"Bruce, prepare the fleet to set sail."
"This time, we're returning to the East Blue."
Saint Roselith Seraphina calmly gave the order to her trusted CP0 escort. Unbeknownst to her, Bruce had already been officially promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral at Marine Headquarters.
"Yes, Your Highness!"
Bruce immediately saluted.
"Oh, that's right."
"Our route will pass through Amazon Lily."
"We'll be crossing the Calm Belt to shorten the journey."
"I'd like to stop there for a while."
Saint Roselith Seraphina added with a faint smile.
She wanted to visit Hancock before continuing toward the East Blue.
"Understood."
Bruce nodded without objection.
The Marine warship slowly adjusted its course and sailed directly into the Calm Belt.
Only specially modified Marine vessels equipped with Sea Prism Stone-coated hulls could safely navigate those waters without attracting Sea Kings.
Amazon Lily"A Marine warship!"
"Another Marine warship has entered the Calm Belt!"
One of the tall Kuja warriors standing atop the watchtower immediately spotted the approaching vessel on the horizon.
"Don't panic!"
"The Snake Princess has already told us that the Marines are not our enemies."
Another Kuja warrior quickly reassured her companion.
"But… look at the sails!"
As the warship drew nearer, the large characters painted across its sails became increasingly clear.
『Bai Ze』
"…"
"B… Bai Ze?"
"Vice Admiral Bai Ze!"
The entire lookout tower erupted into panic.
Inside the royal palace…
"Snake Princess!"
"Something incredible has happened!"
"Vice Admiral Bai Ze… the legendary Vice Admiral Bai Ze has arrived at Amazon Lily!"
A Kuja warrior hurriedly rushed inside to report.
"Oh?"
Boa Hancock's beautiful lips curved into a knowing smile.
"Then let's welcome Vice Admiral Bai Ze."
Unlike the others, Hancock already had a good idea who the mysterious Vice Admiral truly was.
Several days earlier, newspapers from the outside world had reached Amazon Lily.
Although the published photograph only showed Vice Admiral Bai Ze's back…
That familiar silver hair had been impossible for Hancock to mistake.
The Marine warship anchored just outside Amazon Lily.
A crimson Kuja boat soon approached.
A wooden bridge was lowered between the two vessels.
"Vice Admiral Bai Ze…"
"What a rare guest."
Hancock smiled teasingly as she stepped aboard.
"Hancock…"
Saint Roselith Seraphina puffed out her cheeks in mock annoyance.
She knew Hancock was teasing her, but she could also sense the lingering dissatisfaction over how abruptly their previous meeting had ended.
"Alright, alright."
"I'm only joking."
"Seraphina…"
"It's been a long time."
Hancock's smile softened as she addressed her warmly.
"It really has."
Saint Roselith Seraphina smiled back.
"I'm sorry…"
"I left so suddenly last time…"
Before she could finish apologizing, Hancock gently raised a slender finger and pressed it lightly against her lips.
"No apologies."
"Not between us."
Hancock spoke softly.
"…Alright."
Saint Roselith Seraphina obediently nodded.
As they walked through the streets of Amazon Lily together, the two friends chatted casually.
"Hancock…"
"Have you ever actually met Whitebeard?"
There was unmistakable excitement in Saint Roselith Seraphina's voice.
Although she had ultimately lost…
She had truly challenged the strongest man in the world.
That experience alone filled her with anticipation for the future.
She firmly believed that one day she would surpass Whitebeard.
"No."
"I've never met him."
Hancock shook her head.
"I've only heard stories."
"I've seen his bounty poster and newspaper photographs."
"But never the man himself."
A playful grin appeared on Saint Roselith Seraphina's face.
"Then you've never seen his beard up close."
Hancock blinked curiously.
"What does it actually look like?"
"It really is shaped like a crescent moon."
"It's exactly like the stories."
She laughed while tracing a crescent shape through the air.
"Even during our battle…"
"That magnificent mustache never lost its shape."
Hancock couldn't help covering her mouth as she laughed elegantly.
"So the rumors were actually true."
"I always assumed people exaggerated."
"They didn't."
"It really is that impressive."
The two continued laughing together.
"You know…"
"Whitebeard is over six meters tall."
"He looks terrifying."
"But even someone like him eventually withdrew from the battlefield before me."
Saint Roselith Seraphina proudly declared, unable to hide her satisfaction.
Although neither side had truly defeated the other…
Whitebeard had ultimately ordered a retreat.
"Hmm…"
Hancock looked at her quietly.
Her expression became slightly complicated.
Saint Roselith Seraphina's growth had simply been too astonishing.
Each time they met…
She had become dramatically stronger.
For the first time in years…
Hancock wondered whether she would ever be able to catch up.
Noticing Hancock's silence, Saint Roselith Seraphina naturally changed the subject.
"Hancock…"
"As the ruler of Amazon Lily…"
"What do you believe is the most important principle of governing a nation?"
Hancock considered the question seriously.
"My people trust me."
"No one wishes to oppose my rule."
"The Kuja stand together as one."
"I believe unity itself is the foundation of good governance."
She answered honestly.
Saint Roselith Seraphina smiled knowingly.
"Hancock…"
"I think that's because your personal charisma is overwhelming."
Even within Marine Branch Bai Ze…
Many Marines secretly admired the Snake Princess.
Her beauty was almost legendary.
"…Is it?"
Hancock tilted her head.
She had never considered herself unusually charming.
To her…
People simply behaved that way naturally.
Then…
Why doesn't that charm work on you?
The thought quietly crossed her mind.
"Hancock…"
"I've been considering something."
"What if a nation separated its governing institutions?"
"The people would elect representatives from every region."
"Those representatives would form a parliament responsible for legislation."
"What do you think?"
This was an idea Saint Roselith Seraphina had carried with her from another world.
Hancock immediately grasped the essence of the proposal.
"So…"
"You want political authority to originate from the people themselves?"
"Exactly."
Saint Roselith Seraphina nodded.
"But…"
Hancock continued calmly.
"Have you considered one important fact?"
"In this world…"
"Status is ultimately determined by strength."
Her words caused Saint Roselith Seraphina to pause.
"The strong naturally protect the weak…"
"…don't they?"
She answered almost instinctively.
It was a belief deeply rooted within her.
Hancock slowly shook her head.
"Not necessarily."
"In this world…"
"Most powerful people don't protect the weak without a reason."
"Unless they gain something in return."
"This isn't the world you imagine."
"Here…"
"A single powerful individual can influence an entire nation."
"The balance between strength and authority can never be ignored."
Those words struck Saint Roselith Seraphina like lightning.
She immediately realized the flaw in her original plan.
She had unconsciously applied the political logic of her previous world to One Piece.
Yet in this world…
Individuals like Whitebeard, Garp, Kaido, or the Admirals possessed power comparable to natural disasters.
After thinking for a long while, she finally spoke again.
"Then…"
"What if governmental authority and military authority were completely separated?"
"The strongest individuals would serve only in the military."
"Meanwhile…"
"Ordinary citizens would elect representatives to govern."
"The military would protect the nation."
"The parliament would govern it."
"What do you think?"
Hancock's eyes lit up.
"…That…"
"…is an excellent idea."
She nodded approvingly.
"But…"
"There is still one requirement."
"You would need someone powerful enough to prevent either side from abusing its authority."
"Otherwise…"
"The military could simply overthrow the parliament."
"Or the politicians could corrupt the military."
"In the end…"
"Everything would still depend upon one person maintaining the balance."
She looked directly into Saint Roselith Seraphina's eyes.
"…You."
Only someone possessing overwhelming strength, unquestionable prestige, and extraordinary wisdom could stand between both sides and maintain equilibrium.
Without such a figure…
The system would inevitably collapse.
Saint Roselith Seraphina fell silent.
Hancock's observation was absolutely correct.
"Hancock…"
"Thank you."
"You've helped me avoid making a huge mistake."
Hancock smiled gently.
"Seraphina…"
"I'll always support whatever path you choose."
"If you ever need me…"
"Just call."
"Even if the entire world stands against you…"
"I'll still stand beside you."
Those words carried absolute sincerity.
A warm smile spread across Saint Roselith Seraphina's face.
"When everything is finished…"
"Let's travel around the world together."
"Deal."
Hancock smiled brightly.
"I'll hold you to that promise."
The Marine warship had only stopped long enough to replenish supplies.
After saying their farewells, it once again departed from Amazon Lily and sailed toward the East Blue.
Watching the ship disappear into the Calm Belt…
Marigold quietly stepped beside her elder sister.
"Sister…"
"Aren't you going to ask her to stay?"
Hancock gently shook her head.
"No."
"Seraphina has dreams she must pursue."
"And I…"
"…have responsibilities that only I can fulfill."
She continued gazing toward the horizon long after the warship had disappeared from sight.
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