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Liam's words could only be truly understood by the shadowy specter standing beside him.
He patted his coat, reaching deep into the pocket of his trousers before pulling out a slightly crumpled piece of parchment— Quest Item: Crocus's Letter of Introduction.
"If I don't use this soon, the ink might as well fade into nothing," he muttered while unfolding the letter. His eyes traced the handwriting of Crocus, addressed to none other than his former crewmate, the right-hand man of the Pirate King— Rayleigh.
Time had not been kind to the parchment. The edges had yellowed, and some of the ink had begun to blur.
Casually, Liam asked, "By the way, based on the timeline, what major events are happening in the world right now that might be worth my attention?"
B.I.B.'s elongated eyes gleamed white as it sifted through the vast memory archives— each one a fragment of its original consciousness. After a few seconds, it responded, "Currently, it's about sixteen years before the start of the main story..."
It barely finished its sentence before the original Liam clicked his tongue in amusement. "Sixteen years ago, huh? What a coincidence— I'm just a little over sixteen myself..."
B.I.B. fell silent. As if people didn't already know how old he was.
He was really leaning into the fact that he had reincarnated into this world… just to act young.
Meanwhile, in the Chamber…
Hancock, Robin, Sandersonia, Marigold, and Bonney all stared in shock.
Before them stood the Snake Princess, her body now rejuvenated, looking at least ten years younger.
The youthful transformation left her just as stunned as they were. While she had lost much of the strength she once wielded at her peak, the energy coursing through her limbs was a sensation she hadn't felt in years.
Hancock, however, was not celebrating. Her gaze darkened as she stared at the lingering traces of illness still visible on the Snake Princess's face.
Seeing her reaction, Bonney crossed her arms, clearly frustrated. "I told you this wouldn't work! Think about it— my ability…" She took a deep breath. "I can alter someone's age, make them younger or older, but I can't rewrite their memories. And obviously, I can't just erase an incurable disease from their body. Most illnesses come from outside sources. My ability only affects the person, not whatever's inside them."
It was just like when she thawed out the Kuja Pirates from their icy prison—she had merely reversed the age of the ice, turning it back into water vapor without harming those frozen inside. The same principle applied here: she could rewind the Snake Princess's age to her prime, but she had no power over the virus or illness lurking within her.
"…No, even if it could help, it wouldn't cure me."
The Snake Princess let out a soft sigh, brushing her fingers over Hancock's cheek. "Her power has a time limit. Once the effects wear off, I'll return to my original state. Even if I had a temporary reprieve, so what? Silly girl..."
Hancock pulled away, her voice as cold as ice. "If it worked, you'd have no reason not to keep using it forever. You'd become the true wielder of the Age-Age Fruit."
None of them were surprised by Hancock's words. Not the Snake Princess, not Robin, not even Boa's younger sisters.
Even Bonney, despite her annoyance, had to admit— that was just the way Hancock was. And if Hancock truly wanted something, she had the power to demand it from her.
After all, with Giorno supporting her, what chance did Bonney have of keeping her Devil Fruit forever?
"But the truth is… it doesn't work."
The Snake Princess gazed at Hancock with pity. Her voice softened. "After I die, you will become the next Empress of Amazon Lily. Hancock, you must…"
Slap!
Hancock swatted her hand away. Without another word, she turned and walked out of the chamber.
"Wait!"
Seeing her leave, Bonney hesitated for only a moment before reluctantly following— forced by the venomous fangs of the snake hair wrapped around her.
Robin took the Snake Princess's hand. "You'll recover."
The Snake Princess chuckled weakly. "If I get better… Hancock will have no idea when she'll finally become Empress."
Robin shook her head. "You know Hancock doesn't care about that. She would rather you live than inherit the throne."
Sandersonia and Marigold both nodded. "That's right, Big Sis. Lady Hancock is hurting more than anyone else right now."
The room fell into silence.
Then, suddenly, the Snake Princess spoke again.
"…Jolyne, a month after you left, Suzuran passed away."
Robin's expression darkened. The elderly woman— who had served three generations of Kuja Empresses— had been fighting illness for years. It seemed her time had finally run out.
…
Elsewhere, Across the Grand Line…
This was the year when Fisher Tiger returned to Fish-Man Island, recounting his harrowing adventures and the horrors of slavery to King Neptune in Ryugu Palace.
It was also the year Princess Shirahoshi— the future Poseidon— was born.
Meanwhile, Queen Otohime was preparing to travel to Mariejois for the Reverie, hoping to push for equality between humans and Fish-Men.
Far across the seas, in the East Blue, a pair of mischievous six-year-olds— Ace and Sabo— had already spent a year saving up their pirate funds for the future.
"That means Luffy's three years old now, right?" Liam mused. "I wonder… when did the Snake Princess send that brat away? Is he already with Garp, or has he been tossed into the East Blue to fend for himself?"
Atop the towering walls of Kuja City, B.I.B. ignored the unnecessary chatter from its original self and continued its report:
In North Blue, a ten-year-old Trafalgar Law had just joined the Donquixote Pirates.
In the New World, baby Rebecca had just been born in Dressrosa.
In Wano Country, ten-year-old Kozuki Hiyori was still hiding from Orochi's assassins with Kawamatsu.
Liam raised an eyebrow. "And why exactly are you telling me all this?" He pointed to himself. "Do I look like I care about a bunch of little girls?"
B.I.B. remained unfazed.
Kozuki Momonosuke had now been missing from this world for four years…
Liam suddenly let out an exaggerated sigh. "Damn! I missed my chance! If only I'd landed straight in Wano— I could've gotten close to Kozuki Momonosuke! What a wasted opportunity…"
In Water 7, twenty-year-old Franky was helping Tom and Iceburg build the first Sea Train.
In the Germa Kingdom, five-year-old Sanji was facing a childhood of hardship.
In Frost Moon Village, five-year-old Zoro had likely just picked up a sword for the first time.
In Cocoyasi Village, four-year-old Nami was still living peacefully with her family.
In Syrup Village, three-year-old Usopp was already learning how to lie.
In Alabasta, a two-year-old princess was far from her future throne.
And somewhere in Drum Island, a one-year-old blue-nosed reindeer had just been abandoned by his herd…
"Are you forgetting someone?" Liam smacked B.I.B. on the shoulder. "What about Brook?! We all know he's still adrift in the Florian Triangle, but don't just write him off as dead!"
B.I.B. paused for a moment.
Laboon had already been waiting at Twin Cape for over four years…
Liam squinted at the sky. "That stupid whale… I wonder if he ever found Brook, or if he…"
His words trailed off as he spotted a News Coo gliding through the air.
(End of Chapter)