"Um?!"
Hearing Hancock ask him this question, Luo Chen was also puzzled. He turned his head and looked her over repeatedly. After a while, seeing that she didn't seem to be faking it, Luo Chen spoke up again to clear up her doubts.
"I wasn't planning on answering this question, but seeing how anxious you are, I'll tell you anyway."
I come from Sky Island, in the first half of the Grand Line, where I met Hogg, the brother of my current crew member, Catherine. Although we've only known each other for a few days, we're practically best friends.
His character made me understand what a true Marine is: knowing the odds are against them yet still doing them, willing to risk his life to challenge God Enel of the Skypiea, to rescue the oppressed inhabitants of the Sky Island, and ultimately, he still perished.
However, before he died, he entrusted me to come here and take care of his sister. Looking back, I was actually tricked by him. When I first arrived here, I witnessed the Celestial Dragons Saint Orange of the Gustav Family Clan, forcing Catherine into marriage. She disagreed, and he sent people to forcibly take her away. Left with no other choice, I punched him. Afterwards, I was naturally wanted and hunted by the World Government and the Navy. That's roughly how it happened. Do you understand now?
Luo Chen recounted the whole incident to Hancock, who listened in a daze, remaining frozen in shock for a long time before finally reacting.
"Hmm... I see, then I understand. By the way, could you answer one more question for me?"
Hancock frowned slightly, thought for a moment, breathed a sigh of relief, and then asked Luo Chen again.
What's the problem?
"It's... it's about how you view Celestial Dragons slaves. Do you look down on those who are branded as slaves of the Celestial Dragons, destined to never rise again?"
As Hancock spoke, her flawless white hands gripped the hem of her dress tightly, her eyes fixed on Luo Chen with anticipation, hoping to receive a satisfactory answer.
"Slaves? Hahahaha, so-called slaves are nothing but victims of this world's inferior and corrupt system. Just wait, one day I will challenge this world and eradicate that corrupt system, those so-called descendants of the creator! I swear in the name of Luo Chen!!"
Hearing the word "slave" seemed to awaken tragic memories buried deep in his mind. Luo Chen's face immediately turned somber, and then he laughed loudly, his words filled with resentment and hatred.
"Really? You don't hate being Celestial Dragons's slave, nor do you hate being..."
Hancock was able to resonate with Luo Chen's words, and seeing his current performance, she seemed to understand the meaning behind them, and said easily.
"Alright, let's not talk about this anymore. I won't care about the past or the future. The most important thing is to seize the present and do my best. After saying so much, the ship seems to have veered off course. I need to go back in and straighten it. I can't keep you company any longer!"
After saying that, Luo Chen One Flash into the cockpit, transforming into a black shadow, and slowly steered the warship toward the Sabaody Archipelago according to standard operating procedures.
"Hmph... I've finally asked the question that's been bothering me all this time. Although the answer isn't entirely satisfactory, it's still a good test. I just don't know if you'll accept me now?"
Hancock walked to the railing, looked at the churning seawater below, sighed, and as if remembering something, her face flushed, her eyes gradually became misty, and she said in a sweet voice.
Splash...
The warship sailed at sea for half a day, and before long, night fell. A bright moon hung high in the sky, its pure light spilling across the sea, shimmering and incredibly beautiful. Hancock remained standing by the railing, quietly gazing at the distant sea. A gentle breeze blew, and her hair danced in the breeze. Bathed in moonlight, she resembled a stunningly beautiful fairy who had stepped out of a painting, pure and exquisite.
"Let's go in and eat. It's not as good as what a professional chef makes, but it should still be palatable..."
Just then, Luo Chen's voice came from inside the cabin, causing Hancock and her beloved pet Salome to turn around.
"Alright, I understand, I'll be right there..."
Having realized her own feelings, Hancock didn't seem to be unable to get up at the mere sound of Luffy's voice, unlike in the original story where she was infatuated with him. She remained quite calm towards Luo Chen, or perhaps she simply wasn't lovesick or deeply in love.
After hearing Luo Chen's greeting, he responded and went inside with Salome.
Hancock entered the dining room and saw a large table in front of her with nearly ten beautifully presented and delicious dishes laid out on a spotless white tablecloth. She paused for a moment, not moving.
"Hmm?! What's wrong? Is the food not to your liking? If so, I'm really sorry."
Anyway, it's only a day and a half's Luo Chen to the Sabaody Archipelago. We'll arrive tomorrow. Then you can have your companions pick you up, and then you can enjoy the delicacies of your royal palace!
Seeing Hancock standing there in a daze, Luo Chen assumed she was disgusted by the food he had made. Recalling the characterization of her in the original work, Luo Chen's face darkened, and he said in a deep voice.
"No, no, I didn't dislike your cooking at all. I was just touched. For a great pirate and Shichibukai to have such excellent culinary skills makes me feel utterly ashamed!"
Hearing that Luo Chen's tone seemed to have changed, Hancock knew that if she didn't explain to him immediately, he might dislike her, so she spoke quickly.
"Hmm, I see. In that case, please sit down..."
Seeing Hancock so anxious to explain her behavior and her face turning red with embarrassment, Luo Chen didn't press the matter further and asked her to sit down and have a meal.
"Um!!"
Hancock suddenly realized that she had gone too far, so she blushed, nodded, sat down, and started picking up her chopsticks to eat.
The two sat quietly facing each other at the table, not speaking to each other, and ate in peace. After finishing their meal, Luo Chen got up, cleaned up the dishes, and went outside to continue his cultivation for the day.
Splash...
The bright moonlight shone on the deck and the sea, and Luo Chen, shirtless and carrying training equipment, punched and swung his sword under the light, sweat pouring down his face...
Inside the cabin, Hancock chose a room facing outwards, from which she could see Luo Chen cultivating on the deck. Two people staring at his bare, strong upper body and charming face immediately blushed.
A peaceful day passed, and apart from their previous conversation, the two hardly exchanged another word. Morning, noon, evening—time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, their warship had arrived at the Sabaody Archipelago.
The ship slowly entered the harbor, where only a few fishing boats and merchant ships were moored. As for pirate ships, there were almost none to be seen. Perhaps Kizaru had captured most of the pirates on the island in one fell swoop in order to give an account to the Celestial Dragons, and the rest had fled in terror, not daring to linger any longer, which resulted in this scene.
Whoosh... da!!
"Alright, let's part ways here. Your companions should have followed us by following the Vivre Card by now. I need to go find my companions too. Goodbye, Hancock..."
As soon as the ship entered the harbor, Luo Chen jumped off without hesitation, stood on the shore, waved to her, and then turned and left without a second thought.
"Wait, wait a minute, will we ever have a chance to meet again?"
A pirate ship bearing the Kuja flag slowly approached from afar; it was the Kuja Pirates, there to pick her up. Seeing Luo Chen turn and leave without a second thought, Hancock couldn't help but ask.
"If fate allows, we will meet again. There's no need to be so sad. I'm leaving now!"
Luo Chen simply waved his hand and said casually, then headed straight for town to reunite with his companions.