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Granny Nyon, usually so resolute, now looked at the guard with a calm yet firm expression.
Though she was breaking the island's rules, she still respected them deeply, especially now that Hancock had brought a man into the palace and even stationed guards at the entrance to prevent anyone from entering.
She still didn't know what was going on inside.
Granny Nyon tapped her staff on the ground, speaking in a serious tone, "Open the door. I will explain everything to the Empress myself! As for her bringing a man into the palace, I won't interfere. But we have other pressing matters to discuss."
"I'm sorry, Gloriosa..." began the guard.
Before she could finish, Granny Nyon slammed her staff down hard, sending out a shockwave that pushed the guards back, though they managed to stay on their feet. Respect and deference were clear in their eyes.
After all, Granny Nyon was the former ruler of Amazon Lily. Although she had spent much of her time at sea, her strength was never in doubt.
Daiki was taken aback by the power radiating from her. He had felt the intensity of Conqueror's Haki once or twice before, but never quite like this.
After pushing the guards aside, Granny Nyon spoke in a more controlled tone, "I'll handle this matter myself. You need not worry!"
With that, Granny Nyon led Daiki and Abona inside, pushing open the palace doors.
Inside, the atmosphere was entirely different from the outside.
There were no guards; typically, only Hancock and her two sisters had unrestricted access to the palace. But today was an exception.
Because Anos was here.
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At that moment in the palace…
As soon as Anos arrived, Hancock had dismissed everyone, including her sisters.
Now, it was just the two of them in the vast hall.
They hadn't exchanged many words before Anos casually sat down, a blue light flickering in his hand.
With a wave, the hall was suddenly filled with piles of gold and silver treasures.
He had collected these from Mariejois, though this was merely a fraction of the bounty.
But even this small portion left Hancock awestruck, for it far surpassed anything they had ever looted from pirates or merchant ships.
"What are you doing?" she asked.
"As I mentioned before coming here since you're escorting us to Jaya Island, it's only fair to offer some compensation," Anos said casually.
"I'm not talking about the treasure. I'm asking about your ability…?" Hancock questioned, astonished. She didn't recognize this Devil Fruit power.
Anos simply smiled, conjuring a faint blue light once more. This time, three small, transparent bottles filled with a blue liquid materialized beside him.
"This is a special ointment that can erase scars. Consider it my betrothal gift to you," he said, his tone shifting.
Hancock froze, her cheeks and ears flushing red, caught completely off guard by the sudden declaration. For a moment, she was at a loss for words.
Just then, the hall doors burst open, and even Hancock's sisters, Marigold and Sandersonia, couldn't prevent Granny Nyon from storming in.
Hancock, snapped out of her daze, shot Granny Nyon an exasperated glare and yelled, "Old woman, can you respect the moment?"
But this time, Granny Nyon wasn't easily fazed by Hancock's outburst. She batted Hancock's hand away and straightened herself.
Seeing her serious demeanour, Hancock knew Granny Nyon must have something urgent to discuss; otherwise, she would never barge into the palace like this.
Indeed, behind Granny Nyon, Abona and Daiki entered as well, with Hancock's sisters standing behind them, looking somewhat embarrassed.
"Daiki, what's going on?" Anos asked, sensing the gravity of the situation.
While he could understand Abona's presence, Daiki's sudden appearance was unusual, as he would rarely disregard a command from Anos.
Daiki glanced at the others, then bowed respectfully. "Your Majesty, Abona informed Gloriosa about the events at Mariejois."
The words had barely left his mouth when Anos's Conqueror's Haki burst forth, filling the hall with intense pressure. Even those nearby struggled to withstand the immense aura.
This was the power of Conqueror's Haki not only a deterrent but an overwhelming force that could drive an opponent to submission.
Abona, resisting the oppressive force, stepped forward and bowed his head, his voice filled with remorse. "I apologize, Your Majesty. I spoke carelessly without considering the gravity of the matter. However, I trust sister Gloriosa completely and ask that you do the same."
"Abona, do you remember what I told you when I freed you from Mariejois?" Anos's voice thundered, his Haki intensifying.
The palace floor cracked under the pressure, and Marigold and Sandersonia, unable to withstand the force, fainted on the spot.
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