With the help of Sandasonia and Marigold, the elderly Gloriosa had just steadied herself when she caught sight of Boa Hancock falling so quickly into Souta Kiryuu's embrace.
"Disaster!" Gloriosa clutched her chest in despair. The Pirate Empress was even more love-struck than she herself had once been, surrendering at a speed countless times faster.
They had only known each other for less than half an hour, and already Hancock was in his arms. If this went on unchecked, Gloriosa feared they'd be cradling a child by next year!
"Hey! What do you think you're doing?!" Gloriosa's short legs pumped furiously as she rushed toward the embracing pair.
Sandasonia and Marigold stood frozen, staring in disbelief at their elder sister—the very same sister who had always loathed men beyond measure.
My heavens! Their empress… in the arms of a man? Could this really be the sister they knew?
Gloriosa's shout jolted the dazed Boa Hancock back to herself. When her senses returned, she became sharply aware of Souta Kiryuu's warm embrace, the masculine scent that enveloped her, and the deep sense of safety it gave her. She didn't want to let go.
Seeing Gloriosa rushing forward to interfere, Souta released a pulse of Armament Haki that sent the old woman flying back once again. He gently stroked Hancock's head, holding her close for several more heartbeats.
Only when Gloriosa began to wail pitifully did Hancock reluctantly pull away, turning to glare coldly at the meddling elder.
"Sandasonia, Marigold—take her outside. And the two of you leave as well," Hancock ordered sternly. Today, nothing would stop her from enjoying her time with Souta.
"Hancock, we truly cannot be involved with him! If we do, Amazon Lily will be doomed!" Gloriosa cried desperately, as if already envisioning a navy fleet descending upon their island.
"I don't need you to lecture me, you old woman who once abandoned Amazon Lily," Hancock replied icily. Yet, deep in her eyes, there was a flicker of conflict. Between Amazon Lily and Souta Kiryuu… must she truly choose only one?
"You fear the Marines will invade Amazon Lily?" Souta's calm voice cut through, revealing he had seen right through Gloriosa's concern.
"Exactly! Ever since the Marines developed their Sea Prism Stone warships, our island is no longer safe. That's why Hancock cannot be tied to the most notorious criminal alive!" Gloriosa shouted as she was dragged toward the doors, her tone thick with urgency.
"What if the Kiryuu Pirates already possess the power of the Float-Float Fruit? Would Amazon Lily be willing to relocate from this exposed Calm Belt to somewhere safe?" Souta asked casually, his smile enigmatic.
Hancock and Gloriosa both froze.
"You… you subdued Shiki the Golden Lion?!" Gloriosa cried out in shock. As a former officer of the Rocks Pirates, she knew Shiki's arrogance—how could that man ever bow to another?
"Not exactly. I merely said we have the Float-Float Fruit's ability in our hands," Souta clarified with a faint smile.
"You killed Shiki and found the fruit again?!" Gloriosa gasped, her face paling. The legend who once reigned supreme over the seas… had he fallen?
"Not that either," Souta shrugged. "What matters is that I can guarantee the safety of Amazon Lily."
"This meddlesome old woman really is persistent," Souta muttered under his breath.
He leaned closer to Hancock, his lips brushing her ear. "Hancock, under my banner are doctors and ability-users who can erase and heal any brand." As he spoke, he inhaled the faint fragrance of her hair.
"Erase… the brand? Souta-dono, you—you know?" Hancock looked at him in horror. The slave's brand of the Celestial Dragons, burned into her back, was her deepest secret and greatest shame.
"Of course. What's there to fear? I was once a test subject of the World Government myself. I've slain three of the so-called Celestial Dragons," Souta replied. His hand once more caressed her head, steadying her trembling body.
Overcome by the warmth of his touch, Hancock could no longer restrain herself. She collapsed once more into his embrace, seeking safety in his arms. This man who dared to slaughter Celestial Dragons—he was her harbor, her sanctuary.
Gloriosa's face twisted with conflict. If the Kiryuu Pirates truly possessed the Float-Float Fruit, then perhaps Hancock's attachment to Souta wasn't entirely reckless. With the Navy closing in, relocating Amazon Lily might indeed be their only option.
Sandasonia and Marigold simply exchanged nervous glances. Was their sister truly falling in love with this man?
"Rest easy," Souta murmured, stroking Hancock's silky black hair. "Soon, I'll erase the brand from all three of you sisters, wiping away your past entirely. And I'll take you with me to strike down the Celestial Dragons, so you'll never live in their shadow again."
Though he had his reasons for drawing close to her, Souta couldn't deny he wanted to help. He admired this woman—stunning, strong, the most beautiful in the world. Beautiful, powerful, loyal, and hopelessly love-struck. How could he not be drawn to her?
"Souta-dono, please allow me to follow you." Hancock raised her chin, resolve burning in her eyes. With Souta offering safety for Amazon Lily, she no longer had any worries. She could truly leave.
"You may," Souta smiled gently, "but we'll wait until Amazon Lily has been relocated before announcing your allegiance." He already intended to take the Empress into Wano as a hidden trump card.
"Yes! I'll do as you say," Hancock answered, her eyes shining. Today was perfect—the safety of Amazon Lily assured, her dream of following Souta realized. Surely this was destiny itself. And Souta would free her from the mark of the Celestial Dragons. Three joys in one day!
As Souta and Hancock grew ever closer, Gloriosa reluctantly resigned herself to what she called their "whirlwind romance." Still, she resolved to consult with Shakky, the former empress, to weigh the risks of trusting the Kiryuu Pirates. If Souta failed to secure Amazon Lily's safety, then both the nation and Hancock would be ruined.
But Souta was no liar—he revealed artificial Devil Fruits, weapons forged from their power, and even hinted at the green-blood technology that had secured the Float-Float Fruit's abilities. That proof eased Gloriosa's doubts, while Hancock only grew more enraptured, trusting him completely.
The two spent the entire night together, whispering, embracing, even stealing kisses, though they held back from going too far under Gloriosa's watchful eye. There would be time later—on the journey back to Sky Island, it would be just the two of them.
By morning, Souta finally revealed his next destination: Wano.
When Hancock learned he planned to march straight into the territory of a Yonko, her answer was immediate. Lost in love, she didn't hesitate—she would follow Souta Kiryuu anywhere, even into the lion's den.
...
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