Rengoku pushed forward toward Amazon Lily at maximum speed.
Ordinarily, one would maintain a moderate pace and keep watch on the surroundings while sailing, but right now, that was not an option.
"Sea King sighted to port!"
"Sea King sighted 200 meters ahead!"
Even though the ship's keel was lined with seastone, the rapid voyage made it impossible for the Sea Kings not to notice.
"Keep advancing! I'll handle everything!"
Each time the giant Sea Kings surfaced from the sea, Rengoku used Geppo to spring forward, cutting them down in a single strike.
No matter how massive, there was not a single Sea King that could withstand his blow.
"Vice Admiral Rengoku must be angry, huh?"
"Of course. Even if she is the so-called Pirate Empress, she disobeyed the Navy's orders… that's why he ordered such a rush to get here."
During shift changes, the marines whispered among themselves.
Thanks to the all-out speed, they reached the Calm Belt four days earlier than expected. Without Rengoku's level of combat power, such a pace would have been impossible.
"Stop right there! This is the warrior nation, Amazon Lily! What business does the Navy have here?"
From Amazon Lily, a warrior of the border guard appeared, blocking the Navy ship.
"All hands, attention!"
From the deck, Rengoku grabbed the microphone and made an announcement over the loudspeaker.
"Until I give the order, no one is to show themselves on deck! I will personally go and negotiate with the Pirate Empress Boa Hancock!"
...
Setting foot on Amazon Lily, Rengoku addressed the border guards.
"Inform the Pirate Empress Boa Hancock that Vice Admiral 'Flame Pillar' Rengoku of Navy Headquarters has come to see her!"
Knowing the precedent from before, the border guards immediately dashed off to relay the message to the village.
It wasn't long before a familiar figure appeared in the distance.
Boa Hancock, her face alight with joy, came running toward him in haste, with Sandersonia and Marigold following behind.
"You… you came!"
"Mm! I'm so relieved to see you healthy!"
Like a girl in the prime of youth, Boa Hancock threw herself into Rengoku's arms.
Her ample bosom pressed warmly against his chest, and—as always—Hancock was nothing if not passionate.
And this fiery passion… was something Rengoku could never dislike.
"I've missed you so much, Kyojuro."
With the alluring scent of her skin drifting from her neck, she whispered his name into his ear. Hearing this, Rengoku patted her reassuringly and replied:
"Seeing you healthy puts me at ease as well, Hancock."
Watching their elder sister act so intimately with a high-ranking Navy officer made Sandersonia and Marigold break into a nervous sweat.
"Sister, let's go inside and talk. I don't think Rengoku came all this way for nothing," Sandersonia suggested.
"You're right, Sonia," Hancock agreed.
She pressed herself into Rengoku one last time, rubbing her chest against him, before reluctantly letting go.
Under the 'protection' of Sandersonia and Marigold, Rengoku and Hancock began walking toward Amazon Lily.
The path there was strangely quiet—so quiet, in fact, that the sisters following behind felt awkward.
Though Hancock seemed to have a mountain of things to say, she surprisingly held her tongue.
The only thing betraying her restraint…was that fidgeting hand of hers.
As if unable to calm herself, Hancock kept fidgeting.
The silence stretched between them until Rengoku finally came to a stop and spoke first.
"Hancock!"
"Y-Yes?"
"Your hand keeps moving restlessly… it's distracting."
"A-Ah! S-Sorry! If it bothered you, I-I apologize…"
Seeing her slightly crestfallen expression, Rengoku's lips curved into a faint smile. He bent his right arm slightly.
"If you're that uneasy, then take my arm. You've been so restless it's making me worry."
"K-Kyojuro…♡"
At his unexpected offer, Hancock's cheeks flushed a deep crimson.
"Th-Then… excuse me."
With her pale, delicate fingers, she slipped her arm through his and rested her other hand lightly on his forearm.
Even through the fabric of his uniform, she could feel the solid strength of his muscles, and her heart pounded all the harder.
"C-Could I… stand a little closer?"
"Of course."
At his answer, Hancock gave a small cough, then gently pressed her chest against his arm and leaned her head against him.
It was such an obvious display of "natural" affection that it could fool no one. Rengoku could, of course, feel the soft, yielding sensation against his arm—but he made no reaction.
The two walked on in wordless understanding until they reached Amazon Lily, heading straight for the palace reception room.
Once inside, Hancock reluctantly let go of his arm, looking a little disappointed.
Seating herself, she asked the reason for his visit.
"A compulsory summons?"
"That's right," Rengoku replied. "It's an unfortunate situation, but I have something important to explain—please hear me out."
He drew an envelope from his uniform and handed it to her.
"Either have the title of Shichibukai stripped from you and be sent to Impel Down… or respond to the summons and participate in this war."
The news about Ace was still under embargo, but those who needed to know had already learned the truth through backroom channels.
"To be honest, I believe this war is an inevitable turning point in history. But I'm against dragging you into it by force—especially knowing your past. I want to help you as much as I can."
Hancock fell into thought.
To protect Amazon Lily, the title of Shichibukai was essential. Yet she had no desire to serve the World Government.
If only she could simply continue as before—raiding pirate ships and paying tribute.
"But to quote Fleet Admiral Sengoku," Rengoku continued, "if you refuse to participate, you'll be imprisoned in Impel Down like Jinbei of the Sun Pirates. Amazon Lily will be destroyed by a detachment fleet led by Super Marine-class battleships."
"W-What… how could they…!"
"This nation is neither a World Government affiliate nor an allied kingdom—it's a pirate state. This is the inevitable course. The only good news is that no admiral will be personally deployed."
Rengoku paused, then met her gaze.
"You should join the war—by my side."
He could report to Sengoku that, as a vice admiral, he would personally "monitor" her on the battlefield.
That way, even if she deliberately held back during the operation, the responsibility would fall on him.
Of course, there was always the chance that a sharp-eyed observer would report it up the chain, in which case Sengoku himself might pass judgment.
Given Sengoku's meticulous nature, Rengoku knew he needed a Plan B.
And if someone took this matter all the way to the Five Elders, exposing Hancock's past… that would be the worst possible scenario.
The Celestial Dragons would claim her as their slave once more, and even the Navy's highest powers—including the three admirals—would be mobilized to aid them.
In that case, not only Hancock and her sisters, but even the freed slaves from before could be hunted down and recaptured.
Amazon Lily itself might be doomed.
Countless innocent lives could be lost in the chaos.
It was a complete and utter crisis.
Already, Rengoku found himself turning over possible contingencies—a Plan C—in his mind.
But to Hancock, this scene looked different.
Even someone as bold as Rengoku could not bear everything for her alone.
Especially in this war—whether Navy or Whitebeard Pirates—one side would emerge with wounds that could never fully heal.
And yet, before anything else, this man was worrying for her safety.
Suppressing her racing heartbeat, Hancock asked quietly,
"Kyojuro… will you be all right?"
Without hesitation, Rengoku answered,
"There's no need to worry. I'll handle everything."
"I'm not incapable of fighting. If you need help, I can give it—you don't have to carry it all alone."
Finally unable to hold back, Hancock reached out and took his hand.
Feeling her warmth through his fingertips, Rengoku lifted his gaze to her.
On her peerless, beautiful face shone a determined will.
------------------
Want to read 20 advance chapters ahead?
Go to my patreon: patreon.com/Kinglass