"Hancock… you're really back?!"
The moment Elder Nyon saw the young girl waving at her from the bow of the opposite ship, her pupils shrank violently. Tears welled up and spilled from her eyes before she could stop them.
"Hancock! Marigold! Sandersonia!"
Behind her, the warriors of the Kuja Pirates erupted in joy. Everyone knew just how much Elder Nyon cherished the three sisters.
Hancock had always possessed the qualities of a queen.
Elder Nyon had recognized that ever since Hancock was twelve years old.
After that fateful expedition when the three sisters disappeared, Elder Nyon had never once given up on finding them. But year after year, she had come up empty-handed.
Over time—
Hancock's disappearance became the deepest regret in her heart.
She had blamed herself endlessly.
The Kuja had been meant to welcome a future empress full of promise—
yet it had all ended in despair.
It was a lingering regret she could never shake.
What was supposed to be an ordinary voyage had instead led them straight into two monsters—
Death and Poison Blade.
Elder Nyon had already prepared for the worst.
And yet—
fate had taken a different turn.
That familiar figure had returned.
"Thank goodness… you're alive!"
Forgetting even her fear of the two terrifying pirates, Elder Nyon leapt forward, landing steadily on the small boat.
She rushed toward the Boa sisters, eager to embrace them.
But—
Hancock didn't move.
She remained where she stood, her expression shifting again and again, as if caught between two worlds.
There was hesitation.
And something deeper—
reluctance.
She had always known this moment of parting would come.
But now that it was here—
she realized just how deeply she didn't want to leave.
"…Why does my heart hurt so much?"
She turned back slowly.
In her eyes—
Ren Kuro's figure was reflected clearly, as if she wanted to carve him into her memory forever.
When she had been in danger—
he stepped forward.
When she had been lost—
he stayed by her side.
To her, Ren Kuro had become something like a lighthouse, guiding her back home.
Their time together hadn't been long.
But little by little—
she had grown used to his presence.
She had let down all her guard around him.
Allowed him to touch her hair.
Even her face.
Hancock didn't understand what love was.
She only knew—
she didn't want to leave his side.
Her heart had already chosen.
"Hancock…"
Ren Kuro let out a quiet sigh.
"I don't want to part from you either… but we have to."
He understood her feelings.
And yet—
he also knew this wasn't the time.
For Hancock, returning to Amazon Lily was the best choice.
"…Will we meet again?" Hancock stepped closer, a tear sliding down her cheek.
"Of course." Ren Kuro gently wiped away her tears, his touch soft against her skin. "We'll meet again soon."
"And when that time comes…"
"I'll take you away with me."
"…It's a promise."
Hancock nodded firmly, hope lighting up her eyes.
"I'll be waiting."
Ren Kuro smiled.
"I'll always protect you."
Their promise was sealed—
and at last, they parted.
But within that promise—
something else had taken root.
A seed.
One that would grow in time.
Half a Day Later
Somewhere on the Grand Line
"Rayleigh-san, we'll part ways here."
Ren Kuro stood aboard the small boat, his voice steady.
"Gin and I will follow the intelligence and start gathering Devil Fruits."
"Go on, then," Rayleigh laughed heartily. "This sea doesn't reject anyone. I believe you'll carve out your own path."
"Oh my, what a pity," Gin said with a sly smile. "I was hoping to continue our swordsmanship matches."
"Hahaha! I'll be waiting for you back at Sabaody," Rayleigh waved. "By then, I expect you'll be even stronger."
With that—
Rayleigh departed.
The Dark King returned to Sabaody.
And Ren Kuro and Gin Ichimaru stepped into a new chapter of their journey.
Soon After
The days at sea became dull again—
especially without the three sisters around.
Fortunately, guided by their information, they quickly arrived at their next destination.
Mariana Island.
Rumored to have ties to the underworld, it was a place where Devil Fruits might surface.
They had come with only cautious expectations—
but the moment they stepped onto the island, Ren Kuro spotted a familiar figure.
A man wearing a feathered cap.
Two markings across his face.
A red cloak draped over his shoulders, his appearance reminiscent of a tribal warrior.
A top executive of the Donquixote Family.
User of the Hira Hira no Mi.
Diamante.
Inside a tavern—
Diamante had just finished paying and was about to leave when he suddenly froze.
Two figures approached him.
"…Death… and Poison Blade?!"
His pupils shrank.
As one of the Donquixote Family's top executives, he closely monitored major events across the seas.
"There's no way… those two are here…"
His expression darkened.
"I need to inform the Young Master immediately."
He had no intention of provoking someone with a 500 million bounty.
But—
just as he tried to slip away quietly—
Ren Kuro and Gin blocked his path.
"Well, well," Ren Kuro said with a faint smile. "What a coincidence, Diamante."
"…Death. I didn't expect you to know me," Diamante replied cautiously, his brows furrowing.
He wasn't someone famous enough to be widely recognized—
which made this situation even more unsettling.
More than that—
there was something in Ren Kuro's eyes.
A coldness.
A quiet, dangerous intent.
"Of course I know you," Ren Kuro said calmly.
"Top executive of the Donquixote Family."
"User of the Hira Hira no Mi."
His voice lowered slightly.
"If I were to kidnap you…"
"…how many Devil Fruits do you think Donquixote Doflamingo would trade for your life?"
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