Chapter 8: Retribution
Luffy and Hancock sat together and chatted for a while. Both wore smiles as they listened to what the other was saying. There were no awkward pauses or signs of discomfort. The two truly enjoyed each other's company.
(It's funny. In the beginning, I used to feel so nervous around him.)
Hancock's eyes were soft as she was gazing upon Luffy's smile.
(Is it because I was afraid he would grow to hate me? I felt I needed to do everything to make him not want to throw me to the side....I unknowingly became a slave to my desire for love.)
"...What's wrong, Hancock?"
"Hm?"
Luffy stood up and leaned over the table.
"You're crying."
He used his finger and gently wiped the tears from her eyes.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to cry."
She took up a napkin from the table and wiped her eyes.
"I'm just so happy being with you like this, experiencing a level of peace I never knew was possible."
"I don't really get it, but there's no need to cry."
Luffy sat back down.
"After all, this is nothing compared to when we'll be sailing together when I'm Pirate King."
"We'll see all the places you visited together, right?"
Luffy nodded. Hancock's lips curled to form a radiant smile.
"I can't wait."
Luffy paused looking at her smile. The sight of it warmed his soul and caused his body to relax further. He just kept looking at her in silence and Hancock did the same. This was enough, just being in each other's presence was enough to satisfy them.
"Oh, crap!"
Luffy broke the silence and stood up.
"What's wrong?"
"I was supposed to meet with Usopp. I need to go, Hancock."
A frown appeared on Hancock's face for a second before disappearing.
"Your crew is important. Go and meet with him. We'll meet later."
Luffy looked at her for a bit.
"Hey, stand up for a bit."
"Okay?"
Hancock stood up with a confused expression. As she stood up, she felt arms wrapping around her. She looked down and saw a smiling Luffy looking up at her.
"We'll meet up later, okay?"
She sheepishly nodded with a flushed face.
"Alright."
Luffy released her and started walking away.
"I'll find you before the Treasure Hunt! Wait for me!"
He waved goodbye as he ran away. Hancock waved back as if she was in a daze. She waved until Luffy was gone. She slowly brought her hand to her side and stood in a daze.
"Luffy....."
She whispered her beloved's name as her chest tightened and her body became hot.
"Oh, to be in love."
She was snapped out of her daze after a voice came from behind her. She turned around to see a woman standing there with her hand on her hip. The woman had white hair, a marvellous figure, and looks that rivalled Hancock herself.
"Who are you?"
Hancock's gentle tone and soft expression were gone. She started looking at the woman's clothes. They were traditionally Kuja attire, but it she didn't recognize the face. Even so, Hancock knew the woman in front of her. After all, her presence was very familiar. The problem was--
"Why are you so young, Granny?"
Yes, Hancock recognized the woman as Elder Nyon.
"In this form, I'd appreciate it if you don't call me "Granny or Elder Nyon"."
Elder Nyon swept back her glossy white hair.
"Call me Gloriosa."
Let's go back a bit. When the Perfume Yuda docked and the Kuja split up, Elder Nyon slipped away from Hancock and her sisters. She did this in order to accomplish her plan, the sole reason she told Hancock about the festival. In order to accomplish this, she needed to find a certain pirate. She looked around the markets, the place she figured to find her target until she was tired.
"She's not here. Is she perhaps at the stalls?"
With this thought in mind, she went to the game stalls. After wondering for a bit, she spotted her target.
"Let me go! I'm gonna shoot this con artist!"
She spotted Jewelry Bonney being held back by her crew.
"Found you!"
Present time.
"You made Jewelry Bonney give you back your youth?"
"That's right. It wasn't hard either. All I had to do was give her some Grade A Elephant-Boar meat. That thing has the reputation of being the best ingredient for steak. It was expensive but worth it."
"So, what? You came here to steal back your position of Empress from me?"
Hancock spoke with a frown. Gloriosa also frowned.
"What the hell are you talking about? I'm too old to do something as stressful as running a nation."
"Huh? Then why did you want to get young again? Wait..."
Hancock's paled.
"Don't tell me you wanted to seduce young men? You pervert."
"The hell?! Why would I do that?! What do you take me for?!"
"A bitter old bat who's jealous of me and Luffy's relationship?"
"That's wrong!"
Gloriosa shouted with a red face.
"In the first place, why would I be jealous?! I'm the one who set you two up! You wouldn't be a couple if not for me!"
"Huh? What are you blabbing about? I charmed Luffy on my own."
Hancock looked genuinely confused, this caused Gloriosa to be taken aback.
"T-This woman, don't tell me she rewrote her memories to fit her agenda again."
There was not a single trace of falsehood in Hancock's words, and that was extremely terrifying. Gloriosa gritted her teeth.
"This is the reason why I became young again..."
She pointed at Hancock.
"I'm gonna beat your ass and teach you some damn respect, you snot nose brat!"
"My, where is all this aggression coming from."
Hancock spoke with an innocent and looked as if she was being wrong.
"Very well. If it is a fight you want..."
Hancock gestured at Gloriosa to come at her.
"Then, bring on."
Gloriosa cracked her knuckles.
"Oh, I'm going to enjoy this."
"You'll soon be crawling on the ground, Gloriosa. For I have the Gods of Love on my side!"
Hancock pointed at Gloriosa.
"You who was shunned by love will feel their power."
Gloriosa paused for a bit.
"…Since this is a fanfic, can I kill her?"
You cannot.
"Tsk!"
Gloriosa clicked her tongue and entered a fighting pose.
"Let's go, Hancock!"
Gloriosa and Hancock flew at each other at the same time. Hancock coated her legs in Haki and Gloriosa coated her fists. Hancock threw a kick and Gloriosa flung a punch.
*BAM*
An explosive noise rang out as the earth shook.
"?!"
Hancock's eyes widened as her leg was forced back. She leapt back to create some distance. Gloriosa cut that distance in an instant. She punched at Hancock's chest. Hancock lifted her leg to block. She was propelled back with her leg throbbing.
"Surprised?"
Gloriosa popped up above her. Hancock crossed her arms above her head. Gloriosa punched down and broke through her guard.
"Well, you shouldn't be."
She kicked Hancock away causing her to fly into a building's window. Hancock sat up with a groan.
*BAM*
The wall was blown open and Gloriosa walked in with a grin on her face.
"I was a part of the strongest pirate crew in history. I came from the era where monsters like Rocks, Roger, Whitebeard, and Garp ran rampant."
She looked at Hancock with contempt.
"It's natural for me to be stronger than you."
"I see that regaining your youth has made you even more senile than before."
Hancock stood up.
"I'm just getting started."
The building exploded. Gloriosa flew out of the dust clouds with Hancock chasing her. Hancock threw a barrage of kicks. Gloriosa evaded them and replied with a storm of punches. Hancock's eyes shone red and the path of the punches appeared before her. She evaded the punches while cutting the distance. Gloriosa's grin grew wider. Gloriosa stepped in Hancock's chest and caused her to stumble. Hancock jumped and swung her leg at her head. Gloriosa ducked under it and grabbed her leg. She slammed Hancock on the ground. Hancock kicked at her from the ground without pause. Gloriosa was hit in the stomach.
"Hahaha! Too soft!"
She lifted Hancock off the ground and threw her into a wall. She flew at Hancock with a kick. Hancock forced herself out of the wall and rolled out of the way. Gloriosa kicked the wall and broke it.
"What the hell is going on?!"
Some members of Buggy's security team appeared after hearing to commotion.
"What are you two-"
"Move."
Hancock and Gloriosa kicked them out of the way before flying at each other.
"Let's go, Hancock!"
"Let me teach a lesson, Old Bat!"
The two's battle raged on for nearly an hour before it came to a stop.
"Hah~! Hah~! Hah~!"
Gloriosa was breathing heavily while holding her chest.
"D-Dammit....How can I already be exhausted?"
"What did you expect?"
Hancock stood across from her with a small smile.
"When was the last time you've fought so intensely? You may have regained your youth, but that doesn't mean you'll have infinite stamina. After all, even young people need to work out to build their endurance."
She walked over to Gloriosa who straightened up and lifted her fists.
"Come on, Granny."
Hancock vanished and appeared above her.
"It's time for your afternoon nap!"
She slammed her heel on top of Gloriosa's head rendering her unconscious. Hancock lifted her arm in the air in a victorious pose.
"......"
She silently looked down on Gloriosa whose eyes were rolled to the back of her head.
"Maybe I have been too harsh on her..."
She stooped down and picked up Gloriosa before throwing her over her shoulders.
"Let's go, Granny. Let's meet up with the others."
She walked away ignoring the destruction and mayhem caused by their battle.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone