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"The title of Kuja Empress ends only in death."
Liam's gaze settled on the petrified form of the Snake Empress, lying in the corner. Though turned to stone, she remained frozen in her reclining posture, her lifeless eyes locked onto him.
"To strip Tulip of her title as Snake Empress… she must first die."
Crouching down, Liam reached out, his large hand brushing over the stone-cold neck of the Empress.
"But she's the Snake Empress, the strongest warrior of Amazon Lily… and the one who knows you best. That Medusa Fruit of yours—you only obtained it because of her. She was there when you claimed it on Little Skypiea… She saw everything."
His fingertips paused just beneath her earlobe, feeling the smooth, unyielding stone. There, he found two faint indentations—tiny, round holes, the unmistakable marks of snake fangs.
"To 'kill' her… you must first control her."
Liam tapped the petrified fang marks, his eyes narrowing in thought. Then, with a gesture, he had B.I.B. step aside and assume the form of Boa Hancock. He carefully compared the distance between Hancock and the stone Empress, measuring the position of their heads, their posture… the precise length of Hancock's cascading hair.
After a moment, he shook his head.
"Even at this range, it'd be impossible to bite her with your snake hair..."
Hancock huffed, ready to refute him—only for Liam's eyes to suddenly light up.
"Ah!"
Realization struck.
"I see it now! You didn't bite her directly— you plucked one of your snake hairs and used it as a hidden weapon. That's how you caught the Empress off guard!"
"…?"
For perhaps the first time in her life, Hancock experienced a foreign sensation— one she rarely encountered.
Shock.
Indignation.
It was the sheer disbelief of watching someone decipher a method she had thought impossible for anyone to uncover.
Had Giorno been lurking in the shadows, watching her every move? How else could he piece it together so perfectly? Was it truly that absurd?
Even though she had witnessed his abilities firsthand, and despite Jolyne's occasional remarks, Giorno's understanding of Devil Fruits surpassed all reason. No… it wasn't just beyond ordinary comprehension. It was beyond anyone's comprehension.
To glance at the scene once and instantly reconstruct her entire method… It was simply unfathomable.
Liam smirked as he observed the storm of emotions flickering across her face.
"So, I was right, wasn't I?" he remarked, crossing his arms. "Don't forget— I've used the Medusa Fruit too. The fact that your snake hair can remain alive for a short time after being plucked… I never tested it myself, but it was a reasonable deduction."
Hancock's expression twisted slightly.
She knew exactly what Giorno had used the Medusa Fruit for… and that knowledge made her feel exceedingly uncomfortable.
After a brief silence, Liam shifted the conversation with a casual grin.
"Petrify the Empress's body… then have Jolyne use her Taka Jizai clone to mimic a corpse. With her level of mastery over the Flower-Flower Fruit (Hana Hana no Mi), controlling a clone to stop breathing would be effortless. And since the real body is already petrified, there wouldn't be any backlash from the clone's suffocation. Stopping the heartbeat would normally be tricky, but I'd wager Jolyne didn't even replicate a heart in her clone… or simply dispersed it when the time was right, huh?"
Hancock turned away, refusing to meet his gaze.
"Since you've figured it out already, why do you keep prattling on?"
Liam feigned offense, grinning as he teased her.
"Oh? So now I'm the last to know? You two are working together so smoothly while I'm left in the dark? That's cold, Hancock. Uncle is very upset right now."
"…Uncle?"
She blinked at the term, momentarily caught off guard.
But as she turned back toward him, her breath hitched.
Giorno's shadow loomed closer.
A black, spectral figure extended its hand toward her—its left palm glowing with eerie blue flame patterns as it reached for her chest.
The left hand of Stand B.I.B. withdrew the Medusa chip— an intricately carved artifact marked with swirling serpent patterns— from deep within Hancock's body. The petrification curse it carried would remain unbroken unless actively dispelled, ensuring that the stone-bound Snake Princess lying motionless in the corner would not suddenly awaken just because Hancock had lost the Medusa Fruit.
"What are you doing?"
Hancock's gaze flickered warily.
"What am I doing?"
Liam smirked as he released his hold on the Magnet-Magnet Fruit's power, shifting to the abilities of the Medusa Fruit instead. He stepped closer, grasping Hancock's delicate chin, tilting her face toward him with an undeniable force.
A faint blush crept up her ears as she averted her gaze.
Yet, after a long pause with no further action, curiosity got the better of her. She cautiously glanced back— only to lock eyes with Giorno.
Her heartbeat quickened. Those gemstone-like black eyes blinked uncertainly before she whispered, "Are you… going to punish me?"
Liam chuckled. "Punish you?"
The binding that held his long, dark hair in place snapped free. In an instant, his locks unraveled, transforming into a mass of writhing, serpent-like tendrils, slithering through the air with an eerie liveliness.
"You should be more grateful," he mused, his voice laced with amusement. "Uncle Liam's only trying to cheer you up since you seem to be in such a foul mood!"
Across Amazon Lily, the sacred rites of succession were underway.
According to Kuja tradition, once a reigning Snake Princess was laid to rest, the citizens would plant flower seeds bearing her name— an act symbolizing both remembrance and renewal. This quiet ritual marked the beginning of the coronation ceremony for the next Empress.
Though warriors at heart, the women of Kuja were not untouched by sorrow. Yet they did not wallow. With solemn but steadfast spirits, they honored the departed before turning their focus to the dawn of a new era.
The island buzzed with activity as the people prepared for the coming celebration. Friends called out to one another, selecting exquisite fabrics and crafting elegant new dresses to wear for the grand occasion.
Inside the Palace of the Snake Princess
The rich scent of incense curled through the air, weaving between the heavy silk curtains that draped the chamber. Shadowed figures moved behind them, their outlines barely visible in the dim light.
In the Heart of Kuja City
Women stepped into the streets, adorned in freshly woven garments, each tucking a delicate flower into her hair— one that bore her name.
Upon meeting friends, they exchanged warm smiles, linking hands as they made their way toward the palace, where the ceremony would soon begin.
Behind the veiled partitions of the grand hall, figures shifted in the soft glow of lanterns. Laughter —light, teasing— drifted through the air, mingling with the occasional murmur of the new Snake Princess's voice.
Among the Kuja warriors, Sandersonia and Marigold walked together, clad in resplendent floral robes.
Sandersonia reached up, tucking a marigold blossom into her sister's golden locks. In return, Marigold carefully placed a lantern lily into Sandersonia's vibrant green hair.
As they approached the palace gates, they caught sight of the guardian warriors standing watch. Smiles and waves were exchanged— silent acknowledgments of the strength and unity that bound their people together.
Within the Snake Princess's throne chamber, the fragrant incense drifted further inward, slipping through the folds of the curtains and into the inner sanctum.
Seated upon the grand throne, a tall figure lounged with an air of casual dominance. His ebony hair had fully transformed, its serpentine tendrils twisting and coiling with a will of their own.
Beside him, a strikingly beautiful Kuja woman sat gracefully upon the throne's armrest, her slender form leaning gently against his shoulder.
Before them, Boa Hancock knelt.
Her upper body lowered in a slow, reverent bow, and as she bent forward, her long, silken black hair cascaded like a waterfall, concealing the delicate perfection of her features.
Beyond the throne room, in the ceremonial chamber, preparations for the coronation of the new Empress pressed on.
The palace attendants moved with practiced efficiency, carrying freshly tailored robes— deep crimson in hue, their sleeves patterned with intertwining petals and serpentine scales. The design was more than mere embellishment; it was a declaration of identity. A Kuja woman. A ruler of Medusa's bloodline.
"Lady Hancock…"
The maids stood just outside the entrance, holding the ceremonial garments in their arms.
"The time is near."
A voice from within the hall answered, "Understood. Leave it there."
"Yes, my lady." The maids hesitated briefly before stepping back, waiting just beyond the doorway.
Robin, having given her final instructions, turned her attention to the scene before her.
Boa Hancock knelt, her delicate hands resting against Liam's foot, her head bowed so low that her expression remained unreadable. Yet the deep flush on her cheeks gave her away.
Liam observed her, propping his chin against his knuckles, his legs crossed in an almost lazy manner. His foot twitched slightly at the sensation of a warm, feather-light touch tracing across his skin.
"Hmm… Should we call in the maids?" he mused aloud.
Even under the influence of the serpent's venom, Hancock's body gave a faint, involuntary shudder.
Liam let out a low laugh.
"Relax, I'm only joking."
(End Of This Chapter)