Chapter 40: "Parting Paths, Promised Returns"

The midday sun filtered through the windows of Shakky's Rip-Off Bar, casting long shadows across the worn wooden floor. William, Rayleigh, and the Boa sisters sat together, their plates cleared from breakfast, but the conversation at the table had just begun. The air was filled with anticipation and tension, as they discussed the next step in their journey.

Rayleigh leaned back in his chair, arms crossed over his chest. "We're going to need a proper place to train, somewhere far from prying eyes. I know the perfect location—an island called Rusukaina. It's in the Calm Belt, surrounded by Sea Kings. The conditions there are tough, and it's the perfect place to push you all beyond your limits."

William nodded. "Rusukaina? Sounds like a fun place."

Hancock, Sandersonia, and Marigold exchanged glances, a silent conversation passing between them. Finally, it was Sandersonia who spoke up. "Before we start the training, we want to visit Amazon Lily. It's been years since we've seen our home."

William's eyes softened as he met their gazes. He understood their desire to return to Amazon Lily, even if just for a short time. The weight of the past hung heavy on all of them, and reconnecting with their homeland was something they needed. "Of course," William said, his voice gentle. "You should see your home. We can meet up after."

Hancock, who had been quietly watching the conversation, suddenly sat up straight, her eyes widening in realization. "Wait... If we're going to Amazon Lily... Where are you going?" Her voice trembled slightly, betraying the concern beneath her usual confidence.

William turned to her, his gaze steady. "I need to head to West Blue for a while."

"West Blue?" Hancock echoed, her brow furrowing. "But why?"

"I'm going to find someone—Nico Robin," William said, his voice firm but calm. "She's my family too, just like you."

The moment he mentioned Robin's name, Hancock's expression shifted from concern to panic. Her mind raced, and before anyone could say anything, she let out a dramatic scream and flopped onto the couch, her hand pressed to her forehead. "No! No! You're abandoning me for her!" she wailed, her voice full of exaggerated despair.

William blinked in confusion, watching as Hancock rolled on the couch, lost in her melodramatic daydream. Her imagination was already spinning wild tales of him sailing away with Robin, leaving her behind. Sandersonia and Marigold sighed, clearly used to their sister's antics, but William looked utterly baffled by her sudden outburst.

"Hancock..." William began, standing from his chair and walking over to her.

Hancock's eyes were wide, her lip trembling as she looked up at him with a dramatic pout. "You're leaving me! I knew it! You've found someone else!"

Before she could spiral any further into her daydreams, William gently took her by the arm and guided her to sit upright. Then, with surprising tenderness, he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into his lap, making her sit across his legs. Hancock's breath hitched in surprise, and her cheeks flushed a deep red.

"William!" Hancock's voice was breathless, caught between embarrassment and flustered excitement as she sat in his lap. "What... What are you doing?"

William looked at her with a soft smile, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "What's wrong, Hancock? Why are you acting like this?"

Hancock, her face still crimson, looked up at him with teary eyes. "You... You're going to abandon me for her, aren't you? You'll leave me behind and run off with Nico Robin..."

William's expression softened further, and with a small chuckle, he tapped her forehead with his finger. "Silly girl," he said gently. "I'm not abandoning you for anyone. I'm just going to bring Robin so she can be with us too."

Hancock's heart skipped a beat at his words, her face flushing even deeper. "Y-You promise?"

William leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. "I promise, Hancock. I'll be back soon, and I'm not leaving you."

The kiss sent Hancock into a flustered spiral, her face turning a shade of red that matched the setting sun. She blinked rapidly, trying to process what had just happened. Before she could regain her composure, she realized she was still sitting in William's lap.

Her mind raced, and in typical Hancock fashion, she descended into yet another daydream. This time, she was imagining their wedding—her in a beautiful gown, William waiting for her at the altar. Her heart raced, and smoke practically started coming out of her head as she buried her face in his chest, trying to hide her blushing cheeks.

William, gently stroked her back, more concerned with calming her down than anything else. Sandersonia, sitting across from them, gave him a knowing smile. "Looks like you've got your hands full, William."

He looked at her with a playful smirk. "You don't say?"

The room fell into a comfortable silence, with Hancock still lost in her thoughts, hiding her face in William's chest. Marigold and Sandersonia exchanged amused glances, while Shakky watched the scene from the bar with a smile.

After a few moments, Hancock finally peeked up at William, her eyes still glistening with tears but a faint smile on her lips. "You really promise you'll come back?"

William nodded, his hand resting on her shoulder. "I'll be back before you know it."

Hancock's smile widened, though she was still blushing furiously. She nodded in agreement before quickly hiding her face again, unable to maintain eye contact with William.

With Hancock now more at ease, William gently stood up, helping her to her feet as well. She swayed slightly, still in her own world, and William had to steady her by placing a hand on her shoulder. "You're really something else," he muttered under his breath with a chuckle.

Rayleigh, who had been observing quietly from the corner, finally cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention. "Well, it seems like the course is set. The three of you"—he gestured to the Boa sisters—"will go to Amazon Lily, while William heads to West Blue."

William nodded, the plan now firmly in place. "We'll meet again on Rusukaina. That's where the real training will begin."

Rayleigh smiled, his eyes glinting with anticipation. "Just remember, that island isn't going to be easy. The conditions are harsh, and the creatures there won't be kind. But if you can survive, you'll come out stronger."

"We'll survive," William said confidently, his gaze unwavering.

Shakky, who had been quietly cleaning the bar, looked over at the group with a smile. "You kids have quite the journey ahead of you."

The mood lightened as they began to prepare for their respective departures. William and the Boa sisters would part ways temporarily, but their bonds had grown even stronger through everything they had endured together.

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