The port where the Kuja Pirates docked.
When Hancock arrived, all the Amazon Lily warriors had already taken their battle positions.
On the gun emplacements on both sides of the harbor, gunners had already loaded cannonballs into the breech, archers had drawn their bows, and everyone was on high alert.
Elder Nyon stood at the forefront of the harbor, leaning on her snake-shaped cane, her face more solemn than ever before.
Roy had somehow gotten up from the reef, put his hands in his pockets, and stood on the high platform of the harbor, looking in the direction of the Calm Belt.
The sea was as calm as a mirror.
But at the end of this mirror, three warships were slowly approaching.
Those were three standard Marine Headquarters -class medium-sized warships.
The ship was painted with dark blue navy paint, and a navy ensign was flying on the mainmast. The bow cannon had its cover removed.
The ship's waterline is significantly shallower than during normal navigation.
That was after a period of intense sailing.
Hancock's pupils contracted slightly.
Her Observation Haki instantly expanded, although its range was far less than Roy's.
But this Calm Belt area was enough to ascertain the situation of those three warships.
"Three warships, each carrying approximately two hundred naval soldiers, with two auras emanating from the lead ship—"
She paused, her tone becoming even more serious.
"One is a rear Rear Admiral- level officer, the other is CP Agent."
Elder Nyon's face darkened further. "CP? People from the World Government?"
Roy stood on the high platform, not turning around, his voice calm and even:
"Make them stop their ships. Tell them that anyone who enters the harbor without the Pirate Empress of Amazon Lily Lily's permission will face the consequences."
Hancock nodded and gestured to the female warriors at the port.
On the port watchtower, a female soldier took out a megaphone and shouted loudly in the direction of the warship—stop the ship, and state her purpose.
A moment later, the three warships slowly came to a stop outside the port.
The lead warship lowered a small boat with three people on board.
A Rear Admiral, a civilian official from the World Government, and CP Agent with an expressionless face.
The small boat slowly sailed into the harbor and came to a stop on the dock.
The Rear Admiral was the first to step onto the stone slabs of Amazon Lily.
He looked to be in his forties, with dark skin, a square jaw, and eyes that exuded a chilling aura of someone who had been through many battles.
He glanced around at the female warriors standing guard at the harbor, his gaze finally settling on Hancock.
To be precise, it landed on the serpentine crown on her head.
Boa Hancock.
The rear Rear Admiral a slight bow, his tone neither humble nor arrogant.
Rear Admiral Rakulowa of the Marine Headquarters Rear Admiral.
"By order of the World Government, we will deliver official documents to the new Pirate Empress of Amazon Lily."
The civil servant behind him took out a scroll bearing the World Government's cross emblem from his briefcase and presented it to him with both hands.
Hancock didn't take it, but Elder Nyon stepped forward, took the scroll, unfolded it, and quickly scanned it.
Her expression became extremely complicated after reading the contents of the scroll.
What does this mean?
Elder Nyon turned the scroll over so that Hancock and Roy could both see what was on it.
The scroll was written neatly in gold lettering, " The World Government officially recognizes Boa Hancock as the 74th Pirate Empress of Amazon Lily, and at the same time extends an invitation to Boa Hancock to Shichibukai."
The Shichibukai
The seven legal pirate groups directly under the World Government possess the right to plunder, immunity from punishment, and status as naval allies.
In the official documents of the World Government, the Shichibukai are listed as one of the "Three Great Powers" alongside the Marine Headquarters.
Hancock's eyes changed the moment she saw the words " Shichibukai ".
It wasn't excitement, nor hesitation. It was anger. Pure, undisguised anger.
She threw the scroll on the ground, her voice as cold as a wind blowing from an ice cellar:
"Go back and tell your master—I, Boa Hancock, will never bow down to the World Government."
" Hancock!"
Elder Nyon rushed forward to stop her, lowering her voice while smiling apologetically at the naval Rear Admiral.
" Her Pirate Empress is young and impetuous; please forgive her, Generals."
This matter is of great importance. Please grant Amazon Lily three days. A formal response will be given after three days.
Just as Hancock was about to push Elder Nyon, Roy's voice suddenly rang in her mind.
It was Mental Link established by Telekinesis; only she could hear. "Calm down."
Hancock stopped moving.
Hancock didn't know why Roy had stopped her, but she was sure that Lord Roy had his reasons.
Seeing that Hancock had calmed down, Elder Nyon rolled up the scroll and put it back into the civil servant's hand.
"Three days later, Amazon Lily will give the World Government a reply."
Prior to this, the three warships were not allowed to enter the port of Amazon Lily, land on the island, or allow anyone to approach the coastline.
Otherwise—you will bear the consequences.
Rear Admiral Rakulowa's cheek twitched.
He looked at Elder Nyon, then at Hancock. The aura that the girl had just unleashed sent a chill down his spine.
Rakulowa looked first at Elder Nyon, and then at Hancock had a cold expression.
Finally, he gave a military salute, then turned and boarded the small boat with the civilian official and CP Agent.
The small boat returned to the warships, and the three warships slowly turned around, leaving the harbor and anchoring in the Calm Belt, open sea.
The distance wasn't far, nor was it close; it was just outside the firing range of the Amazon Lily fortresses.
At the port, Elder Nyon relaxed her tense nerves, and her whole demeanor became somewhat listless.
She turned around, leaning on her snake staff, and looked at Hancock with a solemn expression in her eyes:
" Hancock, I know you don't want to accept this."
But please come to the secret chamber of the palace; I have a few things I must say to you and Captain Roy face to face."
A secret chamber within the imperial palace.
Hancock, Sandersonia, Marigold, Roy, and Elder Nyon are all together.
Elder Nyon took a deep breath and cut to the chase. "Do you understand what it means that the Navy was able to safely cross the Calm Belt?"
Hancock's face darkened, and she didn't reply.
"It's been hundreds of years!"
Elder Nyon's voice rose eight octaves.
Amazon Lily has not been directly threatened by the navy for hundreds of years!
This is because the Sea Kings's nest in the Calm Belt zone that no warship can cross!
But now they're here!
Three warships arrived safely and intact at our doorstep!
She pointed to the nautical chart of Amazon Lily hanging on the stone wall of the secret chamber, and pressed her finger heavily on the Calm Belt on the chart.
"This means the Navy has mastered the technology to navigate safely in Calm Belt."
"Either they installed Seastone in the hull, or they developed some new type of propulsion device."
Whatever it may be, the natural barrier of Amazon Lily is completely gone!
Hancock crossed her arms, completely ignoring Elder Nyon's words.
"If we break ties with the Navy now—"
Elder Nyon's voice also lowered upon hearing this.
"The navy can send a large force to encircle and annihilate Amazon Lily at any time."
Even with Hachinosu as a backup, distant water cannot quench immediate thirst.
How long does it take to fly from Hachinosu to Amazon Lily in Ark Maxim?
This period of time is enough for the Navy to thoroughly annihilate Amazon Lily.
Sandersonia and Marigold both looked at their sister, their eyes filled with nervousness.
The room remained quiet for a long time.
"But..."
Hancock finally spoke, her voice soft but carrying an anger that she refused to suppress.
"Mother-in-law, how can I accept this? The World Government. Celestial Dragons."
Mary Geoise —you know what I went through in Mary Geoise.
Her voice trembled as memories of anger and humiliation swirled in her mind.
"Back then, on the auction stage, the Celestial Dragons treated us like commodities, picking and choosing us."
They branded my sister and me with hot irons.
You want me to bow down to the World Government?
I'd rather die.