We’re back!

  First of all, I want to thank everyone who supported me even when I wasn’t publishing and stuck around. Now that I’m retively stable, I tinue writing.

  Patreon still has 100 advance chapters, with the Wano arc ed up and the Egghead arc about to begin. If you enjoy my story, please sider supp me on Patreon—it means a lot!

  --xLOVEx--

  Leaving the castle, Coby joihe women of the isnd at a lively party. He chatted with them, enjoying the warm atmosphere, the ughter, and the food spread out before him. The Kuja warriors, always ready to celebrate strength, were in high spirits. Even though they were fierce fighters, they knew how to rex wheime came. Coby grinned as he sed stories with some of them, his charm easily winning over the more skeptical warriors who had witnessed his strength in the arena.

  At some point, when the party was at its peak, Coby slipped away. Navigating through the lively streets, he found his way to Elder Nyon’s house. The old woman sat fortably inside. Without wasting time, Coby got to the point.

  He probed about Hancock, 'learned' she was a Shichibukai, and acted surprised. "Really? Hancock's one of the Warlords?" Coby asked, raising an eyebrow.

  They shared tea in the quiet house, but then Nyon dropped a bombshell. "The world will ge with this as D. Ace, the Fire Fist, is going to be executed soon and Whitebeard won't be silent."

  Coby's hand slipped, and the tea cup fell, shattering on the floor. "What?!" His voice cracked with 'shock'. "Ace? He’s my captain’s brother. Luffy’s definitely going to go after him. There’s no way he won’t."

  He then discussed with Nyon how he could save Ayon insisted it was impossible at first, pointing out that the Marineford Battle was bound to be a death trap. But Coby, uerred, id out a pn. They both agreed that Boa Hancock’s influence as a Warlord was the key to sneaking him into Impel Down. Hancock could use her status to join the war, and Coby could slip in unnoticed.

  Returning to the castle, they learhat Hancock had fallen ill. Nyon rushed to see her, immediately reizing the signs of the dreaded Love Siess. The diagnosis was clear—only Coby could save her now. Hancock’s feelings for him had triggered the illness, which had bee life-threatening.

  When Hancock finally came before Coby, she was visibly weakened, but her dition had improved slightly. She looked at him with a vulnerable expression. Coby could see that her usual fidence was shaken.

  " you take me to Marineford or Impel Down?" he asked directly. "I o be there for my captain."

  Hancock stared at him for a moment, her face a various of emotions. Then, with a soft but clear voice, she answered, "I will go wherever you want to go."

  Her response sent a shock through the room. Marigold, Sandersonia, and Nyon all looked at Hanco disbelief, their eyes wide with surprise. Hancock, known for her fierdependend disdain for men, had just agreed to follow Coby’s lead without hesitation. This love siess had taken hold of her heart like a hurrie, overwhelming even her pride.

  What followed was, the m, Coby with the Kuja Pirates boarded their ship and sailed toward the Marine vessel where Vice-Admiral Momonga was waiting. The early light shimmered oer, the ship cutting through the waves as the wind filled the sails.

  Hancock stood at the bow, her usual grace masking the internal tension she felt. Coby was hiding under her cloak. When they arrived, the Marine ship loomed rge, its deck already bustling with activity. Momonga was waiting for them, arms crossed, eyes sharp as Hancock’s ship pulled alongside.

  “Pirate Empress Boa Hancock,” Momonga greeted, his tone formal, keeping the required de between them. “I trust you are ready to fulfill your duty as a Warlord of the Sea.”

  Hancock, her usual regal fiden full forodded. “I am. But before that, I have ditions.” Her voice was smooth, anding respect. “I want to go to Impel Down first. I wish to see Fire Fist Ace.”

  Momonga’s brow furrowed slightly, but he didn’t question her directly. Instead, he turned and reyed the message to Sengoku via Den Den Mushi. After a brief pause, Sengoku’s voice came through, heavy and sidering. “Agreed. Impel Down first.”

  Momonga gave a sharp nod of aowledgment before turning back to Hancock. “Very well. The ditions are accepted.”

  With that, Hancock said her goodbyes to the Kuja Pirates, her crew watg silently as their empress prepared to board the Marine ship. Coby stayed hidden under her rge cloak, pressed close to her body. The sensation of his warmth against her skin was distrag, but Hanaintained her posure as she stepped onto the Marine vessel.

  The crew remained professional, showing no signs of suspiomonga gestured for her to follow, leadio the private quarters reserved for her. The moment the door shut behind them, Hancock let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. Slowly, she untched her cloak, and Coby slipped out, stretg his limbs slightly.

  They were alone.

  The room was quiet, the muffled sounds of the Marines outside barely reag their ears. Hancock’s mind swirled, still affected by the closehey had shared uhe cloak. The way his body had been pressed against hers, even now, lingered ihoughts.

  Coby noticed the slight shift in her expression and spoke up, his voice casual, “Hancock, are you okay?”

  The sound of her name from his lips hit her like a wave, and for a moment, she felt herself melt. She turned her face away slightly, trying to maintain her usual elegance, but the softness in her eyes betrayed her.

  “I am fine,” she replied, her voice calm but ced with something deeper. She moved to the window, looking out at the sea, trying tain her posure. But every time she thought she had trol, her mind drifted back to Coby. His presence seemed to make her heart ra ways she didn’t fully uand.

  Coby, "unaware" of the full impact he had on her, remained rexed. He leaned against the wall, arms crossed, looking around the room. “Good. We’ll o stay low until we reach Impel Down. Shouldn’t be too long, right?”

  Ohey were ihe ship, the rest was just waiting. Coby had already aplished his main goal — wooing Hancock. She was already deep in love with him, but he wasn’t about to rush things just because of it. Yeah, he used Luffy’s method, but he wao go beyond that. Get to know her better, flirt with her, chat a little. Only after that would he sider taking things further.

  He gently pulled her closer, taking her hands. She was blushing like crazy, her cheeks bright red as she melted under his touch.

  “Hancock,” he started, watg her closely. Before he could say anything else, she let out a small squeal, her eyes wide and filled with anticipation.

  “I… I know what yoing to say!” she said, her voice shaky but excited, the blush on her face deepening.

  Coby gave her a small smile, his tone rexed. “I like you, and I tell you like me too.”

  Her breath hitched, and she tried to hold back a smile, but it broke through anyway. “Y-yes! I do! I’ve been in love with you ever since… ever since you saved my sisters! Oh, Coby, my heart has never been so full!” She blushed even harder, her whole body trembling.

  Coby chuckled, leaning in a little closer. “I’m gd to hear that. But let’s take our time with this. I want to get to know you better. We’ll get there when we’re ready, yeah?”

  Hancoodded rapidly, still holding his hands tightly. “Yes, of course! Anything for you, Coby. I’ll wait as long as you want!”

  Then they chatted. Coby learned her favorite dish was hot pot, specifically with lots of seafood and spicy broth. "I like to cook it myself," Hancock added with a small smile, the regal air slipping away as they shared a meal. "It reminds me of home."

  Coby raised an eyebrow. "You? Cooking?"

  Hancoodded, a little embarrassed. "I may be a pirate empress, but I enjoy simple pleasures." She paused for a moment, looking away. "Not that anyone ever gets to see that side of me."

  Coby ughed softly. "I get it. Everyone sees you as this untouchable warrior, but you're just as human as the rest of us." He leaned back, gng at her. "Your birthday’s ing up soht? September 2?"

  Hancock blinked, surprised. "You know that?"

  Coby grinned. "Yeah, I picked up on it from some of your crew. It’s not like it’s a secret."

  Hancock smirked, rexing a little more. "What about you, Coby? What do you like? Other than fightiial Dragons."

  Coby shrugged. "I'm a pretty simple guy. I like trainiing good food—especially meat, like my captain—and just hanging out with my crew. Though I’ve got a soft spot for spicy stuff too." He took a sip of his drink. "Also, my birthday’s May 13, in case you were w."

  --

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