"Hancock?"
In the end, the Pirate Empress had become that boy's woman.
But to Kaido, that didn't matter.
Most people saw the "Beast King" as a brute — an impulsive monster who solved everything with his fists. And, in a way, they weren't entirely wrong. For Kaido, thinking too much had always been a waste of time — just fight, win, crush. Simple.
But this time was different.
This was the kind of problem that even brute strength couldn't solve.
For the first time in ages, Kaido would have to use his brain.
Maybe because he hadn't thought seriously about anything in so long, an odd itch crawled across his scalp — as if his own mind were stretching after a long sleep.
"Someone bring me a sea chart, right now!" he barked, his thunderous voice shaking the hall.
A deep, guttural laugh followed — echoing through the walls like the growl of a pleased dragon. Moments later, one of his men rushed in, clutching a rolled map.
"Master Kaido!" the man shouted, kneeling and presenting the scroll.
"Give it to him," Kaido ordered with a nod.
Luffy took the map without ceremony. Unfolding it, he quickly scanned the markings of the main islands, routes, and coordinates.
To his surprise, everything was accurate. No tricks, no traps.
Is it really this easy to deal with Kaido? he wondered, frowning.
Or was the old beast trying to make him owe him something?
"Thanks. Next time I feel like killing you, maybe I'll let you live," Luffy said with a broad, carefree grin before folding the map and tucking it into his jacket.
He turned to take off, but a voice stopped him.
"Wait! Straw Hat Luffy! Take me with you!" Yamato shouted desperately.
Luffy looked back, a mischievous smile curving his lips.
"Unfortunately, Kozuki Oden isn't welcome on my ship…" he said teasingly. "But I might make an exception… for Yamato."
And without another word, Luffy blasted into the sky, vanishing at incredible speed.
Yamato stood frozen.
The chance to leave Wano — the dream of her life — had slipped right past her, and she couldn't grasp it.
Before she could move, Kaido's deep, commanding voice rumbled behind her:
"Yamato, you want to leave?"
She spun around, fists clenched, facing the man who was both her father and her greatest enemy.
"Kaido!" she growled, torn between anger and hesitation.
"I can set you free," he said, his tone cold but sincere. "As long as you do something for me."
Yamato blinked, confused. She knew her father's temper — brutal, arrogant, but rarely deceitful.
"And what exactly do you want me to do?" she asked warily.
Kaido grunted, a grin spreading across his face — a mix of cynicism and strategy.
"You're my daughter. Your looks don't fall short of that Pirate Empress, and your strength isn't half bad either."
He leaned forward, his eyes gleaming with malicious cunning.
"That boy is young. He probably can't resist beautiful women. Yamato… seduce him. Make him my subordinate. If you succeed, you're free."
For a moment, Yamato was speechless.
Her face flushed red with a mix of rage and disbelief.
Were there really fathers in the world stupid enough to tell their daughters to recruit allies that way?
No, she thought, clenching her fist. I'm a man. I left my femininity behind long ago.
Kaido let out a booming laugh.
"Bahaha! You don't want to, do you?"
But he knew his daughter well. If she didn't reject him outright, it meant she was thinking — and to Kaido, that was already a good sign.
"I… I don't know…" Yamato murmured, confused.
Since childhood, her life had been nothing but training and confinement. She had no idea how to use that kind of "strategy."
"Black Maria will find someone to teach you the basics," Kaido declared, smoke flaring from his nostrils.
Then he brought a hand to his chin, thoughtful — remembering the blow he had taken earlier.
That kid's Conqueror's Haki… it was even stronger than his own.
If a man like that became my right hand...
A dangerous thought crossed his mind.
What use was a stubborn daughter if he could have a monster like that by his side?
If Luffy wanted it, Kaido would hand over any woman he asked for.
A small price, if it meant gaining such power.
---
Grand Line
Even with a detailed map, an ordinary sailor would be lost.
On the Grand Line, without a Log Pose, even the most skilled navigator would eventually wander to their death — consumed by hunger, thirst, or the unpredictable storms of that sea.
But Luffy was no ordinary man.
He wielded the power of the Fuwa Fuwa no Mi — and beyond that, he was the Sun God himself.
In his form as Nika, his muscles pulsed with endless energy, his strength and speed surpassing human limits.
His body was elastic, yes — but the power within him belonged to a laughing, chaotic deity.
Luffy soared above the sea, the wind cutting sharply against his face.
Few in the world could match that speed — perhaps only Kizaru, moving at the speed of light.
---
Amazon Lily
Across the ocean, on the isolated island of women, the atmosphere was entirely different.
The fragrance of tropical flowers mingled with the humid air, and the songs of birds were drowned by the heavy silence of the imperial chamber.
Hancock lay on her bed, her face flushed, her lips slightly parted.
A cold towel rested on her forehead, but the heat burning within her wasn't physical — it was the fire of love and longing.
"She's asleep…" Sandersonia murmured in relief, rising carefully. "But the fever hasn't gone down. Shakky… what'll happen if Luffy doesn't return?"
The older woman sighed lightly, crossing her legs as she observed the scene with a knowing gaze.
"This isn't an ordinary fever," Shakky said calmly. "It's the curse of love. There's no medicine for it. I've seen many die from it."
Sandersonia's eyes widened.
"Die?!"
"Yes," Shakky replied. "When a woman from Amazon Lily falls in love and her man doesn't return… her heart simply gives up. No potion, no remedy can help. Only seeing her beloved again can heal that kind of pain."
A heavy silence filled the room.
How many empresses had perished that same way?
In the past century, only the wisest had learned to protect themselves — either by avoiding love altogether or fleeing with their beloved before it consumed them.
Shakky's gaze softened as she recalled her own past.
"But trust in Luffy," she said, breaking the silence. "If he promised to return… he will."
"And if he doesn't — or doesn't make it in time?" Marigold asked hesitantly.
Shakky smiled faintly.
"Then we'll know Hancock chose the wrong man… and Luffy will become Amazon Lily's enemy."
The sisters were struck silent.
Before they could respond, a sudden gust of wind burst through the windows.
A shadow rushed into the room, landing lightly on the floor.
"Luffy!" Marigold cried joyfully. "She's right there!"
But to everyone's surprise, Hancock was already awake.
Her body trembled, yet her eyes were fixed on him.
She wasn't asleep? Shakky thought, smiling faintly. That woman's passion burns even stronger than mine once did…
"Luffy…" Hancock whispered, her voice soft and trembling with emotion.
Luffy took a step forward, astonished.
She looked frail, but alive — and more beautiful than ever.
He smiled, opening his arms.
"Come here, my lovely snake."
Without hesitation, Hancock ran to him and threw herself into his embrace.
Luffy caressed her face, feeling the warmth of her skin beneath his fingers.
"It's alright. I'm here now," he murmured gently — a tenderness rare for him.
Shakky exchanged a look with the sisters, and silently, the three left the room, closing the door behind them.
Hancock gazed up at him, cheeks still flushed.
"Luffy… you've gotten taller?"
He chuckled. "Things like that happen to men."
Before she could say another word, he lifted her chin and kissed her.
"We've got a lot to catch up on…" he whispered against her lips as he kissed her again.
(End of Chapter)