The next day, Hancock boarded the naval ship and prepared to set sail to Marineford.
"Let's go!"
"Yes..."
Although the voices were clear, they sounded weak, as if their bodies were drained. Karl looked at Nelson, who stood with a gloomy expression and hollow eyes, clutching his belt, and couldn't help but laugh. He approached him and sighed.
"Oh dear, Nelson, you're... not looking very well!"
Karl's sharp glance pierced Nelson as if he had been splashed with cold water. Anger flared up. A man cannot give up! But he quickly came to terms with reality and calmed himself: it wasn't that he couldn't, but rather that the women on Amazon Lily were like wolves and tigers, consuming everything.
Not to mention him, what Marine wouldn't look like that except for Karl?
"Blessing of the Holy Light!"
Under the glow of the Holy Light, the sailors gradually regained their spirits, moving from despair to enthusiasm, as if they had taken a small pill.
Nelson was astonished. He did not expect Major General Karl's abilities to possess such magical power!
"Alright, shake it off! I have only one requirement — return to headquarters safely! Does anyone have any questions?
— No!
— Excellent, let's get to work!
The ship set sail from the port of Amazon Lily and headed towards Marineford. The sailors gazed fondly at the island, their eyes filled with nostalgia.
In the cabin.
— Darling, you're finally back. I've missed you so much!
Karl closed the door, smiled, sat next to Hancock, and played with her long black hair.
— The journey might be a bit dull, don't be sad!
Hancock scrunched her nose, leaned against Karl's shoulder, and said:
— How could it be! As long as you're here, how can I be bored?
Bang~
The cabin door opened, and Ain entered without emotion, glancing at Hancock clinging to Karl, and smirked coldly.
— Why is she here? Isn't there a room for her on the ship?
Ain came with ill intentions and pointed a finger at Hancock.
Honestly, this was her first official conversation with Hancock. They had only met two days ago, and she had been stunned by her.
Hancock slightly frowned and held Karl's arm tightly.
— I can be anywhere I want, what does it matter to you?
Saying this, she turned to Karl and coquettishly asked:
— Darling~ Who is this furious woman! Get her out of here!
Karl's skin tingled with discomfort, sensing the indescribable tension. Remembering his interactions with Ayen, Karl swore he truly hadn't done anything.
— Ayen, Hancock is my girlfriend, and I asked her to stay here with me.
Hancock playfully looked at Ayen and then kissed Karl on the cheek.
Ayen's face turned pale, and she clenched her fists tightly, making a loud sound.
— Karl, you're a marine, and she's a pirate, how can you...
Hancock immediately became upset and raised her eyebrows:
— What do you mean by calling me a pirate? Right now, my status is as one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea! Ask Sengoku if I'm a pirate?
— You, you!!!
Ayen gritted her teeth, gave Karl a look, and left angrily.
Karl sighed, feeling helpless. Why did he have to go through hellish trials before he could have time for a harem?
What do you think, Makoto?
In the room, seeing Ayen's defeat, Hancock sighed with relief, but it also sounded an alarm bell. This marine named Ayen seemed to like Karl.
Although she had temporarily won, Ayen had an advantage that Hancock envied — being with Karl day in and day out.
And what about her? As soon as the meeting of the Seven Warlords of the Sea was over, Karl would take her back to Amazon Lily, and it would be difficult for them to meet again.
What if Ayen took advantage of the situation and stole Karl away, and she wouldn't have the chance to stop it, wouldn't she cry every day?
Even if she came to his home, if Karl, who had fallen for another, helped that woman mock her, what then?
Karl noticed the change in Hancock's expression, vividly displaying the process as her smile gradually faded and was replaced by sadness, and it puzzled him.
— Darling, you won't turn away from me in the future, will you?
— Of course not, how could that be possible?
Hancock's lips trembled, and she said sadly:
— But Ayen is young and beautiful, and she has a great figure. Do you love her?
Thud~
Karl slapped his forehead hard.
...
After some time.
Karl passionately kissed Hancock, and she naturally forgot about Ayen. Through Karl's actions, she felt his deep love.
Since the salon was not soundproofed, they didn't cross the line in the end. Fortunately, Karl was experienced. As long as his thoughts didn't stray, there were always more solutions than difficulties.
In the end, Hancock's proud figure remained there...
On the other side. Ayen's room.
"Damn it, Karl, you womanizer! And that disgusting nympho! Why did she do that? Just because she's beautiful?"
Ayen hit the pillow with a photo of Karl until it was torn to pieces.
After a long time, Ayen sighed, used the power of the retrogression fruit to restore the torn photo, and then called Jion.
"Sister Jion! Karl, Karl..."
An hour later, Ayen's face was smiling again, and she grinned at Karl's photo on the pillow:
"I won't give up! Karl."
...
In the evening, the ship "Sea Bastion" left the calm belt, and the soldiers finally were able to relax, no longer worrying about a sudden attack from the sea kings.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, we will reach Marineford in at most a day, uh-huh, uh-huh, don't worry, everything will go smoothly!"
After hanging up the communicator, Karl said to Nelson:
"Carry on, deal with the anchor and rest after dark."
"Yes, sir!"
Just as Karl was about to return to his room, Ayen approached him with a smile on her face.
"Going to rest so early?"
"Got used to it, huh?"
Karl looked at Ayen in surprise; something was wrong, very wrong. She had left angry in the morning; how could she be back to normal?
Ayen seemed a bit embarrassed by Karl's gaze, shyly turned away, and tucked her hair behind her ear:
"Why are you looking at me? Is there something dirty on my face?"
"No! You're not angry?"
Ayen calmly replied:
"Angry? About what?"
Karl:...