"Well, well… what do we have here?"
Standing calmly atop the waves, Malverick looked down with amusement at Gion, who had just fallen into the sea.
"A poor little rabbit who's fallen into the water. How pitiful."
"You! This is your doing, isn't it?!"
Gion wiped the seawater from her face, glaring furiously at him.
"Now, now—accusing someone without proof deserves punishment, don't you think?"
Malverick reached down, grabbed her by the arm, and lifted her easily from the water.
Her soaked uniform clung tightly to her form, but Malverick didn't avert his eyes, simply observing her calmly and then noticing a spider tattoo on her thigh.
"You really have no shame! Don't stare at me like that!" Gion snapped, trying to maintain some dignity.
Malverick chuckled. "You've got some courage, little rabbit—trying to escape right under my nose?"
Before she could reply, he carried her back toward the island.
Back at the hotel, Gion sat on the bed, her face turned away, still angry and embarrassed about being caught.
Malverick stood before her, arms crossed.
"I told you not to run. Looks like you didn't take me seriously," he said, his tone firm but calm.
"Consider this a warning. Next time, I won't be so patient."
He then pulled out his phone as it began to ring.
"Half an hour. When I get back, you'd better have cleaned up and be ready to talk. Don't make me come looking for you again."
Gion just nodded silently.
When Malverick left the room, she went to wash up, muttering under her breath, "That guy's impossible…"
Meanwhile, Malverick was speaking through a transponder phone.
"Malverick! I've become the Queen of Amazon Lily!" Hancock's excited voice came through.
Malverick smiled. "You did great. My queen never disappoints."
They talked for a while about the future — about the Seven Warlords of the Sea, the growing tensions in the world, and the next step for Hancock's kingdom.
After half an hour, he said gently, "It's late. Get some rest."
"I want a goodnight kiss first!" she said playfully.
Malverick chuckled. "Alright then — mua! Sleep well."
He hung up and returned to his room.
Inside, Gion was curled up at the edge of the bed, pretending to be asleep.
"Come on, I know you're awake," Malverick said.
She didn't move — her uniform was still drying, and she didn't want to deal with him. Malverick realized this, placed a spare outfit on the bed for her, and went into the bathroom to wash up.
When he came out, she had changed and was quietly sitting up.
"Better," he said.
Lying down on the bed, Malverick spoke again, his tone calmer now.
"You know, back on Sabaody, Garp really messed up my plans," he muttered. "And now, you've added a scar to my face. Seems like the Marines keep finding ways to annoy me."
Gion crossed her arms. "That's what happens when you pick fights with the Navy."
Malverick smirked. "Maybe so. But debts have to be paid."
He looked at her seriously.
"Rest for now. When the sun rises, we'll decide what happens next. If you cooperate, I'll see you safely returned. If not…" He paused. "Let's just say I'll make sure you don't try to run again."
"You really think I'm scared of you?" she shot back.
"Not scared," Malverick said. "But you're smart enough to know when to stop running."
The two stared at each other for a long moment before Gion finally turned away, muttering, "You're insufferable."
Malverick gave a quiet laugh. "Goodnight, little rabbit."
~~--------------------------
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