At daybreak, the Marine flag atop the White Gull's sails fluttered softly in the morning breeze.
Gern Reginald Sigmar stood on the deck, gazing at the receding silhouette of Kuja Island, his expression calm and unreadable.
Snake Princess was wrapped snugly in a thick blanket, leaning against the rail. The sea wind lifted her long orange hair, revealing a pale face softened by a faint, knowing smile.
She looked back at the island where she had lived for so many years. A flicker of complicated emotion crossed her eyes—only to be quickly replaced by acceptance.
"Just leaving like this… are you sure it's really okay?" Snake Princess asked softly, a hint of teasing in her voice."I thought you might stay a few more days and enjoy Kuja Island's warm hospitality."
As she spoke, she glanced toward the deck nearby, where Tezoro and Lipo had been carried aboard by Gern earlier and were now sprawled out, sleeping soundly.
"After all, the little ones on your warship were completely drunk off the Kuja girls' hospitality."
Gern let out a short snort. "That's what they get for getting drunk on fruit wine."Then his tone paused slightly, his gaze sweeping over Snake Princess's thin frame."And you—this sea wind is cold. Go lie down inside."
"It's fine. I feel much better all of a sudden." Snake Princess laughed softly and said no more.
She looked toward the rising sun on the horizon, savoring the long-lost sense of freedom and lightness in her chest.
Perhaps leaving was the choice she truly needed.
...
Meanwhile—on the sea-view terrace of Kuja Island's palace.
Gloriosa stood by the railing, her aged fingers tightening slightly as her eyes followed the Marine warship shrinking toward the horizon.
Her gaze was deep, as though piercing time itself, returning to that storm-tossed era of legends.
"What an unbelievable man…" she murmured, her hoarse voice carrying an indescribable weight."If he and Rocks had been born in the same era… standing at the same starting line…"
She paused, a complex smile touching the corner of her lips.
Images surfaced in her mind—Rocks D. Xebec, Gol D. Roger, Whitebeard, Golden Lion Shiki, Wang Zhi, Silver Axe… titans whose names once shook the seas.
"Then perhaps even they would have regarded him as a lifelong rival."
At Gloriosa's words, Torch Lily stood silently beside her, fingers tracing the carved patterns on the railing.
Her eyes remained locked on the line where sea met sky, until the warship finally became a tiny black dot—then vanished, swallowed by the endless ocean.
"Torritoma." Gloriosa turned her head toward her, calling her by name, her tone as gentle as it had been back when she commanded the Kuja Pirates herself.
"No matter how reluctant you are, it's useless. If she stayed, there would only be one end—death."Gloriosa's voice was low and heavy."And that man… we couldn't stop him even if we tried."
"I know." Torch Lily tugged lightly at the corner of her mouth, forming a faint smile that scattered like sand in the wind the very next instant."After all…" she said quietly, her voice nearly carried away by the sea breeze,"Kuja Island has already had three irresponsible empresses."
"My sister has given more than enough to this country."Her voice firmed."Now, it's time for her to live for herself—just once."
With that, Torch Lily turned sharply, her skirt flaring as she walked away.Her footsteps echoed across the empty terrace, each one feeling as though it struck directly against her heart.
But only she knew—
At the moment Gern carried her sister aboard the warship and left without looking back,it felt as though an invisible hand had seized her heart and crushed it mercilessly.
Gloriosa watched Torch Lily's perfectly straight back, shaking her head as a trace of pain flickered through her eyes.
"You sisters…" she sighed softly."When you're stubborn, you're exactly the same."
"It's just a pity…"
"The men you met… were worlds apart."
Those words struck Torch Lily like a dull blade plunged straight into her heart.
Her steps halted abruptly. Her shoulders began to tremble uncontrollably.
At last, she could no longer hold herself together. She slowly crouched down, wrapping her arms tightly around her body, as if that alone could shield her from the wave of despair crashing over her.
"Lady Gloriosa…" Her voice broke with sobs."Actually… when my sister left with him…"
"I was really… so jealous… so envious…"
Tears splashed onto the stone floor, spreading into dark, blurred stains.
"Why…Why is it that the one I love…couldn't be like him—couldn't take me away without hesitation…?"
Gloriosa froze for a moment, then let out a long sigh.
She stepped forward and gently drew Torch Lily into her arms with aged yet steady strength—just as the once-dominant captain of the Kuja Pirates had embraced her wounded crewmates long ago.
"Torritoma…" Her voice was low and tender."That irresponsible bastard isn't worth your tears."
"After all—" Gloriosa's gaze turned icy in an instant."A man like that… isn't capable of loving anyone."
...
Three days later—morning, aboard the White Gull.
The sea breeze brushed gently past as sunlight bathed the ship in a golden glow.
Lipo hugged a large plate of fruit—mostly carrots—humming cheerfully as she bounced along the deck. Suddenly, a shadow fell over her.
"Hm?" She looked up in confusion—straight into a pair of amber eyes glinting with danger.
"Little Lipo~" Snake Princess curved her lips into a seductive smile, her fingers already precisely pinching Lipo's cheeks."You've gotten even cuter~"
"Wah! S-Snake Princess?!" Lipo yelped in shock. The fruit platter nearly slipped from her hands, only to be caught steadily by Snake Princess's other hand.
"Don't be nervous~" Snake Princess's smile deepened as her fingers slid from Lipo's cheeks up to her head, ruffling her hair without restraint."So soft… it's addictive~"
"Wuu… Gern! Help!" Unable to escape, Lipo could only cast a desperate look toward Gern nearby.
Gern leaned against the railing with his arms crossed, watching the scene with clear amusement.
Snake Princess sensed his gaze and looked up to meet his eyes, a spark of provocation—and a faint, burning heat—flashing within them.
"Looks like you're recovering well," Gern said calmly.
"Thanks to you." Snake Princess chuckled, her hands never stopping. Lipo's hair had already been turned into a chaotic bird's nest."Seeing you every day has been great for my mood—and my body even more so.If you don't believe me, my room isn't locked at night. If you want to sneak in and—"
"Stop, stop, stop—cut it out!" Gern hurriedly interrupted her before she went any further.
Still, compared to before, Snake Princess's complexion truly was much healthier now.Her once-pale skin glowed with vitality, and her orange-red hair blazed like living fire under the sun.That cold, dangerous allure had fully returned.
"What? Don't you like it?" Snake Princess asked innocently.
"So…" Gern raised an eyebrow. "That's your excuse for bullying my Lipo?"
"Bullying?" Snake Princess blinked innocently. "I'm just expressing affection."
As she spoke, she suddenly released Lipo and walked toward Gern with graceful steps.
Lipo fled as if pardoned from death, darting behind Tezoro and whispering, "Too scary…"
"You'd better get used to it!" Tezoro gave a dry laugh, wiping cold sweat from his temple."If you don't fight or compete, you're in for a rough time…"
Meanwhile, Snake Princess had already stopped in front of Gern. She tilted her head slightly, red lips parting."By the way, you still haven't told me—where are we going next?"
"You guess," Gern replied with a faint, unreadable smile.
"Heh…" Snake Princess laughed softly, then suddenly grabbed his collar and pulled him close until their breaths mingled."I was just thinking—if you dared abduct me and then let me get bored…"
Her fingertips traced lightly across his chest, her tone dangerous."I'll get angry. And when I get angry—"
Before she could finish, Gern's hand snapped shut around her wrist, cutting her off. The grip wasn't crushing, but firm enough that she couldn't break free.
"No time for jokes."For once, Gern's gaze was utterly serious, his deep voice carrying an unmistakable finality."Snake Princess, I need you."
Snake Princess's confident expression froze instantly. Her pupils widened slightly; her breath caught.
Gern… needs me? Here? That bold?
The tips of her ears flushed crimson at a visible speed, heat rushing to her cheeks.She looked like she'd been tossed straight into a steam bath—almost ready to emit actual steam.
"I'm walking on thin ice within the Marines," Gern continued. "I need your help."
"Y-you suddenly saying things like that…" Snake Princess stammered for once, her fingers unconsciously tightening around his coat sleeve.
The next second, as if overwhelmed by the direct hit, her eyes squeezed shut and she stiffened—then toppled straight backward.
Lipo reacted instantly, wrapping an arm around her waist and stopping her from hitting the deck.
"Gern, Snake Princess passed out!!"
"She's fine." Gern looked down at the "unconscious" Snake Princess in Lipo's arms, a playful curve tugging at his lips."Playing hard to get now?"
He leaned down close to her ear and lowered his voice."You really think I didn't notice those written guides in your room on Kuja Island?"
Snake Princess's lashes trembled violently, though her eyes remained shut. The red at her ears spread all the way down her neck.
Gern chuckled and pressed on mercilessly."How to Make a Cold Man Fall for You, The Mature Woman's Art of Romance, A Guide to Conquering the Aloof Type…Tsk. Who would've thought the great Snake Princess studied this so diligently in private? No wonder your condition suddenly worsened~"
"Shut up!!!" Snake Princess finally couldn't take it anymore. She snapped her eyes open and grabbed Gern's collar, glaring at him in mortified fury.
Her face was still burning red, her presence completely shattered—more like an embarrassed, bristling cat whose secrets had been exposed.
Gern let her grab him, raising an eyebrow. "Finally done pretending?"
"You—" Snake Princess ground her teeth, then suddenly deflated. She released him, turned her head away, and muttered,"What do you actually want?"
"Didn't I say it already?" Gern met her gaze directly."I need you."
"Not just as strength—but as a companion."
Snake Princess froze. The embarrassment in her eyes slowly faded, replaced by a sharp inner complaint.
Hmph—of course he won't say 'as a woman.'
"What a sly man." She snorted softly, though the corner of her mouth lifted just a little."You could've just ordered me—but instead you say things like that."
"Because commands don't work on you." Gern released her wrist and turned toward the bow, the sea wind lifting the hem of his coat."Only if you choose it yourself does it mean anything."
Snake Princess watched his back in silence for a moment—
Then suddenly smiled.