The dying embers of the campfire flickered in the night breeze, glowing faintly.
The raucous banquet had finally drawn to a close.
Near the mountain of leftover food scraps, the warriors of Amazon Lily gathered in small groups, cleaning up the mess, occasionally casting curious glances toward the depths of the jungle.
There, the ever-energetic Straw Hat boy was surrounded by a group of female warriors, gesturing wildly as he animatedly told tales of his adventures—sparking bursts of gasps and laughter.
He laughed without a care in the world, like a child who would never grow up.
The sea breeze carried with it a touch of coolness.
Marco held a wine cup in his hand but couldn't bring himself to take a single sip.
His gaze drifted between the carefree figure in the distance and the calm man beside him. The confusion and questions in his heart—it was time to get answers.
'Why?'
Finally, Marco couldn't hold it in any longer.
"Lucian."
He strode up to him, voice tinged with a fire he couldn't suppress.
"What are you thinking?"
"Why did you lie to Luffy?"
He stared hard at Lucian, enunciating each word:
"Ace is his brother! He has the right to know the truth! What gives you the right to make that decision for him? To hide something as massive as the fact Ace's life is on the line?!"
Standing nearby, Pirate Empress Boa Hancock had also withdrawn her bashful smile—the one she always wore in front of Luffy.
Her elegant brows were furrowed, and her azure eyes held the same deep confusion.
Though she secretly wished Luffy would never hear the news that would break his heart, she too couldn't understand what purpose Lucian's lie served.
But despite Marco's near-accusatory tone, Lucian showed no anger.
He didn't even turn to look at him.
His eyes remained on the figure in the distance—the one laughing as he was tossed into the air by the cheering Kuja warriors. And in those eyes, there was a softness even Lucian himself hadn't noticed.
As if, in that boy, he saw a version of himself—back before he crossed worlds.
A version that was still… free.
Unburdened.
"Marco."
Lucian's voice was light, yet it carried clearly to both Marco and Hancock.
"Look at him now. Look how happy he is."
Marco blinked, taken aback.
"This pain… he'll face it soon enough."
Lucian finally withdrew his gaze and turned toward Marco, meeting his anxious eyes head-on.
"But not now."
"The time isn't right yet."
'This is just a well-meaning lie.'
He said it plainly—without a trace of humor in his tone.
"Let him… enjoy this final moment of peace."
That one line froze all of Marco's retorts in his throat.
Final peace…
He looked again at the boy still laughing and playing.
And it felt like an invisible hand was squeezing his heart.
'He's right.'
The moment that cruel truth came to light… that carefree, brilliant smile on Luffy's face would be shattered.
In its place would come overwhelming pain, anger, guilt, and despair.
And from then on, Luffy would carry the unbearable burden of saving his brother, charging headlong into Marineford—a fortress built from the greatest powers the world had to offer.
Lucian… was using a single lie to buy Luffy a few more moments of innocence.
Realizing this, the fury in Marco's eyes slowly faded—replaced by something far more complex.
He had never imagined that the man known for his terrifying strength and wild, dangerous planning… could also be this subtle. This gentle.
"I understand now."
Marco exhaled deeply, downing the wine in his cup as if swallowing every lingering frustration along with it.
Lucian gave a small nod, then turned his gaze toward the Pirate Empress, who had remained silent throughout.
"Your Majesty."
"Hm?" Hancock blinked, pulled from her thoughts.
"I believe the Navy's summons will arrive soon."
Lucian's tone became serious.
"The World Government will definitely force you, as one of the Seven Warlords, to attend Fire Fist Ace's public execution at Marineford."
Hancock's expression shifted slightly.
"When that time comes… that will be the right moment."
Lucian looked her straight in the eye and said solemnly,
"That's when you tell Luffy the truth about Ace."
"Until then…"
"I'm asking you—please, take good care of him."
Hancock froze.
She hadn't expected Lucian to entrust something so important to her.
She looked into his sincere eyes, then turned to glance at Luffy again in the distance.
A strange sense of responsibility began to rise in her chest—something she had never felt before.
"Y-You can count on me!"
Her face flushed crimson, her eyes darting away bashfully.
She clutched her hands to her heart and spoke in a dreamlike tone:
"With me around, Luffy will… he'll be taken care of very well!"
That sudden transformation—from cold-blooded Empress to love-struck girl—made Marco's eye twitch again.
'She's beyond saving.'
'This woman… she's completely gone.'
'Lovesick idiot.'
The matter settled, Lucian and Marco didn't stay long.
While Luffy was still busy playing with the Kuja warriors, Hancock quietly escorted the two men to the shores of Amazon Lily.
Under the moonlight, waves gently lapped at the beach.
"Your Majesty, thank you for your hospitality," Lucian said, offering a farewell.
"No need," Hancock replied coolly, slipping back into her Empress persona. "I only did it for Luffy."
Lucian smiled faintly, a glimmer of deeper meaning in his voice:
"We'll meet again soon."
"Though next time… I'm afraid we might be enemies."
Hancock's lips curled ever so slightly. It was a smile only Lucian could understand.
"Don't worry."
"I'll probably just put on a show when the time comes."
She gave a soft hum, her voice naturally laced with noble pride.
"Understood."
"Then I thank you in advance."
Lucian nodded respectfully.
No more words were needed.
Marco stepped forward. Blue flames ignited around him in an instant.
"Let's go, Lucian!"
With the clear cry of a phoenix, the massive blue-fire bird spread its wings once more.
Lucian leapt into the air and landed gracefully on the broad back.
"Until we meet again… Pirate Empress!"
Before the words had even faded, the azure wings flared open with a gust!
The whirlwind kicked up sand and wind as the massive figure soared into the sky—transformed into a golden streak that cut through the night.
In the blink of an eye, it vanished beyond the horizon, leaving Hancock alone… still watching.