"Alright, you can come in now."
Hearing Meiser's voice, the three people sitting on the stairs immediately stood up and rushed upstairs at top speed.
"Hurry, hurry!"
As they ran, their expressions were a mix of anticipation and anxiety.
They were eager to see Hancock's appearance after the mark removal, yet anxious... afraid the surgery might have failed.
But when they entered and saw Hancock's condition, they immediately sighed in relief.
Then, tears welled up in their eyes.
"Hancock..."
"Big sister..."
"The mark on big sister's back... it's really gone!"
"Huh?!"
"Why are you all crying?"
Hancock, lying on the operating table, panicked upon seeing this. Could the surgery have failed?
But that couldn't be - Meiser said it was successful.
This man wouldn't lie to her.
"They're crying tears of joy for you," said Meiser with a smile as he finished disposing of medical waste. "Go take a look in the mirror."
"I... I see..."
Hearing this, Hancock relaxed slightly, though nervousness crept back in.
With the mark gone, would there be a huge scar left behind?
Would she be... rejected?
With these thoughts swirling, Hancock shakily stood up and walked step by step to the mirror to examine herself.
Fragile...
That was the first word that came to Hancock's mind upon seeing her reflection.
She never imagined she'd one day wear such an expression.
Then, cautiously, she turned around while gathering her hair.
After a moment's hesitation, she steeled herself and swept her hair aside.
"It's... it's really gone!"
Staring at her now unblemished back, Hancock froze in disbelief.
"Is... is this really my back?"
Her trembling hand slowly reached back, fingers brushing against smooth, flawless skin.
"This is me..."
Tears welled up, blurring her vision.
"Th... thank you, Meiser!!"
The usually aloof and composed woman broke down into unrestrained sobs.
The mountain that had weighed on her heart for over a decade was finally... finally lifted!
"Big sister..."
"You're welcome. I'm glad you're satisfied," Meiser replied.
Watching Hancock collapse to the floor in tears, Meiser exhaled deeply.
Fortunately, his mastery of powerful Yang Release Chakra made this possible - achieving such results would have been difficult otherwise.
As Hancock's emotions gradually stabilized, Granny Nyon approached, wiping tears from her eyes.
"This is wonderful, Hancock."
"From today onward, you won't have to worry about that anymore."
"You can finally... sleep peacefully."
"Yes!"
Hancock nodded, unsurprised that Granny Nyon knew about her struggles.
After all... the elder had always watched over the three of them.
Even if she wouldn't admit it aloud, Hancock understood this in her heart.
Hancock looked at Meiser, her face slightly flushed as she said, "Sorry you had to see me like this."
The woman who had once seemed so haughty now appeared completely demure, her face filled with shyness.
"There's no need to apologize," Meiser replied with a smile. "I understand how you feel."
This time, Hancock didn't say anything else, merely nodding with a faint blush on her cheeks.
Granny Nyon observed Hancock's behavior and began to sense something unusual.
"Could this girl... have fallen for this boy?"
Upon closer thought, it wasn't impossible!
After all... Meiser was not only the man who had killed a Celestial Dragon but had also removed the mark on Hancock's back!!!
Under such circumstances, it was entirely possible for her to develop feelings for him.
Glancing at Meiser's smiling face, Granny Nyon thought to herself, 'What a lucky boy.'
Even an iceberg as cold as this could be melted by him.
Perhaps this was simply fate's arrangement.
"Alright, after I clean up the operating table, we'll proceed with the next round of surgery," Meiser said, looking at Sandersonia and Marigold. "You two decide who goes first."
With that, Meiser began cleaning the traces on the operating table.
Clearly, he didn't intend to waste any time.
Watching Meiser meticulously clean the table, Hancock steadied herself by holding onto Salome and put on the coat handed to her.
She then settled onto Salome's coiled body, resting her chin on her hand as she observed Meiser's busy movements.
At this moment, in Hancock's eyes, Meiser seemed to be under a filter, making his already handsome face appear even more dazzling.
"Ah!!"
Meiser: "???"
Hearing the noise, Meiser turned his head in confusion and saw Hancock covering her face, lost in thought.
'Why are her ears all red?'
Was this woman thinking about something strange?
"What's wrong with Big Sister?" Sandersonia asked, puzzled.
"No idea. Never seen her like this before."
Sandersonia and Marigold both tilted their heads, staring at their sister, unable to comprehend her behavior.
"Meiser, do you need to rest?" Granny Nyon asked.
She didn't know how Meiser had removed the mark, but... if he was too physically drained, it might affect the surgery.
So she wondered if he should take a break first.
Even if they were in a hurry to reach Marine Headquarters, there was no need to rush this much.
"No need," Meiser shook his head. "A few surgeries won't tire me out."
With the power of his Mangekyō Sharingan Pupil Technique, he didn't have to worry about exhaustion.
"I see."
Since Meiser insisted, Granny Nyon didn't press further.
Seeing that Meiser still needed time to clean the operating table, she asked, "Meiser, have you thought about how you'll get to Marine Headquarters?"
"You do know this is the Calm Belt, right?"
Without a special ship, it would be impossible to leave this place.
At her words, Meiser paused, his brow furrowing slightly.
Though he could always control a Sea King, having a proper ship would be ideal.
At this thought, Meiser said, "Do you have any spare ships?"
"I can pay for it."
"It's not about money," Sandersonia replied helplessly. "Kuja Island only has one ship."
To prevent people from sneaking away, Kuja Island had established a rule prohibiting the construction of ships for sailing—this was also to protect its citizens. After all... without the protection of the ferocious sea serpents, any ship venturing beyond a certain range from Kuja Island would be attacked by Sea Kings.
"Then..."
"You may use my ship," Hancock offered.
"Eh?!"
Marigold stared at her sister in shock. Just like that, she was lending out their ship? But considering Meiser could help remove the marks on their backs, Marigold soon understood. This was a debt of gratitude they had to repay.
"You're willing to lend us your ship?"
"Yes." Hancock nodded. "As one of the Royal Seven Warlords of the Sea, I have also received a summons from the World Government."
"So sailing to Marine Headquarters shouldn't be a problem."
"Sister, I thought you hated the World Government?" Sandersonia said.
Not long ago, Hancock had petrified an entire ship of Marines!
"I do despise the World Government, but... if it helps Meiser..."
Sandersonia: "..."
Seeing Hancock's bashful expression, Sandersonia fell completely silent. What was wrong with her sister?
Meiser also looked at Hancock with confusion. Why was this woman acting stranger by the minute? What was with that shy expression? Could she... have taken a liking to him? Recalling the question Hancock had asked earlier, Meiser fell deep into thought.
"The summons for the Royal Seven Warlords..." Granny Nyon frowned.
"That's right."
Marigold explained, "Not long ago, the Marines gave us an ultimatum—if we don't accept the summons by tomorrow, they'll revoke Sister's title as a Warlord."
"That would be disastrous."
Granny Nyon knew all too well what would happen if Hancock lost her Warlord title. In that case, to keep it, she really had no choice but to participate in this war. But would the Marines truly allow a ship from Kuja Island to approach Marine Headquarters? That was the question.
Thinking this over, Granny Nyon said, "Your intentions are good, but I doubt the Marines would permit a ship from Kuja Island to get close to Marine Headquarters."
"Especially... during such a sensitive time."
Hearing this, Hancock's expression darkened. Did this mean she couldn't help Meiser after all?
"Hmm... That's possible." Meiser snapped out of his thoughts and carefully considered it. "The Marines are probably worried about pirates sneaking in to cause trouble."
A war involving the Four Emperors undoubtedly held many secrets—battle plans, for instance. If the Marines were smart, they would never allow a ship from Kuja Island near Marine Headquarters.
In that case, using the Kuja Pirate Ship was out of the question.
"Guess we'll have to rely on the Sea Kings then," Meiser thought with a headache. "But that means Merry will..."
Suddenly, an idea occurred to Meiser, and he immediately said, "I know what to do."
He turned to look at Granny Nyon and said, "Granny Nyon, could I trouble you to take care of Merry for a while?"
"Hmm?"
"You're planning to..."
"Yes, that's right." Meiser nodded. "After all, bringing Merry along to a war of that scale would be too dangerous."
"So I plan to leave her here first and take her away after the war ends."
Initially, Meiser hadn't considered leaving Merry here.
After all... he wasn't sure about these people's intentions and feared they might harm Merry.
But now, it seemed Granny Nyon was trustworthy, and Hancock's demeanor... entrusting Merry to them temporarily shouldn't be a problem.
Granny Nyon fell silent for a moment before nodding. "Alright, I understand. I'll take good care of her."
Upon reflection, bringing a little girl like Merry to such a high-level war truly wasn't suitable.
She was only a few years old, after all.
So staying here was the best choice.
Meanwhile, Hancock, upon hearing their conversation, keenly picked up on one detail.
"Who exactly is Merry?" Hancock asked.
That name sounded like a woman's name!
At this thought, her expression shifted.
"She's a little girl, just a few years old," Sandersonia said. "And also a member of the Straw Hat Pirates."
After a pause, Sandersonia added, "Well, a very brave little girl."
Remembering how Merry had stood in front of Margaret earlier, Sandersonia couldn't help but smile.
"A little girl, just a few years old..."
Hearing this, Hancock's expression immediately calmed.
But soon, another question arose in her mind: Why would the Straw Hat Pirates bring along a little girl that young?
Thinking this, Hancock asked, "Do you also have a habit of bringing pirate apprentices?"
"Pirate apprentices?"
Meiser was taken aback before shaking his head. "No, that's not it."
"Merry isn't a pirate apprentice. She's the Ship Spirit of our pirate ship."
"Ship Spirit?!"
Everyone gasped in shock.
"You mean... the legendary spirit born from a ship?" Sandersonia asked.
"Yes."
"To think you even have a Ship Spirit..."
Marigold swallowed hard, her face filled with disbelief.
"How surprising," Hancock remarked.
Now, Hancock felt a flicker of curiosity about this little girl named Merry.
A Ship Spirit... What exactly did she look like?
"No wonder I sensed something unusual about her. So she's a Ship Spirit," Granny Nyon said. "This is truly... astonishing."
Having lived so long, this was her first time seeing a legendary Ship Spirit.
"Haha, Merry is indeed extraordinary," Meiser chuckled. "Anyway... Granny Nyon, I leave her in your care."
"Don't worry. As long as she doesn't sneak out, she'll be safe."
"Right. I'll explain the situation to her," Meiser said.
Though he didn't know how Merry would react upon receiving such news, he had to proceed this way.
He believed Luffy would agree with his approach.
"What do you plan to do?" Granny Nyon asked. "Even if we build a new ship now, it would be too late."
Their shipbuilding capabilities here weren't exceptional—constructing a seaworthy vessel would take at least two weeks.
Two weeks! By then, Fire Fist Ace would already be executed.
"I don't intend to use a ship," Meiser said, narrowing his eyes. "I plan to tame a Sea King as transportation."
Though enduring wind and sun might be uncomfortable... at least they could make the journey.
Well, he was certain Luffy wouldn't complain either.
"Tame a Sea King..."
Granny Nyon's lips twitched. "Sea Kings aren't easily subdued, Meiser."
Even after all these years, their Kuja Island had only managed to tame two sea serpents.
Could he really do it?
This wasn't a matter of sheer strength—most large Sea Kings were fiercely stubborn, preferring death over submission.
And the waters around Kuja Island teemed with massive Sea Kings!
"I have my methods," Meiser replied with a chuckle.
With the Pupil Power of his Mangekyō Sharingan, controlling a Sea King as a mount wouldn't be an issue.
"Do you mean..." Marigold's pupils constricted. "That hypnosis ability of yours?"
"Hypnosis?"
Granny Nyon blinked. What strange ability was this?
This ninja boy could hypnotize people too?
"Yes, Meiser used hypnosis to control Enishida and the others for a while," Marigold explained.
Granny Nyon: "..."
Just how many bizarre abilities did this ninja kid have hidden away?
"Something like that," Meiser said vaguely, offering no further explanation this time.
"Forgive me, Meiser... I couldn't be of more help," Hancock murmured, lowering her head.
"It's fine. The Eternal Log Pose is more than enough," Meiser reassured her with a smile.
Help given was kindness; help withheld was no obligation. There was no reason to complain.
Just then, Granny Nyon spoke up. "Actually, I believe Hancock can still assist you."
Hancock's eyes brightened instantly. "How so?"
If she could truly aid Meiser, she wouldn't hesitate to contribute.
Meiser turned to Granny Nyon curiously. Did the old woman have some brilliant plan?
"First, regarding Fire Fist Ace's location," Granny Nyon said. "Right now, he should still be imprisoned in Impel Down. If you can rescue him there, you won't need to participate in that perilous war at Marine Headquarters."
"I know that," Meiser said. "But as I mentioned, we don't know the—"
"Let me finish, Meiser."
Cut off, Meiser sighed but nodded for her to continue.
"Impel Down..."
Hancock furrowed her brow, feeling like she'd grasped something important.
"Exactly, Impel Down!" Granny Nyon said with a smirk. "Hancock, as one of the Royal Seven Warlords of the Sea, if you don't want to lose your title, you must participate in this war."
"You should understand this clearly."
"This concubine..."
Before Hancock could finish, Granny Nyon decisively stated, "This could help Meiser."
"This concubine has no objections!" Hancock declared with utmost seriousness.
If it could assist Meiser, she had no qualms about joining this war.
"Losing the title of Royal Seven Warlords, huh?" Meiser frowned.
At that moment, Meiser thought of that fellow Moria.
The reason Moria had been stripped of his title was because he'd been defeated by their Straw Hat Pirates.
As for Hancock potentially losing hers—was it simply for refusing the summons?
Indeed, upon reflection, if a Royal Seven Warlord disobeyed the World Government's orders, they certainly wouldn't tolerate such defiance.
"Yes, refusal means losing the title," Marigold said. "This is a mandatory conscription."
"At least, that's what the Marine said."
Marigold suspected they would follow through on the threat.
Meiser nodded, then turned to Granny Nyon. "So how do you plan to have Hancock help me?"
"Simple. Have Hancock make a demand to the Marines," Granny Nyon replied. "She must visit Impel Down once before agreeing to join the war!"
Hearing this, Meiser's eyes instantly lit up.
If the Marines truly accepted this proposal, they might not even need to participate in the Marine Headquarters' war after all.