That afternoon.
Takumi once again surveyed the entire Amazon Lily region. After confirming with Observation Haki that there were no ships approaching the Calm Belt within a certain distance, he reentered the only large town on the island.
As soon as he stood on the roof of a building, he noticed many people heading towards an area close to the palace, which resembled a coliseum.
Takumi remembered that it was the same place where Hancock would eventually plan to execute Luffy in the future...
After a moment of thought, Takumi joined the crowd heading toward the coliseum. Even though he didn't know what was happening, the fact that so many people were going there indicated that something important was about to take place. And perhaps it had something to do with his progression mission.
Even if he wasn't a fan of crowds, there were some events one couldn't afford to miss.
The coliseum.
It was a large, circular, open-air structure, with a round arena in the center. Four stone pathways led from the arena to four exits and seating areas. Surrounding the arena and walkways were deep, spiked pits.
At this moment, the audience seating around the coliseum was already packed with people.
On the eastern side, a three-story cylindrical building stood. At its top, Hancock sat in her exclusive seat, looking coldly at Sister Brew, who was kneeling on the arena platform, bound by two large black snakes.
Hancock's two tall sisters stood beside her.
Initially, the situation wasn't too severe—just a missing offering.
But ever since Hancock had become the Empress of Amazon Lily, no one had ever defied her. What happened today was unprecedented. Even though the missing offering wasn't a big deal to her, she wouldn't tolerate anyone daring to mock her authority. Intentional or not, that person had to pay.
The audience remained silent, anxiously waiting for Hancock to pass judgment on Sister Brew.
The atmosphere was tense.
Hancock stared coldly at Sister Brew and asked, "Tell me, for what reason did you dare to mock me?"
Sister Brew raised her head, her face showing her discomfort. "Lady Hancock, I didn't mean to. But I made a mistake, and I'll take full responsibility. This was all my fault. Please, Lady Hancock, don't punish the others at the tavern. I'm willing to bear all the consequences myself."
"Hmph." Hancock sneered and said coldly, "Since you admit your guilt, I'll spare you from the gallows. But you'll still face execution. Bring out the blade."
The blade she referred to was similar to a guillotine, designed to give the condemned a quick and relatively painless death.
The crowd surrounding the coliseum gasped in shock.
Some even began pleading for Sister Brew's life.
"Lady Hancock, please show mercy! Sister Brew is a first-time offender. Please forgive her."
"Yes, she didn't do it on purpose. The death penalty is too harsh. Please, Lady Hancock, spare her life."
"Lady Hancock, we beg you! Please show leniency for Sister Brew!"
As more people started to plead, the entire coliseum slowly became filled with voices begging for Sister Brew's life.
Even Hancock's sisters began to feel uneasy.
"Perhaps we could give her another chance?" Marigold whispered to Hancock.
Hancock's voice turned icy. "No. I already said she must die, and die she will. If I let her go just because it's her first offense, what authority will I have? If I pardon her now, the next person will think they can get away with mocking me. Where would my authority be then?"
This was why Hancock had opted for a public execution. She wanted to make an example out of Sister Brew to prevent future defiance.
No matter what she did, people would always forgive her. Even if it involved killing, they wouldn't hold it against her.
Hancock rose from her seat, her gaze sweeping over the audience seated around the coliseum. She lowered her eyelids, softly biting her right thumb, her expression looking pitiful. "Am I in the wrong?"
The sight of her in such an endearing, vulnerable state caused the audience to erupt in excitement.
"Ahhh! Lady Hancock, I love you!"
"Lady Hancock, you can do no wrong! If anyone dares to mock you, I'll be the first to stand against them!"
"We love you no matter what, Lady Hancock!"
Hearing the cheers of the crowd, Hancock smirked as she sat back down, waving her hand. "Proceed with the execution."
Two muscular women stepped forward, carrying a large guillotine with snake carvings, placing it in front of Sister Brew.
"Do you have any last words?" Hancock asked coldly, staring down at Sister Brew.
Sister Brew smiled bitterly and shook her head.
Not far behind Hancock, atop one of the tall buildings.
Takumi sat there, watching the proceedings in the coliseum indifferently.
He wasn't entirely sure about the details of the person being executed.
However, what happened next caught his attention.
Just as the snake-themed guillotine was raised and the two women began preparing to position Sister Brew's head beneath the blade, someone finally broke the silence.
From the audience, Lila, her face streaming with tears, stood up and shouted, "Lady Hancock, I'm the one who stole the wine! Sister Brew had nothing to do with it! I didn't know it was meant for you. It's all my fault! Please, don't kill Sister Brew!"
Hancock's gaze coldly shifted toward Lila.
Lila immediately ran down from the audience, heading toward the center of the coliseum where Sister Brew was.
Some in the audience tried to stop her, but she broke free from their grasp.
Sister Brew's face turned pale as she yelled, "This has nothing to do with anyone else! I did it! Lady Hancock, kill me quickly!"
"No, I stole it!" Lila rushed to the platform, kneeling beside Sister Brew, and pleaded with Hancock. "Lady Hancock, it's my fault! I swear I'll do anything you ask, just please, spare Sister Brew!"
Hancock gazed indifferently at the two kneeling before her, her heart unmoved by Lila's youth or tears.
"You say you stole the wine. Do you have proof?" Hancock asked with a sneer.
Sister Brew looked at Lila, shaking her head in panic. "No, don't say anything!"
Lila sobbed, "The wine bottle had a beautiful decoration, with three snakes carved on it. The stopper was golden. I didn't open it, so I don't know what it tasted like, but I remember the bottle's design perfectly."
"No, that's not right! It wasn't like that!" Sister Brew's voice trembled. "Lady Hancock, she's lying! This has nothing to do with her. If someone must die, let it be me!"
"Please stop protecting me!" Lila cried. "It's all my fault, I didn't mean for any of this to happen. I don't want you to die…"
"Enough." Hancock grew impatient. "This is getting tiresome. Since you both want to claim responsibility, then you can die together!"
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