Three days later, at the Calm Belt
Three kilometers off the coast of Amazon Lily, a marine warship stood still on the sea. Nearby, the massive corpse of a Sea King floated lifelessly.
"Oooh-ho-ho…"
A giant bird soared toward the ship from the direction of Amazon Lily.
Under the wary and slightly astonished gazes of the marines, the bird transformed into a human.
She wasn't particularly tall, but her sharp features carried an air of rugged beauty. A snake coiled around her neck, and a quiver of arrows rested on her back, adding to her formidable presence.
After scanning the Sea King's corpse, she chuckled: "Not bad… You actually managed to take down something this big."
Then, her expression turned serious.
"Hand over your Den Den Mushi. Hancock-sama wants to speak with you."
Vice-Admiral Doberman, his face lined with deep scars and a fearsome expression, remained silent for a moment before solemnly handing over a Den Den Mushi to the warrior who had flown in.
This was one of the devil fruit abilities extracted from captured enemies over the past two years by the Kuja Pirates.
Before long, in a grand palace built into the mountainside, Boa Hancock took the Den Den Mushi from the female warrior who had delivered it.
"According to our agreement, the marines shouldn't be here."
"It's precisely because of your status as a warlord of the sea that we haven't approached Amazon Lily directly."
A gruff reply from the Den Den Mushi perfectly mimicked Vice-Admiral Doberman's rugged and scarred face. "Instead, we've kept our distance, a few kilometers offshore."
"Hmph. If you hadn't, you'd all be stone statues by now." Hancock sneered.
She had every reason to be confident. The Marine Headquarters alone wasn't enough to intimidate Amazon Lily. While they weren't completely fearless, neither were they easily subdued.
Besides, the World Government wouldn't go to extreme lengths just for the sake of one island, and more importantly, she had someone powerful backing her.
On the other end, Vice-Admiral Doberman clenched his fist instinctively at Hancock's words.
After taking a deep breath, he skipped any further argument and got straight to the point.
"A few days ago, Byrnndi World the World Destroyer killed Jack the Ripper, who had just been recruited as one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea. Based on our intelligence, he is now targeting other warlords as a declaration of war against the World Government."
"Then perhaps the fault lies with your side for recruiting useless weaklings who get themselves killed so easily." Hancock mocked without hesitation.
"Boa Hancock…"
Doberman's expression darkened.
He knew all too well how dangerous this woman was.
But rather than waste time arguing, he spoke coldly: "The World Government has issued a summons for all warlords of the sea. You are to cooperate with the Marines in hunting down Byrnndi World."
"If you refuse, we will have no choice but to revoke your warlord status."
Back in the palace, Hancock sat casually against Salome, her massive pet snake coiled beneath her.
At this moment, her eyes narrowed as she stared at the Den Den Mushi, and her tone turned icy. "Are you threatening me?"
"No, this is not a threat, I am just stating the facts..."
Doberman stated firmly. "Without your warlord privileges, marine warships will no longer be restricted from approaching Amazon Lily. I suggest you think carefully."
"Enough nonsense. Leave."
Hancock couldn't be bothered with Doberman's demands.
Not only had she already taken care of Byrnndi World, but even if she hadn't, she had no intention of obeying the World Government's orders.
Losing her warlord title was no big deal.
As the ruler of Amazon Lily, she was confident in her strength and her ability to protect her people.
"Boa Hancock… Are you refusing the World Government's summons?"
Three kilometers away, aboard the marine warship, Doberman's expression grew grim as he stared in the direction of Amazon Lily.
If Boa Hancock refused outright, the World Government would have to take action.
Otherwise, the entire warlord system would become meaningless.
But then, Hancock scoffed, crossing her legs as she spoke coldly.
"What, did your intelligence division fail you again?"
"Three days ago, Byrnndi World and his crew invaded the Calm Belt, setting their sights on Amazon Lily."
"You're already too late."
She smirked. "I already turned them all to stone and threw them into the sea."
"What!?"
Doberman's eyes widened in shock.
"Are you saying Byrnndi World is already dead?"
"Just another arrogant fool who relied too much on his Devil Fruit."
Hancock replied indifferently. "Anyone who dares challenge the Kuja Tribe will meet the same fate."
"This is only your claim. We have no proof." Doberman said while struggling to process the information.
If it were true, it would be terrifying.
The infamous World Destroyer was silently defeated by Hancock?
If her strength was truly on par with Byrnndi World, then the Marines had severely underestimated her.
"Don't misunderstand. I'm not asking for your opinion; I'm simply informing you." Hancock said flatly.
Then, without another word, she hung up.
Marine Headquarters, Marineford
Fleet Admiral Kong, who had been overseeing all marines operations due to the lack of a suitable replacement, suddenly stood up in shock after listening to Doberman's report.
His expression was one of utter disbelief.
"Are you saying… Boa Hancock actually said that?"
"Yes, Boa Hancock said so..."
Vice-Admiral Doberman confirmed. "But whether it's true or not, I haven't confirmed."
"No, the CP has just received news that someone claimed to have seen the ship of the World Pirates entering the Calm Belt a few days ago... In other words, Byrnndi World may have really tried to invade the Amazon Lily!"
Kong took a deep breath and said in a deep voice.
As hard as it was to believe, Hancock might actually be telling the truth.
If so, then Byrnndi World might have been taken down by her alone.
After all, the intelligence of her Devil Fruit ability was undeniable; against normal men, it was nearly unstoppable.
"Ah? This..."
Hearing what Kong said.
Doberman was stunned.
Could it be that the Pirate Empress really did not lie?
Thinking of this, he could not help but take a breath.
In this case, the strength of the Kuja Pirates is too terrible.
He can only be thankful that although the Seven Warlords of the Sea are unruly, they belong to the camp of the World Government after all.
"That woman may really not lie..."
Kong did not hesitate and directly ordered: "You stay in the Calm Belt first, confirm it, and investigate it clearly!"
"But Boa Hancock's personality is not so easy to communicate with..."
Doberman was a little helpless.
"Then think of a way. If it doesn't work, promise some conditions, such as changing the Marines' three kilometers away off limits from Amazon Lily to five kilometers..."
"It is necessary to confirm the life and death of Byrnndi World. The current Marines really have no energy to waste a long time on him!"
"Understood!"
Click!