"Kyojuro…"
Hancock, cradled in Rengoku's arms, reached up with trembling fingers to touch his face.
"Hancock…"
Rengoku looked back at her with gentle eyes. Then, slowly, he lowered his cheek against hers.
But instead of kissing her, he extended his tongue and began to lick her cheek.
"Ahh♡ Kyojuro… n-no…♡"
She didn't understand why he was licking her cheek instead of kissing her, but in that moment Hancock found herself enjoying it.
"..."
"...ni!"
Huh? Sonia?
"...Sister!"
Yes, it was Sonia's voice. And just like that, the mood shattered.
"Sister!"
"Gasp!"
Hancock's eyes flew open.
"Sister, what happened last night?"
Standing by her bedside was her younger sister, Sandersonia.
"L-Last night?"
Then it hit her.
The embarrassing incident had been nothing more than a fleeting mishap. What actually happened was that she had learned the basics of Total Concentration Breathing from Rengoku.
So the one licking her cheek was—!
Hancock turned her head quickly, hand to her cheek. There, her pet snake was flicking its tongue against her skin.
A crushing wave of disappointment hit her.
"S-Sonia! Do you realize what you've done? You ruined the moment! Take responsibility!"
"Eh?"
Her sister tilted her head in confusion, blindsided by the sudden outburst.
"A-Anyway! Are we there yet?"
Knowing full well her sister wasn't at fault, Hancock quickly changed the subject and dressed herself properly.
"So—have we reached Alabasta?"
"Yes, sister. Outside, Rengoku and Princess Vivi are waiting."
"Tch… tell them I'll be right there. And… what about breakfast?"
"The Kuja Pirates ate aboard the ship. As for you, it seems you'll be dining with Rengoku. Or would you rather eat here first?"
"No, of course not. I'd rather share the meal with him. Let's go!"
After tidying her appearance, Hancock left the captain's cabin.
On deck, Rengoku and Vivi were already waiting for her. He wore his long cloak, gazing out at the desert horizon.
When Rengoku noticed Hancock in her usual, revealing cheongsam, he removed his cloak and stepped toward her. Without a word, he wrapped it gently around her shoulders, almost as though he were embracing her.
The sudden act of kindness made Hancock's heart pound furiously.
"Kyojuro… do you dislike these clothes of mine?"
Her voice was soft, almost timid, as if worried he disapproved.
"It isn't about what you wear. I would never deny you that. But in the desert, the sun is harsh and merciless. I only wish to protect your skin."
He covered her exposed shoulders and arms with the cloak, then tied a scarf around her face to shield it from the burning rays. Without keeping any for himself, he stepped down from the ship.
Though he wore only long sleeves and pants, he endured the heat with ease.
Hancock, meanwhile, touched the cloak now resting on her body, bringing it to her face. She inhaled deeply.
'This scent… Kyojuro's scent…'
Savoring it, she followed behind Rengoku and Vivi as they descended from the ship.
The three of them, guided by Vivi, headed toward Alubarna, the capital of Alabasta.
....
Months had passed since Crocodile's defeat, and peace had returned to the kingdom. Under the wise rule of King Nefeltari Cobra and the efforts of his brother Mamba, along with former rebel leaders now unified, Alabasta recovered at a remarkable pace.
At the heart of the capital stood Alubarna Palace.
There, soldiers and ministers lined up, awaiting Vivi's arrival.
"Welcome back, Princess Vivi!"
With her royal guards, Vivi entered the palace, accompanied by Rengoku and Hancock, and approached her father.
"Father!"
"Oh, my beloved daughter, Vivi!"
The reunion of father and daughter filled the hall with warmth.
"And you must be the famed Rengoku, former Vice Admiral of the Marines, who once protected Vivi. The Flame Pillar himself!"
King Cobra turned to Rengoku, tears brimming in his eyes.
"Thank you! Thank you! Because of you, my daughter stands safe before me today. No gift could ever repay this debt!"
So deep was his gratitude that his tears flowed openly, leaving the gathered ministers stunned.
"Your Majesty, please compose yourself!"
"Ah, forgive me… but hear me, all of you! Tonight, we shall hold a banquet in this palace in honor of the man who saved our princess and our nation. Make the preparations at once!"
Though it was a command, it was given with warmth rather than authority.
"And you are…?"
"I am Boa Hancock, Empress of Amazon Lily. A pleasure to make your acquaintance, King of Alabasta."
Her voice was regal, her presence commanding.
Rengoku smiled faintly, seeing Hancock stand with such dignity beside him.
That… was truly befitting of the [Pirate Empress].
"I must say, I hadn't expected to receive a guest even from the Island of Women. Is this visit a matter of state diplomacy?"
"It is nothing of the sort. I merely followed Vice Admiral Rengoku here on personal business."
"Ah, I see. Given that you are one of the Seven Warlords… that is explanation enough."
Under King Cobra's direction, Princess Vivi returned briefly to her chambers, while Rengoku and Hancock were shown to the guest quarters to rest.
"Kyojuro, where are you going?"
"There is something I must say to His Majesty. You mustn't follow me."
Leaving Hancock behind, Rengoku strode purposefully to the great audience hall of Alubarna Palace.
There sat King Cobra upon the throne, with his brother, Prince Mamba, by his side. Behind them stood Captain Igaram, and at the flanks the royal guardians—Jackal Chaka and Falcon Pell. Ministers lined the chamber, discussing matters of state.
"Your Majesty! Vice Admiral Rengoku requests an audience!"
"Our benefactor? By all means, let him in!"
When the guards opened the way, Rengoku entered the hall.
"So this is the Marine who sheltered Princess Vivi…"
"They say he's the strongest candidate for the next admiralcy. The Navy's future is bright indeed."
"I've heard that of the relief funds sent from the Navy, eighty percent came from his own coffers, is that true, Minister of Finance?"
"Yes… I wondered who could have offered such a sum. It was him!"
Praise rippled through the chamber, but Rengoku neither swelled with pride nor faltered. He simply advanced, bowed low before King Cobra, and spoke:
"A sinner like me dares stand before the King of Alabasta."
The hall froze. To call himself a criminal—from the lips of the kingdom's savior—confused even the King himself.
"What do you mean, Vice Admiral? To us, you are Alabasta's benefactor!"
Yet Rengoku did not withdraw his words. Slowly, he dropped to one knee.
"Five years ago, in an operation under my command on Smuggling Island, I encountered Nico Robin. I knew of her identity… and yet I did not arrest her. A year later, she joined Baroque Works and conspired to overthrow Alabasta, plunging this kingdom into ruin. All of it began because I let her go.
"And only days ago at Enies Lobby, I had another chance to seize her. Again… I let her slip away. That failure cost the lives of 132,505 citizens of Alabasta. Their blood is on my hands."
Bang!
His forehead struck the marble floor as he prostrated himself.
"I beg your forgiveness!"
Gasps echoed throughout the chamber. The ministers could not believe what they were hearing. Only Prince Mamba remained calm.
Silence reigned. None dared speak—until Mamba stepped forward.
"Brother… ministers… Vice Admiral Rengoku. May I say a word?"
"Go on, Mamba," said Cobra, his voice steady.
"The fall of Crocodile came through the aid of those pirates now known as the Straw Hat Crew. Though politics has seen their deeds dismissed, none here can deny that without them, peace would not have returned to Alabasta. I fought beside them. And if they chose to accept Nico Robin, then I must believe they had their reasons. As for the ancient weapon she carries knowledge of—those Straw Hats would never seek to unleash it upon the world. To trust Robin is to trust the very heroes who saved our kingdom."
Mamba walked toward Rengoku, lifting him from the floor.
"And let us not forget—without you, Rengoku, Princess Vivi might have perished at Baroque Works' hands. You safeguarded her by welcoming her into the Marines. For that, every citizen of Alabasta owes you thanks.
"Yes, 132,505 lives were lost. A tragedy, a scar upon our kingdom. But from their sacrifice came unity and rebirth. We honor them not by weeping endlessly, but by building Alabasta into a nation that will never fall again."
"Prince Mamba…" Rengoku whispered, struck silent.
"Moreover, the Navy's aid funds have arrived. Enough to care for every bereaved family, with more to spare. And we know well that eighty percent of that sum came from your own hand. Even the Celestial Dragon's heavenly tribute was waived this year—perhaps out of sympathy for your burden.
"You have done no wrong. You are not Alabasta's criminal—you are its savior. You gave us hope. You gave us the will to fight. And for that, I—Prince Mamba of Alabasta—offer you boundless gratitude."
"…."
"…."
At the back of the hall, dressed once more in her royal garb, Princess Vivi listened silently to it all. Tears welled in her eyes, falling gently as her heart swelled with emotion.
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