Three days later.
Amazon Lily, Royal Palace Square.
Before dawn, the female warriors of Amazon Lily began their work.
The entire square was decorated in a brand new style, and the flagpoles on both sides were covered with snake-shaped battle flags of the Kuja Tribe, their red flags fluttering in the sea breeze.
In the very center of the square stood a high platform, constructed from black serpentine stone, a specialty of Amazon Lily. The platform was covered with a deep red carpet, at the far end of which rested a throne with a serpent's head.
It was a throne carved from a single piece of Seastone, with a ferocious yet majestic snake head on the back, which was the exclusive possession of the Pirate Empress of Amazon Lily throughout history.
As the first rays of dawn broke over the sea, the female warriors of Amazon Lily were already lined up neatly on both sides of the square.
They were dressed in traditional combat uniforms, with snake-shaped armbands wrapped around their arms, and each of them stood ramrod straight with piercing eyes.
But if you look closely, you'll find that the eyes of many people in the group don't seem so innocent.
Their gazes occasionally drifted towards the older female soldiers on either side of the platform.
Those were the elders of various tribes on Amazon Lily, and also the main force secretly opposing Hancock's succession in recent days.
Elder Nyon stood below the platform, leaning on her snake-shaped staff. Her expression seemed calm, but the fingers gripping the staff had turned slightly white from the force.
The elders behind her were whispering amongst themselves, their eyes occasionally glancing towards the palace, a faint, cold smile playing on their lips.
Roy stood atop a tower at the edge of the square, arms crossed, overlooking the entire square.
But Observation Haki had already subtly enveloped the entire plaza, affecting everyone's expression, breathing, and heartbeat—
Those restless elements hidden within the team were as clear to him as fireflies in the night.
"Quite a few."
Roy muttered to himself, a smile playing on his lips.
Just then, the main gate of the palace slowly opened.
All eyes turned to that door at the same moment.
Hancock came out from inside the door.
She wore the traditional Pirate Empress's robes of Amazon Lily—a battle skirt woven from gold thread and snake scales, the hem adorned with fine snake-shaped scales that gleamed with a cold, eerie light in the sunlight.
A black snakeskin belt cinched her waist, perfectly outlining her slender yet powerful figure.
A deep purple cloak was draped over her shoulders, embroidered with the Kuja Tribe's totem in gold thread.
Her black hair was tied up high, revealing her long, fair neck.
She wore a serpentine crown atop her head, the deep blue gems on the golden serpent's eyes reflecting off her dark purple pupils.
He was accompanied by his pet snake, named Salome.
Three years ago, she was a thin little girl, standing timidly behind Roy, too shy to speak.
Now, she stands tall and proud, each step firm and powerful, covering the distance from the main gate of the palace to the high platform in the square.
Her gaze remained fixed on the throne before her, without wavering.
Sandersonia and Marigold followed behind her, one on each side. The two girls were also dressed in formal attire, their expressions solemn and dignified.
The entire square was completely silent.
The female warriors who had seen Hancock when she was a child all had a look of disbelief in their eyes at that moment.
Is this girl, exuding an aura of power and moving with the grace of a sword, truly the same little girl who was enslaved by the Celestial Dragons and covered in wounds?
Hancock walked up to the platform, stood before the Serpent Throne, turned around, and faced the thousands of Amazon Lily warriors in the plaza.
Elder Nyon stepped onto the high platform, unfurled an ancient scroll made of snakeskin, and her voice, hoarse yet full of energy, echoed through the square:
"Inheriting the will of the successive Pirate Empress of Amazon Lily, I, in my capacity as the former Pirate Empress, hereby proclaim the will of Pirate Empress Torch Lily— "
"The 73rd Pirate Empress of Amazon Lily, Torch Lily, passed away three days ago."
In accordance with his will, the throne of Pirate Empress was passed to Boa Hancock. Boa Hancock, step forward to receive the crown!
Hancock knelt on one knee and bowed her head.
Elder Nyon handed Hancock the golden serpent crown— the Torch Lily had given her before she died.
It was solemnly placed on Hancock's head, becoming one with the one she was already wearing.
"From this day forward, Boa Hancock is the 74th Pirate Empress of Amazon Lily!"
Elder Nyon's voice echoed in the square.
"All soldiers, listen to my command—salute!"
Thousands of female warriors knelt in unison on one knee in the square, right fists pressed against their chests, and shouted in unison, "Greetings, Your Majesty the Pirate Empress!"
The sound was deafening, startling the birds in the island's forest.
But just then, a discordant voice rang out.
"Wait!"
Three figures rose from the crowd without kneeling. They were three older female warriors, dressed in the special armor of tribal elders, with jewel-encrusted scimitars at their waists.
The leader, a bald man with a hideous Scar running diagonally from his forehead to his chin, Birisu and was an elder of the Cloud Snake Tribe on Amazon Lily.
"I do not acknowledge this Pirate Empress!"
Birisu's voice was hoarse and shrill as she pointed at Hancock on the platform, her eyes filled with disdain.
"Boa Hancock has been away from the island for three years and has never made any contribution to Amazon Lily!"
She was able to ascend to the throne entirely thanks to the support of the Emperor of the Sea Roy!
She turned around and shouted loudly to the female soldiers in the square:
Sisters!
"Open your eyes and look carefully!"
"Who's standing next to that person on the high platform? It's someone from Hachinosu! It's the Emperor of the Sea Roy!"
"After she takes the throne, will Amazon Lily still be Amazon Lily? Our centuries of independence are about to be destroyed in the hands of an outsider!"
The female soldiers in the square erupted in an uproar.
Some people lowered their heads, while a hint of hesitation flashed in the eyes of others.
Two other elders behind Birisu also stepped forward—one was a short-haired, burly woman Tana, an elder of the Flame Snake Tribe;
The other was an old woman wearing a snake bone mask, named Meri, who was an elder of the Shadow Snake Tribe.
" Amazon Lily doesn't need an Pirate Empress depends on others!"
Tana drew her scimitar, the tip pointing directly at the high platform.
"Boa Hancock, if you have any sense, take off your crown and get out of Amazon Lily!"
"Right!"
"Get out of Amazon Lily!"
Birisu and Meri echoed in unison.
The atmosphere in the square instantly became tense.
The female warriors loyal to Hancock drew their weapons, while those warriors incited by Birisu began to stir.
Elder Nyon's face turned ashen. She gripped her snake staff and was about to step forward to reprimand them, but Hancock reached out and stopped her.
"Let me."
Hancock's voice was so calm that even Elder Nyon was taken aback.
She rose from her throne, walked to the edge of the platform, and looked down at the three elders below.
Her gaze swept over the faces of Birisu, Tana, and Meri, a smile playing on her exquisite face.
It was clearly a captivating face, but the smile on it was chillingly cold.