In a secluded corner of Water Seven, within the dim glow of the Bolton Bar, the night's atmosphere was unusually singular. The bar, typically bustling with a diverse clientele, was now filled with only one kind of patron: women. And not just any women—they were all members of the Kuja Pirates!
Amazon Lily Island, the Amazon Lily Kingdom, was an anomaly. Situated in the heart of the Calm Belt, it was almost unreachable by other ships, shielding their homeland from the chaos of the age. However, that isolation also limited them in terms of resources and trade. Thus, the Kuja Pirates were born—serving as the kingdom's official military force and simultaneously a pirate crew that plundered merchant ships at sea, all to meet the needs of their nation. Such situations were not uncommon in this world, there was the Happo Navy of Wano Country, and of course, the Vinsmoke Family of the North Blue, whose entire nation was comprised of mercenaries. To optimize combat strength and minimize losses, every woman who embarked on a ship was an elite warrior carefully chosen from across Amazon Lily.
At the bar counter, a slender woman with short, shoulder-length black hair held a glass of whiskey in her left hand, a cigarette smoldering in her right. This was Captain Shakky. She calmly listened to Boa Hancock, who sat beside her, recounting her experiences of the past few days, her eyes sparkling.
"Let me tell you, Captain Shakky," Hancock's voice was full of enthusiasm, "Sephiroth isn't just good at cooking, but he's also very gentle..."
Shakky raised her glass, taking a sip of whiskey. Her lips curved slightly, a half-mocking smile gracing her face. "Little Hancock," she teased, her tone light, "you haven't fallen for the boy, have you?"
"Love?... What is that?" The long black-haired girl tilted her head, her eyes slightly bewildered. Her expression was innocent, like a child hearing a new word.
Boa Hancock grew up on Amazon Lily Island, known as the "Island of Women," surrounded by women since birth. Living in this unique environment meant she lacked much common sense about the outside world, especially regarding male-female relationships. In fact, this was the situation for many Amazon Lily inhabitants, most of the women had never even met any men in person. Men, on Amazon Lily, were entirely mythical beings, heard of but never seen. Most people only had a vague understanding, let alone of love...
Thinking of this, Shakky smiled faintly and shook her head. She had to explain patiently. "Love... Hmm!? Perhaps it's when you feel incredibly happy with him, you also feel sad when he's sad, you want to always be by his side, and you're willing to do anything for him..." She took another sip of whiskey, "Every time you think of him, your heart beats faster for no reason..."
Hancock covered her chest with her hand, feeling the fluttering sensation in her breast. A sweet smile spread across her face. "Is this love?" she asked, a flicker of new understanding in her eyes.
Beside the bar, Sandersonia, already a little drunk, also heard this and reached out to touch her own chest, chuckling. "Hic! Hehehe! Really? I love Sephiroth too!" she mumbled, her cheeks flushed.
"Hehehe! Then me too!" Boa Marigold, nearby, chimed in, her laughter crisp.
Shakky looked at the three beautiful girls beside her with a suspicious expression, her eyebrows raised. "Do you really understand?"
"We understand!" Hancock exclaimed. "Yes!" Sandersonia agreed. "I understand too," Marigold added, all three nodding confidently.
As if thinking of something amusing, Shakky suddenly gestured with a mischievous grin, beckoning the Boa Sisters to come closer. She leaned in, whispering conspiratorially, her face full of secrets.
The trio was a bit confused but obediently leaned in to listen.
"Let me tell you!" Shakky whispered, her voice low and full of intrigue, "Between a man and a woman who are in love..."
"Ah! This..." Hancock gasped.
"It can be like this..." Sandersonia murmured, her eyes widening.
"Sounds very interesting!" Marigold chimed in, her small laughter suppressed.
Central Street, Number 136. On the second floor of the Garden Villa, in a particular room, bright moonlight streamed through the window, forming patterns on the bed. Sephiroth's eyes were tightly shut, his chest rising and falling rhythmically. He calmed his mind and body, carefully sensing the faint beat of his heart and the sound of blood flowing through his vessels.
This sound was extremely faint and subtle, even with the six-fold hearing of an ordinary person after being modified by the Vampire-type Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit, he still couldn't hear it clearly without listening intently. Basic Kenbunshoku Haki (Observation Haki) is a power generated through hearing, while Busoshoku Haki (Armament Haki) is energy generated from muscle cells. Therefore, in addition to his daily physical training, Sephiroth also meditated before sleep to simultaneously develop Busoshoku Haki and Kenbunshoku Haki. Although he still knew absolutely nothing about Busoshoku Haki, he had vaguely picked up a few tricks regarding Kenbunshoku Haki.
Suddenly! He faintly heard the sound of the villa's iron gate opening. After listening carefully, he heard three somewhat unsteady footsteps entering the villa. Sephiroth thought for a moment, then got out of bed, walked to the bedroom door, opened it, and saw three drunk girls in the hallway, helping each other walk, small giggles escaping their lips.
"Hehehe! Sephiroth... so you're here~!" Boa Hancock hiccuped from drunkenness, smiling foolishly as she saw the boy before her, her eyes sparkling.
"Hehehe! That will save us time looking for you..." Marigold added, swaying slightly.
"Exactly! Exactly~!" Sandersonia echoed, propping herself against Marigold.
"Is there something you need from me?" Sephiroth asked, his expression puzzled by their antics.
"Hehehe! Sephiroth, I like you..." Hancock mumbled, her face flushed with alcohol, but her words were full of feeling.
"Yeah! Me too..." Marigold giggled, pointing at Sephiroth.
"Me too..." Sandersonia added with equal enthusiasm.
Sephiroth: (⊙▽⊙)
His face showed pure shock, his eyebrows raised high.
With the boy's bewildered expression, the three beautiful girls dragged him to the large bed. Boa Marigold hugged his left arm tightly, Sandersonia hugged his right, and Boa Hancock immediately lay on top of him, pinning him down comfortably.
Sephiroth swallowed hard, looking utterly incredulous. "Are you...?"
"Be good, don't resist~!" Boa Hancock stretched out her right hand and used her slender index finger to press against his mouth, preventing him from speaking further. Her smile was mischievous.
Soon after, the three women fell asleep while hugging him like that... asleep... asleep... Their regular breathing sounds began to fill the room.
Sephiroth: (눈_눈)
He gave a wry smile. He really hadn't expected these three beautiful girls to act so wildly when drunk. He waited for a moment, making sure they were truly fast asleep, then carefully extricated himself from the women's embrace. Slowly, one by one, he carried them and sent them back to their respective rooms.
Finally, Sephiroth stood by the window in the hallway, gazing at the bright moon in the night sky. He sighed softly, his heart feeling complicated. Things like love and romance... In this chaotic era, they were too heavy and too luxurious...
Yet, it was undeniable that even though they had only known each other for half a month, having gone through joys and sorrows with the three girls, they had left an indelible mark on his heart. If one day Sephiroth were to lose them, he would certainly be very sad—an honest and unavoidable feeling amidst all the chaos of this world.