"Marriage?"
Hancock frowned slightly as she heard these two words. For some reason, the figure of Rifan appeared in her mind.
"Marriage... I've never thought about it."
Marigold touched her cheek gently and said.
"By the way, Nojiko, can this strengthening potion be used repeatedly?"
"Sister Sadersonia and I haven't reached the intensity of our big sister yet. If we continue to take the strengthening potion, will we be able to strengthen ourselves to the extent of our big sister? Or will the potion gradually lose its effect?"
Hancock, too, had taken the strengthening potion. However, as Rifan had mentioned, she didn't experience much pain and didn't gain significant bonuses from it.
At this moment, Marigold, even Sandersonia, and Hancock began to sense the immense power of Rifan's Black Pearl Pirates.
Is it because of this mysterious G-virus strengthening potion?
"Unfortunately, this potion can only be used once. Even if you take it a second time, it won't work anymore. You three shouldn't think that we rely on this potion to become stronger. As members of the Black Pearl Pirates, Captain Rifan has a special way to make us stronger," Nojiko explained, casting a meaningful glance at Hancock.
Nojiko knew that if Hancock became the captain of a subordinate pirate group, she would also receive the Black Pearl Pirates' tattoo and enjoy the same treatment. Given Hancock's current strength, Nojiko believed that if Hancock became the subordinate captain of the Black Pearl Pirates, her strength would rise to a higher level soon.
"Is it a special method exclusive to the Black Pearl Pirates?" Hancock inquired with a furrowed brow, her gaze fixed on Nojiko.
At that moment, Hancock recalled Nojiko's mention of "love" for Rifan during their time in her room. For no apparent reason, her heart tightened once again.
"Hey, Nojiko, are you serious about your 'love' for Rifan?" Hancock asked, puzzling Marigold and Sandersonia.
"Yes, I deeply love Captain Rifan. From the moment he rescued me from despair and gave me hope, I've loved him deeply. I'll work hard to become stronger for him and alongside my fellow crew members in our pursuit of following Captain Rifan's dream of getting the One Piece," Nojiko affirmed, her expression filled with devotion.
Hancock's brows furrowed even further, finding Nojiko particularly radiant in that moment. After a while, Nojiko turned to Hancock with a smile.
"Speaking of 'love,' Miss Hancock probably has feelings for Captain Rifan as well. Have you also 'loved' Captain Rifan?"
Hancock wanted to deny Nojiko's assertion, but when the words reached her lips, she found herself unable to speak. It was as though her body instinctively prevented her from denying her feelings.
"How is that possible? Love can't be so simple," Marigold interjected with a smile.
"You're right," Sandersonia chimed in. "Although Rifan is different from other men, he's a truly enchanting and extraordinary individual. But my sister is the most beautiful woman in the world. She wouldn't fall in love with Rifan so easily."
Hancock remained silent, deep in thought.
"Elder sister?" Sandersonia and Marigold exchanged puzzled glances as they approached Hancock.
"When I was in East Blue, I heard a saying that I think holds true, and now I'll share it with the three of you," Nojiko said with a smile, addressing Hancock and her sisters. Their attention was immediately drawn to her.
"This saying goes like this: 'Love is like a tornado, it arrives when you least expect it.'"
Hancock froze upon hearing this, visibly stunned. Marigold and Sandersonia exchanged astonished looks.
"!"
---
Inside Rifan's personal consultation room on the Black Pearl.
"...So, I want Hancock to become the captain of my subordinate pirate group," Rifan said. "But we still have to deal with that elder. However, if I can shine brightly enough in the battle between the Naval Headquarters and the Whitebeard Pirates, she probably won't object to Hancock joining us."
Leigh nodded in agreement, adding, "That being said, even if she does object, if Hancock insists on becoming your subordinate captain, she probably won't have a choice."
Rifan contemplated Leigh's description of the Kuja Pirates and Amazon Lily's current state. He realized that he needed to further establish his influence, ensuring that even if Hancock joined his crew, there would be no widespread opposition from Amazon Lily.
"Also, I just noticed that Snake-hime was looking at me strangely, as if she didn't want me to be alone with you,"
"Rifan, you must have made her fall in love with you, don't you?"
Leigh's body trembled at the thought. Hancock's gaze was unlike anything she had seen before, and it was evident that Rifan was the cause of it.
Thinking of this, Leigh looked at Rifan in surprise.
'Indeed, Rifan is an excellent man, both in terms of strength and appearance.
'If you want to talk about someone who is worthy of the most beautiful woman in the world…'
'Maybe Rifan is indeed one!'
While Leigh was thinking, she asked Rifan.
"Rifan, do you have any other questions?"
"No, it's your turn to ask, Leigh."
"Then! Rifan, can I ask you why Ada is so strong!?"
This problem is also the reason why Leigh wants to block the Blue Star live broadcast room.
She knows that this issue is very sensitive; if there are really other Blue Star people coming to the copy space as reincarnators in the future.
The reason why Ada became stronger so quickly may become the reason why they are eyeing Rifan.
"You want to know the reason why Ada became stronger? Why?"
Rifan raised his eyebrows and asked with interest.
"I fought Ada before."
"Although it's only tentative, I can feel her strength."
"It should be said that she is worthy of being the second place on the list of reincarnators."
"But I'm skeptical."
"Rifan, you are so powerful because of your achievements."
"But Ada, she doesn't have your experience."
"Even she is not as good as other reincarnations in terms of achieving the first achievement, just like Ethan from the Eagle Country."
"Also, she hasn't followed you for too long."
"I'm curious about the reason why she became stronger. If she became stronger because of you, Rifan, I also hope to become stronger through the same method!"
"Please, Rifan! Can you tell me?"
Having said that, Leigh stood up from her seat and respectfully gave Rifan a martial artist's salute.
Wanting to become stronger is not only due to Leigh's natural yearning for strength as a martial artist but also her desire to gain enough power to help her family and friends deal with the monsters of the abyss.
Under Rifan's questioning, Leigh also revealed the reason why she wanted to become stronger.
Rifan rubbed his chin, thought for a while, and then pressed his hand down to Leigh.
"Sit down first, Leigh."
"I can tell you about Ada's method of becoming stronger."
"However, such a method may not be suitable for you."
Hearing this, Leigh shook her head.
"Even so, I want to give it a try."
Rifan nodded. "That's...forget it, let me tell you how she became stronger first."
"The first way Ada became stronger was because of the G virus strengthening agent."
"You have already experienced the miracle of this thing, and you must be very satisfied."
"As for the other one, which is also the most important reason for her becoming stronger, it is the slavery contract with me."
Hearing this, Leigh tilted her head cutely, her face full of puzzlement. "Slavery contract?"
"That's right," Rifan nodded slightly and said.
"To tell you the truth, after Ada signed a bond of slavery with me,"
"Any specific enemy I kill, Ada can get battle points through the contract."
"Of course, it is also doomed that she will not be able to become the captain."
After speaking, Rifan told Leigh the details of the slavery contract.
As Leigh learned more, her eyes became brighter.
"So that's the case; no wonder she is willing to sign a slavery contract with you!"
"You have misunderstood this. The benefits of the slavery contract were only known after we signed the contract. She signed the contract with me for other reasons."
"Other reasons? Could it be that Ada also has special feelings for you, Rifan?"
At this moment, Leigh thought about Ada's bright eyes looking at Rifan earlier.
Such eyes are very similar to Nojiko's eyes looking at Rifan all the time.
It is also quite similar to the way Hancock looked at Rifan earlier.
"Well, who knows."
"Leigh, I don't need to answer any questions about relationships right?"
Rifan shrugged and smiled.
"Well, I don't care about it but you're a sinful man Rifan."
Leigh pursed her lips, turned her head to one side, and began to think in her heart.
Suddenly, the entire consultation room became quiet.
After a while, as if Leigh had finished thinking, she suddenly raised her head to look at Rifan.
"Hey, Rifan, can I sign a slave contract with you like Ada?"