Four days later.
Water 7, the harbor.
The sun shone brightly on the water, reflecting a golden shimmer. A commercial cruise ship lay docked peacefully.
"Young man, take care!" a mustachioed middle-aged man, the ship's Captain, called out, smiling broadly and waving towards the silver-haired youth walking down the gangplank. "Next time you ride my boat, I guarantee it's free, I won't ask for a dime!"
You want me to be your bodyguard, just like that? Good thing I didn't ask for a single Berry from you! Sephiroth grumbled inwardly, a faint smile playing on his lips. The Captain had indeed asked for his "help" during the pirate attack a few days prior, an invaluable service.
The silver-haired youth, carrying a suitcase in his right hand, gazed at the waters stretching in all directions before him. He thought that renting a Sea Rider aircraft would be a waste of money, so he might as well fly back himself. It felt more practical.
Thinking this, a pair of fleshy black wings immediately unfurled from his back, flapping gently, ready to propel his body. Amidst the gasps of awe and surprise from passersby, most of whom had never witnessed a Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit ability like his, he soared into the sky, rising high towards his home.
Soon after, he arrived at Central Street, number 136, gliding smoothly over the garden wall, and landing at the entrance of his three-story garden villa. As he pulled the key from his pocket and prepared to open the door, his ears twitched. A somewhat puzzled and strange expression immediately appeared on his face. There were sounds inside.
Click!
When the silver-haired youth inserted the key and opened the villa door, the sight before him stunned him. Boa Hancock, clad in a high-slit white qipao that accentuated her curves, a contrasting white apron, and holding a feather duster, was meticulously cleaning the living room.
Clatter!
The feather duster in the black-haired girl's hand fell to the floor, making a small sound. Her eyes widened, staring blankly at the person standing in the doorway, as if seeing a ghost.
"Long time no see, Hancock," Sephiroth greeted, smiling warmly, raising his right hand, and waving in salutation.
"Sephiroth~!"
Boa Hancock's joyful cry broke the silence. She suddenly pounced, burying herself in Sephiroth's embrace, rubbing her head against the youth's chest, like a pampered kitten, full of longing.
"Hancock missed you so much~!" she cooed coyly, her voice trembling. As she spoke, the black-haired girl proactively wrapped her arms around Sephiroth's neck, and her soft lips immediately pressed against Sephiroth's, giving him a surprising, light kiss.
Boa Hancock's overly enthusiastic sudden attack left him momentarily stunned, and his heart couldn't help but beat faster. A mix of emotions washed over him, surprise, but also a hint of pleasure.
The black-haired girl looped her arm through Sephiroth's left arm, gently rubbing against his body as she asked in confusion, "Sephiroth, why are you suddenly back?"
"Uh!?... I'm back for vacation... But, more importantly..." Sephiroth looked at her, suppressing a chuckle. "I want to ask you... where did you learn all this?" He gestured at Hancock's rather bold flirting moves, his face etched with lines of astonishment. The girl was still gently rubbing his left arm with her full chest...
"Captain Shakky taught Hancock this, she said all men like this... Sephiroth, don't you like it?" Hancock asked with innocent eyes, a touch of anxiety.
"Eh!?... No..." Sephiroth stammered, a little overwhelmed. Looking into the girl's large, glistening eyes, he could only helplessly voice his true feelings, "Okay! I like it very much..." A faint smile spread on his lips.
After exchanging pleasantries, Sephiroth learned that because of Boa Hancock, the Kuja Pirates had changed their original supply island and were now coming to Water 7, so she would return to the villa for three to five days each month and clean the house while she was there. He felt touched by Hancock's dedication.
The silver-haired youth carried his suitcase up the wooden stairs in the living room to the second floor, pushed the door open, and entered his bedroom. As he reached out and opened the closet door, a row of short skirts, qipaos, and several pieces of thin fabric were visible.
"..."
Why are there things like that in my closet...? Sephiroth thought, his eyebrows raised.
Outside the bedroom corridor, Boa Hancock clasped her hands in front of her chest, saying with an expectant expression, "Sephiroth, have you had lunch? Do you want Hancock to make your lunch?"
"Lunch! I haven't eaten!..." Sephiroth observed. "But you don't know how to cook, do you?" he asked suspiciously, recalling Hancock's reputation.
"Since separating from you, Hancock has also been practicing cooking..." She smiled shyly. "Besides... Hancock really wants to be a good wife!" As she spoke, Boa Hancock's cheeks flushed, and she rested her chin on her hand, as if fantasizing about something beautiful in her mind—the future she dreamed of.
Looking at the black-haired girl like that, Sephiroth couldn't help but sigh inwardly. He was an ordinary man, and if he said he wasn't moved, it would definitely be a lie! He couldn't guarantee that he would always like and love others, any emotion would be diluted by time... But, from the bottom of his heart, he couldn't refuse Boa Hancock's genuine and adorable feelings.
Thinking this, Sephiroth no longer wanted to dwell on it. He chose to follow his heart and let nature take its course...
"Hancock, I accidentally acquired the Mero Mero no Mi. Eating it can make you even more beautiful and charming... Do you want it?" Sephiroth asked, his voice calm, yet with a hint of nervousness. Perhaps this would change everything.
As he spoke, the silver-haired youth placed the suitcase he was holding on the large bed nearby and reached out to open it. Inside the box, besides several sets of clothes, were also two fruits covered in heart-shaped spiral patterns—the legendary Mero Mero Fruit.
He lifted the Mero Mero no Mi with both hands and offered it to Boa Hancock, his eyes observing the girl's reaction.
"Are you really giving this fruit to Hancock?" the black-haired girl asked, slightly surprised, her eyes widening, as if disbelieving.
"Yes, truly," Sephiroth replied, steady.
Upon receiving the positive answer, the girl showed no hesitation or wavering whatsoever. She didn't even ask about the fruit's specific abilities, as if she completely trusted Sephiroth. She immediately reached out, took the Mero Mero no Mi, peeled its skin, brought it to her mouth, and boldly took a bite.
"Ouch~!"
The extremely pungent taste of the Devil Fruit made Boa Hancock's eyebrows furrow slightly, and a hint of pain appeared on her beautiful face, but she endured it. She continued to eat both fruits little by little, until they were completely consumed.
Only then did the black-haired girl let out a long sigh and say with a sweet smile, "Sephiroth, thank you!"
Hiss~!
In an instant, the silver-haired youth's pupils widened sharply, and he couldn't help but take a deep breath. In his eyes, Boa Hancock's facial features and appearance clearly hadn't changed at all, yet her entire being now possessed a special captivating aura, an invisible magnet, making her radiate a charm that could mesmerize all beings with every frown, smile, and movement. The power of Mero Mero had begun to work.
The Mero Mero no Mi is truly this terrifying! This woman, this young master will never let her go in this life, not even until death!!! Sephiroth roared in his heart, a new resolve burning in his chest.
"What's wrong? Why are you looking at Hancock like that...?" Being stared at so intently by him, the black-haired girl immediately lowered her head slightly in embarrassment, her cheeks flushed, raising her right hand, and touching her exquisitely beautiful face.
Sephiroth's eyes seemed to burn with a blazing fire. He grabbed Boa Hancock's soft, white hand and said in a low voice, word by word, "Let's... make a baby!"
Enjoying the story? You can read 7 chapters in advance on p@treon/Rzzzy!