After Kaito finished speaking, the atmosphere in the room fell silent once more. Hancock remained in a deep, unresponsive sleep.
Gloriosa, standing to the side, couldn't help but speak up.
"You must be that Shikiryū… Hancock has always kept you in her heart. Her illness was caused by—"
Before she could finish, Kaito interrupted her. He looked at Hancock's sweet, sleeping face and said softly,
"I know. She's suffering from lovesickness. It's because of me. Don't worry, I'll cure her."
Gloriosa froze, puzzled at how he knew the cause. But looking at Hancock lying there, she sighed and shook her head.
"It's good that you know… but it's already too late. Hancock's been sick for too long. Her body is completely worn out. Even if she sees you now, I fear it's already beyond saving."
Thinking of how Hancock might soon perish, Gloriosa's face was filled with pain. Though Hancock could be disrespectful at times, she never once held a grudge against her.
During her own reign as Empress of Amazon Lily, she had once abandoned her people. Hancock's occasional disrespect actually eased the guilt she had long carried in her heart.
Besides, she knew Hancock's cold and harsh demeanor was merely a mask—one built from the trauma of her childhood. Deep down, Hancock was a warm-hearted girl. Gloriosa had already come to see her as her own daughter.
Now, to watch helplessly as Hancock suffered and deteriorated, powerless to help—this feeling was worse than death itself.
Kaito glanced at the grieving Gloriosa and comforted her.
"It's not as bad as you think. Since I'm here, I won't let anything happen to Hancock."
But his words didn't make her feel any better. She just shook her head bitterly.
"It's too late. Hancock can't even open her eyes now. What's the point of you coming?"
Kaito stared at Hancock's face, speaking in a firm, resolute tone.
"No. She will wake up."
As soon as those words left his mouth, Hancock's long lashes began to tremble slightly. Then, something shocking happened—just as Kaito said, Hancock slowly opened her eyes.
Her beautiful gaze locked onto the face she had yearned for day and night. Her lips parted slightly, her voice weak and delicate from illness.
"Ka… Kaito… am I dreaming? Why are you here…"
Kaito slipped his hand under the blanket and found her cold, fragile fingers, gently wrapping them in his own to pass warmth to her.
With his other hand, he softly brushed aside the damp hair sticking to her forehead from sweat.
After doing this, he looked into her eyes and spoke tenderly,
"Just call me Kaito. You're not dreaming. I'm here to see you."
"Kaito-sama, I'm fine… I'm a pirate, and you're a Marine. It's not right for you to visit me."
As she spoke, Hancock struggled to sit up from the bed. But her body was far too weak—even a simple movement like that was impossible.
Who would've thought that the feared Pirate Empress of the seas could end up in such a pitiful state?
Kaito quickly pressed her shoulder down, keeping her lying still.
He sat beside her, looking at her quietly, his heart a storm of emotion.
Now he finally understood why Hancock had forbidden Gloriosa from informing Marine HQ of the true reason for her illness.
She was afraid that her identity as a pirate would jeopardize Kaito's position in the Marines. So even while on the verge of collapse, she never once considered reaching out to him.
Back on Earth, Kaito had once ridiculed Hancock as just another lovesick fool. Throwing everything away for a man—wasn't that just pathetic? That wasn't the proud Pirate Empress he knew.
But now, the one Hancock was devoted to… was him. And that changed everything.
Looking at her lying there, staring at him so longingly, Kaito felt his heart tremble.
Sure, some might call this kind of behavior obsessive, even foolish—like a simp from Earth. But wasn't that just another way to show deep love?
And besides… the one she loved was him.
Kaito gently caressed Hancock's cheek, his voice trembling slightly, even if he didn't realize it.
"Why are you so stubborn…? You're one of the Shichibukai—a pirate officially sanctioned by the Marines. If something dangerous happens, why wouldn't you report it?"
"But… Kaito-sama doesn't seem to like the Shichibukai. I thought… telling you would trouble you. Besides, even if I am with the Marines, someone of your status shouldn't have to come here personally…"
Before she could finish, Kaito leaned down and silenced her with a kiss.
Gloriosa, watching nearby, was so shocked that she literally turned into a small stone statue.
No exaggeration—she had actually turned into stone!
But the two wrapped up in their moment didn't even notice.
When they finally pulled apart, Kaito stared into Hancock's dazed, unfocused eyes and spoke each word clearly and firmly.
"The Shichibukai are part of the Marines. And you—you belong to me, Uchiha Kaito. From now on, no matter what happens, I will be by your side. Do you understand me?"
Hearing his forceful declaration, Hancock slowly nodded like a puppet. Her mind felt clouded, as if floating through mist. She was like a kite with a broken string, drifting higher and lower in a dreamlike haze.
But Kaito didn't let her stay lost in that daze for long. He cupped her delicate face in his hands, making her face him directly.
His Rinnegan eyes gleamed faintly as he activated Konohanasakuya-hime.
Like a parched desert receiving its first spring rain, a cool, gentle energy began to flow into Hancock's body, soothing her from within. A soft moan escaped her lips involuntarily.
Realizing what just happened, her face instantly flushed—not the sickly red of fever, but the healthy blush of vitality returning.
She couldn't bear to look into Kaito's eyes anymore. She lowered her head, nervously twisting the blanket in her hands, like a bashful bride on her wedding night.
Seeing that Hancock had finally recovered, Kaito let out a sigh of relief. Still, he reminded her to rest well and not get out of bed just yet.
After all, Konohanasakuya-hime had only repaired the physical damage caused by lovesickness. The emotional toll still lingered, and recovery would take time.
But with him—the "medicine" she longed for—by her side, Hancock would surely recover fully. She would become once more that proud, dazzling Pirate Empress.
Kaito sat beside her, wrapped an arm around her shoulders, and let her lean her head gently against him.
The two of them sat like that in silence, savoring this rare and peaceful moment together.
...
No one knew how much time had passed.
Suddenly, resting her head against Kaito's shoulder, Hancock asked in a soft voice,
"Kaito… have you seen Gloriosa? Why hasn't she moved at all?"
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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