"Big Sister!"
Sandersonia and her sister froze on the spot, staring wide-eyed at the scene of Granny Nyon being sent flying, their bodies stiff with shock!
That was a queen from several generations ago, for crying out loud! And at her age, too! Their sister had just casually tossed her away like that?!
From that height… wouldn't she end up scattered all over the place?
The two sisters exchanged a glance, both silently wondering if they should find some time later to help Granny Nyon collect her remains.
After throwing her, Hancock immediately scampered back in small, quick steps and threw herself into Leno's arms, speaking sweetly:
"Leno-sama, I've taken care of the annoying one. Let's continue~"
"Naughty~"
Watching Hancock's slightly mischievous move just now, Leno couldn't help but find it amusing. Had she picked that up from him?
He gently tapped her delicate nose, a doting smile appearing on his face.
Granny Nyon: So I'm just part of your play?
Leno turned to look at the tall, green-haired woman beside him and nodded.
"Sandersonia, go on. If there's any difficulty, we'll deal with it early."
"Yes, Brother-in-law, we—"
"Eh?!"
An exclamation of surprise interrupted Sandersonia again. She looked at her sister with a rather helpless expression.
She knew it. As long as there was any chance to get closer to Leno, her sister would never miss it.
And Hancock, who hadn't cared much at first, instantly straightened up when she heard how her younger sister addressed Leno.
She stared at this sensible sister with delight, her voice trembling slightly with excitement.
"San… Sandersonia, just now… were you calling Leno-sama…?"
"Yes, Big Sister. Brother-in-law asked me to call him that!"
"!!!!!"
Leno-sama asked for it?!
Hancock murmured, her eyes instantly widening as mist gathered within them.
The redness on her face spread upward at a visible speed, until with a 'puff,' a wisp of white steam rose from her head and she collapsed straight into Leno's arms.
"Could this be— a proposal?!!!"
"Hey~ Hancock, wake up~"
Seeing her face as red as a boiled prawn, Leno quickly shook the limp, boneless Hancock in his arms.
If she kept overheating like this, he was afraid her brain might actually burn out!
"Don't worry. Before we get married, I'll definitely propose to you properly~"
"Ah~ Leno-sama~"
Hancock nestled in his arms, constantly twisting her delicate body as little pink hearts popped out around her…
Sandersonia and Marigold looked at each other, then at the two across from them openly flirting without a care for the world, their foreheads instantly covered in black lines.
Sandersonia: So… am I supposed to keep talking or not?
After a while, Hancock, still lying in Leno's arms, breathed lightly as her turbulent emotions finally calmed down.
Leno then looked back at Sandersonia and said with a slightly awkward smile:
"You can continue…"
"..."
Glancing at Leno, then at Hancock in his arms, Sandersonia hesitated before speaking:
"Um… how about we talk later?"
"No need. Go ahead. No one will interrupt you this time!"
As he stroked Hancock's smooth long hair, Leno comforted the battered younger sister.
He was also a bit helpless inside. Hancock really knew how to make things lively—but he didn't dislike it at all.
"Alright then~"
Sounding a little dejected, after being interrupted again and again, Sandersonia was starting to develop a psychological shadow.
"Since the residents of Amazon Lily came to Skypiea…"
Hm?
Leno raised his head in confusion. No one interrupted you—why did you stop?
Sandersonia glanced left and right. After confirming no one had spoken, she seemed to sigh in relief and reached up to smooth her ample chest.
Seeing her so jumpy, Leno couldn't help but laugh. Had she really been traumatized?
Noticing Leno's gaze, Sandersonia coughed lightly in embarrassment before continuing:
"After coming to Skypiea, after coming… after…"
"What was I going to say again?"
Leno: …
Marigold: …
Hancock: …
This girl is broken~
Sandersonia scratched the back of her head in confusion, then finally snapped back to her senses.
"Oh, right. After coming to Skypiea, under the guidance of the locals, everyone quickly adapted to the environment here."
"Back in the Calm Belt, because of the threat of Sea Kings, the citizens didn't dare to go out to sea. Now, they don't have that worry anymore."
As she spoke, Sandersonia's expression gradually brightened. After glancing at Leno, she continued:
"The Cloud Sea around Skypiea is extremely rich in resources. Plus, the satellite islands Brother-in-law moved here back then are also very abundant."
"Overall, Amazon Lily is developing far better now than when it was in the Calm Belt!"
"And the environment here is extremely safe, giving the citizens a chance to rest and recover!"
Hearing this, Leno raised a hand to interrupt, looking at this rather unprofessional 'secretary' with some confusion.
"I've been listening for a while now, and everything you've said sounds positive. Are there really no problems or difficulties?"
"You're not just picking the good parts because you're afraid I'll get angry, are you?"
"No, no…"
Afraid Leno might misunderstand, Sandersonia waved her hands in a panic, signaling that she hadn't meant it that way.
Seeing the suspicion on Leno's face hadn't faded, she explained seriously:
"It's like this. Back when survival conditions were harsh, Amazon Lily once had universal conscription. Everyone's physical condition was stronger than that of ordinary people."
"The first few days after coming to Skypiea were a bit uncomfortable, but they overcame it very quickly!"
"Now, the citizens' sources of supplies are no longer limited to deliveries from pirate crews. They can go out and gather resources themselves."
"I see~"
Leno nodded slightly. He had almost forgotten— the women warriors of the island were all very strong.
Universal conscription wasn't impossible at all. Their situation was much better than Cocoyasi Village's.
He'd heard that when people first arrived, many had fallen ill immediately.
After thinking for a moment, Leno asked:
"Then while Hancock has been away from the country, how have the citizens reacted?"
"Well…"
Asked about this, Sandersonia immediately became hesitant.
She glanced uneasily at Hancock, lowered her head, and fell silent.
"Hm? Don't tell me the citizens are dissatisfied with Hancock?"
Leno straightened up, his expression gradually turning serious. If dissatisfaction kept growing, that would be troublesome.
"Not at all. They're just worried about my safety~"
"Such unnecessary concern!"