Anyone who refused to obey, or dared to resist her, had long since been dealt with, divided, or eliminated.
Now, Amazon Lily was ruled entirely by her word alone.
In truth, this was exactly what made Elder Nyon so furious.
She knew her anger was in vain and would never change Hancock's mind.
Over the years, Hancock had been willful and capricious at times, but ever since joining the Seven Warlords of the Sea, the Kuja Pirates had grown stronger and stronger.
Under her leadership, the nation had truly flourished and prospered.
Becoming a Warlord had always been a mutually beneficial arrangement between the Navy and selected pirates.
In fact, in many ways, the pirates gained far more from the deal.
It was this opportunity that allowed the Kuja Pirates and the entire island to ride a wave of rapid development.
As Empress, Hancock had earned the support, fear, and even adoration of the people.
And all of this gave her absolute confidence.
Just as she declared during the great assembly that followed:
"…Do you really think I would ever deceive you?"
"Hmph! If this did not concern the future and survival of our entire nation, our entire island…"
"I would never waste so many words explaining myself to you!"
Even while announcing something that overturned traditions thousands of years old, she spoke with the same supreme arrogance she always had.
That was the Pirate Empress, Boa Hancock.
Beneath the temporary high platform, the crowd erupted into loud murmurs and arguments.
Even coming from their Empress, the news was simply too shocking.
Their homeland, Amazon Lily… was now going to be ruled by a man?
And worse still, their powerful, invincible Empress was voluntarily stepping down to make way for him!
"Did you hear that? Did Snake Princess really… really say that?"
"I… I don't want to believe it…"
Many simply refused to believe their own ears.
It was only because Hancock always maintained such a lofty, majestic, and intimidating presence that the crowd limited themselves to whispering.
Otherwise, this would have turned into a riot instantly.
After all, this was the Grand Line.
This was Amazon Lily.
In this nation of pirates, almost everyone—women included—worshipped strength above all else.
Here, the standard of beauty was measured entirely by power.
And Hancock, being the strongest of all, was naturally also the most beautiful woman on the island.
If not for her overwhelming strength, her words alone would have sparked rebellion right then and there.
"Let a man rule us? Did you hear her? A man?!"
"It can't be true! Did the Snake Princess really say that?"
"Exactly! She hates men more than anyone else in the world!"
Ever since their first voyage, the Kuja Pirates had built a terrifying reputation.
The World Government and Navy Headquarters had scrambled to send invitations, asking them to join the Seven Warlords.
After that, under Hancock's leadership, the crew had sailed out time and again, legally plundering wherever they went, accumulating unimaginable wealth.
And on every voyage, any male enemy they encountered… unlike women, who might be spared, men were never left alive.
They were slaughtered without mercy.
This nation of women had always been this harsh toward men—a tradition carved deep into their history and souls, maintained for thousands of years.
Now, the Pirate Empress Boa Hancock intended to abolish that tradition entirely. She planned to yield her position to a man… and even submit to him herself.
It sounded like a fairy tale, too absurd to be real.
Even the senior officers of the Kuja Pirates, who had served alongside her for years, stood wide-eyed and open-mouthed in disbelief.
"Snake Princess!"
One of the crew's commanders, a warrior who also served as a high-ranking minister of the kingdom, stepped forward to speak.
But the moment she began, Hancock shot her a cold, sharp glance from the platform, freezing her in place.
"Sweet Perfume!"
A faint, invisible wave of energy swept across the crowd.
The brave warrior and commander stood stiffly, her body slowly turning into stone.
In an instant, the entire assembly fell dead silent—so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Everyone remembered: Hancock had not become Empress and ruler of Amazon Lily through kindness or gentle words.
She had done it through absolute, overwhelming power.
"Do any of you… have more to say?"
"Do any of you… object to my decision?"
"Speak now if you dare…"
The Pirate Empress stood tall on the platform, one hand on her hip, the other pointing forward, leaning back slightly and looking down her nose at them all.
It was the pose she used only when she viewed others with utter contempt.
And truly—with her current strength, there was no one left on the entire island who could stand against her.
The reason she ruled without question was simply because she was far stronger than everyone else.
Once the petrified commander was carried away to be treated, Hancock swept her gaze across the crowd again.
Every warrior lowered her head and kept her eyes on the ground. No one dared utter another word.
"Hmph…"
"What a waste of my breath," Hancock muttered to herself.
In truth, she had wanted to build a good foundation for Lord El, to show him that Amazon Lily was absolutely loyal to him.
But clearly, gentle persuasion had failed to achieve that.
She glanced at the crowd of "unruly subjects" below and spoke coldly, nostrils flaring with disdain.
"You understand my will now. From this moment on, you shall prepare with all your hearts to welcome the arrival of the great and mighty Lord El!"
"Every single one of you—do you hear me? Every one!"
"Bring forth your finest possessions, your most precious treasures!"
"Prepare them to be offered to Lord El!"
"If I discover anyone hiding or keeping things for themselves… I will have them executed without mercy!"
Hancock threw down that cold warning and turned away, leaving the platform.
She had said everything that needed to be said.
And she was certain… no one on this island would dare cause trouble.
The majesty of the Pirate Empress would never allow her own people to defy her.
As the saying goes: when those above speak, those below must run themselves ragged carrying out the orders.
And with the command issued by Empress Boa Hancock, the entire island sprang into action.
Amazon Lily itself was incredibly rich in resources.
After all, a nation capable of producing a people skilled in Armament Haki could not survive without abundant supplies.
Furthermore, being located in the Calm Belt meant that under normal circumstances, the island had almost no enemies to fear.
Only the Navy possessed the technology to navigate through the Calm Belt.
But in the past, Amazon Lily had been a member of the Seven Warlords—independent, allied with but not controlled by the Navy.
Back then, the Navy could never have attacked them.
And now, the island… or rather, Hancock herself… had fully aligned with El.
During his negotiations with the Navy, El had declared clearly:
To attack Amazon Lily was to declare war on El's entire crew.
Without the Navy to fear, ordinary pirates and other forces—who dared not even enter the Calm Belt—posed no threat whatsoever.
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