When Franky set sail, he entrusted his crewmates to Iceburg's care.
Now, sending them to serve under El was not only the best choice, but also the greatest opportunity they could ever hope for to see the world and make their mark.
"You reckless lot," Crocodile said, his voice icy and sharp. "If anything goes wrong with that ship, I'll throw every single one of you straight into the sea and let you meet the Sea Kings up close."
Even in the middle of a friendly gathering, Crocodile could always drop a cold remark that instantly sobered everyone up.
The members of the Franky Family shivered. They knew very well that this was one task they had to carry out perfectly.
Meanwhile, back on Amazon Lily...
Now that they had agreed to join El's sphere of influence, the entire island had gathered for a great assembly. Before setting out to meet him, Hancock had to explain the situation to her people.
"Snake Princess, have you truly agreed to submit to that arrogant boy and become his vassal state?"
"Have you lost your mind? How could you decide something this important without consulting anyone?!"
Elder Nyon shouted angrily inside the palace, utterly dissatisfied with Hancock's decision.
She never imagined that at her age, she would have to watch her homeland walk into what she believed was danger.
"Elder Nyon, please don't scold her," Sandersonia spoke up loudly. "Given the situation back then, what choice did we have? Should we have gone to war against him?"
"Only someone as old as you would dare call him an arrogant boy!"
Elder Nyon hadn't been present at the Summit War. She didn't see how El had walked away completely unharmed, or how he had made Fleet Admiral Sengoku pay a terrible price.
When someone like El demands something, there is no one in this world who can stand against him.
Refusing him back then would have been the same as declaring war on his entire crew.
No one dared take that risk, and doing so would only have brought far greater destruction upon Amazon Lily.
"So what if she was there?! Don't you realize who you are? You are the Empress of this island!"
"What are you going to tell your people now? That you've sold them into slavery?"
"And to a pirate crew led by a man, of all things!"
Elder Nyon's voice rose higher and higher, unable to control her frustration.
Hancock sat calmly to one side, while glowing pink heart-shaped energy began to gather in her hands.
"Elder Nyon, watch your tone. You have pushed me to my limit."
"Do you think I would have agreed unless I absolutely had to? And besides..."
"Besides... Mr. El is so incredibly powerful. Is there really anything wrong with being led by someone like him?"
By the end of her sentence, Hancock's eyes were filled with hearts, sparkling with pure adoration.
It was impossible to tell whether she had made this decision out of fear, or simply because she had fallen completely for him.
Marigold saw her sister's expression and quickly whispered a reminder.
"Sister! Snap out of it! Please, remember your dignity!"
She had been there too, and knew exactly how dangerous the situation had been. But she never expected Hancock to develop such a massive crush on El afterward.
Before this, Hancock had always hated men with a passion. She would avoid or reject any man who came near her.
But that unbreakable rule had shattered completely the moment she met El.
"Look at her! Is this really the Pirate Empress? Is this truly the Snake Princess? She must be an imposter or a shape-shifter!"
"I should take my cane and knock some sense back into her head right now!"
Elder Nyon trembled with rage and frustration.
Hancock, however, remained lost in her dreamy daze. The elder's words were nothing more than wind passing by—she didn't hear a single word.
"Sister, stop daydreaming. Everyone has arrived. It's time to make the announcement," Sandersonia urged, trying to bring her back to reality.
Boa Hancock had ruled Amazon Lily for a long time. Her reign had established her absolute authority as the beautiful yet ruthless tyrant.
This lovesick, starry-eyed state was something no one had ever seen before. That was exactly why Elder Nyon was so shocked and furious.
Deep down, however, the former ruler understood exactly how Hancock felt. She had been young once, and had experienced those feelings herself.
But the change in Hancock had been far too sudden, far too extreme.
She was worried that the people and the warriors of the Kuja Tribe would not be able to accept it all at once.
And truth be told, it was only natural they would struggle.
Since the beginning of history, Amazon Lily had been a nation of women, ruled entirely by women. Men were strictly forbidden from even stepping foot on the island.
Within this tradition and history, how could their Empress possibly want to bring a male ruler into their land?
It sounded like madness. It was a complete reversal of everything their nation stood for.
That was exactly why Elder Nyon was so upset.
But in the end, there was nothing she could do. Hancock was the sole, undisputed ruler of the island. Her word was law.
And while she could be harsh—sometimes even cruel—her rule had always brought more good than harm to the people.
Her reputation as the Pirate Empress struck fear not only across the seas, but also within her own people, who knew better than to question her.
If any other ruler in history had tried to change the system and submit to a man, there would surely have been a massive uprising.
But with Hancock... it was impossible to predict what would happen.
"What? Everyone has gathered already?"
Hancock finally snapped out of her trance, though her mind was still filled with thoughts of "Lord El." She knew, however, that serving him well meant handling her duties properly.
"Right, right! I am ready! Is the assembly hall prepared?"
She turned to ask her ministers. By now, all the important figures and leaders of the island had assembled.
"Yes, Snake Princess. We have carried out every one of your orders exactly as you commanded."
"Good!"
Hancock turned to her two younger sisters.
"Go both of you and organize the gathering. Bring plenty of guards to maintain order!"
Now that she was fully focused again, she realized that what she was about to announce would change... no, it would rewrite the history of Amazon Lily.
And it might very well meet with resistance.
Every precaution had to be taken in advance.
"Understood, Sister!"
Her sisters nodded and left with their personal guards.
Only the strongest and most skilled female warriors were chosen to join the Kuja Pirates. And most of those elite warriors served directly under Hancock's sisters.
Hancock herself was so powerful that she had no need for ordinary guards to make her authority clear.
"Snake Princess! Will you not open your eyes to the truth?!"
Elder Nyon struck the ground furiously with her cane, looking at Hancock with disappointment and anger.
"Hmph..."
Now that she had fully regained her composure, Hancock completely ignored the old woman.
Let her say what she wanted, let her do what she wanted. This island belonged to Hancock now.
No one would listen to the words of someone who had already stepped down from power.
Though she was still young, Hancock had ruled for many years and understood exactly how power and politics worked.
What use was opposition from someone who no longer held any authority?
She remembered clearly: when she first took the throne, it had taken her a great deal of effort to clear away all opposition and secure her rule.
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