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At this moment...
The giant panda came trotting over cheerfully.
Shaka casually sat atop the white dragon, preparing to leave. "Alright, sorry to bother you all just now. Since Fire Blossom and the others aren't here, I won't stay any longer."
"Consider this treasure a gift to the Kuja. Inside, there are priceless gems, antique paintings, and calligraphy. You can take them out and have them auctioned off at Sabaody Archipelago."
He pointed at the massive golden sphere without much concern.
To him, wealth was nothing more than a disposable asset. If it hadn't been for the fact that he wanted to give Fire Blossom a gift, he wouldn't have bothered collecting it in the first place.
It was meant to be a "bride price" for Fire Blossom.
But in reality, it was compensation for Amazon Lily.
After all, he had basically stolen their empress.
Although he hadn't actually taken Fire Blossom away back then, he had just learned from the emotions radiating off the Gorgon sisters—thanks to his unique Observation Haki—that she had left in search of him.
Years ago, when he got trapped in the Rainbow Mist and didn't return for a long time, the love-struck Kuja Empress became anxious. She renounced her throne and set off to find him.
At the time, Peony—the former former Empress—was still too young to take the throne. Losing Fire Blossom as their leader must have thrown Amazon Lily into chaos.
So, this treasure was a way of making amends.
"Shaka... are you heading to Sabaody Archipelago?"
Boya Hancock hesitated for a moment, stroking her pet snake, Salome, as she gazed at the tall and handsome figure before her. She couldn't help but ask.
Technically speaking, he was younger than her by a few years, yet he was already so powerful.
It was quite a blow to her pride.
"Of course," Shaka nodded.
Knowing Fire Blossom and the others were safe eased his worries, but he still wanted to see them as soon as possible.
Just as he was about to have the panda switch abilities to the Cloud-Cloud Fruit and take off on a Nimbus Cloud, he noticed the unconscious Kuja warriors, along with their scattered bows, arrows, and firearms. An idea suddenly came to him.
He signaled the white dragon to stop, then turned back to Hancock and the others. "By the way, do you have any discarded guns or metal scraps here?"
"I need materials to forge a new Zen staff. The last battle in Aps Condos was so intense that my previous staff got destroyed."
For his panda, White Dragon, who had the Swallow-Swallow Fruit ability, top-tier steel wasn't necessary. Whether it was raw ore or scrap metal, White Dragon could refine and merge them into a perfect alloy.
While it would take some time to find the perfect memory-metal ratio, the Swallow-Swallow Fruit made the process incredibly efficient.
"Hmm?"
"Scrap metal?"
The Gorgon sisters exchanged glances, surprised.
"Of course, we have plenty... but are you sure you want that stuff?"
Hancock looked at Shaka, puzzled. "We have skilled blacksmiths and high-quality steel. If you want a weapon, I can have one made for you."
"No need," Shaka shrugged. "Weapons made by others wouldn't satisfy me."
"To me, refined steel and scrap metal are the same. In fact, some special metal elements aren't found in ordinary steel."
Thanks to the Swallow-Swallow Fruit, refined steel wasn't even as useful as a pile of mixed metal scraps. Those scraps already contained various metal elements, making them easier to refine into the ideal memory alloy.
"Then follow me," Hancock nodded, not questioning further.
Scrap metal wasn't an issue for Amazon Lily, and considering that this legendary "Ksitigarbha King" had just given them such a valuable gift, she had no reason to refuse.
"Wow!"
"Lady Boa Hancock!"
"Lady Sandersonia, Lady Marigold!"
"Did the intruder get taken care of?"
"Who's that?"
"Is that the panda? So cute!"
"Wait a second! That's... a man?!"
"A real, living man?"
Shortly after, they arrived in the capital of Amazon Lily.
As the citizens caught sight of Shaka, waves of shock rippled through the crowd.
Once the misunderstanding was cleared up, Hancock—who normally enforced the strict rule of "no men on the island"—chose to make an exception, leading Shaka into town.
Trailing behind them were Hancock's enormous pet snake, Salome, and the dopey yet adorable giant panda, White Dragon.
The sight immediately caught the attention of Amazon Lily's citizens, drawing a huge crowd.
Some of the older women who had ventured out to sea quickly realized Shaka was, in fact, a man and gasped in astonishment, causing an uproar.
"A man?!"
"Let me see!"
"So that's what a man looks like?"
"Aren't men supposed to be ugly, disgusting, vulgar, and cruel?"
"Yeah, but he doesn't look like that at all!"
"And why would Lady Hancock allow a man to set foot on our island?"
The women of Amazon Lily swarmed around him, eyes gleaming with curiosity as they examined the tall and striking figure before them.
It was unbelievable.
"Everyone, quiet down!"
Hancock took a deep breath, her stunning face carrying an air of undeniable authority.
She raised her voice, declaring, "This is Lord Shaka. He is not like ordinary men—he is an honored guest of the Kuja."
"He once saved the Kuja Pirates from the Navy and has deep ties with past empresses. He is a benefactor of Amazon Lily, and I am granting him special permission to be here!"
She wasn't lying.
Shaka had indeed once rescued the Kuja Pirates from a Navy ambush, which was how he met Fire Blossom and won her heart.
"Lady Hancock!!!"
"Her beauty is overwhelming!"
"Yes, breathtaking!"
"So he's a hero of Amazon Lily?"
"If Lady Hancock approves, then it must be fine!"
"That's right, no problem at all!"
The citizens, captivated by Hancock's beauty and charisma, were quickly swayed.
With lovestruck eyes and admiration-filled cheers, they wholeheartedly accepted her decree.
No one dared question their empress.
"....."