Amazon Lily, Old Pirates and Traditions

__________ POV Narration __________ 

Enel yawned as his expansive army approached the island of Amazon Lily. 

It was still far into the horizon, not quite close enough for his observation haki or radar to reach, but they were getting closer.

And by then, Enel was almost sure that Rayleigh was on the island. And even better, Shiki had confirmed that they would be able to find an old member of the Rocks Pirates there as well.

The Golden Lion did claim that it was highly unlikely for her to join the army, but at least they were going to attempt some sort of late-term recruitment.

Rayleigh was still the main reason why Enel was going there. Having someone else comparable to a Yonko was always a good thing.

Even if he was actually weaker than Shanks and Whitebeard. Upon being returned to his prime, he was going to at least be a useful fighter. 

But as he got closer to the island, he seemed to remember another resident of that island. One that he had not gotten along with too well at all.

'Shit... I hoped to never run into Hancock again, but it seems that Rayleigh is with her...' 

They had spent some odd weeks travelling before the Marineford War, and Enel remembered her being quite the annoying young lady.

He just hoped that she had matured a bit in the meantime and that she wouldn't bother him anymore.

'Well... How bad can it be anyway? She's a grown woman, I'm sure she's got other things to worry about...

I doubt she'll even remember me...' 

"You dirty miser! What are you doing here and what gave you the right to step into my palace?!?" Was the phrase that the Snake Princess used to greet the Sky Emperor. 

 "... So, I see you're doing well." Enel nodded towards her with a smile.

Accompanying him were Shiki and Francisco, one floating in the air and the other sitting on a rock with a curious expression. 

He had descended upon the island on his own as soon as they reached, the flying archipelago stopped and hovered in place right above it.

As always, the people below were well and truly mesmerized by the otherworldly cluster of floating islands. But some also tried to shoot arrows at it, almost instinctually.

The arrows were all imbued with haki, but they were not even able to reach the islands, as they were simply too high up.

The Sky King didn't make a big scene when he descended, he just sighed and appeared in front of the Palace.

Amazon Lily was a relatively large place, but they were also using rather primitive technology, so Enel was able to easily go by unnoticed.

Francisco and Shiki were a bit more noticeable though. They descended with smiles on their faces.

The Kuja Tribeswomen all immediately flocked towards the palace, bows in hand and faces ready for war. 

Naturally, Shiki and Francisco joined up with Enel faster, and the three of them ran into Boa Hancock just as quickly. 

"Hmph! This palace is not open for any men! Take your dirty shoes away from my red carpet!" Hancock was still insistent, as she now spoke to all three of the guests she was receiving. 

"Well, two of us haven't really stepped on anything yet, and one of us can't even step on anything at all..." Francisco rubbed his chin as he responded in his usual nonchalant manner. 

"Tsk! Mero Mero Mellow!" Immediately the Pirate Empress shot out a ray of hearts towards the three men.

Heart after heart passed through all three of them and they just stood there unmoving.

"Umm... Is this girly trying to do something specific?" Shiki stroked his beard as he crossed his bladed legs. 

His mind was obviously free of lust, currently, the only thing he could think of was crushing the World Government and how close they were to doing it. 

He had a rather one-track mind after all, even if he was not dementia ridden anymore. 

"I think she's attacking us?" Francisco rubbed his chin as well, trying to discern what exactly was happening.

He was also not a man to feel lust towards a woman who was likely young enough to be his great-granddaughter. 

 Enel himself had very similar feelings to Francisco when first meeting Hancock as well. He may have changed his stance since he had managed to fall for Robin in the meantime, but Hancock was still annoying in his eyes. 

"Well... Hancock, let's not get violent for no reason. Though I guess this is the requirement for you to allow anyone near you..." Enel shook his head and took a step forward.

The Pirate Empress simply scowled and rose her head up high. 

"I believe we are not on speaking terms at all! You're just a former marine that was interesting, don't get over yourself and think that you can just visit when-"

The young Empress could've kept going endlessly, but Enel already knew how to tame her.

"I've met up with Luffy not too long ago." 

"OH?! Really? Is he ok? How far along is he in his journey? Will he come to visit me? Is he eating well?!?" 

"He's ok. He was on Egghead Island last time I checked. I highly doubt it. And when isn't he eating well?" 

The tone of the conversation changed instantly when Luffy was brought into question.

And immediately, Francisco and Shiki both had their eyes widen.

'Don't tell me... Love sickness?!?' 

They were both very well accustomed to the term. All thanks to their former crewmate... 

It was the small old woman who had just run out of the castle. 

She was dressed in a sea-blue furred coat, and a black and yellow skirt and she had a white snake weapon in her hand, acting as a cane. 

She had flowing white hair, and a small flower in it, which was the only reason that Shiki was able to recognize her instantly. That and her snake weapon. 

"Gloriosa! Holy shit you've shrunk..." Shiki exclaimed as the old lady came towards them, holding onto her white snake cane. 

She immediately got mad at Shiki, as was customary. 

 "... You crude ba-... Francisco? Why the hell are you alive? Wait a minute, why are you both younger?!?" The old lady immediately recognized the two of them. 

 "Elder Nyon? You know these bastards?" Hancock looked confused for a second, before Gloriosa's cane came down on her head, almost making her bite her tongue. 

"Watch your mouth, you stupid kid! You'll get all of us killed!" Gloriosa exclaimed as her body acted almost on instinct, moving at a speed that visibly shocked Hancock. 

"W-wha-"

"They're both legendary pirates... Somehow turned younger, with the help of you, I'm assuming." Gloriosa looked over at Enel for a few seconds before sighing once more.

She seemed to be internally cursing Boa for her carelessness and arrogance. The people who had arrived at their palace were not the type of men that they could afford to offend at all. 

 "No need to get too stressed. We're not here with any bad intentions." Enel seemed to have noticed her concerns and waved them off with a smile on his face. 

"Heh, yeah. And to answer your questions, a lot of shit happened. We can explain over some tea!

Maybe you'll also tell us more about what happened to you after the fiasco at God Valley..." Francisco immediately jumped down from his rock and shook hands with Gloriosa, who now sported a calm smile.

Seeing the young Francisco likely reminded her of her better days. Back in the time when she had left the Kuja Tribe due to her Love Sickness, to chase after a man that could only be described as an unmoving rock...

Xebec was never a sentimental man, much to Gloriosa's misfortune. Even when she was young, and considered the most beautiful woman in the world, she was still not enough to arouse Xebec's interest.

The only thing that truly interested Xebec was power. And Gloriosa being decent in strength was the only reason that he allowed her to tag along with them. 

She was one of few members of the Rocks Pirates who was not blackmailed in some way to join the crew. 

Shiki also landed, and the three old members of the Rocks crew seemed to be stuck in thier own world for a moment, seemingly taken back to an era long passed. 

Hancock looked at the scene with a wary gaze and Enel stood beside her with an awkward expression.

"... So, is Rayleigh here? He's kind of the main reason why we're passing through." Enel turned to her with a calm smile on his face.

Almost immediately, the old right hand of the Pirate King walked out of the palace, scratching the back of his head awkwardly.

"Haha, I guess I wasn't able to hide properly..." The old man had some worn-out clothes on him, he had long white hair and a thick beard. 

Most of his body was covered by a white coat, but he was wearing sandals and had a blade strapped to his waist as well. 

"Rayleigh! I've heard plenty about you..." Enel smiled as he greeted the old man. 

"Old man Rayleigh..." Hancock sighed as she realized that she failed to defend him.

She had jumped out at first, thinking that Enel and his goons were after him. Rayleigh did claim to be expecting them, and she didn't have much content beyond that. 

"I guess it's starting, huh?" Rayleigh took a deep breath as his ears took in the thundering sound of drums.

"Yep. Are you ready to join us? Shanks did claim to have filled you in on the details..." Enel extended his arm towards the Dark King, keeping the same smile plastered onto his face.

"That he did... I guess you're never truly ready for it, huh?" Rayleigh looked into the horizon for a moment, shaking his head as he steeled himself and shook the emperor's hand.

"I'll happily join you. I had wanted a bit more time to explain things to Hancock properly, but I guess this will do." 

The Dark King then walked over to Hancock, who was getting frustrated at being ignored by most people present.

"You see, Hancock... A war is starting, the fall of the World Nobles is imminent at this point. And I'm joining in." The old man smiled at the Pirate Empress, whose eyes seemed to widen, darting back to Enel, and then to the sky. 

"T-then that..." She looked at the sky and gulped for a second.

"Is the army of the Sky King. Their march has begun, and the World Nobles are unlikely to survive regardless of the way this war ends. But I want you to be safe." Rayleigh patted the Pirate Empress's shoulders as he gave her a warm smile. 

"Safe? Of course, I'll be safe! I'll be right beside you!" Hancock immediately shook off the Dark King's arms and looked back at Enel. She walked up to him and looked him square in the eyes, her gaze as serious as could be.

"Tell me... Is Luffy also going to-"

"Yes, as a matter of fact, Luffy will be fighting by my side." Enel smiled as he recalled Luffy's awakened form and his strength. He then noticed the rather shocked look in the eyes of Rayleigh, and decided to continue,

"He's grown a lot since the two of you have seen him, he is now more than strong enough to be called an Emperor." 

"Hmph! Of course! My Luffy is the most talented!" Hancock immediately crossed her arms and exhaled a proud sigh. 

"..." Enel just stared at her, blinking a few times.

"But if he's going, then I am too! There's nothing you can do to stop me..." Hanock immediately pushed out her chest and scowled. 

The Sky King just stared at her blankly.

"... Who said anything about stopping you? If you want on the ride then get on, you're a big girl, you make your own decisions. Just don't annoy me too much." Enel crossed his gauntleted arms and pointed one of his earlobes at her.

Boa's eyes seemed to shine at that, she clenched her fists and smiled brightly.

Rayleigh seemed to have a few objections, but he didn't voice them. Deep down, he knew that Enel was right and that there was no point in stopping the Pirate Empress.

Although he still felt weird since he felt that the Kuja Tribe needed her protection in those trying times...

But then his gaze hovered over to Gloriosa... Who was beating Shiki over the head with her snake cane. 

'Well... I guess history repeats itself, doesn't it?' 

It seemed to almost be a trend at that point. The Empress of every generation of the Kuja Tribe seemed to fall for an outsider and leave the island to chase after them.

Gloriosa with Rocks D. Xebec, Shakuyaku with him, and now Boa Hancock with Luffy.

Each time, the tribe was left to be managed by the elders of that generation. Rayleigh realized that it was now Gloriosa's turn to fill that role. 

"Well then... Rayleigh, Hancock, the two of you can go and get ready... We'll take off as soon as you're ready... To the New World." 

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