"Young Empress… surely you are not thinking of relocating Amazon Lily to the New World?" Old Granny's expression shifted drastically as she guessed Hancock's intentions.
Sandersonia, Marigold, and the others were equally shocked. Hancock, however, looked as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"What is so strange about that?" she replied. "I am a pirate. Pirates must always strive to climb higher. Why should we remain cooped up in the first half of the Grand Line forever?"
"Could you please stop gazing at Lord Grimm with that seductive look while you speak?" everyone present thought to themselves.
Old Granny, being far more experienced, saw exactly what Hancock was planning. She spoke gravely.
"Amazon Lily has stood since ancient times, a precious legacy left by our ancestors. How can you simply decide to abandon it? Furthermore, it is precisely because we are hidden within the Calm Belt that our nation has known peace for centuries. If we move into the chaotic, storm‑tossed waters of the New World… and trouble arises… can you truly bear the responsibility for what happens?"
As both a pirate stronghold and a nation of women, Amazon Lily had survived for hundreds of years only because of the Calm Belt.
Moving to the New World meant being swept into the conflicts between pirates, the World Government, and the Marines — with consequences too terrible to imagine.
Old Granny's argument made perfect sense.
But just then, a female pirate approached her, holding a newspaper and hesitating slightly.
"Umm… Old Granny… this is… today's official Marine newspaper."
"Hmm?"
Wondering why she was being given this now, Old Granny opened it — and upon seeing the headline, she shrieked in terror.
"Impossible!"
Across the top, in bold letters:
[MARINE SCIENCE DIVISION DEVELOPS NEW WARSHIPS — FREE NAVIGATION THROUGH THE CALM BELT NOW POSSIBLE]
This news completely shattered Old Granny's argument. The natural barrier that had protected them for centuries was now gone.
"Hmph! Now you have nothing more to say, you old woman, do you?"
Hancock flicked her long hair back disdainfully, then instantly shifted back into her sweet, affectionate demeanor, smiling brightly at Grimm.
"Lord Grimm… which island do you think would be best suited for my people of Amazon Lily?"
Old Granny no longer had the energy to argue. Her hands were trembling. This was a disaster — a catastrophe!
Without the Calm Belt as a shield, Amazon Lily would face endless attacks from the Marines.
In that case… perhaps moving to the New World and seeking Grimm's protection was indeed the better choice.
But could they really just abandon the sacred island left by their ancestors?
After ten minutes of agonizing hesitation, she turned back to Hancock, who was still busy trying to charm Grimm.
"Since things have come to this… I believe we should abandon the plan to move to the New World and return immediately to defend Amazon Lily!"
"HAH?!"
Hancock's expression twisted into a look of pure annoyance. She strode over, grabbed Old Granny by the collar, and lifted her tiny frame up as if she were a cat.
"Old woman… why must you talk so much nonsense?!"
With that, she simply tossed Old Granny over the ship's rail and into the sea.
The jaws of the Kuja crew members dropped in shock.
"E‑Empress! How could you treat an elder like that?!"
Hancock turned around instantly, putting on a look of wide‑eyed, innocent charm.
"Oops… my hand slipped… it was an accident…"
In an instant, every woman's eyes turned into heart shapes. They cheered wildly.
"It's alright! It's perfectly alright! Everyone makes mistakes sometimes!"
Grimm: "......"
Less than half a minute later, Old Granny hauled herself back up onto the deck, clutching her disheveled hair.
"Hancock! Don't you forget — there are tens of thousands of our people still living on that island! If the Marines attack while we are gone… what will become of them?!"
At those words, Hancock's expression finally shifted. Sandersonia and Marigold quickly added their pleas.
"Yes, Sister! There are still so many of our people back home!"
"And our defenses are already weak enough! Without the Calm Belt to protect us, Amazon Lily will be in grave danger if the Marines strike!"
Persuaded by her sisters, Hancock's resolve finally softened. Still, she looked at Grimm with deep reluctance and a pitiful, longing expression.
"Lord Grimm… please…"
Inside the main hall of Ryugu Palace, King Neptune, Otohime, Fisher Tiger, Jinbe, and the Ministers Left and Right were gathered.
"I absolutely refuse!" Tiger insisted. "To have Princess Shirahoshi become a pirate… that is simply…"
"Then, Mr. Tiger… perhaps you should go and defeat the great pirate Grimm?" Minister Left remarked calmly.
Tiger fell instantly silent.
What could he possibly do against Grimm? It wasn't a question of whether he could win or lose — it was a question of whether he would even survive a single blow.
And deep down, he knew this whole situation had come about because he had urged loyalty to "Father" Whitebeard, thereby offending Grimm in the first place.
Minister Right thought for a moment and spoke up. "Could we ask one of His Majesty's friends to intervene? Is it not said that there exists a man stronger than even Lord Grimm — the strongest man in the world?"
"Stop speaking nonsense, Minister Right!" Jinbe frowned.
"Regardless of whether Father Whitebeard would agree to get involved or not… the very identity of Princess Shirahoshi must be kept secret from as few people as possible. And even if Father agreed… think about it: Grimm is currently sitting right here in Fish‑Man Island, refusing to leave. If Father were to come here and fight him… do you honestly believe there would be anything left of us or our home afterward?"
Minister Right slumped like a deflated balloon. "Then… are we truly left with no choice but to let him take Princess Shirahoshi away?"
"As difficult as it is to accept… yes… I believe it is our only option."
Princess Otohime spoke at last. As the one who loved Shirahoshi most, this decision had torn her heart apart.
"But… look at it from another perspective. In exchange, we have finally gained the chance to migrate our people to the surface world, have we not? And while it is true that Grimm has killed countless people… he has never once harmed an innocent civilian. Furthermore, Shirahoshi is the Ancient Weapon. Until she reaches adulthood, Grimm will undoubtedly protect her with all his might. Her safety… at least… is guaranteed."
"We are not worried about her safety," Jinbe said with a heavy frown.
"I admit Grimm will protect her well. But what happens five or ten years from now? Once he begins to manipulate her power, her identity as the Sea King will inevitably be revealed to the world. And when the World Government finds out… who knows what horrors they will unleash?"
"Better that than having her identity revealed right now."
A voice echoed suddenly from nowhere.
The six people in the room spun around quickly — only to see Grimm materialize in a burst of golden light right in the center of the throne room. He looked at them all calmly.
"Do you truly believe that the Sea King was born to live a dull, quiet life… just like you lot… uselessly hiding away ten thousand meters beneath the sea?"
He took a step forward, his voice cold and sharp.
"Or do you intend for Fish‑Man Island to remain here… forever and ever… living in fear and resentment of the World Government, yet too cowardly to ever do anything about it… remaining useless trash for all eternity?"
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