A full week had passed since the Boa sisters arrived on the island, and in that time, the atmosphere had shifted dramatically.
For Yuji, Ulti, and Page One, it was a time filled with new experiences. For the Boa sisters, it was something that they never felt in these past year.
The days had fallen into a routine. Mornings began with training, the air echoing with the sounds of fists hitting the ground, devil fruits activated, and shouts of exertion as each member of their little group pushed themselves to their limits.
Despite her earlier resistance, Ulti had taken Yuji's words to heart. She trained harder than ever, trying to keep up with her younger brother, Page One, who never missed an opportunity to silently prove himself.
Hancock, Marigold, and Sandersonia joined in the training sessions too. Hancock, already a formidable fighter with her devil fruit abilities, watched Yuji's techniques carefully.
His calm but precise fighting style, combined with his fearsome dragon form, intrigued her. She found herself admiring not only his power but also his control, something she valued after her own experiences with strength.
But the training wasn't all there was. The evenings brought a much needed reprieve from the intense physical exertion, and it was during these times that the bonds between them truly grew.
Sitting around the fire, with the sky ablaze in hues of orange and pink, they'd laugh and talk, sometimes about their pasts, sometimes about nothing at all. Ulti's goofy antics never failed to lighten the mood, especially when she teased her younger brother, who would respond with his usual silent exasperation.
"Hey, Pagey, do you think you can ever beat me in a real fight?" Ulti taunted one evening, grinning as she leaned back against a tree.
Page One, ever the silent type, glanced at her with a deadpan expression. "I don't need to. I'll just wait until you tire yourself out."
Hancock let out a rare laugh at that, her regal composure briefly breaking as she witnessed the siblings' playful banter. It was moments like these that reminded her of the carefree days she had spent with her own sisters before everything had changed.
Yuji, for his part, found himself enjoying the company more than he expected. He wasn't one for large groups, preferring solitude or the occasional companion who could match his strength.
But something about this group, especially Hancock and her sisters, made him feel more at ease. Maybe it was because they had all faced their own hardships, or maybe it was because, like him, they were searching for a place where they truly belonged.
On the sixth night, as the stars twinkled overhead, Hancock finally decided to broach a subject that had been weighing on her mind. She and her sisters had shared their darkest secret with Yuji, trusting him in a way they hadn't trusted anyone in years. And with that trust came a request one she hoped he would accept.
Hancock waited until the others had settled in for the night. Ulti and Page One were already dozing off near the fire, their energy finally spent after a day of intense training. Marigold and Sandersonia sat nearby, keeping watch but giving their eldest sister the space she needed.
She approached Yuji, who sat at the edge of the clearing, his eyes scanning the horizon as if lost in thought. He had that distant look again, the one that hinted at something deeper going on in his mind, something even his stoic demeanor couldn't fully hide.
"Yuji," Hancock began, her voice soft but filled with purpose. He turned to her, his piercing gaze meeting hers. "There's something I need to ask of you."
He raised an eyebrow, motioning for her to continue. In the past week, he had grown used to Hancock's guarded nature. She was a woman of few words.
"We've been here for a week now, and in that time, I've come to trust you more than I ever thought I could trust anyone outside my sisters." She hesitated for a moment, her usual regal confidence wavering slightly. "But we can't stay here forever. My sisters and I... we need to return to Amazon Lily."
Yuji nodded slowly, as if he had expected this request. "You're asking for my help to get there."
Hancock nodded, her gaze unwavering. "Yes. We've been lost for so long, wandering after our escape, and we don't know how to return. But you, with your devil fruit ability... you could help us find it. You can fly.
Yuji stayed silent for a moment, considering her words. It wasn't that he didn't want to help them. In fact, a part of him felt responsible for their well-being, especially after hearing about the horrors they had endured. But there was something else something that gnawed at him from deep within.
Hancock noticed his hesitation. She stepped closer, her voice dropping to a near whisper. "I know it's a lot to ask. But you've already done so much for us. You saved us once before, and now, I'm asking you to help us again. Not as a favor, but because... we trust you."
Finally, after what felt like an eternity of silence, Yuji nodded. "I'll help you."
Relief washed over Hancock's face, and for the first time, she allowed herself to smile fully in his presence. But Yuji's next words stopped her short.
"But…" he added, his voice quieter now, almost pained, "Nothing"
Hancock blinked,"Huh, nothing? I thought you are syaing something?"
Yuji nodded. "I have my own plans, Hancock. Maybe someday you will see from the news paper that I am a wanted person HAHA"
Before Hancock could respond, Ulti's sleepy voice broke the tension. "Oi, what're you guys talking about over there?"
Hancock turned to see Ulti sitting up, rubbing her eyes groggily. Page One, still half-asleep, mumbled something incoherent as he shifted in his spot.
"Nothing, just adult stuff," Hancock replied, managing a soft smile despite the weight of the conversation.
Ulti yawned, stretching her arms. "Adult stuff? Uhm you two are in your teens right?" Hearing this, Hancock and Yuji almost fell from the ground "Well, whatever it is, don't keep us out of the fun."
Yuji stood up, stretching his arms as well. "Get some rest," he said to the group. "We have a long journey ahead of us."
As the others settled back in, Hancock remained where she stood, watching Yuji as he disappeared into the shadows of the forest, his presence lingering long after he was gone.
The journey back to Amazon Lily would be long, but what weighed on her more than the distance was the knowledge that when they arrived, Yuji would be gone.