"So what you mean is… you want me to stay on as the acting queen for a while?"
Shakky finally understood.
This kid was planning to take Hancock out on a trip — and wanted her to take care of the duties Hancock was supposed to handle.
"Exactly! Aunt Shakky really is the best — you figured it out right away!"
Hancock looked at Shakky with anticipation.
She was clearly hoping Shakky would agree, so she could go traveling with Malverick.
In the end, faced with Hancock's pleading eyes, Shakky sighed.
"Go on then, both of you troublesome brats. You really have no mercy on an old woman."
Hearing Shakky agree, Hancock immediately gave her a hug.
"Thank you so much, Aunt Shakky!"
"Alright, go before I change my mind. If I regret it, you won't be able to leave."
And just like that, Malverick left Amazon Lily with Hancock.
Along the way, he told her that the brand mark on her back was gone.
When she heard that, Hancock insisted on finding a mirror to check.
So, on a deserted sandy island, Hancock took off the upper part of her clothes and carefully looked into the mirror.
Sure enough — the mark she had feared and avoided for so long was gone!
"Malverick, I— mmph!"
Before she could even finish thanking him, her lips were sealed by his.
I mean, imagine this — no one around, a stunning beauty standing half-dressed before you… who could possibly resist?
"It's still daytime!"
"Oh? Is it?"
Malverick instantly activated his Devil Fruit ability — the entire island was shrouded in darkness.
"Now it's not daytime anymore."
With last night's experience still fresh, Hancock clearly handled things better this time.
"East Blue, I'm back again!"
Five days later, Malverick stood atop Reverse Mountain, looking at the stream leading toward the East Blue.
The East Blue — the last time he was here was during Roger's public execution.
In the three years since then, he'd traveled across the other three seas, but never returned here — until now.
"Hm? Malverick, what are we doing here?"
Hancock had heard that the East Blue was the weakest of the four seas.
She didn't understand why he wanted to come.
"To meet a good friend of mine. It's been years since we've seen each other."
"If I didn't come now, it might be another ten years before we meet again."
"Come on, let's go!"
Malverick didn't have many friends — but there was one in the East Blue.
And that person was currently having the time of his life.
East Blue, on Babaro Island.
A small pirate crew was busy digging for treasure.
The Buggy Pirates.
Captain: Buggy the Clown.
Bounty: 5 million Berries.
A five-million bounty wasn't much — but Buggy's background was top-class.
A former crewman of the Roger Pirates, brotherly with Shanks, and someone who'd fought against the Whitebeard Pirates, Golden Lion's Flying Pirates, Big Mom's crew, and even Garp's Navy!
With a résumé like that, you'd expect a pirate with a bounty in the billions.
But Buggy was a classic exception.
"Keep digging, boys! The treasure's right down there!"
Buggy was waving a worn treasure map, full of confidence.
By the time Malverick found him, the crew had already dug a hole more than ten meters deep.
"Captain Buggy, this treasure map's gotta be fake! We've dug this deep and there's nothing here!"
"Impossible!"
Buggy snapped, waving his arms.
"This map is the real deal! The treasure's definitely down there, keep—"
BOOM!
Before he could finish, a deafening sound erupted — the entire island shook as if hit by an earthquake!
"What the— an earthquake?!"
"Run for it!"
Buggy instantly used his Chop-Chop Fruit powers, his body flying up into the air—
Except… his legs were still on the ground.
"Hey! What are you running for? I just came to say hi!"
A familiar hand grabbed Buggy by the collar and pulled him back.
"Who— who's grabbing me?! You'd better be careful or I'll— Malverick?!"
Buggy froze mid-sentence when he saw the face in front of him.
He read the papers — of course he recognized the name and face of Malverick.
And aside from looking a bit older, he hadn't changed much since their days together.
"Ha ha ha! Buggy, time really flies, doesn't it? Long time no see!"
"Malverick! It really is you?!"
Back on Roger's ship, Shanks, Buggy, and Malverick had been close friends.
Until that one day when Shanks accidentally made Buggy eat the Chop-Chop Fruit…
Still, despite everything, Buggy and Malverick had always gotten along well — same with Shanks.
"Come on, let's go. I'll treat you to a proper meal."
With Malverick leading the way, the two headed to a nearby island.
And as for Hancock?
She was sleeping at an inn — far too exhausted to get up.
"Malverick, what brings you to the East Blue? How's Rayleigh doing?"
Buggy started firing off questions nonstop, talking faster than a machine gun.
"Hold it! Stop right there!"
"You've asked me so much, but why haven't you asked about Shanks?"
Buggy, who'd been full of chatter a moment ago, instantly froze.
The moment Shanks's name was mentioned, he jumped up from his chair.
"Don't bring up that bastard! I swear, I'd punch him if I could!"
Seeing this, Malverick couldn't help but laugh.
"Buggy, you couldn't even touch him now. Even Whitebeard wouldn't casually mess with Shanks."
At this moment, Shanks was already carving his name into the New World.
Though he wasn't one of the Four Emperors yet, the Red-Hair Pirates were a major force.
"So what? Shanks ruined my life — I still wanna punch him!"
As they say: Everyone gives Shanks face — except Buggy.
No matter how strong Shanks became, Buggy still cursed him like the old days.
"Whatever, have it your way."
"By the way, I'm heading to Loguetown. Want to come?"
"Loguetown?"
Buggy thought for a moment.
"You're going to see the Captain, aren't you?"
"Yeah. I'm about to form my own pirate crew, but before that, I have to pay my respects to Captain Roger."
"I bet you and Shanks did the same when you started your crews, right?"
Buggy nodded.
Yes — both he and Shanks had done the same.
"I'll pass this time. I finally found a treasure map, and I'm not leaving till I dig up the treasure!"
"Goodbye, Malverick!"
"Hey, don't bother. That island has no treasure — I checked it myself just now."