The Reunion of Two

"..."

In fact, the moment Boa Hancock saw the earring in Lin Yan's hand, her pretty face froze completely.

How could she not recognize that earring?

More than a decade ago, during the most desperate time of her life.

A person descended from the sky and rescued her like a god.

And so it began from that day.

Boa Hancock made her decision.

I will live the rest of my life for this person!

She used her ever-present earrings as a token of her love.

From the moment they parted, Boa Hancock longed for their reunion.

This wait lasted for more than a decade.

And then, just as promised, that person reappeared before him.

Upon seeing the gold earring in Lin Yan's hand, Boa Hancock, filled with suspicion, instantly fixed her gaze on Lin Yan.

Just like more than a decade ago, it was as if I wanted to etch that figure into my very soul...

Looking at Lin Yan, Boa Hancock couldn't help but become somewhat fascinated.

Then his brows suddenly furrowed.

"Huh? How come... haven't we met somewhere before?"

Looking at Lin Yan's appearance, Boa Hancock felt as if she had seen her somewhere before and suddenly asked in a daze.

"Well... you could say we've met."

Seeing Boa Hancock's somewhat dazed expression, Lin Yan smiled.

"After all, Boa Hancock participated in the Marineford War, and my wanted posters should be all over the world by now, right?"

Lin Yan said this half-jokingly.

"Well..."

Upon hearing Lin Yan's words, Boa Hancock's pretty face became somewhat conflicted, and then, as if she had suddenly thought of something, her eyes widened sharply.

"The Seventeenth Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates?!"

Boa Hancock finally realized where she had seen Lin Yan before.

Isn't that the monster that appeared during the Marineford War?

No wonder Boa Hancock didn't recognize her at first glance.

Firstly, she only went to participate in the Marineford War for the sake of Amazon Lily; Boa Hancock herself can be said to have no goodwill towards the World Government.

The other Shichibukai are pretty much the same.

Everyone ostensibly participates, but in reality, they're just going through the motions.

Take Boa Hancock herself, for example. She was only making a show of fighting on the outer perimeter and didn't participate in the core battles at all.

Secondly... aside from the older brother who saved her more than a decade ago, how could Boa Hancock possibly care about any other man?

Not knowing Lin Yan's true identity, they naturally didn't care much.

Even so, Lin Yan's arrest warrants were indeed flying all over the world.

Why... why didn't you tell me?

Thinking of this, Boa Hancock's pretty face flushed slightly, and she looked at Lin Yan with a hint of reproach on her face and asked.

If only she had known earlier that Lin Yan was the person she had been waiting for all this time.

She had already risen up in rebellion during the Marineford War!

That way, Lin Yan might not get hurt.

"Well... cough cough, I have my own reasons."

Lin Yan coughed lightly and shook her head, giving Boa Hancock a perfunctory reply.

After all, he hadn't met Boa Hancock yet at that time, and he didn't know the girl at all.

As for time travel, it's not something that can be said directly, so I can only give a vague answer.

"Okay, I understand."

However, Boa Hancock nodded seriously.

"It must be because you didn't want me to be in danger, Lin Yan, that's why you didn't tell me your identity back then, right? Ah~ I see, I was being protected!"

A blush suddenly appeared on Boa Hancock's beautiful face.

Then he said this with great relish.

"..."

What do you understand?

Lin Yan looked at Boa Hancock with a surprised expression.

To be honest, I just didn't know you back then!

What kind of melodramatic plot and reason could there be!

Although I know a little about Boa Hancock's personality, this ability to fill in the blanks... well, you're something else.

"It's okay! I understand, Lin Yan, you don't need to be embarrassed. I'll remember all of this. Don't worry, I won't forget what you've done for me!"

However, seemingly misunderstanding Lin Yan's gaze, Boa Hancock suddenly said this with a firm expression.

He looked touched by Lin Yan's thoughtfulness.

"... What have you been talking to yourself about since just now?!"

Then, Ain, who was standing next to Lin Yan, finally couldn't listen anymore.

Can you please wake up?!

Lin Yan has absolutely nothing to do with you!

During the Marineford War, who in their right mind would care about you?!

There's no reasoning with this clueless woman!

Ain's affection for Boa Hancock is plummeting...

This is only natural.

He finally managed to establish a romantic relationship with Lin Yan, and now Boa Hancock suddenly appears out of nowhere, and the way she's acting...

Are you sure you're not here to poach our employees?!

Thinking of this, Ain's gaze towards Boa Hancock immediately turned hostile.

My worries were indeed not unfounded.

We must keep Lin Yan as far away from that wicked woman as possible!

"So, who are you?"

Seeing Ain suddenly jump out and block Lin Yan's way, a hint of displeasure flashed across Boa Hancock's pretty face.

But considering that Lin Yan was right next to her, she still patiently asked.

I can't let Lin Yan think I'm an rude woman.

Boa Hancock thought to herself.

"Lin! Tell her what our relationship is!"

At this moment, Ain acted like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, turning her head to look at Lin Yan without hesitation.

This is an attempt to assert sovereignty.

"Calm down, calm down~"

Seeing Ain's angry expression, Lin Yan shook her head with a wry smile, but she didn't refuse Ain's offer.

Anyway, it wasn't a secret worth hiding from the beginning.

Lin Yan stated that she is still very responsible.

In light of this, Lin Yan coughed lightly, smiled, put her arm around Ain who was blocking her way, and then introduced her to Boa Hancock.

"So you two need to calm down. You weren't enemies to begin with, so at least try to get along. She's Ain, and she's my girlfriend now."

Lin Yan said this with a light laugh.

"... Hmph~"

Upon hearing Lin Yan's words, Ain's expression immediately softened. She nodded with great satisfaction, then leaned happily into Lin Yan's arms.

However, in comparison...

Boa Hancock's expression darkened in an instant.

"Girlfriend?"

I don't know if it was just my imagination, but the temperature around me seemed to drop several degrees the moment Boa Hancock spoke.

With a smile that was sweet in every sense of the word, Boa Hancock squinted at Ain.

"I had no idea about this at all."