Hancock seemed to notice Robin's gaze. Robin clearly saw a blush rapidly spread across the fair skin behind Hancock's ears and down her graceful neck...
'Too beautiful...'
Robin pressed a hand to her forehead, fingers slipping through her hair as she sighed. "Hancock, you're really going to be the death of me..."
If it had been anyone else, Robin would never have gone along with something so absurd, nor would she have forgiven them so easily. But this was Hancock.
Beneath the thin blanket, Hancock's curving figure trembled slightly as she lay with her back turned toward Giorno and Jolyne. The bedroom fell silent. Liam's steel-forged body was sprawled across the bed in a starfish position, fast asleep, with both of his arms being used as pillows.
"Hmph!" Hancock suddenly threw off the blanket and got out of bed. "I'm going to take a bath."
Robin looked at her back. Her long black hair framed a figure that was both soft and powerful, graceful where it should be graceful, alluring where it should be alluring, and nearly perfect from every angle.
Robin sighed inwardly. What else could she do? Naturally, she could only forgive her. Resting her cheek on one hand, Robin smiled. "Why won't Her Majesty even turn around and look at me?"
Hancock nearly stumbled when she heard that, looking rather flustered. "Look at you? Why would I be afraid of that?"
The Empress glared back at Jolyne. Her jade-like face was flushed crimson, her eyes filled with embarrassment. "I wonder who it was that got completely overwhelmed by me last night..."
"Stop talking..." Robin covered her face in humiliation.
"Hmph!"
Hancock turned to leave, only to have her wrist suddenly grabbed. Looking back, she discovered Giorno had woken up.
"Taking a bath? Count me in!" Liam sprang upright and, amid the startled cries of Hancock and Robin, slung one over each shoulder and strode toward the bathroom.
'Clack!'
The bathroom door slid open.
'Clack!'
It closed again.
Soon, the sound of running hot water echoed from within. Steam filled the room, and three figures moved in and out of view through the mist, as though they were in a fairyland.
---
Vane was dozing on the table. When she opened her eyes, she nearly jumped in surprise. Sandersonia and Marigold, who had been pressing their ears close to listen, were equally startled. They immediately stood up and pretended nothing had happened.
"How strange, Mari. Where did Elder Sister go?"
Marigold nodded seriously. "That's right. Since nobody knows where she went, the ship hasn't really been moving."
The two walked away while chatting as though nothing had happened. Then, Hancock's voice sounded from behind them.
"Sandersonia, Mari, what are you doing?"
The two sisters froze.
'We're doomed...'
They exchanged a glance before turning around with obedient smiles. Hancock was standing beside the Den Den Mushi table. A moment later, with two 'BIU BIU' sounds, Giorno and Princess Jolyne emerged from the Den Den Mushi Castle as well.
"Elder Sister!" Marigold's eyes lit up. "You changed clothes! They look great on you!"
Sandersonia immediately corrected her. "When has Elder Sister ever looked bad in anything?"
"Exactly!" Marigold nodded enthusiastically.
Hancock had indeed changed outfits. She had appropriated one of Liam's casual outfits. However, Liam was over 2.4 meters tall, while she was only a little over 1.9 meters. His clothes were far too large for her, but Hancock didn't care. She had simply torn off part of the pant legs and worn them anyway, giving her a unique, fashionable look. She had also ripped part of the shirt's hem and tied it beneath her chest, revealing her toned abs and a hint of her mermaid line. Not only that, she was wearing a pair of sunglasses, also stolen from Liam, that covered nearly half her face, hiding her eyes and expression.
"We haven't gone too far from Marineford, have we?" Hancock asked calmly. "Good. They still need to return to Marine Headquarters."
"Huh?" Sandersonia asked in surprise. "We're going back there?"
Hancock replied, "They have something to do."
Liam nodded. "We're planning to head to the North Blue and settle matters with a certain pirate. First, we'll gather information about their whereabouts at Marine Headquarters."
Sandersonia became interested. "A very powerful pirate?"
Liam shrugged. "Not that powerful. Calling them extremely powerful would be an exaggeration. Moderately powerful, maybe."
Sandersonia crossed her arms and laughed. "If you're calling them moderately powerful, then they're definitely very powerful."
Marigold tilted her head. "If that's the case, why aren't we all going together?"
At those words, Hancock's face instantly reddened, though the sunglasses concealed part of it.
Robin smiled. "We invited your elder sister. Unfortunately, she refused to come with us."
"Huh?!" Sandersonia and Marigold looked equally astonished and confused.
Meanwhile, Hancock's face turned completely red, the blush spreading all the way down her long neck. "You talk too much!" She viciously snapped her head away. Even through the dark lenses of her sunglasses, everyone could feel the murderous embarrassment in her gaze.
Robin really didn't know what to do with her. The one who acted domineeringly was Hancock, but the one who became too shy to say a single extra word was also Hancock.
"But..." Marigold started to say.
"Mari!" Hancock removed her sunglasses and shot her younger sister a stern glare.
Marigold puffed out her cheeks and fell silent, while Sandersonia smiled helplessly. Only then did Hancock put her sunglasses back on.
Liam and Robin exchanged amused, confused looks. What was that about?
---
The group arrived on the deck of the Kuja Pirates' ship. The Kuja warriors immediately became starry-eyed admirers upon seeing their Empress's new look. Hancock ignored them all and escorted Giorno and Jolyne to the stern.
"After we're done in North Blue, we'll probably head to Kano Country in West Blue..." Liam stretched lazily. "After that, we shouldn't have anything urgent left. Jolyne and I might come stay in Kuja for a while." He glanced toward Robin, who nodded in agreement.
"That's wonderful!" Marigold clapped happily.
Sandersonia also smiled.
Hancock bit her lip slightly and adjusted her sunglasses. "Hmph. Who cares whether you come back or not?"
'Elder Sister, your face is practically blooming with happiness.' Her two younger sisters secretly giggled.
Liam spread his arms and laughed. "Little lady, next time we meet, I might have Haoshoku Haki too!"
"Really?" Hancock's eyes lit up, looking even happier than Liam himself. Seeing his open arms, she rose onto her toes, wrapped an arm around his neck, and pressed her lips against his.
"Ah!" Marigold blushed bright red, her eyes sparkling as she grabbed Sandersonia's arm.
Excited screams erupted from the Kuja warriors all across the ship. When Hancock finally stepped back, her face was slightly flushed and her breathing was a little uneven.
Before Jolyne could even react, Hancock suddenly leaned over and kissed Robin as well.
"AAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!"
The screams around them became even louder than before. Sandersonia and Marigold turned even redder, staring without blinking. By the time Hancock fled with her head lowered, Robin was still standing there, face burning, covering her mouth.
Beside her, Liam laughed. "My, my. This combination of relationships is getting interesting..."
Robin immediately covered his mouth before he could continue, her beautiful eyes glaring at him in embarrassed irritation.
Liam laughed heartily, wrapped an arm around Robin's waist, and leapt into the air. Stepping through the sky, they departed from the Kuja Pirates' ship and headed toward Marineford.
Listening to the rapidly fading 'tap tap' sounds of Sky Walk behind her, Hancock returned to her cabin. Her fingers lightly touched her lips as a faint smile appeared. But it quickly vanished, replaced once more by her usual cold and arrogant expression.
Wearing Giorno's customized clothes and her sunglasses, she waved a hand. "Set sail."
"Yes, Empress!!" The Kuja warriors responded in unison and hurried into action.
---
### Marineford - Marine Headquarters
After dealing with matters concerning the newly appointed Warlord of the Sea, Sengoku returned to his endless mountain of paperwork. He had barely warmed his seat when a subordinate rushed in.
"Sengoku Admiral! The JoJo Pirates... they've come back again!"
"What?" Sengoku looked surprised. Grabbing his Justice coat and throwing it over his shoulders, he hurried out the door.
---
'(End of Chapter)'
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