At the training grounds of Hachinosu, the morning sea breeze, carrying a salty, damp scent, blew in from the sea.
The wind made the row of iron and wooden railings at the edge of the training ground buzz.
A full week has passed since that earth-shattering battle among cadres.
The dilapidated pits and holes in the training ground had long been repaired and smoothed out by Bar's Devil Fruit power.
at this time,
Hancock stood in the center of the training ground, her specially made black combat suit outlining the already well-developed figure of the fifteen-year-old girl.
Her waist-length black hair flew wildly in the sea breeze, and her deep purple eyes held a composure and sharpness that could only be truly cultivated through long battles.
Standing opposite her were Sandersonia and Marigold.
"It's on."
The instant Hancock finished speaking, a pair of pale blue wings suddenly unfurled from Sandersonia's back.
With a wingspan of nearly ten meters, the instant his toes left the ground, he transformed into a blur as he swooped down towards Hancock.
At the same time, Marigold's figure disappeared from another direction; her Meganeura Form moved so fast that it was almost impossible to detect with the naked eye.
Only the buzzing sound of wings vibrating rapidly remained in the air.
The two worked together seamlessly, with Sandersonia holding Hancock at bay from the front and Marigold flanking her from the side, effectively blocking all of Hancock's usual evasive maneuvers.
Hancock sensed her two sisters' movements with her Observation Haki and nodded in satisfaction.
Hancock raised her right hand, her fingers slightly curled, and a strange wave emanated from her body.
The allure of the Love-Love Fruit perfectly blends with Conqueror's Haki.
It's not the kind of Conqueror's Haki attack that requires unleashing all your strength.
Instead, it subtly and completely conceals its Conqueror's Haki, allowing it to permeate the alluring field of the Love-Love Fruit.
Sandersonia's dive abruptly halted less than three steps from Hancock.
It wasn't that she didn't want to continue; it was that her brain received an extremely strong signal at that moment that she couldn't attack the person in front of her.
Even knowing that the person opposite him was his older sister, even knowing that this was training,
The signal was still so strong that her body instinctively resisted further attacks.
Marigold was even more outrageous; she revealed herself directly from her high-speed movement, the buzzing of her wings abruptly ceasing.
He stood frozen in place, his eyes filled with struggle as he looked at Hancock.
Hancock withdrew her hand, and the force field dissipated.
Sandersonia landed heavily, panting, a fine layer of cold sweat beading on her forehead.
"Sister... that's such a cheating trick."
It's always like this when we fight; before I even touch you, my body just goes out of control.
"This is what Lord Roy taught me." Hancock crossed her arms, her tone calm but unable to hide the hint of pride in her eyes.
"Lord Roy said that my Love-Love Fruit is extremely compatible with Conqueror's Haki."
Combining the two can demoralize the opponent before the battle even begins.
Roy, standing on the high platform of the training ground, watched this scene with a slight smile on his lips.
Bullet, standing beside him with his arms crossed and his short, purplish-grey hair fluttering slightly in the sea breeze, unusually offered a compliment:
"This girl has made considerable progress in three years."
While her Conqueror's Haki isn't as domineering as yours or Shanks', it combines with the characteristics of the Love-Love Fruit, allowing her to find a unique way to control it.
An ordinary Marine Vice Admiral wouldn't even have a chance to make a move against her.
"Um."
Roy nodded.
How's things going on Amazon Lily lately?
"Um,"
Bullet shrugged:
"It's the same as always."
"That woman, Torch Lily, has never been in good health, but with Elder Nyon supporting her, she shouldn't cause any major trouble."
Just as Roy was about to say something, a series of hurried footsteps suddenly came from the entrance of the training ground.
A messenger practically tumbled in, holding aloft a Den Den Mushi (snail Den Den Mushi) that was still emitting a piercing ring, his face ashen.
"Lord Roy!"
"Urgent communication! From Amazon Lily!"
" Elder Nyon specifically asked to see you and Lady Hancock!"
Hancock on the training field suddenly turned her head, her gaze falling on the Den Den Mushi.
The Den Den Mushi's eyes were wide open, and its mouth opened and closed, mimicking Elder Nyon's wrinkled and anxious face.
Roy leaped down from the platform, landing beside Hancock. He reached out, took the Den Den Mushi, and pressed the answer button.
" Captain Roy!"
The voice on the other end of the Den Den Mushi was hoarse and hurried, carrying an unprecedented panic.
"Thank God we finally got in touch with you! Torch Lily... Torch Lily is dying!"
Upon hearing this, Hancock's face turned deathly pale.
Elder Nyon's voice continued, each word striking Hancock's heart like a hammer blow:
" Love Sickness for three months now, and for the past month, nothing I've been able to cure has worked."
We've seen all the doctors on the island, but none of them have a solution.
I... I really have no other choice!
A suppressed sob came from the other end of the phone. The old woman, who had lived to be over eighty and had seen countless storms, sounded utterly helpless.
"The entire Amazon Lily is now in a state of panic. Torch Lily is the Pirate Empress, and with her downfall, those ambitious old fogies on the island are all getting restless."
"I can't handle this situation by myself! Where's Hancock?"
Is she there? Let her answer the phone!
Hancock took the Den Den Mushi from Roy's hand, her fingers trembling slightly. " Elder Nyon, I'm here."
" Hancock!"
Elder Nyon's voice instantly rose eight octaves.
"You have to come back! You have to come back now! Torch Lily wants to see you one last time!"
We need you to come back and stabilize the situation on Amazon Lily! This matter cannot be delayed!
Hancock's face drained of all color in that instant.
She bit her lip, her deep purple eyes churning with grief, anxiety, and struggle.
Sandersonia and Marigold had already rushed to her side, their still somewhat immature faces also filled with worry.
Snake Island is their hometown, Torch Lily is their most respected elder. It was that woman who took them in when they were most helpless and gave them a home.
Hancock took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down, and turned to look at Roy.
She was waiting for Roy's decision; whatever Lord Roy said, she would do.
Roy looked at the unconditional trust in her eyes and shook his head:
"What are you looking at me for? Your Amazon Lily Lily's Pirate Empress is about to die, and you're waiting for my approval?"
Roy's voice wasn't loud, but every word pierced Hancock's heart like a nail. "Go back if you want."
Hancock paused for a moment, then her eyes welled up with tears.
But she forced back her tears.
The successor to the Pirate Empress of Amazon Lily cannot shed tears in front of everyone.
She clenched her fist and nodded vigorously. "Thank you, Lord Roy."
On the other end of the phone, Elder Nyon's voice rang out again, this time with a hint of relief:
"Thank goodness... Captain Roy, I have another favor to ask."
Could you please come in person?
" Torch Lily... she has something to tell you."
Moreover, only with your presence can I be confident in keeping those unruly creatures on the island in check.
Roy did not hesitate:
"Okay. The Hancock Sisters will fly directly to Amazon Lily with me; the main group doesn't need to follow."
Bullet heard Tesoro behind him about to walk forward and reached out to stop him.
Hancock had already led her two sisters and hurried towards the main hall to pack their belongings.
Roy turned around and looked at Bullet and Crocodile:
"The island is now in your hands."
Tesoro, take the Ark Maxim to the shipyard for repairs. We'll be there to provide support should anything happen.
Also, have Vera prepare a batch of emergency medical supplies, as medical conditions on Amazon Lily are limited.
Bring as much medicine and first-aid equipment as you can, put it in storage bags and send it to me.
Tesoro nodded, about to speak, when Roy added:
"Oh, right, have Savi, Charon, Kazami, and Van Augur get ready too."
This trip might last more than a few days, so let's plan their training schedule in advance.
Wait for my message.