Seeing Hancock burst into tears, Rengoku gently embraced her.
"You must compose yourself. Is this how an empress should act?"
"Hrrk… sob sob…"
Hancock's tears wouldn't stop, and Rengoku, faced with a naked woman crying in his arms, found himself helpless to do anything more. He couldn't even bring himself to touch her rashly. All he could do was hold her and comfort her until she calmed down.
...
A while later, Hancock's crying finally ceased.
"I must have looked pathetic… Forgive me."
She quietly began putting her clothes back on, apologizing as she did so.
"No need. It was an understandable reaction—I completely get it."
Rengoku's calm and understanding response left Hancock briefly hesitant. Then, bringing her hands together into the shape of a heart, she murmured:
"Mero Mero Mellow!"
From the heart-shaped gesture, a pink beam fired toward Rengoku. Its speed wasn't particularly fast—but Rengoku didn't move to dodge.
He took the beam head-on. And yet… nothing happened.
"…Hmm? Could you tell me what that was?"
Unfamiliar with her powers, Rengoku tilted his head in confusion. But while he remained clueless, Hancock stood there, stunned.
He… he has no impure thoughts at all…?
Her "Mero Mero Mellow" was the power of a Devil Fruit that could turn anyone with even the slightest lustful feelings toward her into stone.
And yet, despite seeing her completely bare, despite holding her in his arms to comfort her, this man—Rengoku—harbored not a single inappropriate thought.
"That ability… It's my Devil Fruit power," Hancock began, explaining the nature of her charm-based ability.
After finishing, she nervously asked him, just to be sure:
"D-Do you… not find me… beautiful?"
"Hmm! Quite the opposite! Of all the women I've ever met, you are easily the most beautiful and captivating!"
His immediate answer caused Hancock's face to flush a deep crimson.
"Then… why—?"
"Why didn't your power affect me? Isn't the reason obvious?"
"O-Obvious…?"
"I saw your weakness. And I knew your body was still recovering. My concern for your well-being outweighed any temptation your beauty might bring."
His worry had overridden any lust he might have felt.
Hancock herself knew she was close to fully recovered, but in the eyes of another, her condition could still appear precarious. And this man had prioritized that concern above all else.
Is there truly another man like this in the world…?
Not wanting to let him slip away, Hancock stepped forward and looked him in the eye.
"If it's alright with you… will you marry me?"
"I refuse."
Rengoku's blunt rejection took her completely off-guard.
"W-What?! Why!?"
"Your proposal is tempting, truly. But we still don't know each other well enough. Talking about marriage now is simply too soon."
It was a textbook answer—so rational, Hancock couldn't even argue.
"I… I can't believe it…"
The Pirate Empress, turned down so easily, was left speechless.
"When the day comes that we understand each other better… I'll consider it then. Until next time."
With that, Rengoku turned around and walked away without hesitation.
Hancock, watching him leave so boldly, wanted to call out to him—but she lacked the courage.
Gone was the arrogant and untouchable Empress whose beauty commanded the hearts of all.
What remained was simply a heartbroken woman, left behind.
But unexpectedly, just as Rengoku was striding away, he suddenly stopped in his tracks, turned his head, and looked back at her.
"…Kyojuro."
"Eh…?"
Caught off guard, Hancock couldn't even respond.
Rengoku smiled gently and continued.
"I've learned a deep secret of yours, albeit unintentionally. So, in return, I'll share one of mine.
Kyojuro. My full name is Rengoku Kyojuro. Due to certain circumstances of my origin, I've only gone by the name Rengoku. Very few people in Marine Headquarters know this. Next time we meet informally—please, call me Kyojuro."
With that, he turned back and resumed walking.
"…Rengoku… Kyojuro… Kyojuro…"
Hancock whispered his name under her breath, savoring the sound like a precious memory.
...
After saying farewell to the Kuja Pirates—including Sonia and Marigold—Rengoku arrived at the Amazon Lily encampment.
"Vice Admiral Rengoku!"
Both Vivi and Jose ran out to greet him.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
"Not at all, sir!"
"I feel bad having you remain stationed in this jungle for my sake. Let me express my gratitude."
Knowing the harsh environment of Amazon Lily, Rengoku felt guilty that his men had to endure it while waiting for his return.
But to the soldiers, his apology and sincere thanks came from a place of genuine respect—and it fired up their morale.
"For you, Vice Admiral, we could stay here a year—or ten! No problem!"
"Yes, sir! This is nothing! Compared to what you've done, sir, this doesn't even scratch the surface!"
"Comrades! Was waiting for the Vice Admiral annoying? Was it tiresome?"
"No, sir! Never!!"
"Dahhh! To be thanked personally by Vice Admiral Rengoku—what greater honor could we possibly ask for?!"
"It is we who should apologize and thank you, sir!!"
Rengoku smiled warmly as he watched his men's fiery spirit.
With soldiers like this, how could the Navy ever falter?
"…Sir," Jose asked cautiously after the excitement calmed down, "may I ask how the negotiation went?"
"…Unfortunately, the talks failed. We'll be returning to Marineford as planned. I want all hands ready to depart by tomorrow morning!"
Rengoku gave the order immediately upon his return.
The soldiers began packing up the encampment and preparing to return to the warship.
Jose approached again, still concerned.
"But sir… what are we to do now? The only remaining option is a forced summons…"
"As for the Pirate Empress, Boa Hancock—I'll take full responsibility. You have nothing to worry about."
Now that he knew her past, Rengoku didn't want to see Hancock further entangled in the grip of the World Government.
Even if her absence left a gap in their power, he had resolved to fill it himself, with his own hands.
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