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"This level of power is still just a prototype? Are there more forms?"
Inside the laboratory—
Hancock curiously took the golden staff from Shaka. The moment she held it, she felt its unexpected weight.
While not impossibly heavy, it was definitely not something an ordinary person could wield easily.
As she examined the beautifully crafted staff, which looked more like an exquisite piece of art, her eyes filled with wonder. "Unbelievable! I can't even figure out how it transformed into that spiked club form, let alone the Gatling gun mode!"
"For now, I've only completed these two forms, but there's more to come..."
Shaka smiled and continued, "The next few forms are a bit more complicated, but in about two days, they should be finished."
As he spoke, he walked over to a table full of delicious, fragrant dishes.
He gestured towards Hancock and invited her. "Want to join me?"
"Two more days...?"
Hancock froze on the spot.
She stared at Shaka, seemingly not hearing anything else he had said.
Did that mean he might leave in two days?
"Hancock?"
Seeing her dazed expression, Shaka raised an eyebrow and called her softly.
Using his unique Observation Haki, he instantly caught the emotions swirling in Hancock's heart.
The corners of his lips curled up ever so slightly—he wasn't surprised at all.
There was no way he would let the world's most beautiful woman slip through his fingers so easily.
If he hadn't been playing the long game to win her over, he would have lost control a long time ago. After a whole year without eating meat, coming to Amazon Lily had been quite the test of his patience.
The fact that she had let her guard down and developed feelings for him so quickly? That was no accident.
Though he hadn't outright brainwashed her, he had subtly influenced her thoughts, leaving an imprint of himself in her heart—one that she wouldn't be able to erase.
A moment later, Hancock snapped back to reality.
She forced a smile and approached him. "You go ahead. I've already eaten."
"Do you also have bad menstrual cramps?"
Shaka asked casually as he started devouring his food.
He glanced at her with a knowing look. "One of your warriors, Kikyo, came to me for treatment earlier…"
"If you don't mind, I can help you too."
"After all, I'll be leaving in two days."
Hancock didn't actually dislike him.
Otherwise, she wouldn't have been so easily affected by his presence.
But since he wasn't planning on staying on Amazon Lily for long, he figured he should make his move now—before someone else swooped in and took his place.
Yes, he was talking about you, Nika.
['I'll be leaving in two days…']
Shaka's words echoed in Hancock's mind, making her chest tighten.
She felt inexplicably restless.
"Kikyo, huh?"
Pushing aside her tangled emotions, Hancock gazed at the man in front of her, who was enjoying his meal so freely.
A flicker of reluctance and admiration flashed through her eyes.
She took a deep breath, feeling strangely shaken.
"Yeah, I can tell. You have a similar issue, and it seems pretty severe."
Shaka nodded, taking a bite of roasted meat.
He smiled gently at her. "But the treatment involves a bit of physical contact. If you're okay with that, I can help."
"Otherwise, you'll just have to endure the pain every month."
"This… Alright."
Hancock hesitated for a moment but eventually nodded. She didn't doubt his medical skills.
And truthfully, her cramps had been tormenting her for years.
Even when she was in excruciating pain, as the Empress of the Kuja, she had to pretend everything was fine—whether leading her warriors into battle or walking around Amazon Lily.
Every month, she had no choice but to grit her teeth and push through.
"Thanks for the meal!"
Half an hour later—
With a satisfied stomach, Shaka led Hancock into a private room.
Outside, his two animal companions—White Dragon the panda and Sameiro the giant snake—remained behind.
"Huh? I have to take it off?"
A moment later, Hancock stared at him in shock.
Her expression turned skeptical.
"Don't misunderstand. It's just that clothes will get in the way. It'll make the massage more effective."
Shaka remained calm. "Besides, acupuncture and cupping therapy are part of the treatment."
Hancock had been kidnapped as a child but was rescued before she was sold at the slave auction.
Though the experience left her with a deep distrust of men, she didn't carry any traumatic physical scars.
And unlike the Kuja warriors who had never seen men before, Hancock had spent time in the outside world and had a general understanding of relationships.
"Of course, if you're uncomfortable, I can blindfold myself."
Shaka shrugged. "With my experience, I don't need to see to find the right acupuncture points."
His specialized Observation Haki made techniques like pulse diagnosis and blindfolded acupuncture effortless.
"That's not necessary. You're a doctor—just do what you need to."
Hancock bit her lip and nodded.
Her usual cold, proud demeanor softened considerably.
As she unfastened her elegant white qipao and exposed her flawless back, Shaka felt his self-control slipping.
Even though he had just finished an intense training session with Kikyo earlier in the day—teaching her new combat techniques—his blood still surged at the sight before him.
Hancock's snow-white skin was mesmerizing.
It would be a crime not to do cupping therapy on such a perfect back.
"Can we start?"
The world's most beautiful woman lay down quietly, her face flushed red.
Her voice trembled slightly.
Even though she wasn't facing him, she could feel his heated gaze sweeping over her body.
Strangely, she didn't find it repulsive—unlike with other men.
Unlike the naive Kuja warriors who had never seen men before, Hancock had lived on Sabaody and had been exposed to the realities of the world.
She knew what was happening.
She also knew this man was leaving soon.
And even though she was fully aware of his flirtatious nature, she couldn't stop the ache in her heart.
For the first time, she understood why Elder Gloriosa had left the throne behind and abandoned Amazon Lily all those years ago.
She had never understood it before.
But now? She was beginning to.
That was why, even though she suspected his true intentions, she didn't hesitate to accept his treatment.
"Yes, we can start…"
Shaka took a deep breath, pushing down the fire surging within him.
Suppressing the urge to just go for it, he began the massage with practiced precision.
"Damn… the feel of this… absolutely unreal…"
Her smooth, delicate skin was unlike anything he had ever touched.
"Relax, Hancock. Don't be so tense."
He smiled gently, coaxing her to loosen up.
"Mmm… it actually feels really nice…"
At first, she was stiff with nervousness.
But as his expert hands worked their magic, her body relaxed.
Lying there with her eyes half-closed, she sighed in pleasure. "No wonder the others are so obsessed with you…"
By the end of the session, she felt lighter than ever.
And completely, utterly at ease.
"....."