You're an evil old man. You came here just to steal money?" The giant walked out from behind him.
"I came here intending to steal from whoever bought me." He glanced at the giant. "But then again, look at me. Who would buy an old man like me as a slave hahaha." He burst out into laughter.
I smirked in my spot, a look of adoration in my eyes. "I would~"
"I know you would, darling." Rayleigh gave me a wink causing me to redden. "Hm, seems like I caught everyone's attention."
"Who's that old man and giant!" One of the knights screeched in fear.
"Who are you calling an old man!" I growled defensively, sticking my hand forward, ready for my shrunken staff to appear in my hand.
"Calm down, Yuri. They are only saying what's true." Rayleigh laughed at my pout.
Elder Nyon would constantly tell me this was not love, simply an attraction to someone who was good-looking or rather an older man. She had a theory that I was into older men, but I shut her down, telling her I was only into Rayleigh—we had not tested out this theory. (Elder Nyon is correct, Yuri is a simp for attractive older men but refuses to admit it. Doesn't matter how much older, as long as they're older than her.)
"They're merchandise! How did they escape the cage?!" A knight from behind shouted and I turned to shout.
"Merchandise!?" I repeat. "I'll kill you!"
"No worries, Yuri." His voice stopped me. "I'm not offended, and neither should you be."
"R-Rayleigh." The octopus that lay on the floor croaked.
"Hachi! That's you, isn't it? Long time no see!" Rayleigh laughed in the octopus' direction. "What are you doing here? What's with those injuries?" He rubbed his bearded chin. "Wait, don't tell me. Hm..." He thought while everyone stared. "I see, you seem to have gone through a lot, Hachi." He cast his head down before scowling. "So you're the ones who helped him? Now then." He lifted his head with a smirk and another burst of Haki came from him—knocking out the rest of the knights.
"Huh?! What did he do?!" The frizzy-haired boy asked in disbelief.
"Oh, Rayleigh~" I swooned ignoring the looks from the others.
"You swine! What spell did you put my empress under?!" The blonde charged toward Rayleigh angrily.
"What did you call him?!" I cut him off, my staff appearing in my hand, blocking his way. "And I am not your empress!"
Rayleigh laughed at the interaction, moving his attention to the ravenette teen. "That straw hat..." His words put us at a stop. "It fits well on a fearless man like yourself." His smirk widened and his eyes narrowed in curiosity. "I've wanted to meet you...Monkey D. Luffy.”
"He's touching her..." I frowned to myself as Rayleigh held the mermaid's shoulders.
"Isn't he a bit too old for you?" I turned to the orca hat man and glared.
"What did you say?"
"N-nothing, I didn't say anything." He shrank back in fear and I scoffed, turning back to my beloved.
"What's going on? Who are you?" The tall, well-built, teal-haired man gawked.
"What did he do?! The collar's gone!"
"He pulled the collar off with his bare hands." Nico Robin stated in awe.
The teal-haired man sighed, turning back. "Hey, slaves-to-be, all the buyers ran off. You're free to go." Dozens of gasps and cheers echoed from the back.
"Luffy, how do you know him?"
"I don't know him, really!" Straw hat denied.
"That thing he used is called 'Haki', I think," Hachi informed. "I don't really understand it either."
"His Haki is the best." I grinned.
"Sorry, boys. You're just pirates here for the show." Rayleigh smirked smugly at my compliment. "Seeing how you withstood that, you're all quite strong." I turned back to look at the three pirate crews.
"I didn't think I'll see such big names...in a place like this." Smirked Trafalgar.
"'Dark King' Silvers Rayleigh! What's a living legend doing here?" Eustass looked at my beloved challengingly.
"I'm just an ordinary coating craftsman on this island. People call me Ray." He informed. "Don't call me by that other name. I'm just an old soldier, I only want to live in peace."
"I'm telling you, The Island of Women welcomes you," I add. "Shakky tells you this too.”
"I want to be welcomed!" The blonde from the Straw hat crew fell to his knees and punched the floor.
"No,"
"Yohohoho! You got rejected."
"Shut up." I glare back at the skeleton.
"I will if you let me see your panties~"
"No!" I glare at him, trying to turn him into stone to no avail.
"Yohoho~ Your powers are useless on me."
"I'll kill you!" I ready myself to swing my staff at the tall skeleton but was stopped when the orange-haired girl smacked him upside the head.
"Leave the warlord alone. You're no match for her."
"You're not going to die, are you Hachi?" Rayleigh walked past me and to the said octopus. "I've always told you not to walk around this island."
"Nope...sorry." Hachi laughed.
"Thank you, you saved my friend." Rayleigh thanked the straw hats.
"So, why did you say you wanted to meet me?"
"Hmm. We'll talk later, let's get out of here first." Rayleigh smiled warmly.
"We're completely surrounded outside, boss." The zombie-looking man from the Kid pirates informed his captain.
"RELEASE THE SECOND EMPRESS BOA YURI!" The marines shout from outside. "AND THE ROSWALD FAMILY!" They add after a moment of silence. "THE ADMIRAL WILL ARRIVE SOON, SO WE RECOMMEND YOU LISTEN AND SURRENDER IMMEDIATELY! WE WON'T BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR WHAT HAPPENS, ROOKIES!"
"YEAH, GIVE US YURI-SAMA!" A marine stole the mic and shouted.
"Seem's like we're not even seen as victims...just accomplices," Trafalgar smirked darkly.
"I got to see just how crazy straw hat Luffy is. The rumors were right, I got no complaints. But I don't want to deal with an admiral." Eustass Kid grinned satisfied.
"Say," I interrupt. "how old are all of you?" I couldn't help but be curious, my heart pounding hoping to hear that some of them were over my age.
"Really now, Yuri?" Rayleigh laughed.
"I'm just curious." I bit my lip while under his gaze.
"Well, I'm not going to use that power again. I don't want the Navy to know who I am, so you're on your own." Rayleigh told the crews.
"The longer we wait, the more Navy men will gather. I'm going first. It'll just be on the way, I'll save you guys." Eustass waved the back of his hand, walking out of the auction house. "I'll clean up the mess outside, so you don't have to worry."
The two captains of their crews glared in his direction.
"THERE THEY ARE!" The marines shout to each other. "TAKE AIM."
"Rayleigh~" I swoon over to the man. "I can't believe you let yourself be captured."
He smiled at me causing me to blush. "You know how I am with my gambling."
"They're so childish!"
"Let's take this chance to run! We can't stay here any longer!"
"Let's follow them! We'll bust right through their lines." Pirate hunter Roronoa Zoro clutched his swords
"All right!" The blonde—who I now know is Sanji—blew out some smoke and proceeded with Roronoa.
"If we get separated, let's meet at grove 13," Rayleigh told the straw hats.
"Sure,"
"YOU DEFINITELY DON'T UNDERSTAND!" Usopp screeched.
"Such nuisances." I deadpan, making my way out of the auction house, settling beside a masked man from the Kid pirates.
"GUM GUM BALLOON!" I watch as Luffy expands his stomach, deflecting all of the bombs.
"What in the world..." I stare in shock. "Marguerite will be in for a shock once she hears about this." I rest my staff against my shoulder.
"Repel," Eustass growled, sending the cannon balls back.
"Room." The surgeon of death sliced the marines in half. "Shambles." Replacing their body parts with cannon balls.
"ALL THREE OF THEM HAVE DEVIL FRUIT POWERS!" The marines shout in fear.
"YURI-SAMA! WAIT THERE AND WORRY NOT! WE NAVY MEN WILL SAVE YOU!"
"Disgusting." I sneer with a glare.
"Men disgust you yet you swoon over old man Rayleigh?" The masked man questions.
"'Old man Rayleigh'?!" I scowl in his direction before inhaling deeply. "I don't know what you're talking about." I brushed him off. His shoulders shook as if he was laughing yet he made no sound. "All idiots I tell you."
"THE KID PIRATES HAVE BOA YURI CAPTIVE! ATTACK THE KID PIRATES!"
"Oh no! The Kid pirates have Boa Yuri captive?!" A polar bear gasps along with most men in the Heart pirates crew.
The Kid pirates said nothing, only smirking at the others.
I scoffed gaining their attention. "As if I'd let a group of men capture me."
"25." The blonde masked man randomly says.
"What?" Me, along with the Heart pirates ask.
"That's how old I am." Immediately, my eyes widen and a blush takes place.
My behavior doing a 180. "An-an older man." My hands fly to my cheeks as I admire the masked man in front of me.
"How old are you?" He leans down, asking.
I shrink back, my blush becoming redder. "23."
"She's the same age as Boss." The zombie man says, interested.
Seeing how I reacted, the Heart pirates stepped forward, two of them shouting; "Captain is 24!"
"And which one is he?" I glare at the two for interrupting my conversation with my new beloved Of course, I knew which one he was, but I honestly didn't care.
"Trafalgar Law!" They answer with a bow. I look in their captain's direction, my blush still present as I admire his devil fruit powers—I care now.
"We're 25 and 26." They smirk in my direction.
"I don't care." They gape, wondering why I hadn't swooned at them.
"It didn't work for us!" They cried.
My staff began to shake, metal objects whizzing past me toward Eustass Kid. A large arm swung around me, pulling me toward their broad chest. I turned to face the culprit, my eyes widening and my breath caught in my throat.
"Careful." I admired the masked man in front of me, not taking my eyes off him.
"She's whipped, Killer. You're a lucky man." One of his crew laughs.
"Killer..." I repeat his name, his arm tensing when I said it and he let go.
"You bastard! Let go of Yuri-sama!" Sanji burst out of the auction house, yelling at my beloved.
"Who are you calling a bastard?!" I look over Killer's arm, glaring back at Sanji.
"Mon beau..." Sanji fell to the ground, crying once he realized I was defending Killer.
"Woah! They caused this much damage already?!" Roronoa gawked at the scene.
"You! I demand your age!" I point at the attractive swordsman—I was ignored by him.
"I'm 19, mon beau!" Sanji speaks in his stead.
"Hush little one, you are way too young for me." I turn my head, lifting my hand up.
"It's a given that the other two have devil fruit powers!" Sanji snapped out of his crestfallen state and said seriously.
"Yohohoho! I have to doubt my eyes!" The skeleton spoke next. "Eve though...I don't have any eyes!" He laughed by himself.
"Captain did so much damage." The orca from the Heart pirates tsked at his captain's behavior.
"They like to get ahead of themselves," Killer spoke causing all my attention to go to him.
"Killer~" I swooned once more.
"Ha ha ha, you're all quite dependable!" Rayleigh exited the auction house next.
"R-ray!" I backed away from Killer, turning to look at the man before staring at the three worst-generation captains. "Is that a child?"
"No, that's Straw hat." Killer informed.
"Don't-don't speak to me, Killer." I stutter.
I could hear his smirk through his mask. "Why not? Don't want the old man to know you're cheating on him?"
"I-I'm not cheating! We're not even dating!" I denied the accusation.
"Found yourself a man your own age, ha ha ha!" Rayleigh burst out laughing in a teasing manner.
"It's not like that! Leave me alone!" I huff walking forward, leaving the two idiots behind hesitantly. I couldn't help but look back at my beloveds at least once, hoping one would hold me back—they didn't.
"COMMODORE! THEY'VE ALL COME OUT! AND LOOK, THE KID PIRATES LET YURI-SAMA GO!"
"Later Straw hat, I'm glad I got to see you." Eustass bid goodbye.
"Hey, look. I'm back!" Luffy popped back into his usual form.
"Boa Yuri-ya, come to join the fight?" Trafalgar Law smirked my way.
I scowl his way, controlling my blush at the older male. "Don't speak to me while Ray is watching!"
"The next time we meet, we'll be enemies." Eustass ignores me and Trafalgar's interaction.
"Oh? But I'm going to be the one who finds One Piece!" Luffy smiles widely, staring into the crowd of marines.
Eustass turns to the boy just as Killer jumps in and cuts a marine coming for him. "Hey, Kid! Why are you just standing there?!"
"Hey, Killer." His captain greets.
"Killer..." I gawk at his bloody masterpiece. "You're amazing~" I swoon to myself, casting my eyes down, letting my black hair cover my face.
"On our way here, when we'd say that. People would laugh at us, but each and every time I killed those who laughed!" Eustass laughs in amazement, staring at Luffy. "Still, in the oceans ahead, those who don't have the guts to say it will die first." He then grinned maliciously. "Let's meet again in the New World!"
Trafalgar grinned to himself while Luffy stared blankly.
"Let's go!" Eustass order his crew and they began to move out.
I stared at the unruly blonde hair of my beloved as he created more of his bloody masterpieces.
"TRAFALGAR! I WILL AVENGE MY COMRADES-IN-ARMS!" A marine launched himself in his direction.
"Bepo." The said bear jumped over his captain, karate-kicking the marine in the face.
"Aye, aye, captain!"
"YURI-SAMA! NOW'S YOUR CHANCE TO RUN TO US FOR SAFETY!" The marines reached their arms out for me, yet I stayed in place.
"Yuri-sama is mine!" Sanji jumped in and kicked the marines that attempted to grab me.
"Ray-san!~" I rushed after him, ignoring the marines, watching as he carried Hachi the octopus on his back.
"Ha ha ha! I'm getting excited!" He beamed.
"Now isn't the time Ray-san, you'll get caught if you don't hurry." I ushered him along.
"DON'T LET THE STRAW HATS GO!"
"Something's wrong." I stop running, looking in the direction Killer had gone in. "I have to go, Ray." I didn't wait for a response and ran off.
"Yuri!" He called after me. I grimaced at the sound of my name, refusing to turn back. One of my beloveds was in danger, I couldn't stop now.
"Captain look!" I heard a voice shout as I inched closer to the scene.
The mouth of Bartholomew Kuma opened—a beam of light ready to shoot out after identifying Trafalgar Law.
"Don't you dare, Kuma!" I appeared behind the warlord, swinging my staff at his head and knocking him over—his beam shooting out anyway, hitting a nearby tree.
"Is that...BOA YURI?!" The two Heart pirates shout with joy.
"Did she just protect Trafalgar?" Eustass Kid looks at me with interest and disbelief.
"Yuri, what are you doing here?" Killer's voice snapped me out of my enraged state.
"Oh, Killer!~" I rushed to his side. "I sensed you were in danger and came to help."
"Whipped." The crew muttered.
"Shut up!" I demanded.
"I see," He murmurs.
"Law!" I turn to the man. "Are you okay?" I look up at him through my eyelashes, a shy blush on my cheeks. "I had no idea you were here too. If I knew, I would have ran twice as fast."
"What did you two do to her?" Law turned to his subordinates with a glare.
"Nothing!" They protested.
"They told her your age." My beloved informed my other. "It seems she has a thing for older men."
"No, I don't! You sound like elder Nyon!" I point my finger at him, putting it down with an embarrassed blush when he looked my way.
"Yes, you do!" The two Heart pirates argue back. "And for some reason, it doesn't apply to us!"
"Who said you can talk to me, you filthy men!" I point at them accusingly, a glare settling on them.
Law narrowed his gaze, inspecting me. "She's picky." He smirked, a small chuckle escaping.
"Join my crew," Eustass joined in the conversation. "and you can have all the Killer you want." He smirked villainously. Killer and the rest of his crew stared at their captain incredulously.
"All the Killer I want..."
Killer noticed that I was actually thinking about it and snapped me out of my thoughts, "What about the old man? He'd be sad you're cheating on him."
"Rayleigh..." I frown before narrowing my eyes at my beloved. "I already told you we're not dating!"
"SHE'S SO BIPOLAR!" The Heart pirates shout.
"Yuri-ya, if you're joining a crew, it should be mine." Law motioned his head back for me to walk over. And I almost did when I saw his smile.
"The warlord's getting back up!" Someone shouted interrupting us.
"Don't worry, Trafalgar. I'll save you." Eustass cracked his neck side to side.
"I'm no damsel in distress." He stared daggers into the back of the redhead.
"Go, Law!~ Destroy him!" I cheered him on, sighing dreamily.
"So, bipolar."
"What was that?!" I screamed at the orca man.
"Shachi quit messing with her." His crewmate nudged him.
"Yeah, Shachi. If you know what's best for you, you'd stop now." I smirked staring intensely into his eyes, letting them glow yellow for a split second.
"They're fine." He didn't take his eyes off the scene.
My head snapped up and I turned left and right. My Observation Haki went off when I sensed an admiral not too far from here, what made me angry was not the admiral, but rather who the admiral was fighting. "Ray!" I shout in fear causing the two crews to look at me in confusion. With a harsh breath, I jumped with all my might and slammed down onto the robotic Bartholomew Kuma—killing him. "Sorry, Law, Ray-san needs my help right now and I couldn't leave you and Killer in danger. I'll see you when the time's right." I apologize and run off to Shakky's bar as fast as I could, ignoring Eustass Kid's angry yells.
"Boa Yuri!" I turned to look at the person calling out to me while still running.
"X Drake." The look on his face was priceless but I couldn't help but stare at his handsome self for a small second. "Stop distracting me! I have somewhere important to be!" I yelled at the man, ignoring the other three worst-generation captains.
"Captain! Let's capture her!" Three of Hawkins pirates snicker.
"Fuck off, I don't have time for you!" I turned his subordinates into stone with a simple whisper, “Duro.” and began to run off but was stopped by X Drake who now stood in my way.
"You can't and you know that. If any of the admirals see you fighting for pirates, they'll send you to impel down for betraying them." He told me sternly with a soft glare.
"But Ray-san needs help, he's fighting Kizaru!"
"We just fought him not too long ago. We're no match for an admiral." X Drake sighed, running a hand over his face. "Is this 'Ray-san' strong?"
I nod slowly.
"Then he'll be fine. You shouldn't risk your safety for him."
"Why are you helping me?" I pout at the man furiously. "Don't you hate me?"
"Wha-" He looked at me incredulously. "Where did you hear that?"
I look at him weirdly before answering. "You always act weird around me, backing away and never looking me in the eyes."
"Boa Yuri, second empress of Amazon Lily, Island of women." Basil Hawkins walked up to me, cards floating around him. "Join us."
"No thanks." I deny the offer. "I'm leaving." I purse my lips angrily at X Drake before turning to walk back to my beloveds.
"Kuma's back!" The crews shout.
"He's seen you." X Drake informs. "We'll have to take him down before he can tell anyone."
"No need," I wave off. "he's programmed to see me as an ally, he won't tell no one. Bye now.”
"My son would be a better match for you." Rayleigh pushed a cup of water in front of me.
"I don't want him." I sneer in disgust at the mention of another man. I ended up heading to Shakky's rip-off bar, the run had tired me out and I needed a drink.
"You don't even know him." He laughed when I didn't respond. Knowing how to get an answer out of me, he said this next. "He's 41."
My eyes widen...'An older man...' I thought to myself. I cleared my throat, playing my shock off. "Who is he then?"
My beloved laughed at me before drinking out of his flask, shaking his head in amusement at my sudden interest. "Dracule Mihawk. Also known as 'Hawk-eyes' or 'The Strongest Swordsman in the World'."
"That's your son?!" I gape at the man. "You're son works for the government?!"
"Same as you." He reminded.
I pouted, crossing my arms. "That's different."
"Whatever you say, darling." He grinned before getting out of his seat. "Shouldn't you be heading back to your island?" His brows raised up curiously.
"Yeah..." I drawled not meeting his eyes.
With a sigh, he asked. "When were you supposed to be back?"
"A week ago..." I readied myself for a lecture but none came, only the sounds of his laughter.
"Were you looking for me the whole time?"
I nodded meekly and he laughed louder.
Sailing alone for half a week was nothing to me. I daydreamed of all my beloveds the entire time—Rayleigh, Killer, and Trafalgar—, making sure to take breaks to ensure I was sailing the correct way especially since I was underwater—thanks to Rayleigh coating my small ship for me.
When I arrived, no one was waiting at the port nor was anyone on watch, making me go on high alert. A loud awful voice rang throughout the courtyard from the cafeteria. I marched into the room, ready to yell at the guards for leaving their posts. "Who's supposed to be on watch?"
"Yuri-sama!"
"You're back! Hancock-sama was looking for you!"
"Your beauty amazes me every time!~"
"Yuri-sama, I love you! Have a drink with me!"
Dozens of people shouted in joy at my appearance.
"I asked, who's on watch?!" I screamed, my voice ringing throughout half the island causing everyone to go silent.
"It's Daisy and Ran's turn..." Someone muttered lowly, fear emitting from them.
"When I arrived, no one was on their watch posts. What if I was an enemy?!"
"But you weren't."
"Who said that?!" I grew angry at the comment. "Where is my sister?! I'll have to inform her-"
"Hey, Yuri."
"-Hello, Monkey, about the dangers of..." I stopped talking, my eyes scanning over the crowd again, finding the said boy. "Monkey?!" All my anger vanished and I focused on the boy.
"Yep!" He giggled before stuffing his face with more meat.
"Yuri-sama, you know Luffy?" Marguerite questioned in her seat next to the boy.
'What are you doing here?" I ignored her. "No men are allowed on the island!"
"Hammock let me." He shrugged.
"Hancock." Marguerite corrected. "Hancock-sama allowed Luffy to stay. I don't know entirely why, but I'm glad she let him. Look, he's rubber! Did you know all men can do this?!"
"No, Marguerite, only Luffy can do that." I crushed her dreams and walked away.
A few hours have passed since Hancock informed me why she had let Luffy stay on the island. It wasn't a bother to me, I know he's a good man, but...he's still a man and it's forbidden.
"She's what?!"
"Sick. She's collapsed." The Gordon sister's informed worriedly.
"No, she's not sick." Elder Nyon burst into the room. "She's in love."
"I've been in love and I was never sick." I glared.
"Attraction and love aren't the same." She glared back. "And how many times do I have to tell you, you can't love your old empress' husband!"
"She doesn't mind!" I argued. Shakky really didn't mind that I was infatuated with her husband, she knew I would never do anything with him without her permission, of course.
"The pain you feel when you're separated, will weaken and eventually kill you!" Elder Nyon told us all. "The previous empresses ruined themselves by suppressing it. The only empress to give in was Shakuyaku. By choosing her husband she saved her own life."
I sighed dreamily, falling onto the mattress. "I knew Rayleigh was magical."
"Oh no! Yuri-sama's sick too!"
"She's faking it." Elder Nyon rolled her eyes.
"You can't fake love!" I sat up on my elbows and glared daggers.
"If you go to the government and defend your titles as two of the eight warlords of the sea...you two will be defending this nation...as well as helping Monkey D. Luffy." She looked at both of us, unsure of our actions to come. "I'm not sure what star he was born under, but normally the only way a pirate ever visits impel down is by getting captured."
"Dracule's a warlord, I'm going. I want to meet Rayleigh's son, he told me he's handsome..."
"How old did he say he was?" Elder Nyon deadpanned my way.
"41." I swoon with my hands clasped together.
"That's way too old!"
"Shut up you old lady!"
"Oh—Chapter! They're here!"
"It's the snake princesses!"
"What's this?" Hancock looked down. "Who put a puppy," She kicked the puppy. "and a baby seal in my path?!" She kicked the seal.
"I'm sorry, it was my fault." Someone apologized.
"Be more careful next time." She stated trying to be cool, however, I rolled my eyes, cringing.
"Yuri-sama, did you get more beautiful?!"
"They're both beautiful!"
"I love you, empresses!"
"Thanks for doing this on such short notice, snake lady, Yuri! I want to get there as soon as possible." Luffy grinned a wide D smile.
Hancock blushed at the acknowledgment, going into a dreamlike state.
"What is wrong with you?" I mutter to my sister before speaking to Luffy. "I'm not doing it for you, I simply want to meet someone." I turn my head, showing everyone my side profile, letting them swoon even more. "Say, how old is your brother?" I turned back to him, leaning forward, awaiting his answer.
"2-" Someone stopped him, whispering in his ear. "...7" He finished looking away from me, his lips puckered, and his hands behind his back as he swung back and forth on his heels.
"27? Are you lying?" I narrow my eyes, sweat rolling down his face.
"Nope..." His lips puckered even more if possible.
"Why would Luffy lie?!" Hancock interrupts, speaking with a tone of disbelief.
"Right," I nod suspiciously. "Is he handsome?"
Luffy's face turned back to normal, his usual wide grin back on it. "Yep!" I began to grow hopeful at the thought of another beloved. "He looks just like me!" I immediately deflated.
"Whatever, let's just go." I purse my lips, turning serious.
"Luffy made princess Yuri mad!"
"She's so cute when she's mad!"
"That frown costs millions! No! Billions!"
"Goodbye, snake princesses!"
"Come see us again, Luffy!" Everyone came to the port to bid us goodbye.
"LUFFY! SEE YOU!"
"STOP THAT!" We heard them scream at each other before their shouts were muffled.
"The conditions are exactly as I described over the transponder snail," Hancock speaks to the captain of the warship.
"Then only you, that snake, and the second empress are coming aboard eh? As for stopping by the great impel down...it's been approved." He tells us, chomping on meat that was skewered on his sword. "Under normal circumstances, no pirate is ever allowed near impel down. Not even two of the eight warlords of the sea. This time is an exception, but we won't be able to stay long. Now come aboard!"
We aboard the ship gracefully. I had to cover my mouth to keep my laughter in when I saw that all of his crew had been turned to stone.
"It was worth the wait, now I can finally complete my mission." He glared. "But first, can you do something about my petrified crew, or are they dead?" We stayed silent, turning back to our ship.
"Sisters, please be careful!"
"Please, come back alive!"
"Good luck snake princesses!" Our women wish us.
"We must be going now, Hancock, and I entrust the kingdom to you while we're away."
"You can count on us!" They cheered.
"Awaken." Hancock blew a kiss at the stone men, turning back to normal.
"HANCOCK!" They beam with hearts in their eyes. "OH MY GOD! IT'S YURI!~ SHE'S HERE! Huh?" They all fell to the floor.
"Get underway, you fools." Vice admiral Momonga glared at his subordinates.
"AYE AYE, SIR!" They replied, drool still spilling from their mouths.
"Don't forget you worthless fools." Hancock kicked one of the marine's shin. "Each of my meals must weigh a hundred kilograms! Any less and I won't be satisfied in the least! Do you want to be turned into stone again!" She threatened.
The marine that brought us two small trays of food now lie on the floor, holding his shin in pain as everyone watched in horror. "I'm sorry! I'll be more careful next time!" He cried.
"Here, Luffy. Eat up." Hancock held a spoonful of food up to Luffy and he ate with gusto.
"I like it when you feed me, it tastes even better." He gave her a thumbs-up before turning to me.
"You're so sweet Luffy~" She gave him an eye smile, shoving another spoonful in his mouth.
"You should feed me too," Luffy spoke to me through mouthfuls.
"Yeah, no thanks." I wave my hands to refuse it. "Hancock, what are you doing?" My sister sat in the corner with her face in her hands.
"What are you doing there in the corner? Aren't you going to eat? This Neptune ham is good." Luffy questioned, shoving a large chunk of meat down his throat.
"I-it's alright, my heart is already full." She refused to look his way.
"Well mine isn't, scoot over, boy." I pushed Luffy over, stabbing a slab with my fork, tasting the tender meat.
"Yummy right?"
I nodded, not wanting to speak with my mouthful.
After our meal, Luffy licked his fingers clean, slapping his stomach twice before shouting. "Ugh! I'm stuffed! That was really good!" He grinned, licking the crumbs off his face.
"Be quiet, Luffy! You'll get us caught!" I shut his jaw with my hand, clamping it over his mouth.
The sound of knocking sent me and Hancock into a panic. "Hancock, Yuri, is somebody in there with you?"
"What do I do?" She panicked. "Luffy, we'll get caught!"
"Move," I lightly pushed my sister out of the way and pushed the empty cart outside, sweat no doubt rolling down my forehead. "Ugh! I'm stuffed!"
"SHE SAID IT!" The marines shout in disbelief, mohawks now present on their heads.
"That was an excellent feast, now clear the plates. We'll be eating like this five times a day." I brush my hair to the side, revealing my bare shoulder to the lustful men.
"That much?! What about us?!"
"You can all starve to death!" Hancock shouts from inside the room causing me to smirk.
"They're horrible...but so so beautiful~"
At night, two days before impel down arrival.
"Yuri," Hancock whispered lowly, afraid she'd wake her beloved.
"Yes?" I murmur half asleep on the chair.
"Come, I have something to discuss with you." Her voice sounded hesitant.
"What's wrong?" I ask once I step closer to her. Hancock looked restless—the moonlight the only source of light. She sat on a chair, slumping down on the bed beside Luffy.
"Protect Luffy."
"What?" I asked baffled, rubbing my eyes to get a clearer image of her face.
"Resign from your warlord position and protect him." She didn't look my way as she ordered me, she stared down at her beloved’s face, wiping the drool that escaped his mouth. "This war is dangerous, I want you to resign as an empress and warlord and follow Luffy. Protect him with your life, please."
"What about you? I can't leave you. And what about Amazon Lily?" I start to panic.
"They have me. You're only the second empress—not that you aren't worthy. But you're always out and about anyway, go live your dream and follow Luffy to achieve it." She stood up, finally looking at me with tears in her eyes, her hands clasping around mine. "You're my beautiful sister and I love you. I've never asked anything of you, you've relied on me for far too long. It's time you have your own adventure, I'm only giving you a push...a way out."
"Hancock..." I cried, my shoulder shaking.
"I'm not asking you to break into impel down with Luffy, but when you think the time is right, resign and live." She pulled me into a hug, allowing me to cry. "Live to your fullest."
"LADY HANCOCK, LADY YURI! WE'VE ARRIVED!"
"What's all that?" Luffy peered through the small window.
"We'll be right there!" I shout.
"What did you expect? This is the most dangerous place in the world."
"There are more battleships here than in a buster call." Luffy continued to stare out the window, his expression turning worried—sweat rolling down. "Ace is in there?"
"He's probably deep underwater," Hancock informed. "Luffy, get under my cape."
"Ahoy Vice Admiral Momonga!" Marines greeted as the ship approached. The marines drooled like dogs, hearts in their eyes as they eyed my sister and I, lustfully.
"They're offending my ears. Can I turn them into stone?"
"Please do." I sighed with a roll of my eyes.
"Your one condition was to see Portgas D. Ace, correct?" Vice Admiral Momonga ignored us and proceeded to ask. He then turned his head to look at us over his shoulder. "As I told the two of you before, you may be warlords but pirates are not normally allowed near the prison. So, you'll have to be searched...and wear sea prism cuffs." He smirked smugly. "We can't allow you to do anything that might help an inmate escape."
"Alright." Hancock tilted her head showing off her jawline.
"Yowza! Open the gates! Open them wide you swabs!" The marines shout over each other as we walk past them, into impel down.
"Take care Lady Hancock, Lady Yuri!~"
"Take care!"
"Shut up!" I shout at the marines, yet they paid no mind and continued their rowdiness.
"Don't say that! Take care!~"
"What an oppressive atmosphere. It's like a taste of the underworld." Vice Admiral Momonga sniffed the air.
"Welcome...to impel down." A warden welcomed.
"Oh, sorry. I said 'my' impel down by mistake. I'm getting ahead of myself. I am Hannyabal, the under warden...for now." He mumbled the last part. "Nice to meet you." He held his hand out for Vice Admiral Momonga to shake.
Momonga took his hand, "I'm Vice Admiral Momonga." He said back pridefully.
"I understand the circumstances. Is that, Boa Hancock and Boa Yuri? My empresses! Oh! Oh! I'm sorry! I'm getting ahead of myself." He blushed at us before his scowl returned. "That idiot chief Magellan is in his office on level 4. We'll take you to him. Vice head jailer Domino and I will escort you there!" He gestured to the woman beside him.
"Come with me, we'd better hurry." She then stopped us. "Excuse me Vice Admiral, but you'd have to go into that room and be searched." Hannyabal took Momonga into the room while Domino escorted us. "When prisoners arrive here, they're taken to the area on the other side of that fence. Their clothes are thrown into a bubbling cauldron called 'the Underworld's Lukewarm Bath.' It's rather like a baptism ritual. And it sterilizes their clothes as well." She informed. "Of course, there are many different classes of criminals. Some recent arrivals include "Fire Fist" Ace, Jimbei one of the eight warlords of the sea, and the former warlord crocodile. They're just a few who've undergone our baptism ritual without batting an eyelid. Most admirable." We arrived at an entrance. "Guests are searched in a private room. There's nothing to fear, please remove your cape. All sorts of things can be hidden under capes. We will have to leave it here." She motioned for Hancock to proceed. "It's not that we suspect you of anything, but in order to ensure the security of this facility, we have surveillance transponder snails placed throughout impel down. They transmit continuous video to our security monitors. Now please put on these sea prism cuffs." She held the cuffs up. "Now I know you don't have devil fruit powers, but again, it's for security measures." Domino faced me and clamped them on.
"Not so tight." I scowl her way, the shackles making the most irritable noise.
"Please be gentle." Hancock turned to Domino once it was her turn, making a heart with her hands, and immediately she was turned into stone along with the transponder snail watching.
"Whew! That was close! I was going to try and sneak out very fast!" Luffy rolled out of Hancock's cape.
"Hurry would you, these sea prism cuffs are making me feel weak," I whined lifting the cuffs for them to see. "I don't think I can pretend it doesn't affect me much longer.
"You're a baby." Luffy giggles.
"The hell did you say?!" I sneered at the insult.
"This is as far as I can take you, Luffy." Hancock interrupts, saddened she couldn't help her beloved any more than she did. "From here on, my powers will be disabled, as well as Yuri's-"
"Yuri has devil fruit powers?"
"-and I'll have no cape to hide you with." Hancock ignored his comment. "I wanted to help you more but..." She frowned.
"Don't worry about it! If it hadn't been for you, I never would have made it this far!" Luffy beamed, grateful for our help. "You got me into this place surrounded by battleships! I can take it from here!"
"This isn't some playground, Luffy. This place was built to be escape-proof." I lean against the wall, tired. "Whatever you do, don't cause a ruckus."
"Yes, you mustn't. If you're captured, you'll never get out of here alive! You're very strong, but promise me you won't go on a rampage." Hancock worried for the young boy.
"All right, I promise!" He grabbed Hancock's hand tightly. "Thanks for everything, Hancock, Yuri! I'll never forget what you two did for me! Someday I'll pay you two back!"
"Hancock!" I shout lowly, worried for my sister who had just fallen on the ground--a red hue on her face.
"Hey, Hammock? Hammock?" Luffy called out to no avail.
"My life...is complete."
"Okay, you can turn them back! I'll do the rest myself!"
"So, this is what requited love feels like." Hancock continued to mumble to herself with her head down.
"Ready to meet your beloved," Hancock whispered into my ear--having to bend down considering I was 5'9 and she 6'3.
"He's not my beloved." I keep my face stoic. "At least not yet."
"You have some special visitors, Ace! can you guess who it is?" Hannyabal teased the beaten man. "Even you never met the two, Jimbei. Everyone knows their names, quite infamous they are. Few have seen one, while even fewer have seen the other. The empresses of the Kuja warrior tribe, two of the eight warlords of the sea! The strong, proud, and most beautiful empresses; Boa Hancock and Boa Yuri! Woo-hoo!" He popped a small confetti cannon causing Magellan to punch his head. "Ow!"
"What are you doing?" He growled at the man.
"I really want to be the warden! Oops! I mean...that really hurt!" Hannyabal rubbed the top of his head in pain.
Hancock and I walked deeper into the level earning cheers and hollers.
"Yar! What women! Their beauty beggars description!"
"So that's the empresses of the Kuja tribe! Oh ho! Over here, me lovely!"
"Hancock!"
"Yuri, you're beauty is unreal!"
"Look at them, they’re exquisite!"
"Hey girlies, come here inside this cell! We'll be gentle with ya!"
"They smell so good!"
"There's nothing but women there and I hear they wear no clothes!"
"What do you want?" Ace asks hoarsely once we approach the cell he resided in.
"We have no business with you, I just wanted to take a look at the man who was the trigger for this war we're about to participate in." Hancock stared blankly at the godly looking man.
"Wow! Beautiful!" The prisoners shout even louder.
"Boa Hancock, Boa Yuri, don't ignore us!"
"Come over here!"
"So, I'm just a curiosity, eh?" Ace scoffs, a cough arising in his throat.
"The unflappable empresses...why are you two helping the government now of all times?" The Fishman spoke. "Is keeping the title of warlord that important to you?"
"You know nothing." I spat.
"So you're Jimbe." Hancock stares. "You can snap at me all you want, but snap at my sister one more time and I'll have your head. And you fools," She turned tp the other cells. "If you keep harassing us like that..." She brought her hands to her face. "You'll frighten us."
"More like frighten her, I'll kill you all." I glare at the prisoners making them swoon harder.
"AH, I LOVE IT!"
"THEY'RE GORGEOUS! GIVE THEM TO ME DIARRHEA MAN!"
"What vulgar swine, they sicken me." Momonga spits in disgust.
"Look at them, they're out of control. Your reputation of warden will be ruined, might as well pass it on." Hannyabal hinted once again.
"They're irresistible!~" Magellan panted with his tongue out like the rogue dog he is.
"You're as bad as they are, diarrhea man!" Hannyabal shouts distastefully.
"However, I can't allow such disrespectful behavior." He ignored the wannabe, his body melting into poison.
"Warden wait! You'll endanger us too!"
"Ace," I took the time to speak to the man. "don't fret," I gave him a shy smile. "Luffy's coming." I then blushed when we made eye contact. "Oh how wrong he was, you two look nothing alike."
"Yuri, hurry will you." Hancock rushed me.
"Ace~" I cooed out his name with as much sweetness as I could. "I won't let them kill you my beloved...and neither will Luffy."