The woman who stepped forward had long black hair flowing down to her waist, and features so perfectly sculpted they seemed almost divine. Her fair skin contrasted beautifully with the elegant purple dress that accentuated every curve of her regal figure. Twin serpent-shaped earrings dangled from her ears, swaying lightly as she walked.
Her brows were gently narrowed, her expression proud and cold, radiating a noble aura that made others instinctively keep their distance. Every step she took echoed sharply against the wooden deck, the heels of her shoes tapping in a firm, commanding rhythm. Her long legs moved with a grace that would leave any man speechless.
Boa Hancock stood tall and unapproachable, her icy gaze filled with disdain.
"Sister, you're finally out," Sandersonia exhaled in relief.
If their sister had taken any longer, she and Marigold really might have been killed by the man standing before them.
They had no doubt in their minds. Anyone who could defeat the Golden Lion, blackmail the Marines, and move with such effortless ruthlessness was not someone to provoke.
Hancock's expression tightened as she scanned the deck, her gaze landing on Kaito and Issho. Something flickered in her eyes—surprise, interest, something deeper.
And then, in a sudden flourish of movement, Hancock appeared before Kaito.
A faint blush brushed her cheeks as she spoke in a flustered tone that startled everyone present.
"Kaito sama, why are you here?"
Every pirate aboard the Kuja ship froze, jaws hanging open.
The Pirate Empress Boa Hancock—cold, untouchable, adored by countless men—was looking at a man like that?
Confusion exploded across the entire crew.
What was happening? How did they know each other? Why was Hancock acting like this?
Crack, crack, crack…
Hearts broke like shattering glass. Pirates clutched their chests dramatically, some collapsing outright.
Kaito ignored the chaos around him. He crossed his arms, irritation bubbling beneath his calm voice.
"Your crew is unbelievable. I couldn't even board my own merchant ship. Is this how a Shichibukai behaves?"
As someone who had admired Hancock from his original world, he had a certain level of gentlemanly restraint, but the behavior of her crew had tested every bit of it.
Hancock blinked. "Merchant ship? What merchant ship?"
Sandersonia quietly leaned toward her.
"Sister… the one you destroyed."
Kaito and Issho heard it clearly.
Kaito's expression darkened. They destroyed his ship just because they felt like it?
His voice dropped to a cold edge.
"Boa Hancock, I expect a proper explanation for destroying our ship."
Beside him, Issho slid a hand to his wooden sword, ready to fight if necessary.
Tension crackled in the air.
Hancock tilted her head, then smiled sweetly—dangerously sweet.
"Yes, this concubine destroyed your ship. But compensation… how about this?"
Pirates in the distance swooned instantly.
"How about becoming my husband?"
Kaito: …
Issho: …
Even Issho relaxed his stance in disbelief. The captain's luck truly defies nature…
"No. Absolutely not," Kaito muttered, though his voice involuntarily softened.
"Why?" Hancock's eyes shimmered with tears. "Do you… dislike this concubine?"
Kaito almost cursed aloud. Is she insane? We just met. Why is she already trying to marry me?
"No, that's not—"
Before he could finish, Hancock's face lit up with radiant joy.
"Husband! Since your ship is destroyed, come aboard mine. From today, you'll be the captain of the Kuja Pirates, and I'll devote myself to serving you."
Her imagination spiraled, and then her expression snapped back to imperial coldness.
"Sandersonia, Marigold, what are you doing? Bring your brother-in-law aboard!"
The two sisters froze, completely overwhelmed.
But before they could act—
Whoosh!
Kaito and Issho shot into the sky, vanishing from sight in an instant.
"You two fools!" Hancock stomped the deck furiously. "Now he's escaped!"
Her eyes narrowed sharply.
"Hmph. Do you think you can run? Once this concubine's eyes find you, even the ends of the earth won't save you."
She leapt back toward her ship, determination burning in her gaze.
The chaos ended as abruptly as it began.
At a different port on the Sabaody Archipelago, Kaito used Wood Release to reconstruct an identical merchant ship before sailing toward the Expo site.
Issho finally spoke, unable to contain his curiosity.
"Captain… do you know Boa Hancock?"
"No. That was our first meeting." Kaito let out an exhausted sigh.
Issho chuckled. "It seems you made quite the impression. To captivate the Pirate Empress instantly… that is no small feat."
"Stop teasing me. I genuinely don't remember meeting her before. What's her reputation?"
"Proud. Cold. Strong," Issho answered calmly.
"why did she—" Kaito frowned.
"Because the captain must be remarkably handsome," Issho said with a small smile.
Kaito wasn't convinced. Hancock showing such affection upon first meeting made no logical sense.
There had to be something else—some reason, some hidden trigger.
Thinking back on his actions in this world, a realization slowly clicked.
"It must be… that," Kaito murmured, eyes narrowing as the truth dawned on him.