The next day, Hancock boarded the warship, ready to depart for Marineford.
"Set sail!"
"Y—Yes…"
The replies were neat—but weak.
So weak it was obvious something was wrong.
Karl glanced at Nelson, whose eye sockets looked sunken, expression drained, one hand subconsciously supporting his lower back. Karl couldn't help but chuckle and walked over with a sigh.
"Ah… Nelson, this physique of yours…"
"…not great."
That sympathetic look felt like a bucket of cold water dumped straight onto Nelson's face.
A surge of anger flared in his chest.
A man cannot be said to be 'not good'!
But reason quickly prevailed.
It wasn't that he was weak—it was that the women of Amazon Lily were ferocious beyond belief. Each one a natural predator, draining vitality like they were devouring stars.
Really… aside from Karl, which Marine wasn't in this sorry state?
"Holy Light Blessing."
Bathed in holy radiance, the Marines gradually recovered. The lifeless haze vanished, replaced by renewed vigor—like they'd just popped some miracle pill.
Nelson stared in shock.
Major General Karl's ability can do THIS too?!
"Alright," Karl said calmly.
"Everyone, pull yourselves together. I have only one requirement."
"We return safely to Marine Headquarters. Any problems?"
"No!"
"Good. Get back to work."
The Seastone warship slowly left Amazon Lily's harbor, sailing toward Marineford.
The Marines kept turning back, eyes filled with longing.
Lounge
"Darling—you're finally back! I missed you so much~"
Karl closed the door, smiled, and sat beside Hancock, idly playing with her jet-black hair.
"The journey might get boring," he said.
"Don't start sulking."
Hancock scrunched her nose and leaned against his shoulder.
"How could I? As long as you're here, how could I ever be bored?"
Bang!
The lounge door swung open.
Ain walked in expressionlessly, took one look at Hancock clinging to Karl, and let out a cold snort.
"Why is she here?"
"Doesn't she have her own room on the ship?"
The hostility was unmistakable—and aimed straight at Hancock.
Strictly speaking, this was Ain's first real conversation with her. Before this, they had only exchanged glances… right before Ain got petrified.
Hancock frowned slightly and tightened her grip on Karl's arm.
"I'll stay wherever I want. What's it to you?"
Then she turned to Karl, instantly switching to a soft, alluring tone.
"Darling~ who is this fierce-looking woman? Hurry up and kick her out~"
Karl's scalp went numb.
For some reason, he felt like he'd walked straight into a Shura field.
He replayed his entire history with Ain in his head and swore to the heavens—
I really didn't do anything wrong.
"Ain," Karl said, bracing himself,
"Hancock is my girlfriend. I'm the one who asked her to stay with me."
Hancock's eyes shimmered provocatively. She shot Ain a smug look—
then planted a kiss on Karl's cheek.
Ain's face went pale. Her fists clenched so hard they let out faint cracking sounds.
"Karl… you're a Marine. She's a pirate. How can you—"
That instantly set Hancock off.
Her brows snapped upward.
"What do you mean 'I'm a pirate'?"
"My current身份 is Warlord of the Sea! Go ask Sengoku if I'm a pirate!"
"Y—you—!!!"
Ain glared fiercely at Karl, then turned and stormed out.
Karl let out a long sigh.
Why is it that I haven't even started a harem yet, but I'm already stuck in a Shura field?
Makoto-kun… what do you think?
Inside the Lounge
With Ain gone, Hancock relaxed slightly—but alarm bells rang loudly in her heart.
That Marine named Ain… clearly liked Karl too.
Yes, she had won this round.
But Ain had one advantage Hancock deeply envied—
She stayed by Karl's side every day.
Once the Warlords' meeting ended, Karl would escort her back to Amazon Lily.
After that… when would they ever meet again?
If Ain took advantage of that gap… if she stole Karl away…
What could she do?
By the time she came looking for him, Karl might already be helping another woman bully her.
Just imagining it made her chest ache.
Karl watched Hancock's expression cycle rapidly—
from relief → unease → sorrow → grievance—
and felt utterly confused.
"Darling… you won't abandon me in the future… will you?"
"Of course not. How could that even be possible?"
Hancock's lips trembled slightly as she spoke in a low voice:
"Ain is young… and pretty… her figure's good too. Do you like her?"
Smack.
Karl slapped his own forehead hard.
A While Later
Hancock was left breathless, eyes misty, completely dazed—
the topic of Ain forgotten without a trace.
Karl's actions spoke louder than words.
She could feel his intense affection clearly.
Since the lounge had no soundproofing, the two of them still didn't cross the final line.
Fortunately, Karl was experienced.
As long as the mind didn't slip, solutions were always greater than difficulties.
After all… Hancock's figure was right there.
Elsewhere – Ain's Cabin
"Damn you, Karl! You womanizing jerk!"
"And that hateful love-struck witch—why does she get him?! Just because she's beautiful?!"
Ain furiously pummeled a pillow with Karl's photo stuck on it, not stopping until the picture was shredded.
After a long while, she sighed.
Then, using the Return-Return Fruit, she restored the torn photo.
She picked up the Den Den Mushi and called Gion.
"Gion-jie… Karl, Karl he—"
An hour later, Ain's smile returned.
She gently touched the photo on the pillow.
"I won't give up, Karl."
That Afternoon
The Seastone warship had already exited the Calm Belt.
The crew finally relaxed—no more worrying about Sea Kings.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, at most one more day and we'll reach Marineford. Yes… yes, everything's proceeding smoothly."
After ending the call, Karl turned to Nelson.
"Maintain course. Drop anchor after nightfall and rest."
"Yes, sir!"
Just as Karl was about to head back to his room, Ain walked over—smiling.
"Turning in so early?"
"Habit, I guess. Hmm?"
Karl stared at her, surprised.
Something was off. Very off.
She had stormed off in fury that morning—how was she acting completely normal now?
Noticing his stare, Ain seemed shy and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
"W-Why are you looking at me like that? Do I have something on my face?"
"No… you're not angry anymore?"
Ain answered calmly, without hesitation.
"Angry? About what?"
Karl:
"..."
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