Chapter 539: Hancock's Envy and Hawkeye's Departure
Boa Hancock clung to Ren like an exquisite, silken pendant. Heaven only knew what went through the Pirate Empress's mind as she spent her days staring at the heavy mahogany doors of her private chambers back on Amazon Lily. She waited with bated breath for a miracle, but Ren simply never walked through them.
"Only a single day has passed on this side," Ren sighed, his voice a calm anchor against her frantic energy. "I was planning to visit you in a couple of days."
"A couple of days?!" Hancock's voice pitched upward, her usual regal composure fracturing into panic. "Do you have any idea how long that translates to for me? That would be several months! I am already losing my mind after just one! Two more months?! Absolutely not! I refuse to go back!"
Lucifer leaned against the counter, a dry, amused smile playing on her lips. "You are surprisingly persistent, Empress."
Hancock shot the demon CEO a withering glare before immediately softening her gaze as she turned back to Ren. Being the sole focus of a supreme conqueror's affection carried a heavy, suffocating weight, but Ren was long accustomed to the pressure. He met her desperate, beautiful eyes with his usual mild expression.
"Hancock, let me remind you of the rules," Ren said, gently prying her arms loose. "Roronoa Zoro might arrive soon. He has the potential to bring new customers. Sonia and Mary currently count as takeout orders, so... if Zoro brings fresh faces into the restaurant, the time ratio will adjust. You will not have to wait a full month."
Hancock fell silent, her dark eyes narrowing in deep thought. Finally, she let out a long, dramatic sigh. "Very well. But if that green-haired brute fails to bring anyone new, I will personally kick him to death."
Ren pinched Hancock's flawless cheek with a mixture of exasperation and amusement. "Go find a seat and calm down. What do you want to eat?"
"Anything made by your hands, Mr. Ren!" Her cheeks flushed a deep, brilliant crimson. "I will love absolutely everything!"
Ren paused, wiping his hands on a clean towel. "Did you even eat anything before you came over?"
"No! I have spent this entire month learning!" Hancock declared proudly. "Elder Nyon always told me that the fastest way to capture a man's heart is through his stomach. But I have realized she had it completely backward. Mr. Ren, my stomach has already been entirely captured by you!"
"Right..." Ren offered a helpless smile. "While I am always happy to receive such high praise as a chef, Hancock, you still need to maintain your image. There are other patrons dining here."
Hancock nodded with uncharacteristic obedience, smoothing down her dress as she took a seat nearby.
Lucifer chuckled, stepping close enough for the scent of her expensive perfume to wash over Ren. She poked his arm playfully and leaned in to whisper, "You have captured my stomach too, darling. Hahaha."
Ren lightly rapped his knuckles against Lucifer's head, ignoring her theatrical pout as he turned toward the kitchen. He barely took two steps before her voice rang out behind him.
"Ren! Bring me a bottle of your best red wine! And a fruit salad while you are at it!"
Ren gave a faint wave of acknowledgment and disappeared behind the swinging doors.
Left alone in the dining area, Lucifer turned her attention back to Hancock. The Pirate Empress was currently grinding her teeth, staring at the demon with an intensity bordering on pure envy. Lucifer's mischievous nature flared to life. She offered a wicked, knowing smile.
"Hancock, care to guess what happened here today?"
Hancock stiffened, her guard instantly rising. "What happened?"
"My employees... which is to say, Ren's other women, officially moved in today," Lucifer purred, watching the color drain from Hancock's face. "It is such a pity you arrived so late. You missed the entire spectacle. I would have gladly introduced you to everyone."
Hancock's hands clenched into tight fists, her perfectly manicured nails digging into her palms. Damn it all! She could not even bring her own sisters over to see the place, yet these women were already moving in permanently! She was entirely sick of being an Empress bound to an island!
Right on cue, the sound of soft footsteps echoed from the staircase. Nami padded down into the main dining area, wearing a loose, comfortable shirt and a pair of indoor slippers. She blinked in surprise upon spotting the Pirate Empress, then offered a bright, casual wave.
Hancock stared in absolute disbelief. "Nami?! You actually stayed behind?!"
Nami tilted her head, completely unfazed by the intense scrutiny. "Yeah, of course. I was just upstairs watching a movie."
Lucifer rested her chin on her hand. "With whom?"
"Justice, Cerberus, Rantabi, and Aoandon," Nami listed off effortlessly.
"Oh?" Lucifer raised an elegant eyebrow. "What about Sora?"
"She wanted to join us, but she is currently drowning in homework," Nami chuckled. "I peeked into her room on my way down. She looked completely frantic trying to catch up."
Lucifer smiled, shaking her head at the image. "And what brings you down here from the movie night?"
Nami let out a long, suffering sigh. "We played rock-paper-scissors to decide who had to make the snack run. The loser had to come down and fetch the drinks."
"Let me guess. You lost."
Nami stared at her own hands as if they had betrayed her. "I still cannot believe it. I never lose at rock-paper-scissors!"
"Well, a deal is a deal," Lucifer said smoothly. "Ren is in the kitchen, so go put your order in. Oh, and when you head back upstairs, pass a message to Justice for me. Tell her she better not let me catch her digging up any of my dark history. That is all."
"Huh? Oh, sure thing," Nami said, turning toward the kitchen. "Shopkeeper Ren! The girls need a drink restock!"
"Got it. What are they having?" Ren's voice drifted out from the back.
A few minutes later, Hancock sat in agonizing silence, watching Nami carry a massive tray piled high with gourmet snacks and chilled beverages back up the stairs. The Empress ground her teeth so hard her jaw ached. It was infuriating! She wanted nothing more than to abandon her throne and stay in this warm, lively house too!
Lucifer took a sip of water, offering a mock-sympathetic sigh. "There is nothing you can do about it, Hancock. The time difference between your world and this one is simply too massive. Your best option is to sit here and pray that two customers from another world arrive who possess the ability to manipulate time."
"I refuse to wait for a miracle!" Hancock snapped, her eyes flashing dangerously. "Why is that Roronoa Zoro not here yet?!"
"Achoo! Achoo!"
Far away, within the gloomy, echoing halls of the Kuraigana Island castle, Roronoa Zoro violently sneezed twice. He had just finished changing his heavy bandages, his chest still aching from past battles.
Floating nearby, Perona let out a shrill, mocking laugh. "Wow! The stupid monkey actually caught a cold?! I did not know circus monkeys were so fragile!"
"Shut your mouth!" Zoro barked, glaring at the floating ghost princess. "I do not have a cold! I just got a sudden chill... like someone is cursing my name!"
Perona gasped in exaggerated disbelief, clutching her cheeks. "Oh my god! Are you completely delusional?! Who in their right mind would be talking about you?! Why would anyone waste their breath talking about a filthy, directionless monkey?!"
Zoro's hand instinctively drifted toward his waist, his temper flaring. He had just opened his mouth to shout a retort when Perona floated backward, raising her hands menacingly.
"Negative..." she warned, a translucent ghost forming behind her.
Zoro froze instantly. He swallowed his pride and clamped his mouth shut. The humiliation of being forced to grovel on the floor, questioning his own will to live, was far too fresh in his mind. He absolutely refused to experience the Negative Hollow ever again.
Perona blinked in genuine surprise, watching the notoriously hot-headed swordsman actually restrain his anger. She giggled quietly to herself. If he kept practicing this kind of extreme patience, the swordsman might actually become a master of stealth and endurance.
Heavy, measured footsteps echoed down the stone corridor. Dracule Mihawk stepped into the dim light, his imposing figure draped in his signature dark coat, the massive black blade Yoru resting securely on his back.
"It is time to depart," Hawkeye stated, his voice a low, commanding rumble. His piercing golden eyes shifted to Zoro. "Are you bringing your swords?"
Zoro adjusted his three blades at his hip, his expression hardening into absolute seriousness. "A true swordsman never leaves his blades behind."
Hawkeye gave a single, approving nod.
Perona stared at the two men as if they had lost their minds. "You are bringing your weapons?! I thought we were just going out to eat! What do you need swords for at a restaurant?!"
"A duel," Hawkeye replied simply, already turning away. "Let us go."
Perona huffed, floating after them. Going out to eat and meeting new people meant she could finally gather information about the outside world. She desperately needed to know if Gecko Moria was still alive. The anxiety had been eating at her, but the promise of a delicious meal at a magical restaurant certainly helped dull the edge.
Hawkeye led them down a winding corridor, finally stopping before a heavy, unassuming wooden door that led to one of the castle's many dusty storerooms. Zoro stepped up beside him, his hand resting casually on his hilt.
Perona crossed her arms, floating impatiently behind them. "Hey! Why are you two just standing there staring at a storeroom door?! I thought we were leaving!"
Hawkeye glanced at the ghost princess from the corner of his eye but offered no explanation.
Zoro kept his eyes locked on the wood. "This is the door to the shop."
"Huh?!" Perona shrieked, her pigtails bouncing. "Do you think I am completely stupid?! That is a broom closet!"
Ignoring her outburst, Hawkeye raised a gloved hand and pressed his palm flat against the ancient wood. He focused his mind entirely on the mysterious restaurant.
A second later, right before Perona's disbelieving eyes, the edges of the heavy wooden frame began to glow with a soft, ethereal light. The dusty air of the castle vanished, replaced by the faint, mouth-watering aroma of cooking spices and warm light spilling through the cracks.
Perona rubbed her eyes frantically, her jaw dropping open. "Wow! Real ghosts!"
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