That very day, Arima and Tsunade decided to remain in the Amazon Lily.
Elder Nyon even hosted a lavish banquet in their honor, personally entertaining them with great enthusiasm. The Empress, however, was still bedridden, her illness had yet to fully subside.
The following morning, Arima and Tsunade went to visit her. When they entered, they found that Hancock's complexion had improved considerably, though her body still seemed weak.
"I must thank Arima-sama for your assistance," Hancock said as she sat upright on the bed, forcing herself to maintain composure as she bowed slightly toward him.
"There's no need to be so formal. You're still recovering and should rest," Arima replied with a polite nod.
"May I ask what matter brings Arima-sama to me?"
"The Navy Headquarters," Arima began, "have they summoned you to Marineford to help repel Whitebeard's attack?"
"This… yes, that is true. But as you can see, I am gravely ill and cannot take part this time.
To be honest, I've always disliked cooperating with the Navy or the World Government. My agreement to their summons was purely out of obligation."
"Good," Arima said calmly. "That's a muddy battlefield you'd be better off avoiding."
"I understand. Arima-sama… I've always been grateful to you." Hancock's eyes burned with a strange, unwavering light as she gazed at him.
"Eh? Heh… may I ask why?" Arima asked awkwardly, uncertain where her gratitude stemmed from.
"The Celestial Dragons are my lifelong enemies," Hancock said, her tone laced with venom. "If I could, I would turn every one of them into stone and sink them to the bottom of the sea forever."
There was an indescribable hatred in her eyes, something ancient and raw.
"Oh, I see now," Arima said quietly. "Thank you for clearing that up."
"I'm merely speaking the truth," she said softly. "I've done nothing deserving of your thanks. May I… speak with Lady Tsunade in private?"
"Me?" Tsunade blinked, surprised. "What does the Empress want with me?"
"In order to gain Arima-sama's trust," Hancock said slowly, "there are certain things that must be done."
Tsunade shot Arima a strange look, then approached the bedside. A moment later, Sandersonia pulled the curtains shut, blocking Arima's view completely.
Having nothing better to do, Arima strolled out of the chamber and climbed to the top of the main tower, gazing out at the view of the city below.
It was quite some time before Tsunade returned. As soon as she saw Arima, she threw her arms around him, breathing out a long sigh of relief.
"Arima..," she murmured, sounding guilty, "I'm sorry. I've been suspecting there was something improper between you and the Empress…"
Then, without thinking, she leaned up and pressed a deep, lingering kiss to his lips.
"You…" Arima chuckled, still a bit dazed. "What exactly happened in there?"
Though he savored the warmth of her lips, his curiosity about what transpired between the two women was even stronger.
"The Empress has a slave brand, the mark of the Celestial Dragons, burned into her back," Tsunade whispered near his ear.
"What? So that's the truth behind that strange rumor," Arima said with a dawning understanding.
On Amazon Lily, there was a long-standing legend.
Hancock and her two sisters once set sail and defeated the Gorgon, a monstrous serpent-woman from the central sea.
But the three sisters were supposedly cursed for their victory, their backs growing "demonic eyes." Anyone who saw those eyes, it was said, would be turned to stone.
"Yes," Tsunade sighed.
"They're pitiful, really. Still so young when the Celestial Dragons enslaved them.
If Fisher Tiger hadn't raided Mariejois back then, those three might've been ruined for life. The Celestial Dragons… they're despicable!"
"They'll face judgment soon enough," Arima said coldly. "By the way, did the Empress tell you anything else?"
"She wants to ally with Konoha, to fight the World Government together."
"Oh? Does she know about our plan?"
"Apparently not. She just doesn't want any more ties with the World Government.
Besides, everyone on the seas knows that you are their mortal enemy. It's only natural she'd side with us."
"And you didn't tell her our next move?"
"Not yet. I figured it's better if you handle that. You're the one she admires most now, she even revealed her deepest secret just to earn your trust.
So, Arima…" she smirked teasingly, "how are you going to repay her for that?"
Arima gave her a helpless look. "You mischievous girl. Not only are you refusing to help, you're hoping to watch me squirm…"
"Hehe, Arima, should I remind you how many women's hearts you've already broken?" Tsunade teased, leaning close.
"You're hopeless! Enough of this, I need to go speak with the Empress about serious matters." Arima turned and started down the stairs.
Tsunade followed at his side, her arm hooked through his, her face glowing with pride. For all her teasing, she was deeply proud of Arima's steadfast heart.
When they returned to Hancock's chambers, the Empress seemed far more composed than before, no longer avoiding Arima's gaze.
Yet, after only a few seconds of eye contact, her composure faltered and she quickly looked away.
Tsunade snickered quietly, amused by the sight.
"Empress," Arima said seriously, "since you wish to ally with Konoha, I won't hide our intentions. When the Navy executes Ace, I plan to strike directly at Mariejois."
"What? Did I hear that correctly?" Hancock's voice trembled with shock and excitement.
"You heard right," Arima said with a faint smile.
"The Revolutionary Army will join forces with Konoha to overthrow the World Government's rule. As for the Celestial Dragons… they'll be put on public trial afterward."
Hancock covered her mouth, eyes wide with disbelief. Her lifelong dream, something she thought impossible, was suddenly within reach.
Tears nearly welled in her eyes, but as the ruler of Amazon Lily, she refused to show weakness. She steadied herself and said softly, "What… what can I do to help?"
Arima hadn't expected the normally imposing Empress to show such gentleness.
After a moment of thought, he replied, "I'll be the one to infiltrate Mariejois.
When chaos erupts, you and your forces can coordinate with the Revolutionary Army, capture the Celestial Dragons as they try to flee."
"But… I want to go with you," Hancock said firmly. "I want to set foot in that wretched place myself."
Arima shook his head. "We each have our role. Don't distract me."
Her shoulders drooped slightly, her plan to storm Mariejois alongside him dashed.
Disappointment flickered across her face, but it didn't last long. The thought of personally helping capture those vile Celestial Dragons rekindled her excitement.
Soon after, Arima brought Hancock to Skypiea, where she joined him and Dragon to discuss the plan.
With that, the three powers, Arima, Monkey D. Dragon, and Empress Boa Hancock, officially formed their alliance.