The night was pleasant, a faint silver glow making the moonlit sky as translucent as a cicada's wing.
The lights of countless homes illuminated Amazon Lily, yet an empty stillness emanated from the Royal Palace.
In the rear hall where the emperor resided, the three sisters stared fixedly at the dying figure inside a coffin-like wooden crate, its limbs pierced by daggers and nailed to a board.
Hancock clenched her teeth, her face dark as her five fingers gripped the pet snake beneath her so tightly that it revealed a pained expression but did not dare make a sound.
Her eyes showed anger, terror, and overwhelming hatred. She glared at the figure for a long while before painfully forcing out a few words through gritted teeth.
"Put the lid back on!"
"Ah, yes."
The green-haired second sister, Sandersonia, snapped back to her senses and hurriedly grabbed the lid of the long crate, slamming it shut.
The female warriors had delivered it, saying it was a gift from the Straw Hat Crew. Curious, Hancock had taken a look.
But she had never imagined that the so-called gift would be a living Celestial Dragon!
There was also a note inside, containing only a few simple lines without any flattering words.
The World Government probably thinks he's already dead. Deal with him however you want; it won't implicate Amazon Lily. If you don't like him, send him back. Don't waste him.
There was not even a signature, but based on their meeting earlier that day, Hancock guessed it was Roronoa. The man's coldness made him seem like the sort who would say something like that.
It was normal for her to guess wrong. Zoro had always been aloof and cold, while Reiner was different—he was only particularly indifferent toward enemies.
Hancock slowly rose