Rolan turned slowly, his gaze meeting Hancock's tear-filled, beautiful eyes.
He rubbed the back of his neck, unsure how to explain what he felt.
His gaze flickered briefly to Raki — a silent acknowledgement in his heart. Why bring this up now? This invites trouble in my own backyard.
"Ahem… um, Nami, Robin, and Lina are all members of our Ion Tempest," he said, voice flat.
Raki's lips curved in a subtle, knowing smile. Our King is truly… affectionate. I wonder how he'll navigate relationships among the crew, she thought quietly.
In the back of her mind, she recalled Wyper, noting: If Wyper dares show such fondness, I'll make sure he learns what a crotch-wind feels like.
At that instant, far above Sky Nation, Wyper was patrolling.
He stiffened abruptly, feeling a chill sweep through the air — and tensed his legs reflexively.
"Did the temperature drop suddenly? Achoo~" he muttered to himself.
Hancock, her gaze shifting, sensed the tension.
Though reeling from affection, she wasn't naïve.
She knew Rolan withheld things from her.
She tightened her grip on his arm.
Rolan felt it.
As the owner of the Electromagnetic Fruit, he understood her silently.
He simply let out a short laugh.
"Is this the new palace? It looks… lavish."
He pointed toward a large half-built pavilion behind them.
Raki cooled nodded proudly.
"Yes, this is the palace I designed."
Rolan studied the structure and then assessed her with a steady gaze.
"You designed this?"
She nodded.
"Yes. What do you think? Not bad, right?"
That simple confidence earned her a nod of approval from Rolan.
In his past life reading about these events, he knew Raki for her bravery — but not for refined talent.
Now he respected her more than before.
"Not bad," he said.
"We'll build a design institute beside the Security Bureau. You will be its dean. Then you and Wyper… well, you'll be close."
Raki's face flushed at the implication.
"King-sama, please—don't say such nonsense."
Her cheeks darkened slightly, but the sweetness in her heart betrayed her words.
She glanced apologetically at Rolan.
"Oh, by the way, palace isn't finished yet. Please stay on the ship tonight."
Rolan shook his head, dismissing her concern.
---
Rolan and Hancock had a long night, Rolan only let Hancock go when her voice finally broke—when her pleas for mercy slipped out in a trembling whisper that even pride couldn't hold back anymore.
She was so drained, so thoroughly overwhelmed by him, that her legs refused to obey her.
The moment he released her, she collapsed back onto the sheets, breathless, trembling, and too weak to rise.
In the square a temporary meeting room had been set up.
Reluctantly, Rolan agreed to hold talks under pressing invitation from one of his officers.
Meetings had always been a chore in his previous life — they dragged on after long days.
But he had no choice now.
He surveyed the room as he walked in: faces both familiar and new, all eyes on him.
"In at most six months, we can chart a course into the New World."
His words electrified the room.
Among the crowd were officials from Jaya Island and other territories planning to join Sky Nation.
Many exchanged excited glances, envisioning the potential.
But hesitation cut through the cheer.
A middle-aged man with sharp brows and cautious eyes raised concern.
"King-sama, is it not too soon to enter the New World?"
Several others from Jaya Island nodded in silent agreement.
For years they had endorsed Rolan's policies, embraced their identity as citizens of Sky Nation.
They had hopes — but they also knew the brutality of the New World.
Sailing there with their current strength?
They feared it would be like lambs thrown to wolves.
Rolan's eyes swept the room.
He leaned forward.
His voice was calm, composed.
"I know your concerns. Right now, you don't fully understand our strength compared to the world."
He paused and looked each man in the eye.
"If we're sailing into the New World, I will ensure we prepare fully."
He let silence settle for a moment.
Then: "You know the Four Emperors, right?"
The room tensed.
Faces turned pale.
Many nodded.
They knew the names — the Kings who ruled the New World.
"The New World lies under their division now. If we want to claim a foothold," Rolan continued slowly, "we must defeat one — or more. Claim their territory for our own."
Shock spread like wildfire among the attendees.
Murmurs of disbelief, cries of "Impossible!" "Too ambitious!" echoed.
Rolan leaned back, expression unchanging.
He didn't raise his strength in front of them — not yet.
The gap between what they knew of the world and what they saw in him was too wide.
He changed the subject then, guiding the meeting toward governance, livelihoods, and rebuilding efforts.
By afternoon the gathering ended.
Back aboard the Ion-ship "Nine Snake," Rolan's body felt heavy — but in a controlled way.
Hancock massaged his shoulders gently, concern soft in her expression.
The first to break the silence was Nyon.
"King-sama, I support bringing all of Amazon Lily under your command — and relocating Nine Serpent Island up to Sky Nation."
Others nodded eagerly.
Despite only hearing the proposal the day before, their reactions were unanimous.
Not only because Hancock had pledged her support, but also because they had glimpsed the advantages Sky Nation offered.
Rolan surveyed the assembly, a thin smile on his lips.
If these women agreed, then Amazon Lily's relocation would be smooth.
Nyon stepped forward again.
"When do we move Nine Serpent Island upward?"
Rolan turned his eyes on Hancock.
Hancock looked at him softly and let out a quiet "Meow~"
"You are a ruler and a Warlord of the Sea. Don't follow me blindly just because of… us. Think carefully." he said, tone firm.
Hancock exhaled gently.
"Rolan-sama, I've thought it through. The Seven Warlords are nothing but dogs of the World Government."
She clenched her fist.
"I don't want that life. But for my country… I had no choice before."
Her eyes burned.
"Now, after we move Nine Serpent Island up, no one will threaten Sky Nation. I no longer have to do things that disgust me just to protect our people. This… is a win-win."
Hearing her conviction, Rolan closed his eyes briefly.
He dropped a hand to her head, ruffling her hair.
"I know it wasn't easy, having to become a Warlord to keep your country safe."
He stood, voice cold but steady.
"Fine. We sail back to the Blue Sea now. We will move Nine Serpent Island upward."
He bowed curtly to Gan Fall and others, then prepared the Nine Snake for descent from Sky Nation.
---
Soft pops echoed through the air as golden resin bubbles glimmered in sunset light among towering red trees.
They cracked, drifting down dreamlike.
Suddenly a voice asked: "Rolan-sama, aren't we heading to Nine Serpent Island? Why are we at the Sabaody Archipelago instead?"
Rolan scratched his head, expression indifferent.
"Because I need a partner who's currently here, and I planned to collect them first."
He paused, sensing something — electromagnetic waves rippling rapidly across his "Super Heart Net."
Moments later a white swirl of energy formed into a familiar figure.
Nami materialized out of thin air, pressing herself against Rolan.
Her red lips crashed into his.
"Rolan, why did you take so long? I missed you so much," she purred, eyes bright.
Shock froze every Kuja pirate on deck.
Their jaws dropped at the blatant display.
Silence descended as the world seemed to tilt under that kiss.
---