The Kuja Pirates sailed toward Amazon Lily and navigated the vessel through a narrow passage until they reached a massive red metal gate with the Kuja symbol.
"Open the gate!" Ran commanded as she spoke through a transponder device.
At that moment, the heavy doors slid open. A voice echoed across the water, "The Snake Princess has returned!"
Hancock stood tall on the deck. There were numerous Kuja citizens lined the cliffs and docks, waving fervently. "Welcome back, Kuja Pirates!" they cheered.
The crew began to wave back. "We're home," Daisy shouted as confetti rained down from the sky. "And we've brought back a massive haul," she added.
A young girl in the crowd watched with wide, sparkling eyes. "They're so cool," she whispered. "I'm going to join the pirates someday, too," she added.
Upon docking, a lush red carpet was unrolled. Hancock, Sandersonia, and Marigold stepped off the ship. A servant approached them as they neared a waiting carriage. "Your Monkey Carriage is ready, Snake Princess," she said with a bow.
Hancock scanned the area. Her eyes narrowed. "Did something happen while we were away?" she asked.
"No, nothing at all," the woman assured her.
Hancock stepped into the carriage and traveled to Kuja Castle. It was a large stone structure with guards at the front. There was a large cliff behind the castle.
Hancock left the carriage and was met by a blonde woman in a blue shirt and a white coat draped over her shoulders. "Welcome back, Snake Princess," she said as she bowed low.
"Enishida," Hancock acknowledged. "Thank you for holding the fort," she added. She looked forward and saw a new object in the hall. "What is that?" she questioned.
"It is a clay model the village children worked incredibly hard on for you," Enishida explained warmly. "They spent days painting it," she added.
"Oh, I see. They made me out of clay and mud," Hancock said coldly. With a disdainful flick of her hand, she pushed the statue. It toppled over and shattered into a thousand pieces.
Enishida gasped, horrified. "Snake Princess," she said.
"Do not bring such filthy things into my castle," Hancock snapped. "Hurry up and clean the floor," she added as she began to walk away. She called out, "Enishida!"
"Yes, Princess?" Enishida asked as she was rushing to catch up.
"I did not see any of our elite warriors greeting us upon our arrival," Hancock noted.
"I am not entirely sure where they went. They reportedly spotted a large bat and went to chase it," Enishida explained.
"A bat?" Hancock questioned as her interest piqued for only a second.
"They should be back shortly," Enishida added.
Hancock approached her throne, where her trusty snake, Salome, coiled itself into a comfortable cushion. Hancock sat and crossed her long, elegant legs. "No matter," she murmured.
"I think I'll have some of that tea," a voice rasped. A remarkably diminutive elderly lady stepped forward. She was wrinkled with age and possessed thick lips and white hair adorned with a pink flower.
"Granny Nyon," Hancock said, her voice dripping with annoyance. "This is my private chamber. Why are you here?" she asked.
"I can get in any way I please," Nyon retorted.
"Throw her out," Hancock ordered immediately.
"Wait, Snake Princess!" Nyon cried as she raised a hand.
Hancock looked down at her. "You did not say 'please'," she responded.
Nyon froze, her face contorting.
"Say 'please'," Hancock repeated.
Nyon began to shake and sweat. She cleared her throat. She cleared her throat. "Pardon me, please wait, Snake Princess," she muttered quietly. Once she had her breath. Her tone turned serious. "The Central Sea people's ships are anchored offshore. They have come for you, have they not? They've ordered you into active duty," she said.
"That is right. An invitation to war," Boa responded as she looked bored.
"Then why are you not going?" Nyon pressed. "If you comply, our treaty with the Government remains intact. Surely someone with your abilities won't meet an untimely fate," she added.
"But I am scared," Hancock responded as she suddenly looked cute and vulnerable.
She looks like a helpless puppy, Nyon thought, before snapping out of it. "Wait, there is no time for that," she said. "This land is currently protected by your title as a Warlord of the Sea. Until recently, the Calm Belt was our greatest defense, but the Navy is using new ship technology to cross the sea as they like. Your title is the only thing keeping them from setting foot on this island! If you lose it, only tragedy awaits our people," she added.
Hancock looked at her. "Are you sure you are not the one who is afraid?" she asked.
"My life could end at any time," Nyon replied. She pulled out a crystal ball. "Look at this," she added as she held it up to show Hancock a single word: GO.
"Detestable," Hancock said as she shattered the glass with a kick. "Throw her out this instant!" she added.
"Wait," Nyon shouted, but Hancock walked toward her menacingly.
"Your era ended a long time ago, Gloriosa. You lost your place as Empress three decades ago. Even if my selfishness brings the end of this kingdom, I would be forgiven for it," she said. She tilted her head back in an extreme pose and pointed down at the old woman. "Because I am beautiful," she added.
"There it is, the Snake Princess's 'Extreme Looking Down' pose," Enishida whispered in awe.
"You abandoned this kingdom to set off to sea," Hancock continued as she grabbed Gloriosa by her hair and lifted her up. "You are a Kuja traitor," she added.
"That is why I live quietly on the edge of the village now," Gloriosa managed to say.
"Then continue to live there quietly and do not interfere with me," Hancock declared. She walked toward the window, carrying the old woman. "Although, I do admire your zeal. You win," she added.
"Then you will go?" Gloriosa asked hopefully.
"I lied," Hancock said as she casually threw Gloriosa out the window. The old woman crashed down into the courtyard below.
"Snake Princess?" a servant asked tentatively. "She was an old woman," she remarked.
"I don't know what came over me," Hancock responded as she turned back with a look of heart-melting beauty.
The servants immediately swooned. "Yes, yes! That sort of thing happens to the best of us," they said.
At that moment, a bell rang through the halls. "The Snake Princess is going to shower," a voice announced. Immediately, the room cleared, and guards set up a perimeter to ensure no one would enter the castle.
Outside the castle, a little girl looked up. "Why are we not allowed?" she questioned.
Ram walked forward and leaned down. "It isn't just a shower, little one," Ram explained. "The Snake Princess and her sisters carry a terrifying burden. They are known as the Gorgon Sisters for a reason," she added.
The little girl leaned in. "Is it really a curse?" she asked.
"Yes," Ram continued. "Long ago, the three sisters defeated a monstrous Gorgon. But in its final moments, the beast laid a curse upon them. Now, each of them bears the 'Eyes of the Gorgon' on their backs. It is a sight so hideous and powerful that anyone who lays eyes on it, even for a second, will have their entire body turned to stone," she explained.
The girl gasped.
"That is why when the bells ring," Ram added. "We evacuate the castle and guard the perimeter to protect the citizens. If someone were to accidentally see the Princess's back while she bathes, they would become a statue forever," she said.
The little girl nodded vigorously. Ram looked up at the high walls and could see something in the distance.