Chapter 114: Training Complete – The Summons of the Celestial Dragons
As Rengoku's contemplation of the new Kagura came to an end, he finally noticed Hancock sitting nearby.
So deep had his focus been that he hadn't even activated his Observation Haki.
"Hancock!"
Seeing her flushed face as she sat on the dirt ground, Rengoku immediately feared something was wrong. He quickly placed a hand on her shoulder, checking her condition.
"Hehh…♡"
The moment his hand touched her, Hancock let out a sultry moan and suddenly grabbed his neck. Her trembling lips pressed against his, sealing him in a hungry kiss.
Like a newborn seeking its mother's milk, her lips latched onto his with greedy fervor.
Her tongue slid across his teeth before plunging deep, swirling like a snake exploring a burrow.
Her long, smooth legs wrapped around his waist, pulling their sweat-soaked bodies even closer. She began to move her hips subtly up and down, savoring his warmth.
Rengoku, caught completely off guard, was genuinely flustered.
He had long known Hancock's feelings for him. Her love was bold, even aggressive—too obvious to miss.
But this sudden, overwhelming advance… was entirely unexpected.
Though he didn't dislike Hancock, the situation had turned far more intense than he anticipated.
"Sister…?"
The voice of her beloved younger sibling broke the moment.
Sandersonia had arrived, carrying the morning meal at her sister's request—only to walk in on this sight.
"S-s-sister…?!"
The familiar voice snapped Hancock back to her senses.
"So… Sonia?"
....
The awkward silence that followed hung heavy in the air. Hancock realized she had lost control of herself, while Rengoku still felt the tingling sensation of her lips lingering on his.
For Rengoku, this "incident" was unprecedented in all his years—twenty in his past life and eight in this one.
For Hancock, it was no different. She could hardly believe she had behaved in such a way. Did I look like… some animal in heat?!
The most uncomfortable person of all, however, was Sandersonia.
She had only come expecting to find her sister and Rengoku doing light sparring while she brought their breakfast.
Instead, she walked into what could only be described as… "affectionate entanglement."
Both of them drenched in sweat, their clothes disheveled.
I don't know whose taste it is to leave their clothes on, but… wow. That looked intense.
Of course, these thoughts never left Sandersonia's head. Out loud, she said nothing. Which only deepened the misunderstanding.
Lifting her eyes to the sky, Sonia recalled the words of Elder Nyon.
"Maybe I should ask Granny about… unusual preferences one day…"
With a hollow little laugh, she simply tilted her head back toward the heavens.
....
In the quiet, the pair hurried through their breakfast. When Sandersonia moved to clear the trays and step aside, familiar figures approached from the village.
Marigold—and Elder Nyon.
"Oh! Sister, Rengoku—you've already finished eating?"
Marigold's boisterous tone cut straight through the awkwardness, giving Sandersonia a moment of relief.
At least until her sister's next line.
"But wow, you're both drenched in sweat… looks like you had quite the session today!"
"—!!!"
"—!!!"
"—!!!"
Of course, Marigold was referring to their breathing sparring.
But she had shortened it far too much.
Hancock's face turned the shade of a ripe apple. Even Rengoku tilted his head aside, embarrassed.
As always, the quickest to catch on was the ever-experienced Elder Nyon.
"Ho ho… so that's how it is, hmm?"
Neither Hancock nor Rengoku rushed to deny it, and Sandersonia—the only witness—remained silent.
That silence left Nyon free to draw her own conclusions.
And so her imagination filled in the rest.
Stepping between the two, she cleared her throat deliberately, her lips curving upward into a sly smile.
"Ahem… Snake Princess. Vice Admiral Rengoku."
"Wh-what is it, Granny?!" Hancock stammered, still flushed.
"Yes? What's the matter, Gloriosa?" Rengoku asked, far calmer than her.
Watching their contrasting reactions, Elder Nyon's grin only widened.
"Oh ho… now I see well enough what each of their… preferences are."
"Youth is a fine thing," Elder Nyon remarked, her tone sly. "But don't let yourselves get carried away where outsiders might see you. And you two—at your level of strength—shouldn't be exhausting yourselves to the point of collapse…"
"Gr-Granny Nyon! What kind of outrageous thing are you saying?!" Hancock protested, her face crimson.
"Hmph! Snake Princess, I've lived through it all myself. This is the only advice I can give you as an elder, so take it or leave it."
Rengoku said nothing.
Instead, his mind ran through dozens of possible responses, weighing what would be most proper to say in such a situation. But before he could find a suitable answer, Nyon's next words snapped him back to reality.
"By the way, Vice Admiral Rengoku—this morning, a message arrived from Marine Headquarters. It seemed rather urgent."
"Marine Headquarters?"
Rengoku's brows furrowed. Ace's execution—and the inevitable war with Whitebeard—was still some time away. Why were they recalling him already?
"Did you bring your Transponder Snail with you?"
He shook his head. For the sake of uninterrupted focus on his training in Breathing and Hinokami Kagura, he had deliberately left the snail at the palace. He didn't want needless distractions.
"Nyon," she said with a shrug, "I brought it here. I smoothed things over for you, so if you call back now, it should connect."
Taking the Transponder Snail from her, Rengoku immediately dialed Sengoku, the Fleet Admiral.
Brrr… brrr…
Click.
The line connected at once.
"Ah, so it's you."
"Fleet Admiral, I heard you wished to contact me."
Sengoku's reply came with a weary sigh.
"Rengoku… just where have you run off to? What are you doing in Amazon Lily of all places? Don't tell me the rumors are true—that you've gone and entangled yourself with the Pirate Empress, Boa Hancock?"
The flaw of the Transponder Snail was clear: anyone nearby could hear both sides of the conversation.
As Sengoku spoke, Rengoku instinctively glanced at Hancock. He could not see her face, but her burning red ears told him everything.
"That falls under my private life, Fleet Admiral. I don't believe I am obligated to answer."
It was neither a denial nor an admission—simply a refusal to comment. With no idea who might be standing near Sengoku, a careless word could cause far too many misunderstandings.
"Tch… honestly. Just how many women are circling around you? Be careful, or you'll wear yourself out."
It was almost word-for-word what Elder Nyon had just said. Of course, Sengoku meant it without malice—he had no intention of teasing.
"Ahem… I'll take greater care. But tell me—does this sudden call mean there's been a change of plans?"
Rengoku steered the talk back to the matter at hand. Sengoku gave another long sigh.
"Haa… it's the World Government. They've issued a summons for you."
"The World Government?"
"To be precise, one of the Celestial Dragons. He insists on meeting you personally. After speaking with him briefly, I can tell you now—his words and behavior left quite an impression. This could become a troublesome affair."
Celestial Dragons.
The very beings the Gorgon sisters feared and despised most. The very class of arrogant, untouchable parasites that Rengoku himself abhorred.
"Can you be more specific? What manner of person are we speaking of?"
"…Rude. Disdainful. Enough said. In any case, return to Marineford as soon as possible. We'll speak of the details in person."
Rengoku's jaw tightened, but his reply was resolute.
"…Understood!"
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