Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.
The steady sound of flowing water echoed behind the curtain, each splash landing clearly in Rolan's ears.
The atmosphere in the palace room grew subtly heavier with every passing second.
His body felt warmer than it should have, and even the after-dinner fruits and desserts Hancock had carefully prepared earlier had completely lost their appeal.
Outside, the plaza in front of the palace had already gathered a large crowd, most of them elite warriors of the Kuja Pirates.
Boa Sandersonia and Boa Marigold stood guard at the entrance of the curtain.
Whenever their elder sister bathed, the entire area was evacuated without exception.
These two sisters personally guarded the entrance, ensuring that not even an insect could enter.
Likewise, when either of the sisters bathed, the other would stand guard in the same manner.
The secret of the mark on their backs was something none of them would ever allow the world to see.
"Marigold, is it really alright to leave Snake Princess alone with Rolan sama?"
One of the Kuja warriors asked nervously, her voice filled with unease.
Marigold shook her head lightly.
"Don't worry. Even though Rolan sama's bounty is terrifyingly high, Hancock is also extremely powerful."
Despite her words, there was no real confidence behind them.
After all, Rolan was the only man in existence who had resisted her sister's charm without turning to stone.
On top of that, his bounty had reached a staggering three billion berries.
That level alone placed him at the very peak of the world of One Piece.
If something truly went wrong inside, the outcome was beyond imagination.
Sandersonia spoke softly, trying to stabilize everyone's nerves.
"Everyone relax. Sister knows what she is doing."
...
After some time, the curtain slowly shifted.
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
Bare footsteps touched the floor, each sound drawing closer to Rolan's back.
"Rolan sama, please turn around."
At those words, his heart tightened slightly.
So direct already?
Even so, he calmly turned his body.
What entered his view was Hancock sitting on Salome atop the bed, her back facing him.
Her long jet-black hair flowed like a curtain of silk, cascading down her back and covering most of her figure.
Yet even through the strands of hair, her perfect waist-to-hip ratio was unmistakable.
Her slender waist looked as though it could be wrapped with one hand, and her skin, pale as fine jade, still glistened with tiny droplets of water that had not yet dried.
Hancock slowly raised her hand and parted her long hair.
Her fingers trembled faintly as she did so.
As her hair was lifted aside, an unmistakable crimson brand was revealed on her snow-white back.
"Do you… do you see it, Rolan sama?" Her voice had grown hoarse.
"This is the mark of the Celestial Dragons. A brand burned into those raised by the World Nobles. A symbol of 'lesser humans' that can never be erased."
Rolan's gaze did not waver.
"I see it, Hancock."
Hearing those simple words, she released her hair once more, allowing it to fall and cover the scar again.
Salome helped her pull her clothes back into place, then guided her as she slowly turned around.
Hancock clutched her own shoulders tightly.
Her body trembled as years of buried emotions surged back to the surface.
"It was a life without hope, only despair and the desire for death," she said quietly.
"Four years later, everything changed. A Fishman climbed the Red Line with his bare hands and freed countless slaves. My sisters and I were among those who were saved."
Her lips quivered as she continued.
"But no matter how many years passed, no matter what method I tried, this brand never disappeared. It haunted me every single day."
Tears finally spilled down her cheeks.
"I cannot allow anyone to know about our past. Even if I have to deceive the entire country, I will not hesitate."
Rolan stepped forward and drew her into his arms without hesitation.
His movements were calm and firm.
"I understand, Hancock," he said steadily.
"And you are not the only one burdened by such suffering. There are countless people throughout this world who carry scars like yours."
His eyes hardened slightly.
"Fisher Tiger was a hero, but heroism alone cannot change the root of this world."
He paused, then spoke with chilling certainty.
"That is why I intend to overturn this world itself. I will drag those Celestial Dragons down from their throne and replace the rotten order they built. As for those World Nobles, the two I already killed were only the beginning."
Hancock's body stiffened sharply in his arms at those words.
Her breathing faltered.
"Ro… Rolan sama… you truly intend to do something like that?"
Rolan gently brushed the hair at her temples.
His voice remained calm.
"That is the very reason I set sail."
A soft sound escaped her lips as she subconsciously leaned into his chest, completely overwhelmed by emotion.
Her resistance melted away without her even realizing it.
At that moment, Rolan recalled the item resting within his possession.
Without expression, he retrieved a small white pill and held it in front of her.
"Hancock, take this. It should be able to erase the brand."
She stared at the pill in disbelief, her hands trembling as she accepted it.
"Rolan sama, this…"
"Take it," he said evenly.
"Trust it."
Tears welled up in her eyes once more.
Even if there had been only the slightest chance, she would have accepted it without hesitation.
This was the man she had already entrusted her heart to.
She pressed the pill to her lips and swallowed it.
Almost instantly, a sharp tingling sensation spread across her back.
It felt as though countless tiny creatures were crawling along her skin.
"Mmm…"
A soft sound escaped her lips as her fingers clenched into the fabric of her clothes.
After several moments, the strange sensation slowly faded.
"Ro… Rolan sama, I…"
Rolan gently lifted her hair again.
The scar was gone.
Her back was flawless, smooth and luminous like polished jade.
There was no trace left of the brand that had tormented her for so many years.
"Hancock," he said, "it's gone."
Her eyes widened as she turned to him in disbelief.
"Really… it is really gone?"
He nodded.
Salome slid forward with a mirror.
Hancock hesitantly turned and looked.
For a moment, she froze.
Then she reached back with trembling fingers, touching the skin that had once been marked with despair.
There was nothing left but soft warmth.
The mirror slipped from her grasp and clattered against the floor.
She broke down completely.
Years of fear, shame, and resentment poured out in silent tears as she collapsed into Rolan's arms.
For the first time, the chain that bound her past had truly shattered.
Rolan remained silent, allowing her to release everything she had suppressed for so long.
After a long while, Hancock slowly lifted her head.
Her eyes were red, but they shone with a softness that had never existed before.
"Rolan sama… thank you."
She leaned forward and kissed him.
For a brief instant, even Rolan's pupils contracted in surprise.
Then he responded, his composure returning as he accepted her emotions without hesitation.
Then he thought 'itadakimasu, Luffy, sorry for getting NTR'ed'
Snap.
With the sound of his fingers, a spherical electromagnetic barrier formed around the two of them.
Salome, of course, was left outside.
...