Her legs are literally trembling, and you’re telling me you didn’t do a damn thing?
You wanna die?
You think this old man is senile and easy to fool?!
Flushed face, shaky legs, heart pounding.
These symptoms—Rayleigh had seen them countless times in his years of wandering the seas.
Not just seen them—he knew them well.
He’d bet his head on it—this ain’t normal.
That brat definitely did something shady in there!
Just as Rayleigh was about to grab Vir by the collar—BAM!—a Pistol Kiss struck his hand, stopping him mid-motion.
Rayleigh whipped his head around to Hancock.
His eyes were full of disbelief.
But Hancock, at that moment, was glaring at Rayleigh with a hint of anger.
“Rayleigh, I told you not to touch him.” she said, her tone sharp.
Her words left Rayleigh stunned, like he’d been struck by lightning.
That Pistol Kiss barely hurt his body.
But his heart? It took a critical hit, heavy and unmatched.
Rayleigh’s mind was buzzing.
He wanted to say something, but his mouth opened and nothing came out.
Marco, seeing him like this, lost any urge to mock.
Mock when it’s time to mock, but when it’s not, you keep your mouth shut.
Can’t you see old Ray is about to lose it?
Pushing him now?
That’d be like some punk joyrider stealing your princess’s heart—only for her to turn around and scream at you for getting in the way.
Rayleigh’s mood—Marco hadn’t felt it himself, but he could sorta get it.
That brat definitely did something in there. Otherwise, the World’s Most Beautiful Woman wouldn’t be fawning over him like this.
And that face! That fake-innocent look Vir was putting on…
Marco wanted to punch him.
Keep acting, go on, keep it up!
Play dumb all you want!
The facts are right there.
Taking off shoes, weird noises, wobbly legs.
And now this guy claims he did nothing?
Might as well claim that Rayleigh and Marco were a couple!
See if anyone buys that!
Looking at Marco’s resentful stare, Vir was speechless.
And seeing Rayleigh’s dazed look, Vir knew he couldn’t wait any longer.
Uncle Ray had been through enough.
If Hancock said one more thing, he might actually start crying.
And nobody wanted to see that.
But before Vir could speak, Hancock, who’d regained some strength, walked straight over.
She was still a bit weak.
But it didn’t stop her from moving normally.
She brushed past Rayleigh and stopped right in front of Vir.
Her usual icy demeanor melted instantly.
Nervous. Flustered. Almost… shy.
“V-Vir… are you okay?” she stammered.
Her words, and that look, left everyone dumbfounded.
What?!
Everyone’s mind screamed at once.
Hearing this, seeing this scene, they couldn’t believe it.
They couldn’t process it for a second.
What’s going on?
Is this the same lofty Empress they just saw?
How—how did she turn into this all of a sudden?
Is this even reasonable?
That face-switch was way too fast!
The sudden shift nearly gave everyone whiplash.
The impact was just too much.
Marco’s face spasmed.
You come out and ask him if he’s okay?
Lady, we’re the ones who should be asking you that!
What could we possibly do to him?!
You think we’d just eat him or something?!
You really think we’d gobble up just anything?
Meanwhile, Rayleigh—
His whole body shook.
His eyes were full of disbelief.
He stared at Hancock, now acting like a bashful little girl.
Her blushing cheeks, her shy posture…
That careful, nervous attitude—like she was terrified of being disliked by the one she loved…
Rayleigh’s heart took a massive hit.
He never thought he’d see these emotions on Hancock.
He never thought she’d fall for someone—especially this bastard.
That’s right, Rayleigh saw it clear as day…
After a struggle, he let out a heavy sigh.
He slowly closed his eyes.
Like he’d accepted fate.
Like he’d come to terms with it.
Fine, fine.
He’d always worried she’d never find the right partner.
Worried her pure, innocent heart would be betrayed, toyed with.
But now, this guy standing before her.
This doctor named Vir.
Aside from his brutal, life-or-death treatment methods.
He’s… actually pretty damn flawless.
And with this brat’s potential, reaching the top of the world is probably just a matter of time.
Hancock with him? Not a bad deal.
And Vir?
What could he say?
Is he okay?
What could possibly be wrong with him?
His mood was about the same as Marco’s.
He was about to change the subject, check on Hancock’s injury… when Rayleigh walked over.
He slapped a hand on Vir’s shoulder.
Patted it hard.
So hard Vir was shaking.
Then, with a dead-serious look, Rayleigh said, “She’s yours now. Don’t let her down.”
Marco, hearing this, was all envy.
This bastard somehow bagged another girl out of nowhere.
Just like last time.
Always some girl throwing herself at him from who-knows-where.
Last time, he turned down Yamato and Bonney.
He’s not gonna turn down the world’s most beautiful woman this time, right?
If he rejects this—he is dead!
Even her guardian had spoken.
Still gonna pretend you’re innocent, Vir?
After what just happened in that room?
Yamato and Bonney, both standing nearby, were thinking the same thing:
He’s definitely not turning her down.
That Empress was just too gorgeous.
Even as women, they couldn’t resist her charm.
But would Vir do what they expected?
“Rayleigh” Vir said solemnly.
Then—WHACK—he smacked Rayleigh’s shoulder back, harder, sparks of lightning flickering.
“Old man.”
“We won’t need lamps at night anymore.”
“You’re bright enough on your own.”
Vir paused.
Then, pulling his hand back, he looked at Rayleigh calmly and said, “If you’re sweating too much and need some treatment for your stamina, I’m happy to help. Guaranteed results.”
“But other stuff… just shut up.”
Vir was done!
‘She’s over there daydreaming, fine.’
‘But Rayleigh, you old geezer, you’re daydreaming too?’
‘Did you teach her to do that?’
‘What’s this about “she’s yours”?!’
‘Do you even hear yourself!?’
‘Her falling for me’s got nothing to do with me!’
‘You just open your mouth and say “she’s yours”?!’
‘What the hell do you even mean?!’
‘I’m here to treat patients, not collect girlfriends!’
‘You wanna set me up, at least ask if I’m interested!’
‘Why’re you acting like it’s a done deal?!’
After Vir spoke, the whole place went dead quiet.
Only Robin’s lips curled slightly.
She’d seen this coming.
Vir, agree?
The only reason he hadn’t punched Rayleigh was out of respect for a former patient.
This was Vir.
This was their ship’s doctor.
This was—
Robin didn’t finish the thought. She just fixed her gaze quietly on the figure.
—–
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