**BOOM!!**
The sea behind Hachinosu was forcibly split in half by a shockwave.
York stood on the shore, slightly panting, maintaining his punching stance as he watched the sea slowly close toward the center.
**Rumble!**
A thunderous roar exploded as the colliding seawater raised towering waves.
After regulating his breathing, York gripped his fist again, gathering strength.
Pitch-black Armament Haki wrapped around his fist and wrist, followed by black-red lightning coiling around it.
Exhaling sharply with a low shout, York threw a straight punch.
The surging Haki fused with the power of his fist, transforming into a shockwave that pierced straight through the waves, splitting the sea—which had just closed moments ago—once more.
One punch, another punch, yet another...
York actually couldn't guarantee mastering Conqueror's Infusion every single time; after all, he had just grasped it, and his proficiency was still insufficient.
So he needed to practice repeatedly to quickly improve his proficiency.
Fortunately.
Perhaps due to being a transmigrator, York's Haki was nearly inexhaustible.
He threw punch after punch infused with Conqueror's Haki. Mentally, he felt no fatigue—only his physical stamina showed obvious decline.
However, physical exhaustion could be replenished with food or by drawing life force from the pirates across the island using his ability.
Thus, although the Conqueror's Infusion training occasionally paused, York managed to continue nonstop for three full days and nights.
"What a little monster!"
Rocks appeared from the direction of the frozen lab; he had gone to check on those frozen giants again.
Emerging from the lab, he saw York still hadn't stopped training and couldn't help but comment.
This was truly the first time he sincerely called someone else a monster.
"Hey! Kid!!"
Rocks called out to York.
"Roger and his crew decided to leave the day after tomorrow. You can stop now and adjust your condition!!"
Hearing this, York threw one final punch before finally stopping. He turned his head to confirm with Rocks.
"Roger and them are leaving the day after tomorrow?"
"Ah~ Didn't you agree to a fight with Roger? He asked me to tell you that if you're not fighting, he'll set sail tomorrow."
"I'm fighting! Who said I'm not?!!"
York's spirits soared. Ignoring Rocks, he quickly headed toward Hachinosu's kitchen.
After a hearty meal to fill his stomach, he cleaned up and crashed into bed.
When York woke again, it was already the morning of the day after tomorrow.
Opening his eyes, he felt warm, soft, smooth flesh in his arms.
Gloriosa let out a soft whimper. York rolled over, pinning her beneath him.
"York?! Don't you have your duel with Roger today?"
"Yeah! So I need some pre-battle relaxation!"
...
**Outside the door.**
Stussy, who had deliberately passed by here countless times, paused her footsteps once more.
She heard the familiar sounds echoing from inside again.
Her teeth bit her lower lip lightly, hesitation and conflict in her beautiful eyes.
She tentatively reached for the doorknob but retracted her hand like lightning the instant she touched it.
"No... I can't... I'm not like Gloriosa..."
Hand on her forehead, Stussy told herself inwardly: "I'm not that kind of loose woman!"
However, as soon as the words formed in her mind, images of Whitebeard rejecting her countless times flashed through.
She was a woman too!
Or rather, she was human after all!
Being a simp for so long without reciprocation, even the deepest feelings would fade.
Moreover, Stussy had her own pride.
In what way was she inferior to Shakky!!
Why could Whitebeard like Shakky but not her!!
As she thought, York's past gazes of desire toward her resurfaced in her mind.
Although York's initial intent might have been simply to toy with her body, after such long days of interaction, she had come to understand him well enough.
This kid, though his ability was wicked and his personality extremely lustful, truly treated women well.
Gloriosa, before coming to Hachinosu, hadn't even met York face-to-face.
She was even York's spoil of war after losing to him.
In Stussy's impression, someone like Gloriosa in that situation would only become a slave, used solely for York's pleasure and not treated as human.
Yet, over these two years, York and Gloriosa lived more happily than most couples.
As long as it wasn't an unreasonable demand, York basically fulfilled whatever Gloriosa wanted. Even when Gloriosa felt wronged by Roger, York immediately stepped up without a second word.
Whether he could win or not was another matter; at least, as a man, York showed responsibility.
To be honest, Stussy was envious.
She also wanted a man who would cherish her like that!
She was already 36 this year!
How many more years could she maintain this beauty and figure?
Pursing her lips with a bitter smile, Stussy left somewhat dazed.
She wanted to drink, to get thoroughly drunk...
**Inside the room.**
Gloriosa stared fixedly at the door.
"She left again..."
Turning back to the young face right before her.
"Aren't you going to reel her in yet?"
"I'm not in a hurry; why are you?"
York lowered his head, forcefully sealing Gloriosa's still-moving red lips.
...
An hour passed quickly.
The simply released York wasn't fully satisfied.
But right now, this was just right.
Having anticipation for what followed would make the desire for victory in battle even stronger.
After all, this was a world where superstition could become reality.
As long as one's conviction was strong enough, no miracle was impossible.
Heading to the kitchen, he devoured food rapidly to fill his stomach.
York didn't see Stussy here and figured she had likely gone to Shakky's.
Arriving at Shakky's Rip-Off Bar, he indeed saw her sitting alone in a corner, drowning her sorrows.
"Yo! York, you finally came!"
Roger's call pulled York from his scattered thoughts. He looked at Roger, who was drinking early in the morning.
"Ready?"
"Of course! Anytime!"
Roger raised his glass.
"Want one before we fight?"
York wanted to refuse but, upon lifting his foot, felt he should accept.
He took a whiskey from Shakky, clinked glasses with Roger, and downed it in one go.
Roger also chugged his glass dry.
"Yosh! Final prep complete! Let's go fight!!"
Roger stood from his seat, leading his rowdy crew out of the bar.
York watched their backs, then glanced at Shakky behind the counter.
"Rayleigh hasn't shown up these past few days?"
She froze slightly, her eyes dimming.
Though she gave no answer, it spoke volumes.
"What a coward."
York mocked once more, then casually added: "Want to consider giving up on Rayleigh and becoming my woman..."