"Teacher… is that true?"
Kuina's voice trembled as tears welled up in her eyes.
Whatever Boa Hancock had whispered to her moments ago had clearly struck deeper than expected. Her small hands clenched tightly as she turned toward Saint Roselith Seraphina, her expression filled with unease and fragile doubt.
For a brief second
Silence.
Then
"Of course it's nonsense, you idiot!"
Knock!
Saint Roselith Seraphina did not hesitate in the slightest. Her knuckles came down cleanly on Kuina's head with a firm, unrestrained rap.
"Ah !"
Kuina yelped, instantly clutching her head as pain shot through her scalp.
"That hurts!"
Seraphina frowned slightly, clearly unimpressed.
She truly could not understand how her disciple's thoughts had wandered so far off course.
"What exactly goes on in that head of yours all day?"
Her tone sharpened not with anger, but with blunt disbelief.
"Hancock and I are just friends."
She crossed her arms lightly, her silver-white hair swaying behind her.
"Don't let your imagination run wild like that again. Understood?"
"…Oh."
Kuina lowered her head, her earlier panic dissolving into embarrassment. The storm in her heart settled just as quickly as it had formed.
Behind them, Hancock simply watched, her lips curling into a faint, knowing smile.
With the misunderstanding resolved, Hancock resumed her role as host, personally guiding Seraphina and Kuina through the heart of Amazon Lily.
The island nation stood proudly atop a massive mountain rising from within the Calm Belt. The peak itself had been hollowed out, forming a vast, enclosed city.
Structures of red walls and curved rooftops stretched across the carved interior, blending elegance with strength. Every building reflected the culture of the Kuja refined, yet undeniably martial.
At the center stood the tallest structure
The palace.
The seat of power.
Hancock's residence.
As they walked through the city, Seraphina quietly observed everything.
The atmosphere here
Was different.
Below, a massive arena roared with energy.
Crowds gathered in large numbers, their voices echoing across the stone walls as warriors clashed in combat.
Real weapons.
Real skill.
No hesitation.
Yet
No killing intent.
Every strike stopped just short of fatal.
Every movement carried discipline.
Seraphina's gaze sharpened slightly.
So this is the strength of the Kuja…
If such warriors were integrated into the Marines
The overall combat strength would rise significantly.
There was no doubt about it.
But just as quickly
She dismissed the thought.
Impossible.
The Kuja were too wild.
Too free.
The rigid command structure of the Marines would never be able to contain them.
They were warriors of instinct, not obedience.
Her thoughts drifted briefly to the giants of the sea
The powerful race from places like Elbaf, many of whom served within the Marines as Vice Admirals.
Their immense strength and longevity made them pillars of Marine power.
Compared to them
The Kuja were different.
Not lesser.
Just… untamable.
"Seraphina."
Hancock's voice pulled her back.
"You've been quiet. Are you bored?"
Seraphina glanced at her.
"…No."
Then, after a pause
"I was just thinking."
Hancock tilted her head slightly but didn't press further.
Instead, she asked softly
"How long will you stay this time?"
Seraphina calculated briefly.
"…Seven days. Maybe eight."
It was already more than she usually allowed herself.
"I see…"
Hancock's gaze lowered slightly.
The reunion had only just begun
And already, its end was approaching.
Seraphina noticed.
But said nothing.
Some things
Didn't need words.
By the time they finished touring the island, the sky had already begun to dim.
The golden hues of evening faded slowly into night.
Inside the palace
Soft curtains draped around a large bed.
A dim lamp cast a warm glow across the room.
Seraphina lay on one side.
Hancock on the other.
"Hancock… can't sleep?"
Seraphina's voice broke the quiet.
"No."
Hancock shifted slightly, her eyes reflecting faint light.
"I was just… remembering."
"The past?"
"…Yes."
A faint smile appeared on her lips.
"We used to read together before sleeping."
Seraphina's expression softened slightly.
"I remember."
"You were terrible at it."
"…What?"
"You couldn't learn anything."
For a split second
Silence.
Then
"What did you just say?!"
Hancock shot upright instantly, her dignity taking a direct hit.
Seraphina remained completely calm.
And that
Was the final straw.
"Take this!"
Hancock lunged forward.
But Seraphina was faster.
A sudden movement
Then
"Tickle attack."
"W–Wait !"
Laughter erupted instantly.
Hancock struggled, her composure collapsing as she tried to retaliate.
"That's unfair! I'm fighting back!"
"Try it."
For a while
The room echoed with laughter.
Unrestrained.
Carefree.
Eventually
They both collapsed back onto the bed.
Breathing lightly.
Staring at the ceiling.
"…Tomorrow."
Seraphina spoke.
"Let's go to the Calm Belt."
She had always been curious about the Sea Kings that ruled those waters.
Creatures powerful enough to dominate an entire sea.
"Alright."
Hancock nodded.
Then added
"We can hunt one."
"…And eat it."
Seraphina's eyes lit up slightly.
"…No."
Hancock turned away immediately.
"They're ugly."
"…That has nothing to do with taste."
"…It does to me."
A pause.
Then
"…Fine."
Hancock smirked slightly.
"Then you'll feed me."
Seraphina blinked.
"…What?"
"You heard me."
A brief silence.
"…It's not impossible."
Her answer was reluctant.
But not refusal.
The night passed quietly after that.
Brrr Brrr
The sound of a Transponder Snail echoed through the room the next day.
"This is Saint Roselith Seraphina."
The voice on the other end
Belonged to Sengoku.
"Your leave will end early."
Her expression hardened instantly.
"The World Conference has been moved forward. All high-ranking Marines are being mobilized to Mary Geoise."
Silence.
"I understand."
No hesitation.
No complaint.
She ended the call.
"…So soon…"
Hancock's voice was quiet.
Seraphina exhaled slowly.
"It seems something significant has happened."
The World Conference did not change schedule without reason.
Which meant
Something was wrong.
"The seas are about to change again…"
Her gaze turned distant.
"After the Great Pirate Era…"
"Another wave is coming."
Hancock clenched her hand slightly.
Then
Stepped forward.
"If you need me "
"I'll support you."
Seraphina looked at her.
"…I know."
Then, more softly
"I'll come back."
"To Amazon Lily."
Hancock nodded.
No one asked the other to stay.
Because both understood
One was a Marine.
The other
A Pirate Empress.
Yet despite that
They stood on the same sea.
And those who sail the seas…
Always understand one thing
What they chase
Is not just the ocean.
But something far beyond it.
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