The next morning.
The sunlight of Sabaody Archipelago streamed through the massive floor-to-ceiling window of the presidential suite, casting dappled shadows on the carpet.
Ian was already awake. He leaned against the headboard, his gaze fixed on the woman still sleeping soundly beside him.
Hancock lay on her side, her seaweed-like black hair spread across the silk pillow. Her exquisite face seemed to be bathed in a sacred halo in the morning light. The slight fatigue between her brows did not diminish her beauty; instead, it softened her usual aloofness, adding a captivating charm that made one's heart flutter.
She lay there so quietly, yet she formed a picture that would drive all men in the world mad.
Ian didn't wake her and walked straight into the bathroom.
When he emerged wrapped in a bathrobe, with water droplets trickling down his hair, he noticed the 'decoration' in the corner of the room.
Poor Nami was still in the same position as when she burst in last night, petrified by the bed, her astonished expression lifelike.
Just then, Hancock on the bed let out a lazy hum and slowly opened her eyes.
She looked at Ian with sleepy eyes, her gaze lingering on his muscular chest for a moment, her cheeks slightly flushed. Then she noticed the 'third person' in the room.
As last night's victor, Hancock was in an excellent mood.
She propped herself up, the silk quilt sliding down, and waved her hand gently at Nami. A pink glow flashed.
The petrification was undone.
"Thud."
Nami's legs gave out, and she collapsed to the floor.
Petrified all night, she couldn't move, but she retained some consciousness. She had 'overheard' the thrilling battle in the room last night clearly.
Naturally, she was dispirited from the immense physical and mental shock, and as soon as she regained her freedom, she fell into a deep sleep.
Seeing this, Ian walked over, bent down, picked her up, and gently placed her on the soft, large bed.
Then, he turned his head to look at Hancock, who was posing as a victor with a haughty expression, and chuckled, "There's no need to fight over This Young Master in the future. This Young Master can handle it; you can both come together."
Hancock's pretty face flushed upon hearing this. Then she lifted her snow-white chin and said haughtily, "This concubine will not share Young Master's favor with other women, because this concubine is truly too beautiful, and whatever this concubine does, this concubine will be forgiven."
Seeing her like this, Ian couldn't resist. He reached out, hooked his fingers around her slender neck, and pulled her close.
"Young Master!" Hancock exclaimed, instinctively glancing at the sleeping Nami on the bed, "Nami... Nami is still here."
"It's fine," Ian's smile held a hint of wickedness. "She's asleep. Even thunder probably wouldn't wake her."
Hancock's cheeks instantly turned crimson.
She bit her lip, then bent down and squatted, looking up... At noon, in the luxurious restaurant on the top floor of the hotel.
When Ian and his group appeared, Anna, Sally, Gion, and Tina, among other women, had already been waiting for a long time.
Nami, who had caught up on sleep, had regained her usual vibrancy. Although she was still a bit annoyed about being ambushed and petrified by Hancock last night, all her resentment vanished when she woke up to find a large bag of gold bars on her bedside table.
Such is the power of money.
Not only did Nami not cause trouble for Hancock, but after sitting down, she even proactively picked up a banana from the dining table and solicitously offered it to Hancock.
"Hancock, have some fruit."
Looking at the fawning smile on Nami's face and the banana offered to her mouth, Hancock subconsciously rubbed her slightly sore jaw.
She glanced at Ian, saw him watching her with interest, and had no choice but to take the banana and eat it in small bites.
This scene elicited various reactions from the other women at the table.
Princess Anna covered her mouth with a light laugh and winked at Nami.
Gion, on the other hand, picked up her teacup, took a silent sip, and gazed out the window.
Tina pushed up her sunglasses, looking confused.
After lunch, Ian had Nami distribute a large sum of Berries to every woman present.
"Go have fun; buy whatever you want."
Princess Anna and Princess Sally cheered, grabbed the still-bewildered Nami, and rushed out.
Gion and Tina initially wanted to refuse, but under Ian's unquestionable gaze, they eventually followed reluctantly, dragged by Anna and the others into the dazzling commercial street, embarking on a frantic shopping spree.
Hancock didn't go.
Now, her mind held nothing but Ian. She stayed by Ian's side, never leaving him, actively holding his arm, her posture intimate.
Gunko naturally wouldn't leave either; her duty was to protect Ian personally twenty-four hours a day.
Unbeknownst to them, Ian, Hancock, and Gunko found themselves in Area 1 of Sabaody Archipelago.
The streets were bustling, filled with pirates who had come to watch the excitement, as well as reporters and news agency staff eager for firsthand news. Restaurants and coffee shops were overflowing with people.
Just then, the noisy and bustling street, which had been so lively a second ago, became eerily silent within a few seconds.
Everyone prostrated themselves, burying their heads firmly in their arms, their bodies trembling violently from fear. Even their breathing was deliberately slowed, afraid of disturbing the 'gods' who were about to arrive.
A procession swaggered through the passage cleared by the crowd.
Leading the way were three Celestial Dragons dressed in spacesuits and wearing glass helmets.
The old man walking in the middle was Saint Roswald.
To his left was his son, Saint Charloss, with two streams of snot hanging from his nostrils and a foolish expression.
To his right was his daughter, Saint Shalria, with a spoiled and willful look on her face.
"Hahaha! It's still more fun outside!" Saint Charloss excitedly held up a golden pistol, looking around. "Ever since Saint Ian left the Holy Land, we can finally play freely!"
He turned to his father, saying with an expectant look, "Father, let's go to the Human Auction House today! I pre-ordered two Captain slaves, and they should arrive today!"
Saint Roswald frowned: "Don't delay too long. I heard from the CP0 bodyguards that Saint Ian has already left East Blue and returned to the Grand Line. If he also comes to Sabaody Archipelago, we'll be in trouble!"
"Lord Saint Ian is back?" Saint Shalria's eyes lit up upon hearing this, and a morbid excitement appeared on her face. "Excellent! This Princess wants to go play with him!"
"Are you crazy?!" Saint Roswald's eyes widened, and he said anxiously, "He's Nelona Ian! You want to go play with him? Isn't that like a lamb entering a tiger's den?"
Saint Shalria stuck out her tongue and licked her lips: "As long as Lord Saint Ian wishes, This Princess will do anything."
"Sister, have you lost your mind?" Saint Charloss looked at her with disgust. "Everyone else wants to turn and run when they see Saint Ian; why are you actively clinging to him? If you want to die, don't drag me with you. I still want to live a few more years!"
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