"Lord Vic! Lord Vic, where are you?"
Hancock called out in a somewhat panicked and fearful voice, thinking that her meeting with Vic Hiyori was just a dream!
Her call was answered, and someone entered the room, but it wasn't Vic; it was the maid who usually served her. This greatly disappointed her, making her even more dejected.
" Snake Princess, Vic is having lunch in the dining room. He saw you were sleeping soundly and didn't want to wake you..."
" Snake Princess! Aren't you going to wash up... for a bit... before you go..."
Before the maid could finish speaking, Hancock threw off the covers and rushed out barefoot. The maid's words told her that it wasn't a dream. Now, she didn't care about washing up; seeing her beloved was the most important thing!
When Hancock arrived barefoot at the restaurant, Vic was sitting at the table eating breakfast and reading the newspaper. She tiptoed up behind him, wrapped her arms around his neck, and hugged him tightly. Only then did she feel at ease. She kissed his ear, and her own face turned red.
After calming down, Hancock turned her gaze to the newspaper in Vic's hand. A familiar face came into view; she had seen it just yesterday—it was Koby, the young naval officer who had come to persuade her to surrender!
This is today's top news: Hero Koby has been kidnapped by Blackbeard, and he was abducted by Blackbeard while on his way to defeat the deposed Shichibukai Hancock!
The Navy has made a huge blunder again. They planned for so long, even getting the newspapers to cooperate, but they haven't captured a single one of the Shichibukai. And they still have the nerve to claim they used their most powerful new weapon, the Seraphim?
In the end, they didn't manage to capture a single hair, lost dozens of warships, and suffered numerous casualties among the marines. Most importantly, Garp's disciple was kidnapped by Blackbeard. It can be said that this operation was a complete failure!
This also shows that each of the Shichibukai is not simple. They either cooperate with each other, are protected by powerful figures, or are well-informed and have already fled from their base!
"You're awake!"
As if belatedly realizing it, Vic slightly tilted his head to look at the exquisite face so close to his. He hadn't gone to sleep that night; he had been meditating on the floor next to Hancock's bed.
"Mmm! I slept so well last night. What kind of wine was that? It really relieved all my worries. I've been having nightmares for years, and I finally got a good night's sleep!"
Hancock spoke with a relaxed expression, unaware that her tone had softened considerably, even her face appearing gentler. This was quite different from her usual aloof and mature demeanor; perhaps this was a mature woman with a romantic side—who wouldn't love such a romantic mindset?
"Is it the experience in Mary Geoise that's tormenting you? Although I could solve this problem right now, I know you wouldn't want to, otherwise what's the point of having the Hoof of the Soaring Dragon on your back?"
But as long as you stay with me, I'll make sure you get a good night's sleep every night, and even when I'm not around, you'll still get plenty of that kind of alcohol from last night!
Vic easily guessed the reason for Hancock's nightmares: she must have suffered various torments in Mary Geoise, judging from the pained expression on her face every time she recalled those experiences.
Moreover, Vic wasn't exaggerating when he said he could solve this problem; he has the ability to weave and erase memories, and all he needs to do is delete those unbearable and painful ones.
However, Hancock would definitely not accept doing that. Just like the Hoof of the Soaring Dragon she insisted on keeping on her back, it was the driving force behind her revenge. If even those memories were erased, what kind of revenge would there be? Wouldn't that just be another form of wishful thinking? Does forgetting mean there's no need for revenge?
Neither Vic nor Hancock needs this solution; eliminating the Celestial Dragons did these things is the only way to truly solve the problem!
"Yes, I believe you!"
Hancock knew Vic wasn't one to exaggerate; even at his worst, the wine from last night was quite convincing. Besides, wouldn't a lovestruck person believe whatever their lover says?
Hancock responded docilely, then pecked Vic on the lips, a blush rising in her eyes and her cheeks flushing slightly. However, she didn't loosen her grip on Vic; she liked being close to Vic and having close physical contact with him.
" The World Government and the Navy's plan has backfired; they've even reaped what they sowed. Koby is considered a leading figure among the Navy's new generation, and he's also Luffy's last disciple. He has great potential for the future. Do you think Akainu will go to great lengths to rescue him?"
Vic stopped cuddling with Hancock and turned back to look at Koby's picture in the newspaper.
Because of Vic's involvement in the Paramount War, Koby was truly just a lackey on the battlefield. Although he still possessed the Observation Haki he Awakening back then, there was no longer the situation where Koby needed to stop Akainu from stalling for time until Red-Hair. Therefore, he no longer held the supreme title of "King of Deserters"!
Therefore, Koby seems to have a good impression of Akainu. At such a young age, he is already incredibly strong and is definitely a future pillar of the nation. Would Akainu go to great lengths to rescue such a talent?
In the original work, Akainu may have ignored the matter because Koby had disobeyed him, which directly led to the nearly 80-year-old Garp landing on Hachinosu and confronting Aokiji and his apprentice, ultimately resulting in his defeat on Hachinosu and the passing of a hero in his twilight years!
Vic was unaware of the subsequent plot, which changed his opinion of Koby in Akainu's eyes. He didn't know if Akainu would still intervene to rescue him, but he knew that the old man would definitely not sit idly by. Garp, at the God Realm, could absolutely crush the entire Blackbeard Pirates, even if Blackbeard still obtained the Tremor-Tremor Fruit!
"Probably. Koby seems to have inherited Luffy's grandfather's title of hero, so he should be someone the Navy values. Akainu probably won't stand idly by!"
However, Koby's title is still largely undeserved. Only some civilians recognize it. Whether within the Navy or among pirates, the title is always reserved for Luffy's grandfather, who earned it through sheer hard work. Koby is still too young; he can't bear the weight of this title!
While Hancock is love-struck, that only applies to Vic. She's quite intelligent in other areas, at least not the kind of naive girl who can't see things clearly. So her analysis of Koby is fairly standard.
"Alright, never mind him. Go wash up, we'll leave today and take you for a tour of the Sabaody Archipelago!"
Vic stopped dwelling on Koby's situation. Regardless of how Akainu handled it, the old man would ultimately be there to protect him, so he didn't need to worry about it. Vic planned to take Hancock away from here today, ready to rescue Vegapunk at any time.
"Just kiss me and I'll go!"
"Hmm..."
"Gasping... I can't breathe... I'm out of breath."
"Call..."