Seeing Hancock lost in self-indulgent fantasies after just a few words, Hina immediately turned the tables on her:
"I give you a small compliment, and you completely lose your dignity. The strongest in the world? Wait until your people exceed 10,000 before you start making such ridiculous claims."
Viola, who had just been mocked herself, wasn't about to let the opportunity pass and added sarcastically:
"That's right. Do you really think you'll be invincible just because Amazon Lily adopting a few children? You should wait until they're weaned from breast milk before making grand declarations!"
"You two bastards!"
Hancock stood up angrily and glared at them both.
Hina and Viola were not intimidated and rose to confront her.
Olivia, Yamato, and Kalifa cast expectant glances their way, clearly hoping for some action. But after waiting for some time and seeing that the three had no intention of actually fighting, they turned away in disappointment.
"Tsk, all talk and no action. Why don't you just fight already?" Yamato complained.
She poured an entire plate of sushi into her mouth, barely chewing before swallowing it all. Then she stood up, patted her full stomach, and announced to everyone:
"Well, I'm full. You all take your time eating—I'm going to teach the kids now."
"Bye, Yamato," Kujaku waved lazily.
Nodding, Yamato grabbed her coat and hurried outside, beginning a new day in her role as the children's instructor.
Not long after she left, Robin also put down her knife and fork and stood up. She glanced at Olivia, who was already prepared to leave, and then asked Koala, who had finished her meal as well:
"Would you mind taking us to Dr. Vegapunk's laboratory today?"
With Luffy and Nami away, Koala—who could control auspicious clouds—had naturally become their primary transportation provider.
"Sure, let's go now," Koala agreed without objection. She said quick goodbyes to the others and departed with Robin and Olivia.
As the household members dispersed for their daily activities, soon only Hancock, Hina, and Viola remained in the room.
Oh, and there was also Alpha, the outsider.
Since the supply of seastone had remained relatively stable recently, most of the CP8 agents had been reassigned elsewhere. Only Alpha, who had a special relationship with Kalifa, had managed to stay behind after she concealed certain details from her superiors. Her assignment was to monitor G66, which everyone was well aware of.
There was little activity in CP8 these days, and Alpha held no official position in the Marines. She had naturally fallen into the role of caretaker. When at home, she handled most of the housework—a task she seemed to genuinely enjoy.
Ignoring the tense atmosphere between the three women, Alpha hummed a cheerful tune as she began clearing the table, removing plates, bowls, knives, and forks from in front of them.
"Excuse me, I need to clean this area."
"Please lift your feet so I can mop the floor."
"I've prepared some fresh fruit. Would you care for some, Your Majesty?"
Faced with Alpha's busy, unperturbed demeanor, the three women gradually lost their will to continue quarreling.
After glancing calmly at her two rivals, Hancock snorted coldly and called out to Alpha's retreating back:
"I'm leaving. Remember to tell Koala to pick me up at Onigashima this evening."
Alpha didn't look back but simply adjusted the pillows on the sofa and raised her hand to make an "OK" gesture.
Having received confirmation, Hancock didn't linger. She strode away on her high heels, quickly returning to her own territory.
Watching her departure, Viola lowered her head and rested her chin on her hand, deep in thought. After a moment of contemplation, something seemed to click into place. She suddenly called out to Hina, who was about to leave for work:
"Hey, Hina, would you like to come back to Dressrosa with me to witness my coronation as Queen?"
Hina, who had already changed into her work clothes, paused when she heard this. She turned around with a confused tilt of her head.
"What?"
One month later.
"A new monarch has ascended the throne! The world's nations have once again welcomed a beautiful queen. And behind this coronation, that person's shadow appeared again. Follow this editor's investigation as we reveal the untold story of Viola, the new Queen of Dressrosa..."
In North Blue, Luffy, who had just awakened, stared at the newspaper in his hands and fell into deep thought.
"What on earth did I miss?"