Chapter 68: Arrangements

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The sea was utterly still, not a breath of wind stirring—this was the Calm Belt.

“Uncle Carmile, how much longer until we reach the island you mentioned?” Luffy asked, sitting at the prow and calling out to Carmile, who was sunbathing on the deck.

Zoro and the others, who were on alert for Sea Kings nearby, glanced over curiously as well. None of them had ever been to the Calm Belt before. Fortunately, the ship they were on was capable of sailing even when there was no wind; they had to admit, the mechanical man who designed this vessel had done a remarkable job.

Carmile lay comfortably on his recliner, glanced at Luffy, and replied with a faint smile, “We’re almost there. Another day, I’d say. Hey, Sanji, the whole island is full of women—you’re in for a treat.” This last part was directed at Sanji, who was sitting by the ship’s rail. Upon hearing Carmile’s words, Sanji’s eyes instantly turned into hearts.

Olivia was not surprised—she had been to that island once, together with Robin. They had stayed for half a year before finally leaving.

Nami, however, frowned. All women? Then why are you on that island? she wondered. Though they’d heard plenty of legends about Carmile, not many people actually knew the islands he frequented. Most pirates and civilians had no idea. While lots of people knew about Amazon Lily and its empress, Boa Hancock, few knew that Carmile, one of the Four Emperors renowned across the world, was stationed on that very island.

Heh, almost home at last! Sengoku, I killed Kizaru—what will you do about it?

This thought brought a faint smile to Carmile’s lips.

...

One day later, Amazon Lily.

“Hancock, what are you thinking about?” Robin, resting her chin in her hands, asked Hancock, who was also sitting atop the palace roof.

Fiddling with the tiles, Hancock furrowed her brow slightly. “Sister Robin, what do you think that scoundrel Carmile went out to do? What’s so good out there? Wouldn’t it be better if he just stayed on the island?”

Robin’s lips curved into a bewitching smile. “Heh, men always have their own business to attend to. We just need to do what we must and love him well. Let him be.”

“Mm.” Hancock agreed with Robin. Men were truly inscrutable. Well, as long as she did her part as Carmile’s loving wife, that was enough. Why bother thinking so much?

“Hm?” Robin looked to her side as Ice Phoenix suddenly appeared beside her.

“That scoundrel is back. I just spread my senses and detected him, but he’s brought about a dozen others with him,” Ice Phoenix said, raising an eyebrow as she sat beside Robin, her indignation evident. All three women felt a bit upset that Carmile had gone off alone without them this time.

“Really? Let’s go greet him. Hey, Hancock, the Carmile you’ve been pining for day and night is back,” Robin called out to Hancock, who was not far away.

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“Really? Let’s go! Sister Robin, Sister Ice Phoenix, let’s go greet him together.” Hancock smiled; just as they’d mentioned Carmile, he had returned. She decided to forgive him this time, since he hadn’t been away for too long anyway. With that, Hancock took the lead, leaping toward the fortress’s summit. Robin and Ice Phoenix exchanged a smile and followed.

...

“Wow, that’s Amazon Lily? It’s spectacular!” Usopp exclaimed dramatically, clinging to the ship’s rail.

Indeed, Amazon Lily was breathtakingly beautiful. The natural fortress formed by volcanic eruptions was especially awe-inspiring—unlike any island the Straw Hats had seen before.

“Yes, it’s truly beautiful,” Nami said, her excitement evident.

Meanwhile, Sanji, ever the hopeless romantic, already had heart-shaped eyes. “Wow, this is wonderful! I can already smell the scent of girls!”

Zoro remained level-headed, not as swept up in excitement as the others. He merely glanced at Carmile—if this guy had called Hawk-Eye here, there was nothing to worry about. When the news bird delivered the newspaper yesterday, everyone was shocked by what they read. It seemed the navy was planning something big, gathering the Seven Warlords. The paper specifically mentioned an attack on this island. But since Carmile didn’t seem concerned, Zoro felt a bit more at ease. After all, they didn’t want to escape the wolf’s jaws just to land in the tiger’s den.

“We’re here. Dock in that bay,” Carmile called, rising from his recliner and effortlessly leaping onto the ship’s rail, surveying the surroundings.

Soon, the Thousand Sunny was moored.

From the edge of the jungle emerged three beautiful women: Ice Phoenix in her customary white, Robin in tight purple denim, and Hancock in her empress attire—a red cheongsam adorned with black skulls.

Seeing the three women on shore, Carmile scratched his head. He hadn’t expected Robin and the others to come welcome them.

As for everyone aboard—especially that hopeless Sanji—his legs had gone weak, barely able to move.

Nami glanced at Ice Phoenix. She’d met Robin and Hancock before, but not Ice Phoenix. Still, why did all three women look at Carmile the same way—with that same resentful expression?

Carmile looked at everyone. “Come, let me introduce you.” His words immediately drew everyone’s attention.

With a light leap, he landed ashore. Looking at the three women, he pulled Robin into his arms. “This is Nico Robin, my beloved. You’ve met her before. And don’t provoke her—she’s very strong.” Robin gave Carmile a sidelong glance—what kind of introduction was that? And did he really have to hug her?

Everyone nodded, and the newcomers learned more about her thanks to Sanji’s eager introductions.

Carmile turned to Ice Phoenix, grinning mischievously as he pulled her into his arms. “This is Ice Phoenix, also my beloved. You’re meeting her for the first time. Get to know each other.” As he let her go, Ice Phoenix pinched his waist hard. Still, she smiled and greeted everyone aboard.

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Ice Phoenix’s pure smile immediately captivated all the men on board—and as for the wolf among the Straw Hats, his eyes were nearly popping out of his head.

When Carmile approached Hancock, she didn’t wait for him—she threw herself into his embrace, rubbing her cheek against his broad shoulder before releasing him. Facing the Straw Hats, she announced, “I am Boa Hancock. On behalf of Amazon Lily, I welcome you.” She flashed a dazzling smile—truly, Hancock deserved her reputation as the most beautiful woman in the world of pirates. The power of her smile was nothing short of devastating.

Introductions quickly finished. To everyone’s amazement, Robin went to stand beside Olivia. Their relationship was now clear to all. Anyone unaware of the truth would have taken them for sisters.

Carmile took the lead, guiding everyone deeper into the island. Along the way, he shared his intentions with the three women, who all nodded in agreement. Hancock, however, raised one point: men could not enter the inner sanctum. Sanji was devastated, but Carmile agreed with her suggestion.

They reached a massive stone wall. As the others watched in confusion, Carmile drew the Purple Sovereign, leapt lightly into the air, and hovered above the ground. He swung the sword several times at the wall. Zoro’s eyes lit up at the sight.

There was no visible blade energy, but space itself seemed to pause. To the Straw Hats’ astonishment, a massive cavity appeared in the rock face—ten meters wide, one meter high, and three meters deep. The space was suspended over three meters above the ground, materializing without warning or sound. The hard stone had been swept to dust by Carmile’s blade, leaving no trace behind.

“The men from your crew will stay here from now on. Hancock will arrange a place for you, Nami. Sanji, food duties are yours. There are still some dangerous beasts on the island, and plenty of giant Sea Kings in the surrounding waters. I need to prepare the island’s defenses for the battle coming in a few days.” Without waiting for a reply, Carmile vanished.

The three women exchanged glances and nodded. Ice Phoenix took Nami’s hand, and they both disappeared before the others’ eyes. Robin and Olivia vanished together as well.

Hancock looked at the remaining group, including the little reindeer. “You’ll be staying here from now on. Without Carmile’s permission, you may not enter the inner fortress. If you break the rules, well—don’t complain if you end up dead.” With that, Hancock too vanished before their eyes.

Everyone stared in shock at the spot where they’d vanished. Could this really be the power of Devil Fruits? All of them could disappear in an instant. Even the strongest among them—Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji—hadn’t sensed a thing when Carmile and the others moved. The difference in strength was simply too vast.

“Let’s get ready. Enjoy yourselves today, because the navy will be here soon. Once we defeat them, our real training begins,” Luffy said, turning to everyone with a grave expression.

...

That’s all for today. The navy arrives in the next chapter—heh!

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