Leno stepped into the hospital room carrying a bowl of medicine, just in time to see Hina set down the Den Den Mushi in her hand.
"Everything's arranged?"
"Yes, I told them to wait in Alubarna. Hina is angry!"
It hadn't seemed like a big problem at first, but this bastard insisted on dragging her to the hospital—and the examination revealed internal bleeding.
Still, considering he brought her here immediately, she decided not to hold it against him.
"What do you plan to do about the aftermath? He was one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea. And you just killed him like that..."
"He's dead because he forced me to kill him. Who told him to injure you?"
"You...!"
His blatant bias made Hina's heart race. She lowered her head, suddenly flustered, her words coming out in tiny fragments.
"Stop talking nonsense... I'm being serious."
"You killed him just like that. Forget the Marines—there's no way the World Government will let this go!"
"What can they do? They might even thank me. I saved them the embarrassment of keeping that piece of trash around."
Leno looked utterly unconcerned. After all, he had already killed Celestial Dragons; a mere pirate was nothing. As if the World Government would dare trouble him.
"Here, drink your medicine first~"
He helped Hina sit up, sliding an arm around her and pulling her into his chest before she could protest, placing the bowl of medicine in her hand.
"Once we arrest the remnants of Baroque Works, we'll have King Cobra announce Crocodile's crimes publicly."
"And I'll make sure the credit goes to you Marines. Who knows—your rank might even go up."
As he watched her drink the medicine, he casually shared his plan.
Hina was stunned speechless. She raised her gaze toward him, eyes wide.
So this bastard had planned everything from the beginning.
He had taken her out of the equation entirely, sparing her the trouble while also protecting the World Government's face.
But she was overthinking it. Even if he didn't do this, the World Government would have arranged the same outcome to save its own reputation.
Leno had simply helped them skip a step. Seeing Hina's slightly dazed, adorable expression, he felt an urge stir.
And of course, he acted almost immediately.
As Leno leaned closer, Hina's eyes darted nervously, trying to avoid him, but her neck was already caught, leaving her unable to escape.
"Mm—!"
Soon, her tender pink lips were captured again. This time, Leno was not as rough and overbearing as before, but tasted her gently and meticulously.
After the initial confusion, Hina gradually melted into the embrace under Leno's gentle guidance. Her hands, which had been weakly hitting him, unconsciously tightened on his collar.
She slowly closed her eyes, savoring the taste called sweetness.
A warm, hazy atmosphere spread through the room until—his wandering hands climbed a peak.
Hina trembled and jolted back to her senses. She shoved him away, cheeks aflame.
"You—You pervert! Shameless! Bastard!"
"Cough, cough... I'm sorry, I couldn't help myself~"
Leno reached up and scratched his cheek awkwardly, thinking he had unconsciously let 'habit become second nature.'
Staring at his own hands, he mentally cursed them. Seriously? That impatient? Great. Now you've messed everything up.
Just then, a displeased voice came from the doorway. A female doctor in a white coat marched in, clearly annoyed.
"Hey! What kind of boyfriend are you? Your girlfriend is injured and you're still upsetting her?"
She glanced at Hina's flushed face before glaring at Leno.
"I already told you—it's internal injuries. Do you understand internal injuries?"
"Sorry! Sorry! I'll be careful!"
Leno apologized repeatedly, hurrying to Hina's side to help her breathe, gently rubbing her back.
"I'm sorry, my dear. Please forgive me this once?"
"Who, who is your dear? Don't talk nonsense!"
Hina was already mortified when the doctor mentioned 'boyfriend and girlfriend.'
Now, hearing Leno call her "dear" in front of someone else made her heart race wildly. She turned her head away, unable to look at him, only muttering a soft protest while the corners of her lips betrayed her.
The doctor, relieved to see the couple reconciled, nodded with satisfaction and left after giving a few reminders.
Silence fell over the room—along with a quietly growing air of intimacy.
Meanwhile, while the pair lingered in their little bubble, the Kingdom of Alabasta was stepping into disaster. The rebel army was closing in on the capital, Alubarna.
Inside the royal palace, the atmosphere was heavy. Captain Igaram, Pell, Chaka, and others all looked solemnly toward the figure seated on the throne.
"What's the situation with the rebels? Where are they now?"
King Cobra asked, his voice weighed down with responsibility. The moment that would decide the kingdom's fate had arrived.
He was nearly at his breaking point. He didn't want innocent civilians harmed—but if the rebels entered the city, casualties were inevitable.
And yet, he had no other choice but to put his hope in Leno and his companions.
It was almost laughable that his own country's crisis had to be resolved by outsiders. What a failure of a king he must be.
"Your Majesty," Pell reported, "the rebels have amassed more than one million fighters. They're approaching the capital from the southwest, south, and southeast. They'll arrive very soon."
"The adventurers' female warriors have already taken positions at those three entry points."
Pell stole a glance at Princess Vivi and continued hesitantly:
"Forgive my bluntness, but with such overwhelming numbers, relying on only a few adventurers seems..."
"Do not worry. Our companions have never disappointed us."
"All we need to do is wait for their good news."
Robin stepped forward. She couldn't let panic break out in the rear while the frontlines held.
"Exactly! Relax. Our companions are really strong!"
Nami joined in, trying to calm everyone.
In truth, only three women had gone to guard the approaches: Hancock, Kuina, and Yamato—the powerhouse trio of the Adventurers.
No wonder the palace staff doubted them. How could three people possibly hold back a million-strong army?
But the adventurers knew the truth. So despite feeling a bit helpless themselves, they had no choice but to reassure everyone.