"Gloriosa-sama, it's such a relief that you're safe..."

  In a town filled with cssical charm, a strikingly beautiful and curvaceous warrior from the Kuja Pirates hurried over. From her dimensional pouch, she pulled out a neer aured tloriosa, who erched on a rooftop. With disbelief in her voice, she asked, "But we heard earlier that you were captured by the Navy. Was that fake news spread by them?"

  For a moment, the townsfolk looked up at Gloriosa in fusion. How could she possibly be back? Had the Navy released her out of goodwill? Had she escaped? Or was the news of her capture simply false information spread by the Navy?

  "Hiss…"

  At that moment, a deep blue serpent slithered over and coiled itself around Gloriosa’s body, flig its tongue affeately. Gloriosa smiled warmly as she stroked it. "Hehe, Sara, I thought I’d never see you again."

  It was on for Kuja warriors to have snake panions in battle. With their extraordinary flexibility and strength, these serpents could transform into bows, their heads and tails ag as anchors for bs. The warriors used them to fire arrows and could bend them into various useful shapes as his deep blue venomous snake, Sara, was her loyal pet.

  "Alright, everyone, calm down. Yes, I was indeed captured by the Navy because I was outnumbered," Gloriosa said, addressing the gathered townsfolk. She nodded openly and tinued, "But fortunately, on the way to Enies Lobby, I was rescued by this man—the captain of the Fallen Angel Pirates and the King of Totto Land."

  "Huh?"

  "Who is he?"

  "So tall!"

  "The Fallen Angel, El?"

  "Yes, it’s him! I reize him!"

  "The man who opposes the Wover, called the world’s most dangerous criminal…"

  "Thank you, El-sama."

  "We’re so grateful! Thank you for saving Gloriosa-sama!"

  The townsfolk and Kuja warriors turheir gaze toward El, whose t figure stood with wings unfurled and fmes radiating from the back of his head. Many were stunned by his presence, while others, familiar with curres, reized him immediately. Despite their shock, all expressed heartfelt gratitude for saving their beloved Gloriosa-sama.

  "Wait a sed…"

  "El-sama is a man, isn’t he?"

  "What? He’s a man?!"

  "Is this what the legendary men look like?"

  "But… Kuja w prohibits men from entering!"

  "What nonsense! He’s Gloriosa-sama’s savior!"

  "Gloriosa-sama is the Empress of Amazon Lily! If she says he stay, then he stay!"

  The debate grew louder, especially as some seasoned women—those who had traveled and borne children—remarked with astonishment that El was a man. The women of the isnd, who had never seen a man before, wideheir eyes and stared at El in disbelief. Many stood frozen, their curiosity piqued, scrutinizing him closely.

  Aside from the Kuja Pirates who ventured out to sea and a few women who chose to have children, no one had ever left the isnd. Due to the try’s strict ws, any man who set foot on the isnd was forbidden, and discussions about men were equally prohibited.

  Even those who returned mysteriously pregnant after sailing with the Kuja Pirates remained silent about their experiences and the outside world. Instead, they sternly taught their daughters and the isnd’s women that men were deceitful, sinister, ugly, and vile creatures. They warhem o speak to men or believe their lies. Over time, this perception became deeply ingrained.

  But now, standing before them was El, the Fallen Angel and savior of Gloriosa-sama, who didn’t match the monstrous image they had been taught. Some women eve an overwhelming urge to rush forward and examine him up close, to see what made a man truly different from a woman.

  "Enough! El is my savior, and he is an exception!" Gloriosa crossed her arms and addressed the crowd sternly, her voice demanding respect. "You must show him the same respect you show me. Uood?"

  "Yes, Gloriosa-sama!"

  After these ret events, Gloriosa had solidified her pce as a revered leader. Her willio sacrifice herself to protect the Kuja Pirates and the people of Amazon Lily had left a profound impa everyohe citizens and warriors now revered her as a heroic figure, and no one dared disobey her orders.

  Later that evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, Gloriosa—now dressed in a stunning red qipao—succumbed to exhaustion ihe paestled within the mountains. She fell into a deep sleep. El, still brimming with energy, shook his head with a faint smile. After quickly tidying up, he left a few instrus with the blushing, aids before leaving the pace to wander leisurely around the isnd.

  Maintaining a modest height of three meters, El didn’t stand out mu Amazon Lily. After all, this was a try that celebrated strength and power. Many women here were tall and muscur, with some even t over him.

  "Wow!"

  "It’s El-sama!"

  "So this is what a man looks like?"

  "Are those wings real? Are they attached to his back?"

  "So fasating! Are all men from the outside world like this?"

  "Wait, El-sama, please stop!"

  His distinctive wings drew a growing number of female citizens and warriors. Their curiosity got the better of them as they reached out to touch him, poking and prodding at his wings and arms.

  As news of his presence spread, more women—ranging from elderly grandmothers to young girls—came rushing over. Despite his usually thick-skinned demeanor, El found himself overwhelmed. He eventually fpped his wings and took to the skies, narrowly esg the overly enthusiastic crowd.

  However, as he soared above, he noticed a small girl ging to his leg, refusing to let go. El’s lips twitched as he quickly desded to a nearby hill, ed she might fall.

  With a gentle flick to her forehead, he scolded, "You kid, do you have any idea how dangerous that was?"

  "Ouch! That hurt!"

  The girl, her bck hair tied into a sleek ponytail, rubbed her reddened forehead. She released El’s leg, looked up at him with wide, determined eyes, and decred loudly, "El-sama, I’m not a kid! My name is Peony, and one day I’ll bee a great Kuja warrior just like Gloriosa-sama!"

  "Oh, Peony, is it?" El raised an eyebrow in surprise, immediately guessing her identity. This little girl would one day succeed Gloriosa as the Empress of Amazon Lily. She would ter leave the isnd, adopt the name Shakuyaku (Shakky), and open the infamous “Shakky’s Rip-Off Bar” on the Sabaody Archipego. Her boldness was no surprise—no wonder she dared to g to his leg.

  "That’s right! My name is Peony!" Nodding firmly, she ched her small fists and stared up at him with a mix of curiosity aermination. "El-sama, could you tell me about the outside world?"

  "The outside world?" Seeing the i, eager look on her face, El couldn’t help but chuckle. Feeling mischievous, he grinned and teased, "e here, little Peony. Uncle’s got some dy for you." With a pyful smirk, he added, "Want to follow Uncle and have some fun?"

  Bleam