Chapter 506-522
Lots of things happened since Chap 505. The crew escaped via Rayleigh's help and they stop over at Shakky's bar where Chopper treats Hachi's wounds and Luffy rummage through her fridge (again). The crew asked him several questions. Robin asked Rayleigh what is the meaning of "D" and Rayleigh asked whether she really wants him to tell her. Robin gave another thought and finally said she prefers to find out the answer on her own. Usopp then proceed to ask Rayleigh if there really is One Piece at the end of Grandline and before Rayleigh could say a word, Luffy screamed for Usopp to stop. He said that it is unfair that everyone had to go through storm and travel through hardship to find out and that they easily get the answer from asking Rayleigh. He also did not want to know as he wants to find out if there really is One Piece. If Rayleigh tell them now, he will quit being a pirate because to him, this is not a game.
Upon that, Rayleigh will need about several days to a week for him to create the protection thingy for their ship to travel to Mermaid Island. And while that, they have to start running away and avoid being caught by the marines for laying a hand on the tenryuubito.
While they were running away, the pirates were confronted by one of the shichibukai - Kuma. However that is not the real Kuma, it's more like a prototype of Kuma, and there's more than one. For now, they are too weak against the strong marines and Luffy's strategy is to run and hide. They separate themselves into 3 groups: Usopp, Zoro and Nami. Sanji, Brooks and Franky while Luffy, Chopper and Robin are together in a group - running to separate directions.
But with Kuma, one of the Admiral (forgot his name... Yellow Monkey I think) and another Dr something, they are no match for them. While all of them are busy trying to run off, the real Kuma appeared. He made one-by-one of the strawhat crew disappear. but before that, he said: "I hope you know that this is also hard for me."
Luffy cried. He was angry at himself for being unable to save his nakama.
He was transported by Kuma to a country of women. Men are forbidden to enter the island (but worst of all is that they have never seen men, thus not knowing that Luffy is a man). So when Luffy accidentally ate the growing mushroom (which grew all over his body), they took him bac, cleaned him and wondered what is that "thing" between his legs.
When an elder told the girls that he's actually a "man", they imprisoned him and wanted to kill him before their hebihime queen of the island is back.
On the other side, Hebihime is back to the island. The marines came over to get her as she is a shichibukai. No, they are not here to capture here - but ensure she joins them in the fight against the white beard. Reason being, Ace was captured and will soon be executed in MarieJoa. The marines have already foresee WhiteBeard - that they will save their crew - Ace. Therefore all the shichibukai must gather and standby.
But hebihime is not whom they think she is. She hates the government and thus refuses to go. She went back to her castle. Everything is fine until Luffy breaks out and ended up in hebihime's castle to which she was bathing with her 2 sisters. She has something on her back that she refuses to let anyone see even if she had to die. And unfortunately Luffy saw it. and he said, "It looks familiar."
They captured him and hebihime turned the 3 women who saved Luffy into stone. Luffy was worried and angry. He asked hebihime to turned them back but she refused. He needs to fight her two sisters as well. Luffy won the fight but one of the snake sister's shirt was burnt. her back was exposed and seeing that, Luffy dashed forward to cover her back. The other sister who is oblivious to what's happening asked her other sister to attack Luffy. but she knew better. So does Hebihime. The sister asked Luffy why he protects them and he replied, "Didn't you mention that you would not want anyone to see it even if you had to die?" and upon hearing that, hebihime cried.
Hebihime evacuated the crowd and then asked Luffy. He can have only 1 wish (because she knew he has got 2 wishes.... 1) to get a ship so that he could go back to Bubble Island 2) to save the 3 women who got turned into stone). Her intention is to expose his selfish true nature. but he said without hesitation: to turn the women into human again... he even bowed to her on his knees. She was so shocked that no words came out.
Hebihime called for Luffy to her castle. She showed him the picture on her back. It's a tattoo with a round shape and two small triangles on top. Luffy said it looks similar to the symbol of a sun which he saw on Hachi's forehead, but apparently this is not the same. Hebihime finally revealed her tale. Seems like she and her 2 sisters used to be tenryuubito's slave when they were young. They went through lots of torture, pain and humiliation and the mark is a sign they are slaves. She will never forget that. Then the elder appeared and said that Luffy actually kicked the tenryuubito, causing him to be chased by the marines. Hibehime finished her story and then asked Luffy is he looks down on her, and he said, "Like I told you, I hate the tenryuubito."
Hebihime was happy and she agreed to give him a ship so that he can sail off.
Chapter 522
I hate to say this, but this is the first time Luffy's so popular with the women. Sanji would have died for this much attention.
While Luffy was escaping from the women who wanted to pull and pinch him, Margaret brought him to the place where Elder resides. Elder likes to read the newspaper and she told him a little bout hebihime. Then elder complaint that hebihime is at risk of losing her title of Shichibukai is she refuses to head to the marine's headquarter as part of the team. and then she elaborates that all this is done in preparation for Ace's execution.
Luffy was dumbfounded. He have no idea that Ace was captured, and even worse, not waiting to be executed.
Much as Luffy hates to make this decision, Ace is still his brother and he love his brother more than anything in this world. He knew that Ace might be angry at him for his attempt, but he still wants to save him! He will need to make a detour to MarieJoa before heading to Bubble Island. Problem is, Ace's execution is in another 6 days' time and Luffy hasn't got much time to travel. His best option would be to get Hebihime to join the Shichibukai so that he could sneak into the marine's ship with her. The marine will go through a special route which only takes 4 days instead of a week.
Unfortunately, before Luffy could see Hebihime, she had fallen sick!!!
Elder suspects it's an incurable disease that another empress suffered before she passed away.
Funny thing was, when Elder told Hebihime that Luffy wanted to see her in regard to a favour, she got up all of a sudden as though she is well!
And Luffy told her what happened and what he needs to do.
And hebihime cooooooooooooomply happily!!!
YES, it's totally unbelievable because no matter how Elder begged and threatened, Hebihime refused to go!
AND THE POWER OF LOVE INDEEEEEEED!!!
I can't wait till d next chapter!
