Before long, news of the slave prison's destruction was splashed across the front pages of every major newspaper!
The world was in an uproar.
No one could believe that someone had actually dared to directly challenge the authority of the World Government and the Celestial Dragons, giving them a resounding slap in the face.
After the initial shock came a burning question—
Who did it?
The World Government's intelligence network wasted no time.
Their investigation quickly produced two names:
Fisher Tiger, the Fishman adventurer, and a mysterious young man in black.
These details came from a few unfortunate slaves who had been recaptured—
after all, with thousands of escapees, a few were bound to be caught.
Sabaody Archipelago – Shakky's Rip-Off Bar
Rayleigh sat slumped in a chair, drinking in silence.
Across from him, Shakky kept him company, a faint smile playing on her lips.
On the table lay the freshly printed newspaper, the headline still damp with ink.
Others might not know who the culprit was—
but Rayleigh did.
Who else could it be but Mislanda?
"Come on, old man," Shakky said with a chuckle, lighting a cigarette.
"You know him better than anyone. From the start, you should've guessed—he's not the kind to sit around waiting for a Fishman just for fun. Turns out he had a much bigger plan in mind."
Rayleigh sighed heavily.
"I'm not angry, I'm just worried. He's strong, yes—but not strong enough for this kind of stunt. He's still no match for me, and yet he went and did something this crazy…"
If Mislanda were powerful enough, Rayleigh wouldn't have been so concerned.
But now? The boy was poking the dragon while still learning to breathe fire.
Just then, the bar door creaked open.
"Relax, old man. Sure, I can't beat you yet—but give it time. It won't be long before you're no match for me."
Mislanda stepped inside, grinning.
Behind him were Hancock and her two sisters.
Rayleigh spun around, instantly recognizing that voice.
"You brat! You still know how to come home?!" he barked—
but the moment his eyes fell on the three girls, he froze mid-sentence.
"…Well, at least you're back," Shakky said, pressing Rayleigh back into his seat.
Then she turned her gaze to the newcomers, a smile softening her features.
The moment Hancock saw her, her eyes widened in shock.
"Y-Your Majesty the Queen! It's really you!"
The three sisters rushed forward, their faces filled with excitement.
Years ago, when they were captured, Shakky had still been the Queen of Amazon Lily,
as well as captain of the Kuja Pirates.
Shakky blinked in surprise—
it had been a long time since anyone called her Queen.
For Rayleigh's sake, she had abdicated her throne, spent years searching for him,
and only in the last couple of years had they settled down together here on Sabaody.
Nearly a decade had passed since then.
Mislanda briefly explained what had happened—how he had rescued the three sisters and what they'd endured as slaves.
When he finished, Shakky finally understood.
"I'd heard rumors back then that three girls from the Kuja ship had gone missing…
I never imagined it was you three."
She gently pulled Hancock into an embrace.
"You poor girls…"
Shakky had seen what the Celestial Dragons did to their slaves—
"tragic" wasn't even close to describing it.
The thought of these three enduring such horrors since childhood made her heart ache.
"Don't worry," she said softly. "I may no longer be queen, but I still have enough pull to get you safely home."
"Home…?"
At that word, Hancock turned toward Mislanda, hesitating.
"Your Majesty, I…"
"Don't call me 'Your Majesty' anymore," Shakky said, smiling. "Just call me Aunt Shakky."
"Then… Aunt Shakky," Hancock said shyly.
"Can I stay here?"
"…Stay?"
Shakky blinked, puzzled—then noticed where Hancock's gaze lingered.
Right on Mislanda.
Ah.
So that's how it was.
Hero saves the damsel, huh?
Funny—she herself had fallen for Rayleigh in exactly the same way.
And now, history was repeating itself…
Only this time, the girl had fallen for Rayleigh's son!
For a moment, even Shakky didn't know whether to laugh or sigh.
"Mislanda," she said after a pause, handing him a small shopping list, "we're out of a few supplies. Mind running an errand for me?"
"Sure thing," Mislanda replied, taking the list and heading for the door.
But just as he left, Shakky noticed Hancock trying to follow him.
She quickly caught the girl by the arm and shot Rayleigh a knowing look.
"Well? What do you plan to do about this, Dad?"
Rayleigh nearly choked on his drink.
"I—I don't know," he stammered. "Maybe you're overthinking it. The incident only happened last night—they've barely met. It's probably nothing serious yet…"
"Oh, really?" Shakky crushed her cigarette in the ashtray and smirked.
"Then explain this—why is Hancock wearing his clothes?"
Rayleigh's eyes widened.
Sure enough, Hancock's outfit was a man's—black, slightly oversized,
yet just tight enough in… certain areas.
Mislanda always wore black. There was no mistaking it.
As for her sisters, their builds were too different; they still wore the prison rags from before.
Shakky arched an eyebrow.
"So, Hancock—do you like Mislanda?"
Rayleigh almost fell off his chair.
She really asked that straight out?!
Hancock blinked, looking genuinely puzzled.
"Aunt Shakky, what does 'like' mean?"
Shakky and Rayleigh: "…"
A beat of silence—
then Shakky burst out laughing.
"Hahaha! Oh, Hancock… if you didn't come from Amazon Lily, I'd eat my own cigarette!"
It made perfect sense.
Amazon Lily was a nation of only women—its people had no experience with love,
especially a girl captured so young.
"Alright, Hancock," Shakky said kindly. "Put your hand on your chest."
She took the girl's hand and pressed it to her heart.
"Now, close your eyes. Picture Mislanda in your mind."
Hancock obeyed.
"Is your heartbeat faster than before?"
"…Mm-hm."
"Do you want to see him right now?"
"Yes."
"Do you want to stay by his side forever—never parting from him?"
Hancock blushed, but nodded again.
"Mm… yes, I do."
Shakky smiled knowingly.
"Alright then. Open your eyes."
She leaned forward, eyes twinkling.
"One last question—Hancock, do you like Mislanda?"
Hancock hesitated only a second—then said firmly,
"I like Mislanda!"
~~--------------------------
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