"Are you done talking?"
Hancock's voice wasn't loud, but everyone heard it clearly.
"You're right, I did spend three years on Hachinosu, and it was indeed Lord Roy who made me stronger."
But so what?
She raised her right hand, her five fingers slightly curled.
"My strength was given to me by Lord Roy, my Devil Fruit was given to me by Lord Roy, and my training was taught by the executives of Hachinosu."
I have never denied that.
"But--"
An invisible wave emanated from her body.
The allure of the Love-Love Fruit and the Conqueror's Haki blended perfectly at this moment.
Dark red arcs of electricity exploded from her body, crackling and popping in the air.
The weaker female warriors were so shocked that they were forced to their knees before they could even react, their eyes filled with horror.
The expressions on the faces of Birisu and the other two changed instantly.
They had heard that Hancock had trained on Hachinosu for three years, but they had never witnessed Hancock's true power firsthand.
In their memory, Hancock was still that timid little girl who followed Roy around three years ago.
Until this moment,
When that overwhelming sense of oppression crashed down upon them, they finally realized how terribly wrong they had been.
"You... you little brat..."
Birisu gritted her teeth, her legs trembling, but she still forced herself to draw her scimitar.
"Showing off! Sisters, join me—"
Before she could finish speaking, Hancock raised her hand and waved it.
A pink, heart-shaped beam of light shot from her fingertips, striking precisely the scimitar in Birisu's hand.
The elder's scimitar, forged from the finest iron of Amazon Lily and inlaid with gemstones, began to petrify the moment it came into contact with the beam of light.
Gray streaks spread from the blade to the hilt, and from the hilt to Birisu's fingers as he gripped the knife.
Birisu tried in terror to shake off the scimitar, but it was too late.
Petrification spread visibly upwards from her fingers, through her palms, wrists, and forearms—
Her entire right arm turned to stone in less than a breath.
Immediately afterwards,
Hancock's second beam has hit her.
Along with the terrified expression on her face, her gaping mouth, and her wide-open eyes, her whole being turned into a stone statue.
Tana and Meri's expressions changed drastically upon seeing this, and they both drew their weapons, ready to rush forward.
But Hancock only glanced at them once, and the two of them froze on the spot.
I dared not move.
I'm really too scared to move.
Because in the eyes of this fifteen-year-old girl, they saw an undisguised, chilling murderous intent—
If they make even one more move, they'll end up like Birisu.
The entire square was eerily quiet.
Hancock stood on the high platform, with the menacing serpent throne behind her, the sea breeze making her cloak flutter.
Her gaze swept across the face of every female soldier in the square, and everyone involuntarily lowered their heads under her gaze.
Who else?
Hancock's voice was calm and cold, "Those who dare to defy me, step forward."
No one moved.
No one spoke.
The female warriors who had been incited by Birisu now wished they could bury their heads in the ground.
Three seconds ago they were still hesitating about whether to take sides; three seconds later, their only thought was...
I mustn't let Her Pirate Empress see where I'm looking.
Hancock waited a full ten breaths, making sure no one dared to step forward again, before she withdrew her Conqueror's Haki.
The dark red arc of electricity receded like a tide, and the oppressive feeling in the square dissipated as well.
The female soldiers, struggling to breathe, were gasping for air; their backs were soaked with cold sweat.
Hancock turned and sat back on the serpent's throne, crossing her legs, resting her right hand on her chin, and casually placing her left hand on the armrest.
That sitting posture naturally exuded an unquestionable air of authority.
Elder Nyon's eyes reddened slightly as she watched this scene.
She had lived for so many years and witnessed the enthronement ceremonies of all the Pirate Empress of Amazon Lily, but she had never seen such a breathtaking scene as today.
Hancock did not ascend to the throne through a will; she relied on overwhelming power to suppress all dissenting voices.
"The ceremony continues."
Hancock's voice came from the throne, as calm as if nothing had happened.
Elder Nyon took a deep breath, trying to calm herself, and turned to face the female warriors still kneeling in the square:
"The inauguration ceremony continues! All warriors, pledge your allegiance to the new Pirate Empress!"
"Greetings, Your Pirate Empress!!!"
This time, the voices were more synchronized and louder than before.
This time, it's no longer loyalty based on tradition and rules, but rather recognition of strength and the most primal obedience to the powerful.
Standing atop the tower, Roy looked at the figure seated on the platform and a faint smile appeared on his lips.
This girl has really grown up.
That evening.
Following the successful completion of the succession ceremony, a celebratory banquet was held in the main hall of the palace, where the female warriors of Amazon Lily took turns toasting Hancock, creating a lively and festive atmosphere.
The banquet lasted from dusk until late at night before gradually dispersing.
After the banquet, Elder Nyon met with Roy alone.
The two entered a secret chamber deep within the palace, the place where successive Pirate Empress discussed confidential matters with their confidants.
The walls are reinforced with Seastone, providing excellent sound insulation.
Elder Nyon sat down, leaning on her snake-shaped cane, her expression even more solemn than during the day:
" Captain Roy, on behalf of Amazon Lily, I have a few things I'd like to discuss with you."
"You say."
Roy sat down opposite her, picked up the teacup on the table, and took a sip.
"The first thing--"
Elder Nyon took a deep breath.
"Although Hancock suppressed the incident involving Birisu today, it also exposed a problem."
"Aside from Hancock, Amazon Lily currently suffers from a severe shortage of high-ranking combat power. With Torch Lily gone, the remaining warriors are all being held up by this old woman alone."
Those old fogies may lack strength, but they have powerful backers.
Roy put down his teacup. "Go on."
" The Cloud Snake Tribe of Birisu, the Flame Snake Tribe of Tana, and the Shadow Snake Tribe of Meri-- "
These three tribes are located on the outskirts of Amazon Lily and have the most frequent contact with the outside world.
I suspect they have connections with Underworld forces, and even have clandestine dealings with the Navy.
It's important to understand that while Amazon Lily is isolated, it's not a monolithic entity.
Throughout the centuries, there have always been those who sought to use external forces to overthrow the current Pirate Empress's rule.
Roy nodded without replying, signaling her to continue.
"The second thing--"
Elder Nyon's gaze became even more serious.
"Although Hancock succeeded as Pirate Empress, her identity is very special."
She is the Pirate Empress of Amazon Lily, an ally of Hachinosu, and someone you personally trained.
"I'd like to ask Captain Roy —what are your plans for the future of Amazon Lily?"
Roy looked at Elder Nyon, remained silent for a few seconds, and then smiled.
" Elder Nyon, do you think I want to annex Amazon Lily?"
Elder Nyon didn't answer, but her silence was the answer in itself.
You're overthinking it.
Roy picked up his teacup and took another sip.
"Do I need to go through all this trouble to annex Amazon Lily?"