Though Michael voiced dissatisfaction with Garp's actions, he understood perfectly well...
To learn Garp's absurd techniques required both exceptional physicality and immense Haki reserves.
Truth be told, Hancock mastering them was unexpected yet made perfect sense.
Douglas Bullet, through his awakened Fusion Fruit, had merged with everything on the island.
That colossal monstrosity possessed defensive capabilities that even Marine Vice Admirals, Supernovas, and Warlords couldn't breach.
Yet lovestruck Hancock nearly shattered Bullett's kidneys with a single flying kick.
Judging by this, whether in terms of Haki reserves or physical/combat prowess, Hancock was indeed perfectly suited for Garp's techniques.
But Stella?
Michael recalled the usually low-profile singer who, apart from obsessing over creating Cloud-related constructs, had somehow also mastered Garp's insane techniques?
He'd assumed she'd only made steady progress in martial arts.
"Still, if they're resorting to such moves, the battle must be over."
Michael glanced at the sky, then stood up decisively and walked with Garp to the center of the battlefield.
Two girls, both masters of martial arts and Haki, had nearly leveled the small uninhabited island in their fierce battle.
"So... have you two had enough?"
Michael's exasperated voice rang in their ears.
Hancock descended from midair and walked straight into the massive crater her kick's shockwave had carved out.
With one hand, she grabbed Yamato by the belt and hauled her out.
"Ahaha, Michael, I just couldn't resist the itch to fight," Hancock said, using the same tone she had as a child despite having grown up.
The tone sent shivers down Garp's spine.
"Hancock, you don't usually talk to your teacher like this, do you?"
"Don't distract me, you old geezer! Know your place!"
"Who are you calling an old geezer, you bratty student!"
"You shameless oldman!"
Hancock and Garp, teacher and student, were like oil and water.
Their exchanges were as explosive as lit firecrackers.
"Enough, you two. If you want to argue, do it when we get back, alright?" Michael shot Garp a reproachful look.
"Especially you, you old coot! Picking on our Little Hancock just because she can't shout as loud as you?!"
"You... you're something else." Garp glanced at Michael and couldn't help but flash him an internationally recognized gesture of goodwill.
"Keep spoiling her, why don't you."
"My child, my rules. That's how it works."
As he spoke, Michael took Yamato from Hancock's grasp.
He laid her on the sand and turned her over.
Yamato's eyes had already swirled into spirals, completely unconscious.
Taking a direct hit from a leg bone strike and only ending up unconscious—Yamato's physique truly lives up to being the biological daughter of the strongest creature.
"Alright, since Hancock came all this way just to fight Yamato… and now that it's over, can we finally go back and have a proper talk?" Michael rolled his eyes.
"Brat, running off from Amazon Lily back to Marine HQ without even saying a word… Shakky and Gloriossa are probably tearing their hair out by now."
With that, Michael mimicked Hancock's earlier gesture, hoisting Yamato over his shoulder as he headed toward Garp's flagship.
Garp watched Hancock, who was still frozen in place, and curiously poked her head with a finger as thick as a rolling pin.
"Huh? Kid? You daydreaming or something? Why so quiet?"
Yet even then, Hancock didn't respond.
Instead, she muttered under her breath with a dazed grin.
"Heh… I'm his kid too… He even called me 'brat'!"
"Weirdo."
Garp glanced at Michael's retreating figure, then back at the lovestruck Hancock, and delivered his verdict.
...
Though Yamato's injuries looked gruesome, they were all superficial.
For someone with their level of physical resilience, a good meal and a nap would be enough for a full recovery.
So Michael didn't bother using Holy Light to heal her.
Better to save that for truly critical moments.
Otherwise, relying on it too much could become a shackle, hindering her growth.
Once everyone was aboard, the ship didn't return to Marine HQ—instead, it set sail for Amazon Lily.
After all, Hancock had straight-up ditched her duties to come here.
Honestly, skipping work at a Marine branch office once in a while wasn't a big deal.
But aside from being a base commander, Hancock also carried the title of "Empress of Amazon Lily"!
When it came to governing, even a single day of absence could lead to major oversights.
Over the years, after Amazon Lily became a Marine-affiliated nation, its population had surged.
Following a decisive vote led by its three successive empresses, the long-standing "No Men Allowed" ban was lifted by an overwhelming majority.
Now, Amazon Lily was gradually transforming from its once-isolated, distorted society into a proper, functioning country.
And during this transitional period of rapid development, Hancock's sudden disappearance was especially irresponsible.
So when Michael brought her back to Amazon Lily, she had no choice but to endure the scolding from Shakky and Gloriossa—the two former empresses—with a pained expression.
Meanwhile, after settling Yamato, Michael was led through the streets of Amazon Lily by Sandersonia and Marigold.
"Dad! Hurry, hurry!"
The cheerful Marigold skipped ahead, her orange hair fluttering in the wind as she turned back to wave at Michael.
"This is the biggest shopping district in all of Amazon Lily!"
"I'm sorry, Vice Admiral Michael… Marigold calling you that is… really embarrassing." Sandersonia sighed and bowed apologetically.
"There's no need to be embarrassed, Sandersonia," Michael shook his head. "To me, all you youngsters in the SWORD are practically like my children, I've raised you lot myself after all. If you really want to address me that way, I actually don't mind..."
As he spoke, he gently ruffled Sandersonia's long green hair.
Instantly, Sandersonia's large eyes welled up with tears.
Michael sighed.
The children of Amazon Lily yearned for "paternal love" far more intensely than others.
After all... it was something they had never known from the very beginning.
But now, the void of paternal love for the Boa sisters had long been filled by the light named "Michael."
Michael continued touring the revitalized Amazon Lily with Marigold and Sandersonia.
Meanwhile, in the royal palace...
"Hiks... I never thought that after dealing with external enemies, I'd be backstabbed by my own sisters!"
"Betrayal within the family walls!"
Hancock looked helplessly at Shakky and Gloriossa, who stood like guardians assisting and supervising her government duties, then glanced at her teacher Garp sitting by the door to prevent her escape.
A wave of sorrow washed over her.
"Out of the wolf's den, only to enter the tiger's lair... What is this empress supposed to do?"
-----------------------------
Read 40 chapters ahead and support me on patreon.
patreon (.)com/Newbietranslator