After half a day of flight, Karl and Hancock finally descended onto Jaya Island, landing right at Karl's villa.
As expected, Daphne was out managing company affairs, and Aili was buried in her laboratory, still dissecting the mysteries of the Devil Fruit gene.
Karl led Hancock through the door.
"Aili, we're back!"
The moment Aili turned, she squealed and dashed forward. "Hancock! It's been forever! I missed you so much!"
The two embraced tightly—so tightly their soft curves seemed to protest under pressure.
Hancock smiled sweetly. "Aili-sister, I missed you too. But… where's the other one? I've yet to meet this Daphne-sister everyone keeps talking about."
She sounded calm, but Karl could see the faint storm behind her perfect poise. Hancock was proud, after all; she had agreed to "share" Karl only after a lot of persuasion.
"Daphne's out working," Aili explained. "She's been running our new company—SwiftWind Logistics. She's amazing, really. Handles everything like a queen. I couldn't do half of what she does."
"Is that so?" Hancock tilted her head, curiosity glinting in her eyes. "Then I'd like to meet her myself."
"Perfect! Come with me. Karl, you stay home and rest." Aili gave him a knowing grin.
Karl raised an eyebrow. "You know what to do."
"I always do," Aili said cheerfully. "Let's go, Hancock."
Karl watched them leave, half anxious, half amused. Two geniuses against a proud empress. They'll be fine… probably.
At the training base, Bansen and Adrian were drilling over a hundred guards. With Aili's physical-enhancement serums, everyone's strength and endurance had soared; even basic Rokushiki forms were becoming second nature.
Karl didn't interrupt. He moved quietly to the edge of the field—where Ann and Karin were sparring near the beach. The girl's swordsmanship was already sharp, her body moving with natural rhythm. That talent can't be wasted, Karl thought with pride.
Meanwhile, at SwiftWind Headquarters, Aili and Hancock arrived at Daphne's office.
"Daphne! Guess who I brought?" Aili pushed the door open with a grin.
"Your long-awaited Empress Hancock!"
Daphne instantly put down her pen and stood, eyes lighting up. "Wow… You really are breathtaking!"
Her admiration wasn't empty flattery. In person, Hancock's beauty was almost overwhelming—grace, pride, and charm wrapped in silk. No wonder Karl couldn't resist her.
"Thank you, Sister Daphne," Hancock said softly. "You're just as lovely."
"Alright, enough compliments," Aili chimed in, smirking. "We have important matters to discuss."
Hancock blinked. "Important?"
Daphne locked the door. "Yes. A little alliance of ours."
It turned out the three had already exchanged letters before. Today was the first official council of wives—to make sure their dear Karl didn't get any new additions to the household.
"He's hopeless against a pretty face," Daphne said, folding her arms like a strategist plotting war. "We need a system."
Aili nodded solemnly. "Agreed."
The office soon filled with soft laughter and conspiratorial whispers. By the end of it, all three looked extremely satisfied with their secret pact.
Then Hancock blushed and hesitated. "Sisters… about one thing. May I… be the first to have a child with Karl? I still have to return to Amazon Lily. It would mean much to my people… and to me."
Daphne tapped her chin thoughtfully. "That's reasonable. You're a ruling empress—you can't stay away forever."
Aili smiled. "Fine by me. I've got too many experiments anyway. You go first."
Hancock's eyes glistened. "Thank you, sisters." The thought of bearing Karl's first child filled her heart with warmth and shy pride.
"Now that that's settled," Daphne said, suddenly mischievous, "tell me—how are you so… gifted? I swear, physics shouldn't allow that."
"E-eh? I don't know!" Hancock stammered, face scarlet. "They've always been… like this…"
Aili and Daphne exchanged a look and broke into laughter.
"Relax," Aili teased. "Karl loves that about you. Trust us."
Hancock hid her face behind her hands. "Then I'm relieved…"
"Alright," Daphne clapped. "Enough mischief. Let's hit Mogu Town. The markets are booming lately. We'll get gifts for Uncle, Auntie, and Sister Lujou before the trip home."
"Do we need Karl with us?" Aili asked.
"Nope." Daphne grinned. "He'd only slow us down."
And just like that, the three women headed out arm in arm—leaving Karl blissfully unaware he'd just been spared a long day of shopping.
By the beach, Ann and Karin ended their sparring match, both panting.
"Good job, Ann," Karin said. "Your instincts are improving fast. Just build more raw strength—you'll outpace most grown fighters."
Ann nodded, exhausted but happy. "Thank you, Sister Karin."
Karl stepped forward, applauding lightly. "Not bad at all. Your technique's sharp. Keep refining your Haki flow."
"Uncle Karl!" Ann's eyes lit up. "Where's Sister Hancock?"
"She's with Aili and Daphne," Karl replied, smiling. "Let's head home."
"Okay!" Ann yawned and climbed onto his back without hesitation. "I'm too tired to walk."
"You're getting too big for this, you know," Karl muttered—but the girl was already fast asleep against his shoulder.
Karin laughed softly. "She's such a sweet kid."
Karl nodded. "Yeah. Thanks for helping her, Karin."
"Don't mention it," she said, smiling. "We all adore her."
As the sun dipped low over Jaya's rebuilt port, the villa's lights flickered on—three women returning from shopping, one sleeping niece on his back, and a man who had no idea what kind of alliance had just formed behind his back.
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