Empress Rebirth
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Roja activated the power of the Chicken Talisman fruit, allowing him to float silently toward the ground.
Eventually, he arrived at the basement, where the surroundings became clear.
The basement was quite spacious, dimly lit by flickering candles, and dozens of slender iron pillars stood, forming prison-like cages.
Inside one of the cages was a young girl, her small fists pounding against the chains binding two other restrained individuals. Her hands were covered in blood, but her eyes were filled with unyielding determination.
"Sister, please, run away!" the girl cried out.
"As long as you can escape, we'll be happy!" another girl added.
"Yes, sister, being able to be your sister is the greatest blessing of our lives!" the third chimed in.
"Sister, don't worry about us, just go!"
Hancock, the older sister, heard these words and clenched her fists tighter.
"I will never abandon you! Even if I die, I will rescue you! I swear it on the name of Boya Hancock!" she declared.
On Nine Snake Island, once you swear an oath in your own name, you must fulfill it, or face the Curse of Nine Snake Island.
Roja didn't know if the curse was real, but it confirmed the identities of the three sisters in front of him.
He pretended to cough, and the sound echoed in the basement, startling the three girls.
Hancock immediately turned, assuming a fighting stance, her body tense as she glared at Roja.
"Who are you?" she demanded, her voice filled with tension.
She was nervous because her instincts screamed that this man was dangerous.
Roja didn't respond but began walking slowly toward them. Each step echoed through the dimly lit prison, the sound heavy, as though striking at Hancock's heartstrings.
Cold sweat formed on her forehead. She furrowed her brow and called out, "Don't come any closer! If you do, I won't hold back!"
But her posture was untrained and rather comical, and her words failed to deter Roja.
As he approached Hancock, he looked down at her with a calm, almost amused expression.
The two sisters in chains, seeing the situation, became anxious and shouted at Hancock, "Sister, run! Don't worry about us!"
"As long as you can escape, it will be enough!"
"Sister, don't waste any more time with us, just go!"
They were trying to convey their sisterly love, but suddenly, Roja released a fraction of his aura. The immense spiritual pressure he emitted was like a Haki wave, overwhelming them with fear.
Hancock was stunned by the sheer force of it. What kind of aura was that?
Roja's voice reached the sisters' ears: "You should know that the Holy Land Mariejoia is in chaos right now. Why not take advantage of the disorder to escape? Even if you leave your sister behind, surviving on your own is enough, right?"
This was the cruel reality Roja had witnessed on his journey. If Fisher Tiger hadn't been willing to sacrifice himself to protect Roja, he wouldn't have saved him.
Hancock's frown deepened, and she said firmly, "Because they are my sisters, we were captured together, and we will escape together, no matter what. I will never abandon them."
"Is this hell in your eyes?" Roja asked, his tone soft but laden with meaning.
The darkness of his cloak obscured his expression, making it impossible for Hancock to read his face.
A heavy silence hung in the air, but then Roja unsheathed his Blade Ruohuo, and its hum reverberated throughout the prison.
Hancock's pupils dilated in shock. "Whatever you're planning, I won't let you hurt my sisters!" she vowed.
Her movements, however, were too slow. Roja didn't even glance at her, raising his sword and slashing without hesitation.
"Don't!" Hancock screamed, but it was too late.
With a single, precise cut, the Hailou Stone chains binding the two sisters shattered with a loud crack.
Hancock stared in disbelief as tears welled up in her eyes. She had been so terrified, thinking Roja was going to hurt them!
But he had only severed their chains.
The moment the sisters were free, they rushed to Hancock's side.
However, they had lowered their guard just a little too much.
Suddenly, Roja squatted down and, with a force that Hancock couldn't resist, began lifting her clothes.
"W-what are you doing?" Hancock's voice trembled in panic, her mind racing as she feared what Roja might do next.
Her heart skipped a beat as she sensed what was on her back—the brand she loathed more than anything.
Roja's eyes, hidden beneath the cloak, narrowed in disgust as he touched the scar on Hancock's back. "That must hurt a lot," he murmured softly.
His voice was gentle, almost comforting. For the first time, Hancock felt a warmth spread through her, like a gentle current easing the pain.
"It doesn't hurt anymore," she whispered, her face flushed with shame, her fists clenched tightly.
The brand on her back was the mark of the Celestial Dragons, and she hated it more than anything. She wanted to hide this secret forever.
But now, in front of Roja, it was exposed, and she felt humiliated.
"Would you like to change the pattern?" Roja asked, his tone soft but purposeful.
Hancock blinked, confused. "What do you mean?"
"This mark doesn't suit you," Roja said, his voice reassuring. "It's ugly. Let me change it for you. Don't worry, it won't hurt."
Hancock was at a loss for words. Her heart fluttered with emotions she couldn't describe. For the first time, she felt something different—gentleness, kindness.
"I… I don't know," she stammered.
"In that case," Roja said with a soft smile, "I'll use the Phoenix to cover it. It's a symbol of strength, pride, holiness, and rebirth."
When Hancock heard this, her eyes widened, and she nodded vigorously. She wanted to rid herself of that hateful mark.
With a flick of his wrist, Roja's Flowing Blade Ruohuo glowed, and flames danced in the air. A majestic Phoenix, symbolizing rebirth and strength, emerged from the flames.
Under his control, the Phoenix hovered in the air and slowly covered the brand on Hancock's back, replacing it with a new, beautiful design.
As the brand of the Celestial Dragons was consumed by the Phoenix, Hancock felt a weight lift from her heart.
Her sisters, witnessing the transformation, gasped in awe.
"It's… so beautiful!" they exclaimed, their voices filled with wonder.
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