"Of course Lord Leno can enter," Hancock replied sweetly to Robin's question, then turned with a glare full of disdain toward Genzo. "But this old man—I forbid!"
"Pfft—!"
Genzo, who had just taken a sip of sake, choked and sprayed it everywhere, staring blankly as he pointed at himself. "Me? Old… old man?"
"Hahahaha!"
Belle-Mère and Nami burst into laughter, nearly falling over at Genzo's bewildered face.
Aileen, sitting on Leno's lap, puffed out her cheeks in protest. "Hmph! Daddy isn't an old man!"
Trying not to laugh, Leno rubbed her little head and said soothingly, "Now, now, Aileen—men only get more charming with age. Just ask your mom."
"Really?" Aileen tilted her head, utterly confused, looking over at her mother.
"Cough, cough!"
Belle-Mère, who had just been laughing at Genzo, choked on her drink and turned red, glaring daggers at Leno.
"You scoundrel, Leno! How dare you make fun of your old lady!"
"Hahahaha!"
Laughter filled the deck once again. After all the tension of the past days, everyone finally began to relax and enjoy themselves.
A few days later, Baccarat managed to contact her boss and disembarked midway to rendezvous with Tesoro's people. Jinbe also took the chance to say farewell, summoning a school of sharks to carry him off. He waved goodbye, promising to see them again at Fishman Island.
With Leno recharging the Gale, the ship sped across the skies. Before long, they reached their destination—Amazon Lily.
"Wow, Hancock! That's your island down there? It's beautiful!"
Nami, Carmen, and the others leaned over the railing in awe at the lush island below.
Thanks to Leno's efforts during the journey, Hancock had finally warmed up to Nami and the others, even chatting and laughing with them occasionally.
Leno wiped the sweat from his brow and sighed. Hancock's personality was… really something else.
Belle-Mère smirked beside him. "What's the matter, kid? Too many women for you to handle?"
Leno rolled his eyes and shot back, "Relax, I can manage. But you—better keep an eye on Genzo. He's at his most attractive age. Someone might steal him away."
"Ha! He tries that, I'll skin him alive."
"Still, after all these years, Genzo really has had it rough."
Watching Belle-Mère's fierce expression, Leno couldn't help but wonder how Genzo had survived all this time.
But when Belle-Mère noticed him smirking, she snapped. Grabbing him by the ear, she shouted, "You little punk! You're really asking for it! I haven't even settled accounts with you for stealing my two daughters, and now you're butting into my love life?!"
"Ow, ow! I'm sorry! Let go! Everyone's watching!"
People were indeed staring—Belle-Mère had him pinned just like when he was a kid. Leno wanted to dig a hole and hide.
"Serves you right!" Nami cheered gleefully. "That's what you get for being a shameless playboy!"
Everyone burst into laughter again, and it wasn't until Aileen ran over to hug Belle-Mère's legs and plead for mercy that she finally let go.
Leno scooped Aileen back into his arms, smiling. "You really are the best, Aileen. My little savior."
Belle-Mère poked Aileen's forehead with mock irritation. "You little traitor! I see how it is—you've got eyes only for your brother now, huh?"
"That's not true! I love Mommy the most… but Big Brother is very important to me too!"
Nestled against Leno's chest, Aileen spoke with such seriousness that it made everyone chuckle. Belle-Mère just sighed, rubbing her forehead.
As the Gale slowly descended near Amazon Lily's harbor, rows of armed women suddenly surrounded them.
"Hold it right there!"
Before the warriors could attack, Hancock stepped forward and raised her voice. "Stop!"
She walked gracefully down from the deck, her aura unmistakable.
"Empress?!"
"The Empress has returned!"
"Quick! Go tell everyone—the Empress is back!"
Cheers erupted across the shore as the female warriors saluted in unison, their eyes filled with devotion.
"Well, looks like Hancock's quite the goddess around here," Leno said with a grin. Seeing the way the women practically worshiped her, he turned to Genzo with a teasing smile.
"Uncle Genzo, I'm afraid you'll have to stay aboard and watch the ship. We'll be back soon."
After hearing Leno's explanations earlier, Genzo already knew what kind of place Amazon Lily was—and now he looked absolutely miserable.
"You despicable brat! That's the 'Island of Women'! How could you..."
"Oh? Is our old man jealous?"
Belle-Mère's icy tone froze Genzo on the spot. He turned his head stiffly, forcing a smile uglier than crying. "J-Jealous? Me? O-of course not! I'm just… morally condemning him! Yes, condemning!"
"Hmph." Belle-Mère shot him a glare before following Leno and the others off the ship, leaving Genzo slumped on the deck, utterly defeated.
"Sister! You've returned!"
Before they even reached the main gate, two flashes of orange and green dashed toward them. Sandersonia and Marigold dropped to one knee before Hancock, their faces beaming with joy.
But then, catching sight of the man standing behind her, both sisters froze.
"L-Lord Leno?!"
Recognizing him instantly, they stared in disbelief.
Leno smiled and stepped forward beside Hancock. "Long time no see, you two. You've certainly grown… and become quite stunning, haven't you?"
He blinked up at the towering sisters—now over four meters tall—and his thoughts turned into a single, silent expletive. What the hell have they been eating?
Last time he'd seen them, they'd barely reached his shoulder.
"It's been a long time, Lord Leno," they said warmly, still smiling as they greeted him.
Behind them, Nami leaned close to Robin and whispered, "Hey, Robin… don't you think they're acting a bit… too respectful toward that idiot?"
"Respectful…" Robin replied with a knowing smile.
"Yeah, that! What the heck did he do to make them treat him like that?"
Robin's eyes sparkled mischievously as she watched Leno laughing with the three sisters. "Who knows? Maybe our captain saved the day once again… and they fell in love with their hero."
Nami scowled, pouting. "Hmph. That pig-headed pervert."