To uncover the truth, Hikaru nodded in response. With a single thought, he used his ability to read the minds of everyone present, finding exactly what he needed.
[The Lord God agreed! Of course, the Lord God has no shortage of gold, silver, treasures, fine clothes, or delicious food. Only by offering beautiful women can we win the Lord God's favor!]
[Why haven't Rick and the others recovered yet? The news has spread throughout the village. If he fails, the gods will surely be furious... Please don't let me be caught in their wrath!]
[I never expected such good fortune today. First, the God appeared, and then a group of foreign women arrived. I offered them all to the God. I wonder what gift the God will bestow upon us!]
Foreign women?
Hikaru was momentarily stunned. His Observation Haki quickly expanded to cover all of Asuka Island.
Near the largest harbor on the island, the locals were wielding various weapons and confronting three slave ships offshore.
The two groups shouted back and forth, with the slave ships mercilessly bombarding the residents, yet every shot somehow missed its target and struck the shoreline instead.
In the harbor, an ornately decorated ship hastily rowed toward an inland river. Many elegantly dressed women huddled inside the cabin, trembling with fear.
A sturdy woman dressed as a guard stood vigilantly on deck, spear in hand, scanning her surroundings with caution.
The residents of Asuka Island made no move to stop them. They watched with subtle smiles as the ship traveled deeper along the river. They knew elite warriors were already lying in ambush further inland...
"The 'gift' you're talking about—would that be the women on the ship heading inland?" Hikaru withdrew his Observation Haki and asked casually.
"You truly are worthy of being called God! Your omniscience and omnipotence make our admiration as endless as the sea itself!"
Hikaru looked at the man in surprise. He hadn't expected this seemingly casual fellow to be such a shameless flatterer. No wonder he had dared approach and speak to him.
"Leave now. I will collect your 'gifts' myself."
"Yes, Lord God!"
Afterward, Hikaru went inside to give instructions to Nami and the others, then transformed into a flash of lightning and flew above the ship.
He didn't immediately board to investigate, but instead glanced toward the three slave ships outside the harbor.
From here, he could clearly see the clown-shaped pirate flag flying from the slave ships.
Doflamingo...
Sky Island was about to reach the New World, yet Doflamingo hadn't contacted him. Was he worried about being outmaneuvered, or did he simply not take seriously a wanted criminal with a mere 300 million berry bounty?
No matter—the result would be the same either way.
Hikaru raised his hand and made a sweeping motion. An electric field spread instantly, enveloping the three slave ships.
After confirming there were no Devil Fruit users or women aboard the slave ships, he swung his arm. A dazzling flash of lightning burst forth, drawing everyone's attention.
"God's Judgment!"
In the next moment, a terrifying pillar of lightning appeared, striking all three slave ships simultaneously at an impossible angle, leaving only smoldering wreckage consumed by raging flames.
"It's God! It must be God taking action!"
Faced with this seemingly apocalyptic display of power, the residents of Asuka Island immediately attributed it to their deity.
Ignoring their fervent cheers, Hikaru's lips curled into a slight smile as his form vanished, reappearing at the bow of the magnificent ship below.
The "burly" female guard was confronting a formidable enemy, and without awaiting orders, the other female guards rushed... behind her for protection.
Hikaru swept his gaze over everyone, his voice calm yet amplified by electric current, clearly reaching into the cabin.
"Everyone, come out. The slave hunters pursuing you have all been eliminated."
"Your Excellency is—"
The large woman collapsed to the deck with a thunderous impact before she could finish speaking, losing consciousness instantly.
"Captain!"
The guards cried out reflexively, terrified by the display.
"I'm not here to debate. Since we're in another's territory, you need only obey my commands."
The pressure Hikaru exerted was too overwhelming to resist. Finally, one of the guards moved to open the cabin door.
Squeak
The cabin door opened, though not by the guard's hand but by the dancers inside.
They emerged timidly in single file, as Hikaru assessed each one's appearance.
Not bad at all~
Most of these women were far from ordinary. Their figures alone would qualify them as beauties, with attractive, distinctive faces as well.
Wait... they're dressed like performers. Could these women be a dance troupe?
A moment later, a purple-haired woman with generous curves and a slender waist caught his attention.
She wore a tiara inlaid with rubies, and something about her seemed familiar.
Seeing that everyone had emerged, Hikaru asked, "Who are you?"
"We are the most renowned folk dance troupe from the Kingdom of Gnosia..."
"Oh?"
As Hikaru had suspected, they were indeed performers. He chuckled and said with a teasing tone:
"Ladies, please introduce yourselves one by one."
Hearing this, everyone present understood they were like sheep who had walked into a tiger's den, but fear often drives people toward choices that might allow survival.
So they dared not resist. After exchanging timid glances, they began introducing themselves in their usual numbered sequence.
Hikaru listened attentively, occasionally nodding, until it was the familiar-looking woman's turn to speak.
"My name is Viola, and I've lived with the dance troupe since childhood..."
Oh? It's her!
He couldn't believe his luck!
Viola was the exotic dancer who had been sold at auction when Luffy confronted the Celestial Dragon Charlos Saint.
At that auction, the host had introduced Viola as an extraordinarily beautiful slave with miraculous body proportions.
Now that he saw her in person, it was undeniable. Viola's figure was indeed voluptuous and extremely beautiful.
Originally, he had expected that acquiring Viola would require closely monitoring the area around Sabaody Archipelago before Luffy and his crew arrived. Only then might he have a chance of reaching her before the slave hunters.
Even then, success wasn't guaranteed. No one knew precisely where or when Viola had been captured.
If he encountered her only at the auction house after her capture... well, she would have already endured who knows what torment from the slave-hunting teams!
Now, it seemed "luck" had presented him with this opportunity.
Viola: The dancer auctioned at Sabaody Archipelago was renowned as a peerless beauty with miraculous proportions and exceptional dancing skill. She would surely bring Hikaru many moments of joy.