After this voyage, to save time, Leno and his crew returned directly to the East Blue through the Calm Belt. A few days later, they finally arrived at Cocoyasi Village.
Looking at the simple little village just ahead, Robin, Carmen, and the others were full of curiosity, eager to see the place where Leno and his friends had grown up.
"Lord Leno, is this your hometown? Does this mean I'm visiting your family with you now?"
Leaning against Leno's shoulder, Hancock began her daily daydreams, already planning how she would greet the villagers as his wife.
Seeing Hancock's adorable expression, Leno couldn't help but indulge her. After all, who wouldn't enjoy the affection of someone completely devoted to them?
Everyone complains about lovesick fools—unless the fool is in love with them.
That feeling... only those who experience it understand. Leno could only think, "Too sweet to resist."
"Hancock, tone down your Devil Fruit ability a bit later, or I'm afraid the villagers won't be able to handle it."
He was helpless against her overwhelming charm. Back on Skypiea, she'd nearly caused a riot; now, he had to remind her to restrain herself.
As the Gale descended slowly, the villagers noticed Leno and his group standing on the deck and rushed forward, cheering in excitement.
"You're all back! Thank goodness!"
"I told you—Leno would definitely save Genzo's family!"
"Belle-Mère, little Aileen, it's such a relief you're all safe!"
"Yeah, we were so worried you might never return!"
Touched by the villagers' concern, Belle-Mère and the others were moved to tears and smiled warmly.
"Thank you, everyone. We're home safe!"
Leno raised his voice at just the right time. "To celebrate Belle-Mère's family's safe return, let's have a feast!"
"Yeah!!!"
As crates of supplies were unloaded from the ship, the entire main street turned into a banquet hall. Aileen's "little brothers" ran from door to door spreading the news, and a wave of joy spread across the whole village.
During the feast, Leno and his crew naturally became the center of attention. Fine food and drinks were brought out again and again, and Leno accepted it all, eating and drinking heartily with everyone.
The villagers sang and danced, releasing all the tension they'd bottled up for so long. The celebration went on for a full day and night before finally winding down as everyone collapsed asleep in the streets.
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Three days after the banquet, early morning.
Knock, knock, knock!
A series of rapid knocks woke the two people snuggled together in bed. Leno opened his bleary eyes and grumbled.
"Nami, what is it so early? Can't a man get some sleep?"
Bang!
The door flew open with a kick. Nami stormed in, hands on her hips, glaring at Leno on the bed.
"You bastard! Who told you two to make such a racket last night? No one in the house could sleep!"
"Uh..." Leno was speechless at her scolding. So this is payback, huh?
He'd been living the good life these past few days—different room every night, different tenderness each time.
Ever since Nami had caught him with Nojiko the night after the feast, she'd blown up on the spot.
After much coaxing, she'd only calmed down when he promised to "take care of her" once she was of age.
Leno wiped the sweat from his forehead, still uneasy. Women jealous like her could do things even he couldn't imagine.
Since Nami already knew about Nojiko, Leno had decided to be honest and tell her about Kuina and Robin too.
To his surprise, Nami had given him a skeptical squint screaming, as if to say: all these girls... You sure you can handle it?
That had made Leno explode. What's that supposed to mean? You looking down on me? If you weren't underage, I'd show you just how capable I am—all night long!
Last night, at Nojiko's suggestion, the two of them had returned to their old home. Leaving Nami alone in her room, they had their own little "reunion."
Maybe it was because a long-held wish had finally come true, but Nojiko had been especially passionate that night. They didn't stop until the early hours of the morning.
Their "duet" had practically echoed through the night, leaving poor Nami to stew in her room. By dawn, she stormed in with dark circles under her eyes, ready for revenge.
Feeling guilty, Nojiko poked her head out from under the blanket and said softly, "Sorry, Nami, it's our fault. We didn't mean to keep you up."
Seeing Nojiko's shy expression only made Nami angrier. Ever since they were kids, whenever it came to Leno, Nojiko always took his side.
So unfair! Couldn't she stand up for herself for once?
"Nojiko, you! Even if you want to be a good wife, you can't just let this big idiot do whatever he wants! You just let him have his way all night? You're way too soft on him!"
Nojiko lowered her head, too embarrassed to respond. After all, last night's events had definitely been her idea.
After venting for a while, Nami finally huffed and said, "Whatever. Get up already—we're going to visit Kaya today," before storming out.
"This girl's temper's getting worse," Leno sighed, watching her go.
"All your fault!"
"My fault? You're the one who—"
"Don't you dare say it!"
The two of them bickered playfully for a while before finally getting dressed and heading out.
Once they regrouped with the others, everyone boarded the Gale and set course for Syrup Village.
"It's been so long... I wonder how Kaya's doing."
"Yeah, it's been ages. I kinda miss her."
As the island grew closer, Nami and Nojiko's eyes shone with anticipation.
"Don't worry," Leno teased. "She's the famous young lady of Syrup Village—she's probably doing just fine."
At his words, Nami, Kuina, and Nojiko all turned to glare at him. Nothing nice ever came out of his mouth.
The Gale descended slowly toward the hilltop mansion. From the deck, Nami and the others spotted Kaya running into the courtyard and waving at them, and they all called out excitedly.
"Kaya!"
"Kaya! We're here to see you!"
Leno, on the other hand, glanced down at the scene with a knowing smile. So she really had... "leveled up," huh?
Down in the courtyard, after her butler Merry pointed it out, Kaya ran out joyfully. Seeing the familiar ship overhead filled her with excitement.
The news from the papers had worried her sick for weeks, and only when she'd read they'd escaped safely had she finally relaxed.
As one of her dearest friends, Kaya had followed their story closely, and knowing they'd come to visit made her incredibly happy.
Merry, standing beside her, smiled at his young mistress's delight. Of course, he recognized Leno and his companions well.
But the middle-aged man standing to Kaya's other side—also dressed as a butler—stared at the descending Bullhead-shaped ship, his pupils trembling violently.
"That man... why is he here...?"