(For every +100 Power Stones: a bonus chapter, enjoy ^-^)
(Check out my New Novel: Minecraft: Transmutation Tablet & Group Chat)
Before long, the group finally left the Calm Belt. Leno sat once more at the edge of the cliff, quietly admiring the view from above.
"Tap, tap…"
Footsteps sounded behind him.
Hancock had finally found a moment to be alone with Leno. Taking small, delicate steps, she came to his side and sat down close beside him.
"Lord Leno, I've come to keep you company."
Seeing the woman whose eyes and heart were entirely filled with him, Leno's gaze softened with affection.
"Hancock, you've worked hard these past days."
Hearing his gentle words, Hancock's cheeks flushed red. Shyly, she leaned against him and whispered her vow.
"For Lord Leno, I'm willing to do anything!"
Seeing her so adorable, Leno could no longer hold back. He pulled her into his arms and lowered his head to kiss her.
Her lips were sealed before she could react. Hancock's eyes widened, unsure where to place her hands, awkwardly responding to his kiss.
After a long while, Leno finally released her. Hancock gasped for air, her face glowing with bliss as she nestled into his embrace.
"Lord Leno, I've dreamed of this day for so long… thank you for your kindness."
Leno playfully brushed her small nose and chuckled. "That easily satisfied?"
Flustered by his teasing, Hancock lowered her head, nervously twirling her fingers together, her voice trembling with both tension and anticipation.
"I-I also… dream of becoming your wife someday…"
As soon as she finished, Hancock buried her face in his neck, too embarrassed to move.
Leno gently lifted her chin and looked into her eyes. "Hancock, one day, you will be my wife."
"Lord Leno~"
Hearing the promise she had only ever dared to dream of, Hancock trembled with emotion and raised her head to kiss him again.
As he held her tightly, Leno's hand slipped instinctively beneath her robes, tracing upward—
"(p≧w≦q)!!!"
…
Just as the two were lost in each other, Leno's Observation Haki sensed something unusual.
He released the softly panting Hancock and turned to look down to the left.
"What's wrong, Lord Leno?" she asked, still flushed and dazed.
"We've come across something interesting."
Following his gaze, Hancock soon saw it too—a beautiful island rooted in the clouds.
"What is that…?" she murmured in surprise. She hadn't expected there to be another "Sky Island" floating in the air.
"That's Weatheria—also known as the 'Mini Sky Island.' It's a nation devoted to the study of meteorology. Let's take a closer look."
With that, Leno controlled his floating island and guided it slowly toward Weatheria.
As they approached, alarms rang out across the island!
A group of meteorologists panicked as they saw the enormous landmass closing in on their own. Faces went pale as they scrambled to steer their island away.
Chaos ensued—people shouting, tools clattering, papers flying.
"Everyone, calm down! The island won't crash—it's under my control!"
A flash of lightning appeared, and Leno materialized atop Weatheria, raising his voice to calm the terrified scientists.
"Thank goodness…"
The elderly researchers collectively sighed in relief, collapsing to the ground with trembling smiles.
An old man in a blue robe and pointed hat, his long beard swaying in the breeze, walked up to Leno with his hands behind his back, studying him curiously.
"Well now, young man, you nearly scared us to death!"
Recognizing the man's appearance and tone, Leno immediately understood—this had to be Nami's meteorology mentor.
"My apologies. I was simply curious about Weatheria and wanted a closer look. I didn't mean to alarm anyone."
The old man chuckled and waved a hand dismissively. "Well, no harm done. Since it wasn't intentional, let's forget it."
"Where are you all headed?" Leno asked. He had once planned to seek them out—meeting them by chance felt like fate he shouldn't waste.
"We were returning from bringing rain to a drought-stricken region."
"Perfect! Since you're free for now, why not come visit our island? We were just on our way back as well."
Leno grinned. He couldn't let such valuable scientists slip away.
"Oh, right—I'm Leno. I live on Sky Island. One of my companions is a young girl deeply interested in meteorology. I'd love for you to teach her."
The old man raised an eyebrow in surprise. "You live on Sky Island? Fascinating. Not many young people are interested in meteorology these days."
He turned to whisper with a few of his elderly colleagues, and after some discussion, they agreed to accompany Leno to Sky Island—to study its unique high-altitude weather conditions.
By now, the two islands had connected smoothly. Hancock returned to Leno's side just in time to hear him say,
"Hancock, call Nami over. Tell her I've found her a teacher."
"Yes, Lord Leno."
At the word "teacher," the old man's eyes sparkled. Stroking his beard, he looked quite pleased.
Before long, Nami, Nojiko, and Robin arrived. Seeing the beautiful floating island, they couldn't help but marvel—it was incredible that another Sky Island existed, and a mobile one at that.
Nami walked up first, curious. "Hey, big idiot, what teacher are you talking about?"
Leno took her hand and led her to the old man. "This is…"
"The name's Haredas~"
"Yes," Leno continued with a smile. "This is the renowned meteorologist, Mr. Haredas. I'd like you to study under him for a while."
Turning to Haredas, Leno added, "This is the young lady I mentioned—our navigator. She's already dabbled in meteorology herself."
Haredas studied Nami approvingly, hands behind his back. "Well, well~ Quite a spirited girl! Come with me. Let's start with the basics."
As the old man walked off mid-sentence, Nami blinked and looked at Leno in confusion.
"Hey, what's going on?"
"Don't worry, Nami." Leno smiled warmly. "What you learn from him will be invaluable—for you and for all of us. Study well, but don't feel pressured."
The knowledge preserved on Weatheria would be essential for Nami's growth. Even if they hadn't met by chance, Leno would've sought them out eventually.
"Fine, fine."
Seeing how serious he was, Nami relented and quickly followed after Haredas.
Once they were gone, Leno turned to the others.
"All right then—let's head back to Sky Island!"