The night was pleasant, and a faint silver glow made the moonlit sky seem as clear as a cicada's wing.
Lights shone from every home on Amazon Lily, yet the rear palace where the empress lived was eerily quiet.
In the empress's private quarters, the three sisters stared intently at the figure lying near death inside a coffin-like wooden box, limbs pierced by daggers and pinned to the boards.
Hancock clenched her teeth, her face dark with anger. Her fingers gripped the snake curled beneath her so tightly that it winced in pain, yet didn't dare make a sound.
Her eyes held a hint of anger and fear, along with overwhelming hatred. She glared at the figure for a long while before forcing a few words through clenched teeth.
"Put the lid on!"
"Y-yes."
Sonia, the green-haired middle sister, snapped out of her daze and hurriedly grabbed the lid, slamming it onto the long box.
The female warriors had brought it over, saying the Straw Hat Crew had sent it as a greeting gift. Curious, Hancock had taken a look.
She'd never imagined that the so-called gift would be a living Celestial Dragon!
There was also a note inside. It was brief and to the point, with no words of flattery.
'The World Government probably thinks he's dead already. Do whatever you want with him; it won't implicate Amazon Lily. If you don't like him, send him back. Don't waste him.'
There was no signature, but based on their meeting today, Hancock guessed it was Roronoa. The man's cold demeanor suggested he was the sort of person who'd write something like that.
It was only natural she'd guess wrong. Zoro was always aloof, while Lina was only cold toward his enemies.
Hancock slowly rose and silently walked outside.
"Where are