"Malverick… can't I just stay with you?"
That night, in a quiet hotel room some distance from Rayleigh's bar, Hancock lay against Malverick's chest, her voice full of reluctance.
After dinner, Rayleigh had personally kicked Malverick out of Shakky's bar.
The reason?
He was terrified that Malverick might do something with Hancock that night.
Shakky was no fool—years running a bar had made her sharper than any Den Den Mushi's hearing. Even the faintest creak in the floorboards wouldn't escape her.
If she overheard anything indecent, Rayleigh knew he'd be sleeping on the couch for weeks.
So, he'd sent Malverick out… and Hancock had quietly followed.
And now, here they were.
"No," Malverick said firmly.
He reached up and stroked her hair.
"Be good. I'm doing this for your sake."
"Mmm…"
Hancock shifted, rubbing her head against his chest in protest, hoping to change his mind—
Smack!
She gasped as his palm landed on her hip.
"Don't make trouble," Malverick said softly but decisively. "This isn't up for discussion. Do as I say."
"Don't worry. I won't abandon you. At most two years—once I've grown stronger, I'll come find you."
His tone was full of certainty.
Two years from now, even someone like Silvers Rayleigh wouldn't be his match.
When that time came, nothing could stop him.
"Now get some rest. I'll stay by your side until you leave for Amazon Lily."
"…Then hold me tight," Hancock whispered. "Don't let go."
He smiled. "I won't."
–––
The week that followed
Malverick kept his word.
For seven days straight, he took Hancock everywhere—through every corner of the Sabaody Archipelago.
They laughed, wandered, and for a brief moment, it was as if the world outside didn't exist.
But at the end of that week, an elderly woman arrived at Shakky's bar.
The former Empress of Amazon Lily—the ruler before Shakky's generation.
Elder Gloriosa, known to Shakky simply as Granny Za.
Like Shakky, she had once left her island for love.
Decades had passed since then, and now, age and time had finally drawn her home again.
"Shakuyaku," Gloriosa greeted Shakky by her old Amazon Lily name. "I've heard the situation. Now… where are the three girls you mentioned?"
She had planned to return home alone—
but Shakky had asked her to escort three young women back with her.
And when Gloriosa learned that all three had escaped from a slave prison, her eyes had nearly popped out of her head.
"Granny Za, wait a bit," Shakky said helplessly. "It's… a bit complicated."
So she told her everything—about Hancock, her capture, her escape, and her connection with Malverick.
When Shakky finished, Gloriosa's brows were furrowed deep in thought.
"This is…" She trailed off, unsure how to even respond.
At that moment, Malverick and Hancock walked through the door.
And the moment Gloriosa laid eyes on Hancock, she froze.
That face… that beauty—she was stunning!
"Hancock, come here," Shakky said quickly. "Let me introduce you."
"This is our former Empress, Elder Gloriosa. You can call her Granny Za."
"Oh—hello, Granny Za!" Hancock greeted politely, bowing slightly.
For a few seconds, the old woman just stared—then finally blinked and nodded.
"Good… good! You three girls, get ready. We'll leave in two days."
Then she turned to Shakky. "Shakuyaku—you should come too. Amazon Lily's been having… problems lately."
Shakky rubbed her forehead.
She already knew what Gloriosa meant.
But as a former ruler who had abandoned her country for love, going back was… awkward.
Rayleigh, seeing her hesitation, spoke up.
"Then I'll come too," he said. "The Calm Belt's dangerous. I'll escort you."
The Calm Belt—an ocean with no wind, impossible to sail through normally.
And far worse than the lack of wind were the Sea Kings that lurked there.
Even the Navy's battleships feared that place.
"…Alright then," Shakky nodded. "I'll start packing."
She glanced at Malverick. "What about you? Coming with us?"
Malverick shook his head.
"I've got business in the North Blue. It'll take about a year."
"The North Blue?" Rayleigh frowned. "There's nothing there worth your time, is there?"
"Don't worry about it," Malverick said calmly. "When I'm back, everything will be much simpler."
Rayleigh hesitated, then nodded.
The North Blue wasn't particularly dangerous.
And with Malverick's sharp mind, he'd be fine.
–––
That night
"Malverick… I'm leaving tomorrow," Hancock whispered, clinging to his arm like she never wanted to let go.
"I know," he said, smiling softly. "Once you're back, rest well—and don't forget to train."
"If you're not strong enough later," he teased, "I might not let you stay by my side."
Hancock puffed her cheeks and quickly promised to train hard.
"Good girl," Malverick murmured. "Now it's getting late."
He wrapped his arms around her waist, his gaze locking on her crimson lips.
"It's been days since I've tested how much you've improved…"
Then he tilted his head down—and kissed her deeply.
–––
Marine Headquarters – Marineford
At that same moment, Vice Admiral Garp was preparing his fleet for departure.
"Garp," came a voice from the Den Den Mushi. "According to intel from the World Government, Silvers Rayleigh's son is currently on the Sabaody Archipelago. We're counting on you."
Three days earlier, Malverick had caused another stir—
destroying an entire slave auction house using his Dark-Dark Fruit powers.
The World Government had learned of it immediately.
Now, they wanted him captured.
"Don't worry," Garp said, grinning as he clenched his fist, large as a cannonball. "This time, that brat's not slipping away again."
"Be cautious," came the reply.
Garp laughed. "You got it."
With orders directly from Fleet Admiral Kong, Garp set sail—
Destination: Sabaody Archipelago.
Since Sabaody was close to Marineford, the fleet arrived by midnight.
As their ships docked, Garp immediately organized search teams.
–––
At that same moment, in a hotel near Grove 13—
Malverick suddenly stood up from bed.
Thanks to his Fivefold Vision Omniscience and mastery of Observation Haki, his senses had reached terrifying levels.
He instantly detected the presence of Garp and his men entering the island.
"What's wrong, Malverick?" Hancock asked, startled by his sudden movement.
He didn't answer right away. Instead, he used his far-sight and x-ray perception to check the harbor.
Sure enough—Garp was leading a Marine squad straight toward their location.
"Hancock," he said urgently, "go find the old man and Aunt Shakky—tell them Garp is here!"
He pressed a quick kiss to her lips, threw on his coat, and headed for the door.
"You'd better prepare to leave early," he called back without looking.
~~--------------------------
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