Hancock Falls

A month later, on the coast of Rusukaina Island.

Adams slowly descended onto the uninhabited island with Hancock and her two sisters.

"Kuja law forbids men from setting foot on the homeland. I'll see you off here."

He spoke his farewell.

Standing on the soft earth, Hancock tilted her head slightly upward to look at the silver-haired young man before her.

An indescribable feeling had long since quietly taken root and sprouted in her heart, which had endured so much trauma.

She unconsciously took a small step forward, her stunning face filled with hesitation and reluctance.

"Are... are you leaving?"

There was a note of pleading in her voice that even she had not noticed.

Over the past four weeks, Adams had carefully plotted to drag out what should have been a seven-day voyage into an entire month.

Every day, he used the most primitive yet effective tactics: casual concern, protection through displays of strength, the occasional hint of "vulnerability," and words that struck right at a young girl's heart.

For Hancock, who had little experience with the world, all of it was an irresistible blow. Falling for him had been almost inevitable.

Since Hancock had not yet lived through slavery at this point, simply beating up Celestial Dragons would not have been enough to win her heart. Adams had merely used the most basic methods of courting girls, but they had proven unexpectedly simple and effective.

Seeing the nearly undisguised dependence in the girl's eyes, Adams knew the time was right.

A helpless, bitter smile appeared on his face at just the right moment.

"I'm planning to find a place to study Haki properly. I can't stay here for too long."

Hearing this, Hancock spoke anxiously almost without thinking.

"If you want to learn Haki, there's no need to