Hancock's words made Elder Nyon open her mouth, but she found that she couldn't say anything to refute them.
She certainly knew what had happened to the three sisters in Mary Geoise.
When Torch Lily led people to Mary Geoise, they saw the pitiful state of the Boa Sisters, locked in cages, and didn't eat for three whole days afterward.
So you have to accept it.
Everyone looked at Roy.
He looked at Hancock, his gaze as calm as a still lake.
"Because only by accepting can you protect Amazon Lily. And only by accepting can you become stronger."
Hancock was stunned.
Roy continued, his voice calm and measured, as if stating a self-evident fact.
"You are now the Pirate Empress."
"You are carrying not only your own dignity, but also the lives of thousands of soldiers on this island."
You rejected the World Government, and the Navy can land at Amazon Lily's port tomorrow.
You might be able to defeat a Rear Admiral, or a Vice Admiral, but could you defeat Marine Admiral?
Can you defeat the entire Marine Headquarters? Can you protect your people from Akainu's magma?
Hancock's face paled slightly, but she did not refute it.
"You must know about the strength of those high-ranking naval forces three years ago in the Sabaody Archipelago, right?"
Roy's voice was soft, but it struck Hancock's heart like a hammer blow.
"Taking over Shichibukai is not about bowing down to the World Government."
This is to buy time for Amazon Lily to develop, and to give your people the opportunity to become stronger.
Do you know why the World Government established the Shichibukai?
Because the New World is too big, and there are too many pirates, the Navy and CP can't manage it all.
The Shichibukai were their henchmen, but think about it the other way around—
Once you become Shichibukai, you'll have legitimate access to intelligence from the World Government and the Navy, and be able to keep track of their movements at any time.
This is entirely beneficial to Hachinosu.
Hancock's lips moved as if she wanted to say something, but Roy interrupted her.
"And."
"I've said it before, Amazon Lily is an ally of Hachinosu."
"Allies won't change their stance just because of a Shichibukai title."
You are the Pirate Empress of Amazon Lily and an ally of Hachinosu.
These two identities will never conflict—all you need to do is make good use of this identity to secure greater benefits for yourself, for Amazon Lily, and for Hachinosu.
The secret room fell silent once more.
Hancock lowered her head, her black hair obscuring her expression. Sandersonia and Marigold looked at their sister, their eyes also filled with complex emotions.
They certainly hated the Celestial Dragons and the World Government —but they were even more worried about the island and the warriors who had raised them from childhood.
Elder Nyon sat to one side, her hands gripping her snake-shaped cane, her knuckles white from the force.
All eyes were on Hancock.
Hancock finally raised her head. In her deep purple eyes, there was no resistance, no resentment, only a calm that had settled after a struggle.
She looked at Roy and asked softly, "Does Lord Roy also think I should accept?"
Roy nodded, his gaze unwavering.
"Yes."
Hancock remained silent for a few moments, her previous resistance gone, replaced by a hint of relief.
"If this is Lord Roy's judgment, then I accept it. I trust you."
Elder Nyon slumped into a chair as if all her bones had been removed, letting out a long sigh.
Roy looked at Hancock and smiled:
Don't worry, I won't let you suffer any injustice.
"The alliance between Amazon Lily and Hachinosu remains unchanged. Bloodline Transplantation, instructor training, and all other plans will proceed as scheduled."
The Shichibukai are merely an extra layer of protection for your people. Once you are strong enough, you can remove this label whenever you want.
Hancock clenched her fist, a determined glint in her eyes:
"I will make myself stronger, and I will make Amazon Lily stronger."
So strong that they don't need this protective umbrella; so strong that they can truly stand by your side and become your strongest support.
"Then one day, when the World Government discovered that this pawn was no longer obedient—"
Hancock's eyes suddenly turned cold.
"Let them regret their decision today."
That afternoon, Hancock dialed the Navy's liaison Den Den Mushi.
The Den Den Mushi's simulated face of a Navy communications officer visibly paused after hearing Hancock say "accept," then a near-obsequious smile bloomed on its face:
" Pirate Empress Boa Hancock! The World Government warmly welcomes you to the ranks!"
Please wait a moment, the Fleet Admiral will speak with you personally shortly!
A moment later, the Den Den Mushi's face transformed into Sengoku's square, angular face.
Boa Hancock.
The Sengoku's voice was as authoritative as ever, but there was a hint of barely concealed satisfaction in his tone.
You made a wise choice.
The inauguration ceremony is scheduled for ten days from now. You will need to come to Marine Headquarters, where the World Government will officially confer upon you the appointment letter and privilege documents of the Shichibukai.
Hancock listened expressionlessly, suppressing the urge to petrify the Den Den Mushi, and nodded. "Understood."
After hanging up the phone, she leaned back on the serpent-headed throne, closed her eyes, and remained silent for a long time.
Then she stood up, walked to the window, looked at the figure still fishing by the sea outside, and clenched her fist.
The next morning,
The World Economy News Paper's newspapers were spread across the entire ocean by News Coo.
The headline on the front page was printed in bold, large font in the most prominent position: "Boa Hancock, the new Pirate Empress of Amazon Lily, is about to become Shichibukai!", accompanied by a photo of Hancock dressed in her Pirate Empress robes and wearing a serpentine crown.
The newspaper devoted two full pages to detailing the background of the new Shichibukai: Boa Hancock, the 74th Pirate Empress of Amazon Lily, Paramecia Mi (Love-Love Devil Fruit User, and a user of Three Types of Haki.
She is skilled at using the power of the Love-Love Fruit to petrify large areas, and her individual combat strength is extremely high. She is assessed by the World Government as "extremely dangerous".
At the same time, the newspaper also published a picture introducing Amazon Lily--
Amazon Lily, Amazon Lily in the Calm Belt that has existed for centuries, is a nation of warriors with a unique fighting culture.
The various factions received the newspapers and had mixed reactions.
Whitebeard glanced at the newspaper, tossed it aside, took a big gulp of wine, and muttered, "That Roy kid's got a long reach."
Kaido didn't even glance at it; he was busy discussing the next batch of Seastone weapons orders with King.
The Golden Lion glanced at it a few more times, but quickly lost interest.
Only Big Mom's reaction is worth noting—her eyes lit up when she saw that Hancock was a "Love-Love Devil Fruit User."
They immediately summoned Perospero to discuss whether they could use marriage alliances to bind Hachinosu and Amazon Lily to the Totto Land Warcraft's chariot.
Meanwhile, at the Marine Headquarters, Sengoku finally breathed a sigh of relief.
The situation on Amazon Lily, at least on the surface, has stabilized.
The new Pirate Empress accepted the summons of the Shichibukai.
This means that another piece has been added to the puzzle of the World Government's three major power system.