An Unprecedented Incident

Ten!

Ten Celestial Dragons died!

Even going back to the very beginning of the World Government, nothing like this has ever happened.

Those were World Nobles!

Let alone being killed, even if a commoner doesn't kneel down when walking down the street, that's a serious crime. Before today, there wasn't even anyone who could injure Celestial Dragons.

Even the Four Emperors of the New World would never dare to lay a hand on the Celestial Dragons.

Yet, ten Celestial Dragons, of such high status, were killed in the Holy Land Mary Geoise.

How could the Five Elders not be furious?

What's even more infuriating is...

They didn't even know who this person was!

"Investigate! Immediately mobilize all available resources to investigate!"

The Five Elders, with the First Generation Kitetsu hanging from their waists, roared angrily.

"Everyone connected to him—those slaves, that Fish-Men —I don't care what methods you use, you must find out who this person is!"

"At all costs!"

"And before we are truly certain of his identity, no information is allowed to leak out, and you are not allowed to harm anyone you are investigating, until we are confident that we can deal with him!"

"Especially the fact that Celestial Dragons in Mary Geoise must not be known to anyone other than us, including other World Nobles!"

"If you can't do it, you should know the consequences!"

"...Yes!" Meow Meow said.

Looking at the Five Elders before him, who appeared to be insane, the masked man's back was already soaked with cold sweat.

If this matter is not handled well...

The anger of these five old men will likely engulf the entire ocean.

I will surely die a horrible death.

After all, in the eyes of the Celestial Dragons and the Five Elders, even the entire Cipher Pol is just a tool that can be discarded at any time.

The man dared not say more, and could only lower his head deeply to show that he understood.

"Go and do it, and remember every word we said."

After roaring for a while, the Five Elders, with the First Generation Kitetsu hanging from their waists, gradually calmed down, raised their hands, and signaled to the masked man that he could go to work.

The man dared not say another word and quickly turned and left.

As the meeting room door closed, the atmosphere fell silent once more.

What should we do next?

"Let's restore order to the Holy Land first, then send people to suppress all the news."

"... That's the only way."

On an unnamed island on the outskirts of the Red Line.

"Boa Hancock, you've been standing here for a long time, and you just woke up. Why don't you go and rest? Let's wait for you."

Sandersonia looked at her most respected older sister with a hint of helplessness and spoke.

Ever since Boa Hancock woke up on the ship.

She remained seated at the bow of the boat, gazing at the distant sea, like a statue waiting for her husband.

He didn't say a word, nor did he drink a drop of water.

The two of them knew, of course, what she was waiting for.

only...

Will the man who went to Mary Geoise alone again really return safely?

Looking at Boa Hancock, Sandersonia and Marigold stood there in silence.

They all felt the same way.

Gratitude, guilt, resentment...

If I were a little stronger, I might have been able to help in that situation, instead of just sitting here anxiously waiting.

Little Hancock gazed at the shimmering sea in the distance.

It was as if a flame was slowly burning in his eyes.

"If only I were a little stronger..."

Never before has there been a moment like this.

Little Hancock desperately wanted to become stronger.

If I could be as strong as my savior, why would I be stuck here, gazing resentfully at the sea?

I should be fighting alongside him!

Little Hancock wasn't unaware of her two sisters' worries, but she felt she should stand there. Since she couldn't help him, at least she could make sure he saw her first when he returned.

"Don't worry, I'm fine. You all go and rest. You just escaped from Mary Geoise; you need rest more than I do."

Little Hancock spoke calmly.

If it were a typical little girl, she would probably be wailing and crying right now.

But Boa Hancock would never do that!

Instead of hiding in a corner and crying like a weakling, swallow your tears and do everything you can to become stronger.

Until the day I can stand shoulder to shoulder with him!

All I can say is that this is the kind of mentality one has.

She truly deserves to be the future Empress of Amazon Lily.

"But..."

Sandersonia and Marigold looked at their older sister with some concern, as if they wanted to say something more, but when the words reached their lips, they couldn't utter a single one.

A moment of silence fell between the three of them.

And then, at this very moment...

Thump----!

A figure suddenly emerged from the sea not far away, then leaped up and landed directly in front of the three people.

He was covered in a strangely styled cloak made of an unknown material.

It looks suspicious no matter how you look at it.

It was Lin Yan, who had just swum back from the sea.

"Yo! I'm back!"

Looking at the three people in front of her who were staring blankly, Lin Yan waved her hand with a hearty laugh.

"Big brother?!"

Little Hancock was the first to react, and without saying a word, he rushed towards Lin Yan, hugged his leg, and cried and laughed at the same time.

"Whoaaaaah--! That scared me to death! I thought..."

This is only natural.

Even if you appear very strong.

This future empress of Amazon Lily is only a teenager this year. When she saw Lin Yan appear in front of her again, she naturally couldn't hold back anymore.

Lin Yan looked helpless.

Watching Little Hancock wipe her snot and tears all over her cloak, he could only stand there helplessly as she hugged him and wailed.

It took Little Hancock a while to calm down.

"Ahem, I can explain."

Watching Little Hancock lift off her lap, then immediately take a step back, gritting his teeth and glaring at her with a cute but fierce expression, Lin Yan's smile became somewhat forced.

Fortunately, because of the concealment of the Faceless Appearance, no difference could be seen from the outside.

He was still a dark-skinned, suspicious-looking man.

Otherwise, their dignified and prestigious image will collapse.

Lin Yan coughed lightly.

"In short, the Mary Geoise matter is resolved, and we shouldn't encounter any pursuers anymore."

Lin Yan said this in a deliberately serious tone, then paused slightly.

"So the next task is quite simple, mainly to take you all home. By the way, where do you live?"