Bath Time

A massive stone gate carved with a sun-like symbol opens with a loud "GAKON..." and "ギギィ...." as the Kuja ship sails through. Voices shout "LADY HEBIHIME HAS RETURNED!!!" and "OPEN THE GATES!!!" while the ground rumbles "ゴゴゴゴゴゴゴゴゴゴ....". Crowds of Kuja warriors cheer wildly, raising their hands. Speech bubbles exclaim "WE GOT A HUGE HAUL!! ZAHAHAHAHA!!", "WELCOME HOME, KUJA PIRATES!!", "WELCOME HOME!!!", and "KYAAA, RAN!! DAISY!!". A massive celebratory roar "わああああああああああ" fills the air as the ship docks amid the excited throng.

Boa Hancock strides forward in an ornate black-and-white outfit with a long flowing cape, flanked by her sisters. The crowd reacts in awe: "LADY HEBIHIME!!!", "HER BEAUTY KNOWS NO BOUNDS!!", "IT'S THE GORGON SISTERS!!", "LADY SANDERSONIA!!", "LADY MARIGOLD!!", "KYAAAA!!!", "THEY'RE SO COOL.....!!!", and "I'M GONNA JOIN THEM SOMEDAY!". In smaller panels, Hancock replies "NO, NOT A THING..." and asks "HAS ANYTHING CHANGED HEREI". A Kuja woman answers "THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU'VE DONE, WE HAVE PREPARED YOUR CARRIAGE."

Kuja pirates discuss their plunder: "AND RIGHT BEFORE WE GOT BACK, WE TOOK THE CARGO OF A GOVERNMENT SHIP!", "WE PLUNDERED TWO MERCHANT SHIPS AND A PIRATE SHIP.", and "THIS IS AN AMAZING HAUL!! STEEL, GUNPOWDER, SAKE, AND PRODUCE FROM THE NORTH!!". Hancock hands over a newspaper, saying "HERE YOU GO." and "THE GOVERNMENT SHIP WE MET JUST NOW HAD THIS NEWSPAPER." Elder Nyon asks "RAN, DID YOU GET ANY BOOKSI" while being greeted "ELDER NYON!". At the grand Kuja Castle marked "Amazon Lily, Kuja Castle", voices call "WELCOME BACK, LADY HEBIHIME.", "WELCOME BACK!", and "... ENISHIDA, WHAT ISI" as the group arrives.

Women discuss a clay statue of Lady Hebi-hime that village children made and carried carefully to the castle. One says, "They carried it to the castle very carefully, so as not to break it. It was very cute..." Another adds, "They even painted it... I'm sure that it was very difficult for them." A third notes, "A clay statue of you, Lady Hebi-hime, that the children from the village worked hard on." Hancock replies, "Ah, that is..." The statue suddenly shatters across the floor. Hancock declares, "It's ruining the decor of this room. It's so ugly...!!! They made me out of clay..." She orders, "Just throw it away and clean up the floor!! More importantly, Enishida..." Enishida answers, "Y... yes, ma'amI" Other voices shout, "Don't bring such filthy things into the castle!!" and "AAAAH, LADY HEBIHIME!!I"

Hancock stands with her back turned as a voice reports, "...Ah, about that... It seems that a dangerous 'monkey' was spotted in the jungle..." She replies, "I didn't see the warriors defending our kingdom at the port." The speaker continues, "And so, they all went to subdue it!!! But do not worry, they will return soon. My apologies that they were unable to receive you." In another room, a snake coils around a table while someone asks, "Would you like something to drinkI" A voice answers, "Nuoro nuoro." A blonde woman wonders, "A monkey...I Well, whatever..." Hancock commands, "Bring me some white sake." A large snake woman responds, "Right away, ma'am." Another asks, "Might I have a cup as well!I"

Elder Nyon enters the grand hall and is confronted by Hancock, who asks, "Elder Nyon...!!! This is my room, why are you in hereI" Elder Nyon retorts, "I can enter from wherever I want...!!!" Startled attendants cry out, "Where did you come from!I" and "E... Elder Nyon...!!!" Elder Nyon presses on, "There's a government ship anchored in the waters near here, isn't there...I" An attendant stammers, "... Excuse me, Lady Hebi-hime...!" Another asks, "... Have you forgotten my titleI" Hancock glares as Elder Nyon shouts, "Wait, Hebi-hime!!! Throw her out!"

Elder Nyon continues, "The government has ordered you to assemble, and has sent them to escort you, rightI That ship has come to retrieve you. Am I wrongI" She warns, "As long as you cooperate, the treaty will be upheld. And with your powers, your life will never be in danger." Hancock snaps, "Why didn't you go!! You must go with them!!!" Elder Nyon answers, "Yes, it is an invitation to war..." Hancock's face twists in fear with hearts appearing as she thinks, "I'm so scared..." while muttering, "But..." Elder Nyon pleads, "Elder Nyon... Now's not the time for that!!!" as Hancock recoils with a snake hissing nearby.

Long ago, the Calm Belt was our greatest defense, protecting us from foreign invaders. Right now... our country... is being protected by your status as a Shichibukai. They do not interfere with this island, despite the Kuja pirates' actions. It is because you are a Shichibukai that... But now, the government has developed new technology that allows their ships to cross that sea... A woman with a snake addresses the seated Empress Boa Hancock, who lounges on a massive serpent. In a close-up, Hancock holds a crystal ball and speaks to the old woman: Are you just worried for your own well-beingI The former empress Gloriosa shouts desperately: We have children and the elderly here, too!!! If you lose your title and we return to being just another pirate country... it will end in tragedy!!! The old woman peers into her crystal ball, saying Take a good look into this crystal ball... It will illuminate your future....I've led a good life, and I don't care when I die...

Yes, immediately!! Throw her out!!! You're so annoying!!! Wait!! Hebihime!! Gloriosa is shoved aside as the crystal ball shatters with a loud impact. Hancock glares coldly. Gloriosa yells: Former-former-former empress of Amazon Lily, Gloriosa!! Just who do you think you are...I Your time is long over... There you go again! Lady Hebihime, that pose shows you look down on others too much!! But rather than looking down, you're looking up!! I'm beautiful!! All will forgive me. Because of my whims... Even if this country is destroyed. Hancock strikes a dramatic pose while the old woman reacts in shock.

The only reason you were accepted back was because the previous empress showed you mercy. And then you shamelessly came back. Abandoned this country and went out to sea!!! You're a traitor to the Kuja who, while you were the empress... Then you just go on living that way... I am the empress now, and you have no right to speak to me!! That's why I live by myself on the outskirts of the village!! Ow ow ow...!!! So you understand, Hebihime... I'm glad that I spoke with you!! But, I cannot help but admire your passion. It's my loss... Lady Hebihime!!! Thank you!! So you'll go for us!!I Gloriosa pleads while Hancock remains stern; background Kuja women watch the confrontation in the grand hall.

Get out of my sight!!! Just kidding. Don't get carried away.!!! I slipped... How could you do that to an old lady!!! Lady Hebihime!!! Oooohh-hhhh!!! Damn you, Hebi-himeee! Gloriosa is hurled from the balcony with a loud crash. She declares: I may have grown old, but I'm still a Kuja warrior!!! Elder Nyon!I Haiyaa!!! Oh yes, yes, that happens all the time. Kuja warriors react in panic as Gloriosa falls dramatically, landing in a heap while Hancock smiles from above.

Bells ring wildly across the towering castle of Amazon Lily as the announcement echoes: "LADY HEBIHIME'S BATH!!!" "IT IS NOW TIME FOR..." "KANKAN-KANKAN!!!" Kuja warriors scramble in panic. "QUICKLY, GET OUTSIDE!!!" "NO, NO, WE HAVE TO HURRY!!" "...B...BUT I'M EATING." "LADY HEBIHIME IS TAKING A BATH!" "GET OUT OF THE CASTLE AT ONCE!!" A woman with curly hair protests while clutching food at the table. Below, more residents react as the castle empties: "THE STORES ARE GONNA GET CROWDED WITH EVERYONE FROM THE CASTLE OUT HERE." "OH, IT'S BATH TIME..." A cloaked figure and others hurry down the stone paths while a warrior dashes away from the scene.

A massive banner declares "BATH TIME" as the castle gates are sealed. "ENTERING THE CASTLE IS FORBIDDEN!!!" "FROM NOW ON," Kuja warriors stand guard with snakes coiled around them. Inside smaller panels, young girls gossip: "I'M EIGHT." "...HOW OLD ARE YOUI" "WELL, I'LL LET YOU IN ON THE SECRET." "IT'S SUCH A BIG DEALI" "HOW COME EVERY TIME LADY HEBIHIME TAKES A BATH..." "DOES SHE NOT WANT TO BE SEEN NAKED THAT MUCH...I" The conversation turns serious as one girl recalls the legend: "SHE WAS A FEARSOME MONSTER WHO WOULD TURN YOU TO STONE IF YOU LOOKED HER IN THE EYES." "THE 'GORGON' WAS A MONSTER THAT LIVED LONG AGO IN THE CENTRAL SEA." "AT THE END OF THEIR ADVENTURES, LADY HEBIHIME AND HER SISTERS..." "THE SECRET... OF THE THREE GORGON SISTERSI" "THAT'S RIGHT!"

The tale continues with close-ups of the Gorgon sisters' terrified faces: "PLACED A TERRIBLE CURSE ON THEM." "SOMEHOW MANAGED TO DEFEAT THE GORGON MONSTER!" "THE MONSTER'S HUGE EYES WERE ENGRAVED ON LADY HEBIHIME AND HER SISTERS' BACKS." "BUT WITH HER LAST BREATH, THE GORGON..." The explanation deepens: "AND THAT'S WHY THE GORGON SISTERS NEVER TAKE OFF THEIR CLOTHES WHEN THERE'S ANYBODY AROUND." "ALL THOSE CLOSE TO ARE TURNED TO STONE." "WHEN THEY TAKE OFF THEIR CLOTHES AND REVEAL THE EYES..." Barriers are shown protecting the area. "BY PUTTING UP THESE BARRIERS." A young warrior exclaims "EH!" as the story concludes with pride: "DO YOU UNDERSTANDI" "YEAH!! I UNDERSTAND!" "AND SO IT'S ALSO THE PRIDE OF THE KUJA AND OUR WARRIOR NATION." "IT'S A CURSE THAT THEY RECEIVED BY FIGHTING BRAVELY." "...!!! SO THAT'S WHY..." Lady Hebi-hime soaks in the bath while a servant watches from above: "LADY HEBIHIME SURE IS AMAZING."

Far from the castle, a blonde Kuja warrior worries: "HE COULDN'T HAVE GONE BACK INTO THE VILLAGE, COULD HEI" "HE WAS LOOKING FOR A BOAT!!" Meanwhile, Luffy has climbed the mountain path. "HE CLIMBED UP THE MOUNTAIN!!" "WHERE DID HE GOI" A sign reads "Island of Women, Jungle." Luffy stands on a stone pillar overlooking the sea, thinking aloud: "...NO, NAMI'S NOT HERE. IF I SET SAIL ON MY OWN, I'D JUST BE ADRIFT." "IF I COULD BORROW IT, THAT WOULD BE GREAT..." "SHE SAID THEY HAD A PIRATE SHIP." "...WHAT DO I DO NOW...I" "IF I JUST STAY HERE, THEY'LL FIND ME AGAIN." He decides: "I'LL JUST ASK THEM IF THEY'LL TAKE ME TO THE SHABONDY ARCHIPELAGO!!" "IT WOULD BE BEST IF I CAN HITCH A RIDE WITH THEM."

Luffy stands on a rooftop, sweat dripping as he thinks aloud, "IMPORTANT PEOPLE LIVE IN TALL BUILDINGS... SO... I FEEL LIKE I'M GETTING A FEVER FROM THINKING TOO HARD." He points to his head and decides, "THEN TO DO THAT, I'LL NEED TO MEET WITH SOMEONE IMPORTANT." With a determined grin he shouts, "ALL RIGHT, I'LL JUST ENTER A TALL BUILDING!!" and leaps off, yelling "HERE WE GO!!" as he crashes through scaffolding with a loud "たんっ!!" and a massive "ビュウウウウウ" impact. Below, Kuja warriors panic: "AAHHHH-!" One cries, "IT'S GOING TO BE A HUGE MESS IF THAT MAN IS DISCOVERED!!!" Another warns, "LADY HEBIHIME HAS PROBABLY ALREADY RETURNED!!" and a third orders, "HURRY BACK TO THE VILLAGE!!!"

Luffy smashes through the roof with a huge "ドゴォン!!" and "バキバキ" sounds, screaming "DOWAAA!! IT BROKE!!" The castle tower roof collapses in a thunderous "GASHAAAN!!" Kuja women stare in shock: "WHAT!!I THE ROOF OF THE CASTLE TOWER COLLAPSED!!" and "ISN'T THAT WHERE LADY HEBIHIME IS TAKING HER BATH!I" Inside the bathhouse, Luffy lands in the steaming water yelling "I'M DYING!! I'M DROWNING!! HELP..." while women shriek "HOT HOT HOT!!" and "BUHOOO, IT'S HOT WATER!!"

Luffy surfaces in the bath with a splash "ZABU!!" and blurts "HUH!I THIS IS A BATH HOUSEI" A woman with long dark hair turns, noticing something on his back and asking "HMI THAT THING ON YOUR BACK" while Luffy mutters "I'VE SEEN IT SOMEWHERE..." She freezes in realization: "....I A MAN....I" Her eyes widen in fury as she shouts "YOU SAW IT!!" with a sharp "はっ!!" reaction from Luffy nearby.

No description for this page.