One Piece : Winged Dragons of the Beast Pirates

At the moment Ian's words left his mouth, Hancock felt as if the entire world had lost its color.

All the sounds around her seemed to fade away, her mind turning dizzy, and her whole being felt as though she had fallen into a deep ocean. The icy, dark water engulfed her.

One thought echoed endlessly in her mind: Lord Ian hates me!

Beads of sweat visibly formed on her fair skin, only to freeze into a frosty mist due to Yamato's icy abilities.

Her breath grew visibly weaker, and her face was completely drained of color.

"Big sister!"

The two sisters, who had been watching the fight, immediately rushed to her side in concern.

"Hey!"

Even Yamato, the victor, became flustered, turning to Ian with urgency. "What's going on? Is she having an attack again?"

She was well aware of her own strength; her earlier attack couldn't possibly have caused this.

Everyone was baffled.

No one understood why Yamato's strike hadn't affected Hancock much, yet Ian's single remark had brought her to the brink of collapse.

Could Ian have awakened some kind of Talk no Jutsu ability?

Everyone turned to look at Ian.

"Lord Ian!"

The two sisters were utterly frantic.

Ian leapt down from the ship's railing, looking down at Hancock, who was in the throes of her love sickness.

This illness was utterly absurd, but it was, in fact, life-threatening.

Both Shakky and Gloriosa had been forced to leave Amazon Lily because of this very sickness.

Tritoma had once said that this illness was incurable, and there were only two ways to recover.

The first was for the heart's longing for love to be fulfilled, even if only temporarily. Even an incomplete resolution, without truly becoming a couple, could calm the illness—just like Hancock in the original story.

The second was to let go completely, to relinquish that love entirely.

At that time, Tritoma had spoken with a hint of schadenfreude, remarking that Shakky and Gloriosa were perfect examples of these two outcomes.

Ian had found it amusing back then.

But now, he realized just how remarkable it was that Gloriosa had survived this illness.

At the moment when one feels the loss of love, it might as well be the moment of death.

To live until one can come to terms with it is not an easy feat.

Just like Hancock now—she was already teetering on the edge of death.

But this was exactly what Ian wanted.

There's a term for this: desensitization therapy.

This time, she faces near death. Perhaps next time, the same level of shock will only make her faint, and the time after that, it might just cause her to collapse.

Ian walked up to Hancock, crouched down, and looked at the young woman.

To be honest, her beauty was beyond words.

Even Yamato seemed slightly inferior in comparison.

Frankly, just by her face alone, Ian couldn't dislike the fact that Hancock was infatuated with him. 

Although they had only known each other for a few days, naturally, there was desire, but not yet affection. Still, who could say what the future would hold?

It's just that her fawning behavior was something Ian truly couldn't handle.

Ian said, "You are not my servant, nor are you my slave. Listen carefully, Hancock: You are a companion I've chosen, someone I've recognized as capable of standing shoulder-to-shoulder with me!"

"So, you don't need to do anything to please me!"

"I would much rather you fight alongside me, as a partner I can entrust everything to, rather than as a servant willing to do anything just to win my favor."

Ian!

Even Law was stunned.

What terrifying willpower this guy has!

Such a beautiful woman wholeheartedly trying to please him, yet he could still say such words?

Hancock, who had seemed on the verge of death just moments ago, suddenly twitched her eyelids. Then, the young woman opened her eyes.

"She's... alright now?"

Viola looked puzzled. Was this woman faking illness to deceive Ian?

Hancock's eyes immediately locked onto Ian, who was crouched before her. Tears welled up in her gaze. 

Just now, as she felt herself sinking into the depths of despair, Ian's voice had been like a beacon of light piercing through the darkness, letting her once again feel warmth and hope.

"Lord Ian!"

The young woman gazed up at Ian, tears streaming down her face, but with a smile breaking through. "You don't dislike me? And you even said you'd entrust everything to me..."

Ian was no longer surprised by Hancock's strange way of thinking. He simply spoke seriously, "Hancock, you need to understand at least one thing: only when you respect yourself will others respect you. If you always place yourself in a lowly position, then I'll have no choice but to keep looking down on you."

Ian believed that a truly healthy relationship didn't come from endless self-sacrifice.

Even the Fish-Man Pirates, who were now joyfully splashing in the sea, had only agreed to follow him after Ian promised them high wages and a path to the pinnacle of their lives as fish-man.

Hancock, as the woman he valued, needed to become a well-rounded and strong individual. She mustn't be a weak woman, and she absolutely couldn't become someone who fawns over others—not even over him.

Rayleigh had once said that unwavering belief was true strength.

But how could someone who fawns over others ever become strong?

Hancock stood there, staring blankly at Ian.

Ian understood why Hancock might have this mindset. Most likely, it stemmed from a deep sense of inferiority.

So, he spoke softly, "When we reach Onigashima, I'll help treat the scars on your back. Not a single mark will remain."

Hancock's pupils suddenly trembled.

He knew! 

How could he know?

How could he possibly know? How dare he know?

He knows… What am I supposed to do now—

Amid her overwhelming panic, Hancock saw a hand.

Ian had extended his hand toward her. "So, welcome to the Beasts Pirates, Hancock. Although this welcome is a bit late, from now on, we're crewmates."

Hancock froze.

She stared blankly at Ian.

It felt as though something deep within her suddenly blossomed.

Yes.

It was Ian.

How could a man like him ever fear the World Government? How could he ever care about her past?

Suddenly, Hancock didn't feel like crying anymore. The young woman grabbed Ian's hand tightly, as if holding onto her future. 

"Mm."

"Che."

Yamato snorted unhappily but still said honestly, "Welcome aboard."

Of course, she didn't forget to issue a warning, "Remember, don't bother Ian again in the future!"

Bother?

Hancock's cheeks turned slightly red.

Did her actions earlier look like harassment to others?

She was only eager for Ian to notice her, that's all.

But not anymore.

The girl's smile was bright.

However...

She glanced at Yamato.

Hmph, you stupid white-haired brute! Don't think this is over!

When I defeat you, that's when I'll steal Ian away!

After all, Ian said it himself, right? In the Beasts Pirates, the strong rule!

Don't underestimate a girl with nothing to lose!

Regardless, after this minor scuffle, the three Hancock sisters officially became members of the Golden Dragon Ship.

However, Hancock and Yamato still didn't get along. Their bickering became a daily occurrence.

Amidst their constant quarreling, they finally arrived at Wano Country.

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