Chapter Header Serial: Lovesick Beyond Cure 29 – Vanishing Sickness
Hancock's lovesickness hadn't flared up in a long time…
She even managed to take the pirate crew on a supply run through South Blue, restocking many rare and much-needed resources.
Twin Sea Kings parted the waves at the prow of the red tower ship bound for Kuja Island. Onboard, Sandersonia and Marigold flanked Hancock, glancing occasionally at their elder sister's flawless profile as she gazed at the distant horizon.
The two younger sisters were glad for her, yet a little puzzled too: 'Could it be… because Lord Tulip has recovered, that their elder sister's illness has healed as well?'
…
Liam and Robin led the way, with Hawk Eyes Mihawk, the Black Blade strapped across his back, close behind. The three of them headed straight for the place where the Red Hair Pirates were stationed, having left the sand-covered coliseum far behind.
'Impressive Observation Haki…' Mihawk followed behind the two, his sharp eyes contemplative.
Given the trio's speed, their journey toward their destination could only be described as a blur of lightning.
"It's them!"
"They're heading this way!"
People on the streets of the vacation island had just been watching the gigantic sandstorm dragon from a distance. Before long, the storm dissipated, and a moment later, the very contestants they'd seen facing off on the big screen just moments ago came sweeping past them.
"That's Hawk Eyes!"
"And Giorno! And his captain!"
"That woman pirate is stunning…"
Onlookers from multiple blocks barely had time to gasp before the three figures shot past like the wind, leaping onto rooftops and vanishing into the distance.
Even though Robin was a Kuja Princess, her strength still far exceeded that of ordinary people. So, keeping up with Liam and Mihawk, who weren't even moving at full speed, was well within her abilities.
"So, did it affect you?"
While running, Robin took a moment to ask, referring, of course, to the perception feedback that Liam might have received from the clone she'd made using her Flower-Flower powers. Had it interfered with his battle against Crocodile, or later against Shiryu?
"Not really." Liam didn't seem the least bit bothered. "You forget, I'm a genius at Life Return."
To master Life Return meant having total control over both mind and body.
By channeling his willpower into his hair, he could make it move at will, even though hair lacks any kind of muscle structure. But because Liam willed it to move, his consciousness gave it life.
His body was so powerful that even a pierced windpipe had healed itself in the blink of an eye.
"All I had to do was mentally sort out which sensations were mine, and which were being fed back to me through the clone." Liam smiled. "It was not that hard. Just needed a little adjustment."
Robin ran beside him, side by side. As she glanced over and saw the slight smirk tugging at the corner of his lips, she suddenly found herself smiling too.
"What are you laughing at?" Liam asked curiously.
Robin shook her head.
Liam pressed her, but she simply smiled silently.
Following behind, Mihawk, his gaze as sharp as an eagle's, suddenly turned to look farther ahead, toward a crossroads near the coast.
A group of people had gathered. And in the center of the road stood the Red Hair Pirates… surrounded by a pile of unconscious Marines at their feet.
"Isn't that Giorno? Hahaha!"
Hearing that familiar voice from ahead, Liam looked up, and sure enough, there was Red-Haired Shanks, laughing and waving at them.
Shanks was holding a bottle of booze, sporting an unshaven chin, a pair of ridiculous floral shorts, cheap beach flip-flops, and a completely unremarkable straw hat.
He looked nothing like a legendary pirate who had just single-handedly wiped out a battalion of elite Marines, More like an unemployed beach bum running a protection racket in some back alley!
Liam leapt forward in a few light steps and came to a stop in front of Shanks.
Then… he looked down.
Shanks looked up, locking eyes with him.
Behind Shanks stood the Red Hair Pirates' officers: First Mate Benn Beckman, Sniper Yasopp, the ever-drumstick-munching Lucky Roux, and a few other core members, all of whom now turned their attention to the tall young man standing before their captain.
Robin stepped up to stand beside Liam.
Mihawk, carrying the Black Blade, slowed his pace and crossed his arms, silently observing from the side.
As for the Marines scattered on the ground… All the regular soldiers had passed out with whites of their eyes showing, no one could even say what exactly had happened to them.
But Commodore Gion, Rear Admiral Momonga, and Vice Admiral Onigumo were still barely conscious, lying wounded on the ground and forcing themselves to look at the ones who had just arrived to confront the Red Hair Pirates.
"Jolyne… Giorno… and Hawk Eyes…"
Onigumo, Gion, and Momonga felt a heaviness in their hearts at the mention of those names. And the vacation island's civilians, quietly watching from the sidelines, also felt a mix of nervousness and curiosity,
The pirates who'd just defeated high-ranking Marines… were now face-to-face with the most talked-about Swordsman Tournament fighters.
Liam and Shanks locked eyes for a few tense seconds, then both suddenly burst out laughing. They threw their arms open and hugged each other hard, slapping each other's backs with loud thwacks.
Breaking the hug, Liam laughed and said,
"What happened, Red-Haired Nii San? Did you shrink?!"
The Red Hair crew behind Shanks instantly erupted with laughter, showing zero mercy for their captain.
"Our captain always talks about you, you know!"
"Kid's got guts, I like him!"
"Hahaha!"
Shanks didn't mind the teasing at all and laughed heartily,
"It's been years, and you've already gotten this strong? That's seriously impressive!
These Marines here, were they taken down by you and…"
He looked toward Robin beside Liam.
"Your captain? They're pretty banged up. No wonder they went down 2-on-3!"
That last line made the already wounded Onigumo, Gion, and Momonga almost cough up more blood. They clenched their teeth in silent frustration…
Yet their hearts couldn't help feeling shaken; they hadn't expected Giorno and Red Hair to be old acquaintances. And judging by the vibe, good ones at that.
That damn Hawk Eyes was there too…
Why were all the heavy-hitters gathering together like this?!
Seeing Shanks look over at him, Liam just gave a faint smile and nodded.
Liam's gaze swept over the area, especially the downed Marines.
"Looks like the Swordsman Tournament is pretty much over. I figure Marine HQ will be sending more battleships soon…"
Regardless of what Marine's intentions were in allowing the tournament to proceed,
now that it was effectively finished, and the pirates who came from all over the world were dispersing, the Marines probably wouldn't miss the chance to do some cleanup.
Likewise, every pirate who came likely knew they'd have to face Marine ships eventually.
"It's over already?" Shanks sounded surprised.
"The arena's completely gone. What's left to fight for?" Liam chuckled. "You use a sword too, right? Between you and Mihawk, who's the world's greatest swordsman, that's something I'm really curious about. Can't wait to see it."
"Oh? Is that so?" Shanks placed his left hand casually on the hilt of his famed saber, Griffin, his sharp gaze turning to the ever-composed Hawk Eyes Mihawk standing nearby.
Mihawk gave a faint smile.
"Without you in it, the tournament really was missing something."
"That so? Hahaha…"
Shanks looked up at the sky, then out toward the ocean.
A duel, huh…
"There's a place I've always wanted to go back and visit…"
Pressing down on the straw hat atop his head, the red-haired man turned back to Liam, Robin, and Hawk Eyes, a smile playing on his lips.
"Wanna come with me?"
Meanwhile, Vice Admiral Onigumo and the others supported each other and slowly stood up under the watchful eyes of the island's bystanders. They silently watched as the Red Hair Pirates, Mihawk, and the two members of the JoJo Pirates departed.
Down at the coast of the resort island, the Red Hair Pirates' ship, with its dragon-horned figurehead, unfurled its sails and began to slowly drift away from the shore.
(End Of This Chapter)
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