"KAKAKAKA! Move it, you bastards, the capital's waiting for us! They say Princess Vivi's a real babe!"
"HAHAHAHA! Why keep robbing when I can just marry the king's daughter?! In a couple of years, all of Arabasta will be mine—every damn bit of it!"
"Beauty, wealth, and power! All in one damn package! That princess is gonna be my ticket to paradise!"
Across every corner of the Kingdom of Arabasta, the same madness was in the air. Pirates, bandits, and even rebels moved in a frenzy, their blood boiling with pure ambition.
…
Nanohana, one of Arabasta's port cities, carried its usual scent and Islamic-inspired architecture.
The place was bustling with noise and activity, but Vivi paid none of it any mind. As soon as she spotted one of the Tsumegeri Guards descending from the sky on a flying beast, she ran straight toward him at full speed.
"Brahm!" her voice trembled. "How is my father?!"
There were no formalities, just urgency. Her face was etched with a deep worry that had only grown stronger over the past few days.
She had sent a letter to her father, begging him to hold on just a little longer. She told him she wasn't alone anymore, that she had found loyal, strong allies—people she could trust. Her hope was that this would give him enough time to endure, to stabilize the chaos, and to prepare a countermeasure.
But when she heard the absurd news about the "competition to marry her"… her entire body tensed.
The message behind that was clear: her father wasn't trying to find her a husband.
It was all a lie.
Maybe he was stalling. Buying her time to escape. Or maybe… waiting for her to return with help and liberate the kingdom.
Vivi clenched her fists, feeling the powerlessness surge through her body. Inside, she was a whirlwind of emotion: fear, guilt, anger… and a resolve growing stronger by the second.
Brahm, his face full of concern, didn't answer right away.
Without a word, he looked down briefly, then gestured for her to follow. Vivi, her heart still pounding, obeyed without question.
They walked briskly through the streets, returning to the same place she had been before: the small, one-of-a-kind Spice Bean restaurant.
As soon as they crossed the entrance, Brahm stepped forward without hesitation. His presence as a Tsumegeri Guard commanded immediate respect.
"This place will be cleared. Everyone out, now."
The few customers present, already used to conflict and military presence, quickly gathered their things. The restaurant owner didn't even argue, sensing this wasn't the time for protest. However, just as Brahm was about to ask the people still sitting down to leave as well, Vivi stepped forward.
"Wait. Not them." She stopped him with firm resolve. "They helped me. Thanks to them, I escaped. They're my companions… and my friends."
"…"
Brahm looked at her for a few seconds. Then he sighed lightly and lowered his hand.
"Very well. Then I'll speak here."
The Straw Hats fell silent, alert, as Brahm straightened and adopted a firmer stance.
"Princess," he began solemnly, "His Majesty… is completely under Crocodile's control. The capital has been taken. All key positions are now in the hands of his organization. There's no way out, no resistance left within."
"Glup…"
Vivi swallowed hard. She had suspected it, but hearing it spoken out loud made her stomach churn.
"Furthermore," he continued, "His Majesty gave me explicit orders to deliver this message: you must stay away from the Kingdom. No matter what happens, you must never return."
Vivi raised a hand to her mouth as her eyes began to well up. But she didn't interrupt.
"And one more thing," Brahm added, locking eyes with everyone present, "That man we thought was a saint… Crocodile. His true identity is that of a Shichibukai. One of the seven pirates officially recognized by the World Government. He's an infamous pirate—ruthless, with blood-stained hands going back decades."
"…"
"Don't worry, Vivi-chan," Sanji chimed in, flashing a charming smile. "We already made you a promise. No matter who the enemy is, we'll fight for you!"
He winked at her gallantly, his eyes lighting up as they shifted toward Vivi.
"Right, Luffy?"
"Yeah! We'll take ca—!"
"SHHH, shut up, you idiot!" Usopp shrieked, covering Luffy's mouth with both hands in a flash. "Do you wanna get us killed?! Didn't you hear what he said?! He's one of the Shichibukai! A monster with blood up to his elbows!"
Luffy, calm as ever and still holding the giant piece of meat in his hands, easily pulled free and took another bite.
"So what? I'm gonna be the Pirate King someday. Who cares if he's a Shichibukai? We promised Vivi we'd help her, didn't we?"
It was a simple statement, but one spoken with absolute certainty—something only Luffy could pull off.
He wasn't bluffing. He was just telling the truth.
"…"
Usopp stared at him, completely defeated in his attempt to knock some sense into him. His eyes then darted toward Nami.
"Nami! That guy's a Great Pirate! He's gonna turn us into mush! We don't stand a chance!"
But she didn't even glance his way. Her eyes were literally shining… in the shape of berries.
"No problem… as long as there's more money," she said with a smile.
After all, she had Luffy, Zoro, and Sanji. With those three fighting, all she had to do was chart routes, count profits, and walk out richer than she came in.
Usopp collapsed, utterly defeated.
And it was right then, in that moment of relative calm, that the restaurant door burst open.
The sound echoed through the room, and with a single glance, everyone felt a wave of pressure sweep over them.
A tall, muscular man stepped through the doorway with steady strides. His torso was completely bare, showing off his sun-kissed skin and freckled face. He wore a cowboy hat decorated with two small blue emoticon badges, and around his neck hung a red bead necklace.
But what stunned everyone—the thing that made even the outside world go silent—was the tattoo emblazoned on his back: the unmistakable symbol of the Whitebeard Pirates.
"Luffy…" the visitor said with a faint smile, "You sure move fast."
Luffy, mouth full of meat, barely looked up at the voice, still chewing without a care.
"Another one? Let me eat…" he grumbled at first, not even glancing over. But the moment he turned his head, his jaw froze mid-bite.
"HUH?! ACE!! YOU'RE STILL HERE?!" he almost choked from the excitement.
He shot to his feet, eyes blazing.
"Of course," Ace replied, casually approaching the table. "After we split up yesterday, I planned to keep traveling… but it seems like something interesting's about to happen in Arabasta."
He spoke with absolute calm, like it was nothing, though his Observation Haki hadn't deactivated for even a second.
He took a seat across from him, poured himself a cup of sake from the nearest barrel, and drank slowly. He didn't say he stayed because he was worried. He didn't need to. Luffy should've already known.
Even if his brother acted like a blockhead most of the time, he wasn't stupid. He knew exactly why Ace had stayed: to make sure he was okay.
Sanji, watching from his spot, raised an eyebrow. His expression darkened with a trace of jealousy, though he tried to sound casual.
"Hmph… I see. Don't tell me you came back just to compete with me for Vivi?"
Ace laughed.
"Compete? Nah… I just got curious. Wanted to see what all this was about with my own eyes."
He answered like someone who didn't want to admit anything, but a few among them knew: it wasn't just curiosity that brought him back.
Luffy, finally satisfied after devouring every last piece of meat on his plate, wiped his mouth and locked eyes with his brother.
"Alright… Then let's go, Ace."
He stood up—this time, with a much more serious air.
Now that Ace was here, she felt much more confident.
Together, there was nothing they couldn't face… or so she thought.
"..."
Vivi looked at them one by one.
First at Luffy, who was still smiling. Then at Luffy's brother, who kept a relaxed demeanor but had absolute certainty in his eyes. Then at Nami, Usopp, Sanji, Zoro…
And then, her lips quivered slightly, and her eyes—despite her efforts—welled up with tears.
They could've left.
They could've decided it was too dangerous, but here they were, keeping their promise.
It was the first time in a long while that she felt anything close to real hope.
"Th-Thank you… Thank you, all of you!" she cried shakily, bowing slightly, trying to keep her composure, but unable to stop two tears from rolling down her cheeks.
"Vivi-chwaaaan…" Sanji said, dropping to one knee before her like she was royalty, "Please don't cry. There's nothing crueler in this world than tears on such a beautiful face."
And out of nowhere, a perfectly intact red rose appeared in his hand as he offered it to her with theatrical grace.
"I, Sanji, your humble knight, vow to protect you with my life! And win your hand in this competition, even if it costs me my soul!"
Vivi blushed immediately, taking a small step back, unsure of where to look.
"U-uh… th-thank you, Sanji-kun, but…" she tried to speak, but her discomfort was clear. Her nervous smile couldn't hide just how overwhelmed she felt by his intensity.
Sanji didn't seem to notice her discomfort—or rather, he chose to ignore it entirely.
"Ah, what bliss! That blush alone is enough to fuel my heart for a whole year! Vivi-chan, my sweet desert star!"
Nami, watching from the side with her arms crossed, narrowed her eyes as she saw Sanji bothering Vivi. And when she noticed how tense Vivi had gotten, she furrowed her brow tightly.
"SANJI!" she roared as she stomped over to him, "Stop bothering her, you idiot!"
Boom
She slammed a powerful smack on his head, and Sanji dropped to his knees with an ecstatic grin.
"N-Nami-swaaan… your hits sting like love…" he said as if he'd just won a prize.
"What did you just say?!" Nami's eyes widened in fury, and without a second thought, she unleashed another flurry of punches with both fists.
Boom
Boom
"You like it when I hit you too, you freak?!"
Each punch shook Sanji, but he remained in a state of blissful trance.
Watching it all unfold, Vivi laughed through her tears. It felt strange to feel joy at a time like this, but seeing them bicker took some of the weight off her shoulders.
Meanwhile, Luffy had already stood up.
He adjusted his straw hat with a confident smile and looked at Zoro and Ace, who were also rising to their feet.
"Let's go. It's time to kick a Shichibukai's ass."
Zoro nodded, and Ace just chuckled, downing the last of his drink.
On the way to Arabasta's capital, Ace kept his gaze low, deep in thought.
There was something he couldn't get out of his head.
Teach.
A bad feeling gnawed at his gut. And if his information was right… then he was here in Arabasta too
…
The desert sun beat down mercilessly on the golden sands as Tiberion's group finally reached the outskirts of Yuba, a small oasis in the middle of the desert.
Yuba's structures rose in circular shapes, made from what looked like clay, with wooden posts jutting out in all directions—perhaps to support canopies or offer shade from the sun. Despite the clear signs of drought, it was evident the town still functioned as a key stop for travelers crossing the sea of sand.
In the distance, a few pack donkeys stood motionless in the shade, and figures draped in light-colored robes took shelter in silence.
"..."
The air felt still. There was no sound—only the muffled crunch of footsteps sinking into the hot sand.
In that foreign landscape, Shirahoshi struggled to move forward. Her massive body stirred up clouds of dust with every motion. Her face, however, showed no irritation—only a mix of awe, confusion, and exhaustion.
The sun reflected in her enormous eyes, making them shine like mirrors. But her uneven breathing betrayed the discomfort she tried to hide. The heat wrapped around her like a heavy blanket she couldn't shake off.
"Uuuh… this is the first time I've been in a place so, so… hot!" she groaned, drained. "I feel like my skin's burning! This is all so strange… It's like walking on beach sand, but twice as hot!"
She stumbled to a stop, awkwardly shifting her weight to keep her long tail from soaking up more of the scorching sand. Her skin glistened with trapped moisture, and thick drops of sweat slid slowly down her cheeks.
Even so, her face drenched and her breath short, she tried to stay cheerful.
"I-I didn't know Arabasta was like this. I thought everyone on the surface lived more… normally," she murmured, her eyes taking in every detail of the town. "What curious rooftops! They look like they're made of mud… but they're so pretty!"
Meanwhile, Tiberion moved forward as if the desert didn't exist. He wore the same clothes as always, with not a single drop of sweat on his skin. His stride was steady, his breathing calm, and with every step, he carved a path through the scorching sand.
By his side, almost pressed against him, Hancock followed closely. She didn't touch him, but she was so near she could feel the heat radiating from his body—a heat that didn't come from the sun… but from him.
She measured every step, fully aware of her posture, her distance, the angle at which she turned her face to sneak glances at him—glances filled with longing.
But she didn't do more. She didn't want to appear desperate, even if she was. She knew that if she crossed a certain line, she might ruin everything.
She didn't know whether Tiberion liked clingy women or not… but that didn't mean she would hide what she felt.
Still, something else had been circling her mind. For several minutes now, she had felt a familiar presence following them. It wasn't just a hunch, nor was it paranoia.
Her Observation Haki had confirmed it with absolute clarity: the footsteps approaching weren't those of a stranger. They were hers.
The colonel.
That woman was following them, and it wasn't by chance, nor by mistake. She'd had every opportunity to leave… and didn't.
But Hancock said nothing.
If she had sensed her, then Tiberion had too. He hadn't done anything, so neither would she… for now. But every step she heard behind her, every trace she sensed forming in the sand, made her blood boil. She felt the urge to turn around and glare hard enough to make her back off—or even crush her right there.
But she held back.
Until she didn't want to anymore.
Shirahoshi, a few meters ahead, kept trudging along, unaware of anything. Tiberion didn't stop either; he continued forward without even glancing back.
But Hancock did.
She slowly turned her body and fixed her gaze behind them, a dangerously curved smile forming on her lips.
"How many kilometers were you planning to follow us in silence before showing your face, Colonel?"
And as if she'd been waiting for that invitation, Hina stepped out from a dusty corner, walking calmly. Her uniform was immaculate, her posture firm, and her eyes—like always—full of resolve.
"Hina isn't following you," she said in her usual tone—dry as the sand beneath her boots. "Hina just needed a little walk."
"..."
Hancock watched her in silence for a few seconds, narrowing her eyes with an expression that hovered somewhere between disdain and amusement.
"…Heh."
Then she let out a small, ironic chuckle and turned her back on her with deliberate flair.
"Really?" she murmured, crossing her arms. "What a coincidence… I thought you were so obsessed with Tiberion-sama's body that you just couldn't help yourself anymore."
Those words, spoken softly enough for only the two of them to hear, were laced with unmistakable intent—Hancock had already figured her out.
Because she had.
Hina wasn't like that ungrateful bitch Momousagi. No. She was different.
Hancock had seen it the moment they set foot on solid ground. Tiberion had stopped briefly, barely looked at her, and said with the most indifferent voice in the world:
"You're free."
Nothing more. Then he just kept walking, without looking back, as if she'd been erased from his story.
That's when Hancock noticed it—how those words left Hina completely frozen in place.
She just stood there, staring into nothing.
And Hancock knew exactly what that was. She'd seen it before.
It wasn't the pain of rejection—it was something deeper, something crueler.
It was the pain women feel when they've been dominated by someone stronger, more intense, more absolute… and are then simply left behind, like they no longer matter.
Like they were no longer needed.
A part of you stays with that person. And the worst part? Knowing he… didn't take anything of yours with him. He didn't need you. He never did.
And now there was Hina, following them as if it were a coincidence, masking her need to be near Tiberion behind hollow excuses.
She wasn't an enemy—but she wasn't a bystander either.
That's why Hancock silently decided: If that woman planned to stay, she'd have to bow her head.
Hina kept walking until she was beside her. Her eyes stayed forward, never once seeking Hancock's.
"Hmph… And what do you know about Hina?" she scoffed, her tone a mix of irony and barely restrained irritation. "H-Hina goes where she wants. It's called freedom."
Hearing the tremor in her voice, Hancock smirked and lifted her chin with regal superiority.
"Freedom?" she repeated with contempt. "Don't make me laugh.
If you want to stay near Tiberion-sama… you'll have to call me big sister. That's the rule."
Her words were more than mockery—they were a warning.
Hancock turned to face her fully, making it a clear threat—a move to establish, without doubt, that hierarchy here was not up for debate.
A gust of wind swept between them, carrying sand, but neither of them moved.
"…"
The silence dragged on, heavy with more than just pride or rivalry. Even the heat seemed to hold its breath.
Hina lowered her gaze just slightly, taking a moment to line up the aim of her next remark.
"A woman who believes she's loved… for no reason," she murmured.
Then she walked past her.
She didn't touch her, didn't shove her. Just the faint shift of air between two bodies purposely ignoring one another, with neither backing down.
Hancock didn't reply—she simply followed her with her eyes, unblinking.
The silence still lingered between them when, a few meters ahead, a quivering voice—aged and cracking—broke the stillness:
"I-I can't believe it… What kind of creatures have descended upon my oasis…?"
Hancock slowly turned her head. Hina paused too, brow furrowed ever so slightly. Even Shirahoshi, who had wandered a bit farther ahead, stopped and turned around, curiosity in her eyes.
From a narrow slope between two buildings, an old man appeared, descending with slow, deliberate steps.
He was little more than skin, bone, and shadow.
He wore faded rags that hung from his body like strips of cloth. His thin arms trembled with each step, and his skin—toughened by decades beneath that same sun—looked like cracked parchment. But what stood out the most wasn't his physical condition… it was his face.
Fear and awe were etched into his features. His eyes were wide open, as if unable to comprehend what they were seeing.
Because they couldn't.
His steps grew slower the closer he got, as though something unseen were forcing him to move forward—even against his will.
"A mermaid…? A legendary mermaid…?" he whispered, stopping dead in his tracks at the sight of Shirahoshi's colossal figure outlined against the midday sun. "But… why is she so big...? Is this… is this real?"
Shirahoshi, noticing him, turned around immediately with a radiant expression, completely unaware of the impact she was causing.
"Oh! Hello, sir! Do you live here?"
"What a curious place! I've never been in a desert before! How do you get water? Is it always this hot?"
The words tumbled out in a rapid-fire burst, like a machine gun. Her body glistened with sweat, her enormous tail gently swayed over the sand, and her eyes sparkled like two pearls in the sun… Everything about her was unreal.
Too beautiful. Too enormous.
EVERYTHING WAS UNREAL!
"…"
The old man just stared at her.
His mouth opened… but no sound came out.
Only his eyes moved up and down, scanning the creature before him. From the tip of her tail to that angelic face, every blink seemed to check whether this was a mirage.
But the vision didn't fade.
"I… this… never…" he stammered, unable to form a complete sentence. His legs gave out slightly, and he stepped back on instinct.
And then his eyes drifted—unintentionally—to the left… and he saw her.
Hancock hadn't moved, nor had her expression changed. She simply watched the old man with a distant gaze. Her posture upright, her hair perfectly styled despite the heat, her figure flawless beneath the sun.
But that was enough.
The old man felt his breath catch.
LITERALLY.
"B-By the sun…" he managed to mutter, his face turning red, "Am I dreaming? Is this… an illusion?"
He tried to lower his head, as if standing before a goddess, and then his eyes locked with another woman's gaze.
One who stood farther back, quieter.
Hina.
He looked at her for a few seconds, hesitant. She was beautiful too—but in a different way.
There was a severity to her, a presence that inspired respect more than awe, and because of that, he couldn't hold her gaze.
There was something in her eyes…
But while trapped in that trance, his entire body suddenly froze.
His body reacted before his mind could.
First his legs failed him, trembling uncontrollably. Then his arms moved subtly toward his torso, as if trying to shield his vital organs. And finally, his chest—a silent pressure crushed the air from his lungs.
He didn't understand why. He had no idea what had triggered that sudden spasm of terror.
But then he saw it. Or rather… he felt it.
Just a few steps ahead, walking beneath the scorching sun like a second crimson sun in motion—was that man.
Tiberion.
Tiberion hadn't said a single word. He hadn't even looked at the old man. He was just a few steps ahead, arms relaxed at his sides.
Even though the man himself wasn't the tallest, his presence made him feel absolutely enormous—everything around him seemed small in comparison.
"G-Glup…"
He swallowed with difficulty. It wasn't ordinary fear… it was something deeper.
Tiberion didn't even glance at him.
And yet, the old man lowered his head.
"Th-This… this man…" he murmured, stepping back without thinking, "He's not human…"
But Shirahoshi, who until that moment hadn't understood why the old man hadn't answered any of her questions, tilted her head in confusion.
"Sir…?" she repeated, stepping a little closer, "Are you alright? Can you hear me?"
Her voice, despite the heat and fatigue, still sounded like that of an angel.
"I asked if you lived here…" she added, "And if it's always this hot here!"
The old man blinked several times. It was as if his soul reentered his body with that second burst of questions. He forced himself to take a deep breath and swallowed hard.
"I-I… yes… yes, of course… of course I do… Forgive me, young lady… it's just… I've never in my life seen anything like you…" he finally managed, making a real effort to stay standing. "A real mermaid… so big… so radiant… and so… alive…"
His breath was still unsteady, but his eyes were no longer as wide with shock. Slowly, he turned toward the rest of the group.
"And you all… every one of you…" he went on, not breaking eye contact, "You're not ordinary people. You clearly don't belong here."
He bowed his head in respect—without anyone asking him to.
"My name is Toto. I'm the caretaker of what little remains of this oasis. Welcome to Yuba, although…" he looked around with a hint of sorrow, "There's barely anything left of what this place once was."
Shirahoshi looked at him warmly. "Thank you, Mister Toto!" she said brightly. "It's a lovely place, even if it's really hot…"
Right at that moment, as if her own words reminded her all at once, she began to fan herself with both hands, revealing that her skin was already reddened from the prolonged exposure.
"Uuuh… I feel like I'm melting…" she groaned, a thick drop of sweat sliding down from her jaw. "I'm used to water, you know? This sun is too much!" And she couldn't help but let out a little laugh. "If I stay here much longer, I'm gonna be cooked like a fish…"
!
Toto narrowed his eyes at the sight and jolted as he suddenly realized something.
"Oh, forgive me for not noticing! You shouldn't be out like this in this heat!" he exclaimed. "The clothes you're wearing… they're not suitable. This sun can kill a man in a few hours, and for a lady with such delicate skin… I don't even want to imagine."
He turned in place and pointed to one of the houses half-buried in the sand.
"I keep some garments there that are more appropriate. They're used by merchants who cross the desert. Not luxurious, but practical!"
Shirahoshi's eyes sparkled with excitement.
"Really!? May I try them on? Thank you so much, Mister Toto! You're so kind!" she said, her tail swaying gently with enthusiasm.
Then she turned to the other girls, "Sisters, would you like to come try on clothes with me? Maybe we'll feel better if we dress like the people here!"
Hina blinked in mild surprise at the word sisters, while Hancock's eyes lit up.
Neither of them responded right away, but Shirahoshi had already turned back to Toto, suddenly remembering something important.
"Ah! W-Wait… Mister Toto…" she asked in a softer tone, "W-Will there also be clothes for me?"
"…?"
Toto took a second to react. The question had caught him off guard, but he quickly nodded.
"Of course, young lady," he replied with a warm smile. "I don't have anything in your size, but I do have several large fabrics."
Shirahoshi placed both hands on her cheeks, delighted.
"That sounds wonderful! Thank you so much, Mister Toto!"
And in the midst of the crushing heat, with the air still heavy but the tension gradually lifting…
….
Several minutes passed after Toto disappeared behind a door, guiding the three women inside.
During that time, Tiberion didn't move a single inch. He stood calmly, leaning against a post, his gaze lost in the sandy horizon of Yuba, his face completely expressionless.
Until he noticed a slight movement.
Shirahoshi was the first to come out.
She moved slowly, with a bit more control than before, wrapped in light fabrics of ivory and salmon tones that matched her hair perfectly, flowing from her shoulders down to part of her enormous tail.
A delicate veil covered her head, revealing strands of her pink hair beneath it. Although the outfit had clearly been adapted to her size with extra layers of fabric, it didn't lose any elegance—on the contrary, her figure took on a majestic air.
She approached shyly, hands joined in front of her, head slightly lowered.
"H-How do I look…?" she murmured. "Mister Toto helped me tie everything… though… I still feel like I look like a floating tent…"
Toto appeared behind her just in time to stumble at the sight.
"An absolute miracle, I swear!" he exclaimed, unable to contain himself. "Those fabrics have never draped anything so splendid!"
Shirahoshi lifted her head, searching for Tiberion's gaze.
He remained still, watching her silently. He wasn't smiling, didn't even blink. But his red eyes looked at her with unwavering warmth, as if she were the only person in existence at that moment.
And to her, that was more than enough.
Her cheeks flushed instantly, and she bowed her head, hiding her face in her hands.
"Uuuh! D-Don't stare at me so much, husband!" she whined, "It's embarrassing! This dress is way too loose…!"
As she did, her veil slipped slightly to one side, letting a lock of pink hair fall awkwardly over one eyebrow.
…
The door opened again, this time without the soft creak from before. Only the dry echo of firm footsteps on the sand was heard.
Hina stepped out with her usual calm, though something about her was entirely different.
She was dressed in black from head to toe.
A long tunic, made of thick, matte fabric, fell from her shoulders down to the boots that sank into the sand with each step. Underneath, a tight outfit—dark pants and a cinched corset—outlined her figure.
Every part of her body was covered: gloves, long sleeves, high collar, a veil over her face, and even dark glasses that completely hid her eyes.
She wasn't trying to draw attention.
Yet it was impossible to ignore her.
Toto, still standing next to Shirahoshi, swallowed hard upon seeing her.
Shirahoshi, still blushing from what she'd said minutes earlier, turned when she heard the footsteps. Upon seeing her, her eyes lit up instantly.
"Sister Hina…! You look like a ninja!"
Hina didn't reply. She simply nodded once, without stopping. She walked to a shaded area and stood there, arms crossed.
Tiberion didn't move, but for a brief moment, his eyes shifted in her direction.
And even though Hina didn't look at him directly, she felt the intensity of that gaze pierce through her like an electric shock.
It was enough to make her cheeks flush red in silence.
…
A new creak made everyone turn their heads.
The door opened again.
This time, it wasn't with Shirahoshi's shy steps, nor with Hina's firm restraint. It was different… it was slow.
Hancock emerged and began to strut.
Her outfit—if it could even be called that—barely covered her. A sand-colored veil wrapped around her head, covering her mouth, nose, and neck, shielding her from the sun while also giving her an air of mystery.
Beneath it, she wore a tight earth-toned top that clung scandalously to her large breasts, leaving very little to the imagination.
Her sensual hips swayed with rhythm as she walked. Her long legs shimmered faintly under the sunlight and emerged from a garment so short it barely qualified as a skirt—held in place only by a wide leather belt.
And with every step, her large, firm buttocks swayed beneath the open cloak.
She wore tall sandals, tied with leather straps winding up nearly to her knees, completing the look with a wild, Amazonian flair… though anyone with eyes would know she hadn't dressed for the desert.
She had dressed to provoke him.
Toto choked at the sight of her and didn't dare say a word.
Shirahoshi, still startled, covered her mouth with both hands.
"S-Sister Hancock! Y-You're going to get burned! That barely covers anything…!"
Hina didn't say a word, but one of her eyebrows twitched at the sight.
Hancock didn't respond to anyone—she just kept walking provocatively toward where Tiberion was standing.
And without a moment's hesitation, she threw herself against him, embracing him tightly.
Tiberion didn't move when Hancock wrapped her arms around him. He remained like a statue… but his hands did move.
Slowly, one slid down her back, slipping between the folds of the cloak still draped behind her. The other went straight for her waist and, without a hint of shame, sank beneath the thin layers covering her hips.
To everyone else, it looked like nothing more than an intimate embrace.
But his hands slid beneath Hancock's clothing—and without hesitation, he gripped her bare buttocks with both hands, squeezing them hard, spreading his fingers as if he intended to tear them away.
That soft, warm skin molded perfectly to his touch… as if it had been waiting for him.
!
Hancock shuddered violently.
"Nnngh… aah~…!"
Her body arched slightly, pressing even closer to him, and before she could stop it, a moan escaped her lips, muffled against his chest beneath the veil. The sound didn't carry—but the tremor in her body gave it away.
Tiberion's hand didn't stop. He pulled the fabric lower in the back, gripping harder and spreading her cheeks apart beneath the cloak, where no one could see what was happening.
From the outside, no one suspected a thing. To Toto, it was just a hug. Shirahoshi simply watched in silence, not understanding.
But Hina…
She knew.
The way Hancock clung to him. The subtle curve of her back. The faint, barely visible tremble in her body.
Hina's eyes narrowed, and a frustration began to simmer deep within her. She slowly lowered her gaze, not wanting to see any more.
And for the first time since she stepped outside, she questioned her own choice of clothing.
'…Should Hina have worn something else…?'
Toto, who had now realized this was not just a hug, turned red as a tomato, unsure where to look.
"Ahem…" he coughed, wiping the sweat from his forehead, "L-Ladies… Mister Tiberion… if I may… this heat is unforgiving. With so much movement… perhaps it'd be wise to find a place to cool down."
Shirahoshi looked at him as if he were her savior.
"Cool down?! That sounds amazing! Like a bath, maybe?!"
Toto nodded, focusing all his attention on Shirahoshi, doing everything in his power not to look elsewhere.
"Y-Yes… actually, on the other side, there's an old hot spring still functioning. Hardly anyone uses it anymore. Most travelers just pass it by. But it still works—and luckily, it's quite spacious."
Before anyone else could say a word, Hina stepped forward.
"Hina will go first. She needs to inspect the area."
And without another word, she began to walk.
Seeing everyone starting to leave, Tiberion finally stopped massaging Hancock's rear and began walking toward the hot springs as if nothing had happened.
Hancock collapsed involuntarily, her body twitching slightly, muttering curses under her breath.
"D-Damn you, Hina…"
What none of them knew was that, while quietly changing her clothes, Hina had just received new orders directly from Marine Headquarters. She was to take advantage of her proximity to Tiberion, remain by his side, monitor his every move, and report any suspicious behavior.
For several minutes, she stood still, frowning as she stared at the Den Den Mushi.
It didn't surprise her that the Marines insisted on keeping eyes on a man like him. What really bothered her was how they were doing it—like they had no idea what had truly happened between her and Tiberion.
Because even if she'd never admit it out loud, deep down she knew she could no longer see herself as a Marine. Tiberion had already claimed her in a way no other man ever could.
Not before, not after.
Her body still remembered every detail of him, and no matter how hard she tried to cling to her ideals, that part of her… could never be erased.
So, she shrugged—without the intention of rebelling or fully surrendering to the cause.
She simply accepted it. After all, what did it matter anymore? If she had already crossed the line, she might as well take advantage of the chance to stay close to him without raising suspicion.
…
Tiberion slowly undressed and walked into the warm water. Steam rose and wrapped around his body, and for the first time in many days, his muscles seemed to truly relax.
He closed his eyes, letting the heat envelop him, while calmly listening to the voices echoing between the rocks—coming from other men also enjoying the hot springs.
Amidst those conversations, without meaning to, he caught something that made his eyes slowly open.
They were talking about an upcoming event in the capital of Arabasta: a combat tournament organized by King Cobra, with the purpose of finding a worthy husband for Princess Vivi.
An open tournament, they said, where anyone could compete for the right to ask for her hand.
"…"
Tiberion stayed completely still as thoughts rushed through his mind.
A competition to choose Vivi's husband?
What the hell is going on here?
This never happened in the manga or the anime… It seemed he had completely screwed up the One Piece timeline he once knew.
And so, he made his decision—He would go to the capital himself… and see with his own eyes what was really happening.
________
Time: If you're craving more (and I know you are!), I have just what you need. On my Patreon, you'll find exclusive chapters. Join our community and be the first to discover what happens next!
👉 [patreon.com/Athome790]
Your support fuels me. Thank you for the support! 💖