Aether returned to the palace of Amazon Lily.
On the way, he handed the unconscious Monkey D. Luffy to a yellow-haired Kuja warrior, the sa woman who had helped him earlier. With that settled, he proceeded alone toward the Snake Princess's chambers.
Stopping before the door, he addressed the guard calmly.
"Please inform the Snake Princess that Aether is here. I have sothing to discuss."
After the events in the arena, there was nothing more for him to gain here. He planned to leave Amazon Lily within two days. The Marineford War was approaching, and without proper preparation, even he could lose his life.
If he appeared at Marineford, he would undoubtedly beco a pri target for the Marines.
This visit had a clear purpose.
He needed a ship.
With his Conqueror's Haki, he was confident he could cross the Calm Belt. As for his ability to travel between worlds, that would remain his final trump card, not sothing to rely on casually.
"Enter."
Hancock's voice ca from within.
Aether pushed open the door and stepped inside. Boa Sandersonia and Boa Marigold were already present, while the faint rustling of fabric ca from behind a curtain nearby.
At Sandersonia's gesture, Aether sat down cross-legged.
"Thank you for showing rcy, and for helping conceal the mark on my back."
"It was nothing," Aether replied lightly. "Just a small effort."
Marigold followed with her own gratitude.
"If our secret had been exposed, we would have had no choice but to leave Amazon Lily. We are truly grateful."
Aether waved his hand, accepting their thanks with a calm expression.
The fear the Celestial Dragons had instilled in them ran deep, far deeper than it should have. In his view, even if their past were revealed, it would not necessarily lead to disaster.
Many forr slaves from Mary Geoise now lived freely on the seas.
So possessed power, others influence. Those with enough of either could negotiate with the World Governnt rather than be hunted endlessly.
Boa Hancock herself was a Warlord of the Sea. With her strength and status, she was more than capable of standing her ground.
Hancock's voice sounded again from behind the curtain.
"You may co in."
Aether rose and stepped forward, drawing the curtain aside.
The sight before him made him pause briefly.
Hancock sat gracefully atop Salo, the giant serpent coiled beneath her like a throne. Her upper garnt had been removed, revealing her flawless back.
For a mont, a trace of hesitation appeared on her face. Then, as if resolving herself, she turned fully away from him. Her long hair was gathered to the front, exposing her back completely.
Aside from the mark, her skin was unblemished. The lines of her figure were perfectly balanced, neither excessive nor lacking.
Aether scratched his cheek, averting his gaze slightly.
This was… unexpected.
Even for him, the situation felt a little awkward.
"Hancock, what is this?" he asked, maintaining a composed tone. "We have only just t. This feels sowhat inappropriate."
With her back still turned, Hancock did not notice his reaction. Her voice carried a hint of unease.
"You said you have seen this mark before. Look carefully. Do you know what it represents?"
Aether stepped closer, his expression steady. His gaze rested briefly on the brand before he spoke.
"I once t a forr mber of the Sun Pirates, Hatchan. He had a sun mark on his forehead. That mark was used to cover… the Hoof of the Celestial Dragon."
The mont those words were spoken, silence filled the room.
The three sisters trembled.
Their faces were filled with fear, pain, and mories they could never forget.
This was their deepest secret, one they had sworn never to reveal.
After a long pause, Hancock finally spoke, her voice unsteady.
"That's right… it is the Hoof of the Celestial Dragon. The mark of a slave. The three of us were once their slaves. Now, do you think I…"
Before she could finish, Aether picked up her discarded clothing and gently placed it over her shoulders.
He turned his head slightly aside as he spoke.
"Is that all?"
Hancock froze.
Aether continued calmly.
"I do not see this as a mark of inferiority. Put your clothes on first. No one could remain calm under these circumstances."
"But this is the mark of the Celestial Dragons…"
Aether placed his hands lightly on her shoulders and t her gaze as she turned slightly.
"So what if it is?"
"That mark does not define you. It only proves the cris committed by those so-called Celestial Dragons. It is not sothing you should fear."
Hancock's eyes trembled.
"As your friend, I do not care about your past. And as long as I acknowledge you, no Celestial Dragon has the right to harm you again."
Her breath caught.
"Friend…?"
Aether smiled faintly.
"Friendships can begin in many ways. Unless you refuse, from today onward, we are friends."
He spoke naturally, without hesitation.
To him, gaining the friendship of soone as strong as Hancock was a worthwhile outco.
[S-Class figure has developed positive emotions toward the Host. dium friendliness. Experience 2000]
Hancock lowered her gaze, her expression shifting before she finally spoke in a restrained tone.
"If that is the case… then I will accept you as a friend."
"I am honored."
Aether chuckled softly. Even the proud Pirate Empress had a surprisingly honest side.
At that mont, Gloriosa hurried in, holding a newspaper. Her expression was filled with shock.
"Aether… a bounty of 1 billion Berries. Is it true? Did you really kill two Celestial Dragons?"
The room fell silent once more.
The three sisters stared at him in disbelief.
For others, such news might simply be shocking. But for them, it carried a completely different aning.
Aether nodded.
"Yeah, I guess."
The World Governnt's report had already spread this far.
A first offense, yet a bounty of one billion Berries.
That alone spoke volus.
Killing Celestial Dragons and escaping from an Admiral, such a feat justified that number.
Hancock took the newspaper and read it carefully. The image and the report detailing the deaths of two mbers of the Rosward Family stirred a storm of emotions within her.
Gratitude, relief, disbelief, and sothing deeper.
Tears began to fall silently.
"Other than our benefactor… I never thought anyone else would dare to strike a Celestial Dragon," she said, her voice trembling. "Aether, was it truly you?"
[S-Class figure has developed positive emotions toward the Host. High favorability. Experience 5000]
[A-rank figures have developed positive emotions toward the Host. High friendliness. Experience 500 x 3]
The three sisters could no longer hold back their emotions.
Aether reached for a cloth, then paused. Before he could act, Hancock took it herself and gently wiped her tears.
When she looked at him again, her gaze had softened.
"Aether… would you like to hear our past?"
"If you are willing to share it, I will listen."
Aether sat down once more, his posture relaxed yet attentive.
He already knew their story.
But hearing it from her own lips would carry a different weight.
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