"It's been so many days, why hasn't Meiser even made one call?" Little Merry, sitting in Hancock's chamber, propped her chin as she stared at the Den Den Mushi. "Is he too busy?"
Meiser had been gone for over half a month—why hadn't he contacted them at all?
Hearing this, Hancock hesitated before saying, "He must be quite occupied."
As for whether Meiser might be in danger...
She didn't dare entertain such thoughts, so she avoided mentioning it.
"Alright, no need to worry," Granny Nyon said, sipping tea nearby. "That boy has an Undying Body—he'll be fine."
The World Government's power was indeed formidable, but as long as that boy wasn't foolish enough to remain in Mary Geoise, he'd likely manage to escape alive.
She just wondered what method he planned to use to evade the World Government's pursuit... Granny Nyon mused silently. Back then, Meiser had only mentioned having a way to shake off the World Government but hadn't specified what it was.
"Granny Nyon is right," Marigold chimed in. "Brother-in-law will surely return safely."
"Let's just wait a little longer."
Hugging her knees on the bed, Hancock nodded, then turned her gaze to the window beside her, silently praying for Meiser in her heart.
Meiser... you must come back safely.
Seeing Hancock's demeanor, Granny Nyon sighed quietly to herself.
Then, she looked at Merry and said, "If only Meiser could bring back a Devil Fruit suitable for Merry to eat."
"A Devil Fruit?"
Merry was taken aback, tilting her head. "Do I need to eat that thing too?"
"It's not absolutely necessary," Granny Nyon explained. "But if you could obtain a powerful Devil Fruit, you'd become much stronger."
After all, Meiser and the others could only stay on Kuja Island for two years. How much Merry would grow or strengthen during that time remained uncertain.
So... having a Devil Fruit would be even better!!
"Getting stronger..."
Little Merry murmured these words, gradually sinking into thought.
"But isn't Merry a Ship Spirit?" Marigold asked curiously. "Can she even eat a Devil Fruit?"
Could a being born from nature truly consume a Devil Fruit?
Hearing Marigold's question, Granny Nyon paused uncertainly before replying, "Probably... she can."
This was her first time encountering a Ship Spirit, so she genuinely didn't know if they could eat Devil Fruits.
"Why dwell on that?" Sandersonia said, crossing her arms. "We'll find out once we get a Devil Fruit."
Without a Devil Fruit on hand, worrying about it was pointless.
"Heh, you're right," Granny Nyon chuckled and nodded.
After taking a sip of tea from the table, the elderly woman gradually relaxed with a contented expression.
A moment later, Granny Nyon asked, "Has Rayleigh sent any messages?"
"None at all."
Sandersonia shook her head and said, "Uncle Rayleigh hasn't contacted us since he left with the Straw Hat Boy."
Perhaps those two had already begun their rigorous training, so they wouldn't contact them without reason.
"I see."
Granny Nyon nodded, then said with emotion, "I wonder how much that boy can learn from Rayleigh in two years."
If he could fully master everything Rayleigh had to teach... he would undoubtedly join the ranks of top-tier powerhouses!
"Uncle Rayleigh did say he's quite talented," Sandersonia remarked. "He should be able to learn a great deal."
As for mastering everything, Sandersonia didn't even consider it—after all, that was the Pirate King's right-hand man! How could such skills be easily acquired?
"Perhaps," Granny Nyon nodded.
Just then, Enishida rushed in from outside, shouting, "Lady Serpent Princess, Lord Meiser has returned!"
"What?!"
"Meiser's back!"
Hearing Enishida's words, everyone in the room immediately showed delighted expressions.
But before anyone could say anything, Hancock shot out like an arrow, so fast that not even an afterimage could be seen!
Granny Nyon: !!!
Watching Hancock disappear in an instant, Granny Nyon was struck dumb with amazement.
Then she muttered, "Is this the power of love..."
Shaking her head with envy, Granny Nyon looked at the other three who were equally stunned and said, "Let's go find Meiser."
"Okay!"
"Finally back again."
Standing on the shore, Meiser wore a thoughtful expression before turning to the hippo Sea King and saying, "Alright, you can go now."
With those words, Meiser released the Mangekyō Sharingan's Illusion Technique, setting the creature free.
"Whoosh"
The moment the illusion was dispelled, the Sea King's eyes returned to normal.
Then, as if remembering something, its eyes immediately turned fierce.
"Roar—"
"Keep roaring and I'll finish you off!"
When Meiser glared at it, the hippo Sea King's roar caught in its throat, cold sweat pouring down its face.
It then tucked its tail and turned back toward the ocean, swimming away at top speed.
"Know your place," Meiser snorted.
Had the creature dared to bare its teeth again, he wouldn't have minded adding another meal to his diet.
Meiser then picked up the snakeskin bag from the ground and turned to walk forward.
"I wonder if Hancock missed me," Meiser chuckled. "And that little Merry—has she been training properly?"
As he spoke, Meiser headed toward the distant town.
But he'd only gone a short distance when he detected a shadow rushing toward him from afar at an incredible speed!
"Hmm?"
Activating his Sharingan for a quick glance, Meiser immediately recognized the approaching figure and spread his arms wide. "Hancock—"
Thud!
Before he could finish speaking, Hancock crashed directly into his embrace, sending him sliding backward several paces before they came to a halt.
Hancock, savoring Meiser's warmth, held him tightly and said, "Meiser... I've missed you so much."
"Mm, I've missed you too, Hancock."
Hearing Meiser's gentle voice, Hancock's nose tingled, nearly bringing her to tears.
After a moment, Hancock asked, "You... you're not injured, are you?"
As she spoke, a trace of worry flickered in her eyes, fearing Meiser might have returned wounded.
"Don't worry, I'm fine," Meiser said. "Those guys couldn't hurt me."
Though he had died multiple times in the recent battle, all injuries vanished after resurrection, so this wasn't a lie. "That's good... that's good..." Hancock sighed in relief.
Nothing else mattered to her as long as Meiser returned unharmed.
"Let's head back first," Meiser said. "I brought gifts for all of you this time."
"Really?!"
Hancock's face lit up with surprise—she never expected to receive gifts!
"Of course it's true," Meiser nodded. "How could I return from a trip empty-handed?"
Assured by his response, Hancock broke into a smile and walked with Meiser toward the gates of Kuja Island.
"Is that Lord Meiser?"
"He and Lady Serpent Princess look so perfect together~"
"Lady Serpent Princess!"
"Lord Meiser!"
Acknowledging the cheers, Meiser smiled and nodded in greeting.
Just then, Sandersonia and Marigold rushed over from a distance, each carrying someone in their arms.
"Big Sister, don't run so fast," Marigold said with a pained expression. "We can't keep up!"
"Yeah," Sandersonia added helplessly.
They had hurried out as quickly as they could, even while carrying Granny Nyon and the other, yet... they couldn't even catch a glimpse of their sister's shadow!
It was truly unbelievable.
Hearing their calls, Meiser glanced teasingly at Hancock beside him. "In such a hurry to see me?"
"I missed you..."
It was precisely because she missed him so deeply that she had dashed from her chamber to meet him.
Meiser's smile widened at her words.
This feeling of being cherished... felt wonderful!
At that moment, Sandersonia and Marigold arrived before them.
Simultaneously, they exclaimed, "Brother-in-law, welcome home!"
Meiser smiled and nodded in response, but before he could say anything, Little Merry leaped from Marigold's arms and dashed straight toward him.
Meister quickly stepped forward to catch the little one, afraid she might fall.
"Meiser!" Merry looked up and said, "I was so worried about you."
Meiser chuckled softly. "Don't worry, the World Government can't kill me."
Merry nodded, then tilted her head and asked, "Then why haven't you contacted us for so long?"
"I did consider reaching out before, but there were no White Transponder Snails here, so I gave up," Meiser said helplessly.
The Sabaody Archipelago was simply too close to Mary Geoise. Without a White Transponder Snail, there was a risk of being wiretapped, which could expose his connection to Kuja Island and the fact that he was still alive. That's why he couldn't make the call.
"A White Transponder Snail, huh."
Recalling what Meiser had said about the Den Den Mushi before, Merry nodded. "No wonder you never contacted us."
"Once I get my hands on one or two White Transponder Snails, I won't have to worry about that anymore," Meiser said.
Hearing this, Granny Nyon showed a resigned expression. "Those things aren't easy to come by."
White Transponder Snails were extremely rare—you couldn't necessarily buy one even if you had the money!
"Where there's a will, there's a way~" Meiser chuckled.
"I suppose so," Granny Nyon nodded in agreement.
Meiser nodded as well, then turned to the others. "Has anything happened while I was away?"
"Not really," Granny Nyon shook her head.
The World Government hadn't sent anyone here, and neither had the Marines come to investigate, so Kuja Island had remained peaceful all along.
"Is that so..." Meiser muttered.
It seemed the World Government truly hadn't suspected Hancock.
"Don't worry, the World Government doesn't suspect Hancock. Otherwise, they would have sent people to cause trouble for us long ago," Granny Nyon said. "Right, Hancock?"
"Hancock?"
"Huh?!"
Turning to look at Hancock, Granny Nyon fell silent at once, for she noticed Hancock was staring at Meiser with a lovestruck expression, not even blinking.
Granny Nyon: ...
Is... is this appropriate?!
After a moment of silence, Granny Nyon gave up on trying to communicate with Hancock.
Then, she turned to Meiser and said, "Let's go, Meiser. We'll talk more back at the place."
Hearing this, Meiser glanced at the citizens watching them and nodded. "Alright."
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