---
Amazon Lily - Kuja City
The Kuja Pirates had returned with the mountains of gold, leaving everyone in awe. Both the residents of Amazon Lily and the Uchiha clan had never seen so much wealth before.
The enormous golden bell was even hailed as a sacred artifact and placed proudly in front of Kuja City, prompting the city to plan an expansion just to display it properly.
Enel's colossal flying ark, Maxim had been dismantled almost immediately upon arrival. The Uchiha clan received the majority of the gold, yet Amazon Lily harbored no resentment, as the golden bell alone was worth more than the rest of the haul.
The Uchiha members were still stunned by the sudden influx of wealth.
"Is all this really ours?" one Uchiha asked in disbelief.
Uchiha Shisui nodded. "Yes, this is what our Uchiha clan deserved."
"It's… overwhelming."
Having spent some time in this world, they had learned that a single berry had a value similar to their own currency. The sheer volume of gold here was more than the clan could spend in a lifetime.
Uchiha Fugaku spoke up, "This gold is from Akira's recent expedition. Most of it will be stored in the vault until he returns to make the final decision. A portion will be distributed to each family, enough to cover each family's expenses for three years."
The clan members were astonished. They had barely been in this world for a month, and they already had a financial cushion equivalent to three years' worth of resources. The excitement among the families was palpable.
---
Kuja City - Empress palace
"Granny Nyon!"
Sandersonia rushed in, her face pale with worry.
"What's wrong, Sandersonia?" Elder Nyon asked.
"It's bad… Sister Hancock has fallen ill. She's bedridden!"
"What?!" Elder Nyon's face grew serious. Illness was no minor matter, especially when it affected someone as powerful as Hancock.
Marigold and Sandersonia were both by Hancock's side, clearly distressed.
"Sister, please hang in there…"
"Sister…"
Hancock lay on the bed, her face pale, breathing in shallow, labored breaths. "Hah… it's unbearable…"
Elder Nyon entered quickly. "What's her condition?"
Amazon Lily's doctor looked troubled. "She's been clutching her chest. It seems like a heart problem, but I can't say for sure… I've never seen symptoms like this, so I don't know what to prescribe…"
Sandersonia added, "She looks so uncomfortable… and she hasn't eaten or drunk anything since she returned!"
Elder Nyon observed Hancock for a moment, a look of recognition crossing her face.
"When did this start?" she asked.
"On the way back, she seemed a bit distracted," Marigold said, "always looking at her phone snails with a faraway look, but we thought nothing of it. Then, when we returned, it worsened."
Elder Nyon smacked her forehead. "Oh dear, so that's what this is! I sensed something like this might happen, but I had hoped it wouldn't…"
"You know what's wrong?" Sandersonia's eyes widened.
"It's the same affliction that took the previous emperors, and even forced me to leave my homeland to save my life. This… it's 'Love Sickness.'"
Sandersonia's face went pale. "You mean… Lady Hancock will die from this?"
At that moment, a distinct sound echoed from Hancock's bedside. It was the Den Den Mushi ringing.
Despite her weakened state, Hancock shot up, eagerly grabbing the Radio Snail. It transformed to mimic Akira's face.
"H-Hello? Is this Lady Hancock?" came Akira's voice.
Hancock's face softened, her voice suddenly gentle. "Yes… it's me, my dear…I'm here"
"Eh—?!!"
Everyone was shocked by what was happening.
---
From the first moment they met, Akira was captivated by Hancock. Her beauty, power, and pride gave her an undeniable allure, and though he had plans, he knew the timing wasn't right to pursue her.
Akira wasn't even sure if Hancock would become enemy but still some felling was there.
Hancock, in contrast, held a deep distrust of men. Her traumatic experience as a slave left her certain that all men approaching her had hidden motives. But Akira was different. He had earned her trust, first through their gold exchange, and then by giving her a rare sense of safety. With him protecting Amazon Lily, she no longer felt the weight of her responsibilities pressing down on her.
Akira's gift of the golden bell, one of the rarest treasures, also touched her deeply. No one had treated her with such genuine care. She found herself thinking of him more often, seeing a gentleness in him that made her want to trust again.
What's more, Hancock had seen Akira's true strength during his battle with Enel. She knew he held enough power to kill her if he wished, yet instead, he offered her an alliance. This decision left her shaken and unable to stop thinking about him.
For the first time, Hancock met a man whose strength didn't threaten her but instead brought her security and trust. Akira's choice to stand beside her rather than dominate her stirred emotions she had buried for years, awakening a curiosity—and perhaps, a longing—that she couldn't ignore.
Beneath her tough exterior, Hancock was still a woman with scars, carrying memories she had hidden from the world. Yet Akira had begun to reach those hidden places in her heart.
Their love story was one neither had planned but was simply meant to be.
...