They all froze. Nyon, Sandersonia and Marigold stared at Rolan, mouths slightly open. Even Hancock looked stunned, though she quickly masked it with determination.
"Yes," Hancock responded. Her voice soft, but resolute. "I will support whatever Rolan sama chooses."
Nyon's face creased with worry, but she glanced at Hancock's unwavering devotion and realized only Rolan could explain this. Sandersonia and Marigold turned their uncertain gazes toward Rolan.
Rolan sat slowly, calm and composed. "I know your doubts," he said quietly. "If you join my crew now, the World Government will consider you targets. Nine Serpent Island may be destroyed because of it."
Nyon did not flinch. "With your strength, you could protect our home. But you will not remain on Nine Serpent Island forever, will you?"
Rolan nodded.
"Then how can you guarantee our safety while you're gone?" Sandersonia asked, her voice barely steady.
Rolan lifted his chin and looked at them all, his gaze cold and unwavering. "It is unlikely I will stay here permanently. I may not return often." He paused, letting the weight of his words sink in. Their eyes were fixed on him, anxious. "But what if I move the entire Nine Serpent Island?"
Shock rippled through the gathered women — even Hancock stared, stunned.
Rolan's lips curved into a faint, confident smile. "You assume I am like other pirates who live aboard a ship as their home. You think I have no territory. That is wrong."
He raised an arm and pointed toward the sky. "My territory is in the sky."
Nyon, Sandersonia, and Marigold stared upward, astonishment written across their faces.
"Have you ever heard of Sky Island," Rolan said.
They all nodded slowly.
"But in all records, Sky Island remains a legend," Nyon murmured. "No verified proof. Only adventurers searching blindly—and many met with disaster."
Rolan's smile deepened. He knew that words alone would not convince them. They needed proof.
"Do you wish to see it with your own eyes?" he asked calmly.
Hancock's eyes brightened instantly, her voice soft but eager. "I want to go. This concubine wants to go!"
Rolan nodded once. "Very well. I will take you."
Sandersonia and Marigold exchanged a glance, then nodded uncertainly. Nyon remained silent for a moment, eyes fixed on Hancock. Then slowly, she nodded too.
Hancock's face lit up. She took Rolan's arm and said, "Rolan sama hasn't had breakfast yet, has he? I will prepare it for him."
The older women stared, bewilderment and confusion mixed on their faces. They had never seen Hancock behave like this. It shattered everything they thought they knew.
Rolan's lips curled slightly. "Thank you, Hancock."
Hancock offered a soft meow before slipping off toward the kitchen.
Nyon stared at Rolan, as if trying to see the magic behind the man who had bewitched their Empress. Rolan just spread his arms lightly, indifferent.
---
Unable to endure the sight of the two sharing breakfast, the other three quietly left as Rolan and Hancock began. As they left, Rolan handed two small pills to Sandersonia and Marigold.
"These will remove the marks on your backs," he said plainly. The sisters accepted them, confusion and hope mingling on their faces.
Hancock remained absorbed in feeding Rolan, oblivious to their departure. Rolan said nothing; he ate in silence, calm and detached. Breakfast ended, and they embraced briefly — a gesture soft yet firm, but with none of the fluff others might expect.
"Let's go, they're ready," Rolan announced, standing and offering Hancock his hand.
Outside, only Marigold remained waiting.
"We're ready," she said quietly.
Hancock turned her gaze to Rolan, waiting for his command.
Rolan closed his eyes for a moment, then activated "Super Heart Net." He sensed a ship at the coast, already packed with Kuja warriors.
"Then let's go," he said.
Without further ceremony, he and Hancock vanished from the square.
Marigold's eyes widened. "Teleportation? That speed…"
On the Kuja Pirates' ship, the crew was abuzz, excited and loud.
"Snake Princess! We're ready!"
"Good afternoon, Snake Princess!"
Their cheers faltered as they saw Hancock's arm in Rolan's. Confusion swept across their faces.
Hancock raised her chin, voice calm and proud. "This is my husband, Rolan."
Silence fell. Then a collective gasp.
Rolan scanned the deck, expression unreadable. "Prepare yourselves. We ascend now."
Whispers ran through the crew. Rolan raised a foot, impacting the deck lightly. Gradually, the ship lifted off the sea.
"It's rising!" one woman cried.
"We're flying!" another shouted.
Crew members rubbed their eyes, disbelief etched on their faces. Their world shifted beneath them as the ship soared upward.
Rolan made no move to celebrate. Instead, he pulled an Eternal Pose from his pocket, checked its direction with a single glance, then stared out at the horizon. He offered his hand to Hancock and led her to the bow.
Sunset painted the sky in molten gold and crimson. Clouds glowed like stained glass against the fading light. Below, the sea shimmered as Sea Kings lifted their heads, curious at the strange ship hung between sea and sky. Seagulls dove and rose, skipping across the air.
Hancock leaned her head on Rolan's shoulder, her eyes wide with wonder. The world below seemed small, distant. The tattoo on her body was gone, replaced by calm and hope. She exhaled softly.