hst2

When the song ended, everyone erupted into warm applause.

"That was so smooth!"

"Great performance, Uta!"

"You sang like a true idol!"

Uta's voice was like a gift from the heavens. Her rendition of "Fleeting Lullaby" was flawless—so pure, it was beyond what anyone had imagined.

Even Caelan, who rarely had deep emotional reactions, felt the cleansing power of her music for the first time in a long while.

Caelan stared at Uta in awe. She almost seemed to shine with her own light.

No wonder, in the original timeline, she became the most famous singer in the world within two years, with 70% of the global population being fans of her songs. Though still a little immature now, the peerless aura of the red-haired diva was already taking shape.

"Actually… I wasn't that good…"

Uta nervously pinched the hem of her clothes, looking shy.

She had spent the last ten years in Elegia with only her adoptive father, Gordon.

She had never received so much praise all at once.

Now, being recognized by so many companions made her feel genuinely happy.

"There were a few flaws. Come to my room tonight. I'll give you some guidance."

Caelan nodded seriously, wearing the expression of a seasoned music mentor.

A beautiful idol like her needed to be brought to his room… for instruction, of course.

"Really?"

Uta blinked, genuinely surprised.

She had never expected that Caelan possessed musical knowledge.

Naively, she thought he might actually give her some proper feedback.

"Uta, don't listen to him."

Nami glared at Caelan, jealousy evident in her voice.

This guy. The moment she relaxed, he started aiming at someone else.

Just last night, he was still calling her "Sweetie."

"How could you say that? I really do have some thoughts on music."

Caelan put on an innocent look.

Everyone turned to Caelan with curiosity, wondering what his supposed "musical insight" would be.

"For instance, that song would be better if you dropped it by half a tone… and paired it with grade-42 concrete. That way it's chewier when you eat it. Also, before serving…"

"…That's complete nonsense," Vivi said, face darkening.

Robin, Perona, and the others nodded in agreement. They should've known better than to expect anything serious from Caelan. This guy clearly specialized in killing Four Emperors, not in composing symphonies.

"Haha, you figured it out."

Caelan scratched the back of his head, looking completely unbothered.

As long as he wasn't embarrassed, it was the others who'd feel awkward.

"Let's go, Uta!"

Caelan encouraged with a smile.

"Mm!"

Uta snapped out of her thoughts and joyfully began another ballad.

As her beautiful singing voice filled the air, the Wind Rider steadily sailed toward the Sabaody Archipelago.

…

Meanwhile, aboard the Perfume Yuda of the Kuja Pirates.

"It hurts… I… Am I going to die?"

Boa Hancock clutched her chest, her face flushed unnaturally. Her breathing was short, and her expression was one of pain.

Her peerless beauty, already unrivaled in the world, now carried a fragile allure.

"Big Sis! Please hold on!"

Her younger sisters, Sandersonia and Marigold, held her hands tightly, their faces filled with worry.

"What a mess…"

Elder Nyon pounded her chest in frustration, helpless.

She knew all too well what Hancock was experiencing.

It was the infamous Lovesickness—a unique condition of Amazon Lily. A former Empress had died from it.

Another, Shakky, had disappeared because of it.

Even she herself had once been afflicted, surviving only after leaving the island to find the man she loved.

"This sickness only appears when someone truly falls in love and becomes separated from that person. If unresolved, it leads to death by heartbreak."

"But… why would you be sick over a man you've never even met, Hancock?"

Elder Nyon scratched her head, unable to understand.

Sure, the Empresses of Amazon Lily had all been "love-brained" to some degree.

But Hancock's condition was absurd! Just seeing someone in the newspaper was enough to drive her mad with love?

"God-Slayer… Caelan…Alaric"

Hancock clutched her chest and murmured his name.

When Caelan killed two Celestial Dragons, she had felt admiration for him. But she hadn't fallen in love.

That changed with the latest newspaper.

Seeing Caelan in golden armor, radiant like the Sun God… she couldn't stop herself.

She had completely fallen for him.

"Big Sis, please hang in there!"

"We're going to find Caelan soon!"

Sandersonia and Marigold each held one of Hancock's hands, yelling encouragement.

Moved by their words, Hancock's condition stabilized slightly and she fell into a deep sleep.

"Of all the people to fall for, why him?"

Elder Nyon rolled on the deck, nearly crying from anxiety.

God Slayer Caelan!

The man Hancock had fallen for was the one who had killed two Celestial Dragons, the one the World Government had labeled a top threat.

Even Marine Headquarters had suffered multiple humiliating defeats against him.

He was a man standing at the summit of the sea. Even before entering the New World, he had already been recognized as the Fifth Emperor.

If Hancock had fallen for someone else, they might've been able to find or capture him.

But this was Caelan!

Since his debut, he had shown no sympathy toward pirates.

Even two Warlords had already fallen at his hands.

And now, he stood as a direct enemy of the World Government—posing potential danger to Amazon Lily itself.

Not to mention… Caelan himself was an immense danger.

"Accelerate the search. We need to find Caelan as soon as possible!"

Looking at Hancock's weakened expression, Elder Nyon clenched her teeth and gave the order to the warriors of Amazon Lily.

She couldn't just sit by and watch Hancock die.

Hancock wasn't just the pillar of Amazon Lily. She was also her daughter.

It was said that the God Slayer loved two things above all—beauty and money.

On that front, Elder Nyon had full confidence in Hancock's beauty.

Not only that, but she had also prepared a generous dowry of Berries in hopes of impressing Caelan.

"I really hope the rumors are true… that the God Slayer values wealth and women."

Elder Nyon gently caressed Hancock's beautiful face, her eyes full of worry.

(To be continued.)

Special thanks to WickedxRehap for sponsoring this extra chapter 🎉🎉🎉

Chapter 127: My King

A bright sun hung overhead as everyone aboard the Wind Rider trained diligently—including Caelan.

On deck, Caelan held the golden magic spear in his right hand and the famed black sword, Shusui, in his left. The spear was regal and fierce, while the sword was sharp and cold. One long, one short. He wielded both at once.

Though his movements were still a bit clumsy, the power behind them was unmistakable.

"Good. If you refine this more, it can be used in real combat."

"With a weapon in each hand, your combat effectiveness can definitely increase."

After training for over two and a half hours, Caelan was pleased with his progress.

The Lancer-class Heroic Spirit template, Karna, had brought him not just powerful treasures and [Personal Skills], but also exceptional spearmanship.

Even with only 36% synchronization, his spearmanship had reached a level worthy of a master.

It would be a waste not to use it. So—

Caelan decided to merge his swordsmanship with Karna's spearmanship.

In doing so, the massive greatsword he used before no longer suited him. He had asked Tashigi for Shusui, the famed sword they had previously obtained.

Shusui was the sword of Dragon Slayer Shimotsuki Ryuma and was considered a national treasure of Wano Country.

Aside from Mihawk's Black Blade, Yoru, Shusui was the only other black blade in the world.

While not on the same level as the Noble Phantasms obtained from Karna, it was far superior to his old greatsword.

Shusui was just good enough for now.

At some point, the women stopped their own training and began watching Caelan.

"How is it?"

Caelan smiled and asked their thoughts.

"Amazing!"

"You look really cool!"

"It looks super powerful!"

Nami, Robin, Vivi, Perona, Nojiko, and Kalifa all gave glowing reviews.

"Even stronger than Shanks!"

Uta clapped and betrayed her father on the spot.

Caelan basked in the praise, clearly delighted.

Still, most of the girls didn't know much about martial arts. Their praise was based mostly on appearance.

"What about you two?"

Caelan turned toward Tashigi and Gion with a raised brow.

Those two were actively pursuing mastery in swordsmanship.

"Very impressive. Caelan, your spearmanship surpasses my swordsmanship by far."

Tashigi gave her honest opinion, though she couldn't grasp the full depth.

"Both your spearmanship and swordsmanship seem ingrained in your bones, like you were born with them. Though your coordination is still rough, once you refine it, your power will easily double."

Gion's expression was conflicted, but she had to admit it—Caelan was a genius.

She had spent years dedicated solely to the sword and barely reached the level of a top swordsman.

Yet Caelan had not only reached that level in swordsmanship, he was also a spearmaster. And now he was combining the two.

Compared to her, a Marine admiral candidate, Caelan seemed inhuman.

"You really know your stuff."

Caelan grinned and gave Gion a pat on the shoulder. He loved being praised by beauties like Nami and Robin, but hearing recognition from a knowledgeable swordswoman was even more satisfying.

"Tch. Narcissist."

Vivi made a face at him teasingly.

"Vivi, are you challenging me?"

Caelan narrowed his eyes playfully, casting a dangerous look her way.

"I was wrong!"

Vivi shrank back immediately. If Caelan punished her tonight, she wouldn't survive it.

Her reaction drew laughter from the rest of the group.

Just then, a large ship approached, heading straight for the Wind Rider. Its distinctive shape quickly drew everyone's attention.

"That's the Perfume Yuda, the ship of the Warlord Empress."

Robin frowned, recognizing it immediately.

She had once served under Crocodile and was familiar with the other Warlords.

The only female Warlord was someone she had once aspired to be like.

"Pirate Empress? I heard she's the most beautiful woman in the world. I want to see her for myself!"

Perona's eyes sparkled, eager to compare herself to Hancock.

"You? No way. If you want a fair comparison, look at me!"

Gion puffed out her chest proudly. The imposing volume made others turn away in defeat.

In terms of beauty, no woman would admit she was second-best.

"Ugh!"

Perona glared at Gion. Her figure wasn't bad, but compared to everyone else on the ship, she was near the bottom. Even newcomer Uta was a size larger.

"What's she doing here? Looking for a fight?"

Nami frowned in confusion.

After everything they had gone through with Caelan, facing a Warlord was no big deal anymore.

Not to mention Gecko Moria had been following their ship for some time.

"Did she come here for Caelan?"

Vivi muttered, puzzled by the Empress's motive.

"Unlikely. They've never met," Tashigi responded earnestly.

"I was joking," Vivi shot back, rolling her eyes.

Tashigi was just too serious sometimes. Even if Caelan was charming, there was no way a Warlord would be interested in someone she'd never met.

"…"

Caelan remained silent.

In truth, he thought Vivi's guess might be right.

After all, Boa Hancock was famous for being lovestruck.

Maybe when he killed those two Celestial Dragons, he triggered one of her hidden side quests.

"No point speculating. We'll know soon enough."

Robin crossed her arms and said calmly.

"Yeah."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

They turned their eyes toward the Perfume Yuda, eager to see what the most beautiful woman in the world wanted.

Soon, the Wind Rider and the Perfume Yuda met at sea. Walking toward them was Boa Hancock, exuding a regal and commanding aura. She no longer looked ill from lovesickness, but radiant and full of energy.

Following her were a frail, thin old woman and two muscular female warriors.

With the contrast from her companions, Hancock's beauty became even more stunning.

"What a view…"

"She really is the most beautiful woman in the world."

Nami and Robin were both dazzled, sighing in admiration.

"She's amazing!"

Perona pouted but reluctantly admitted Hancock's charm.

"But why isn't Caelan reacting?"

The women aboard the Wind Rider all turned to look at Caelan.

Their captain, who usually had no self-control, was the calmest one here.

Did the Empress not suit his taste?

That couldn't be. This was a beauty who even they felt inferior to.

"She is really beautiful."

Caelan offered a timely sigh, but to the girls, it sounded flat and perfunctory.

To him, Hancock was indeed beautiful, but only slightly above Nami and the others. It wasn't enough to stun him.

Their exaggerated reactions were probably a result of her Love-Love Fruit powers.

But his A-rank Divinity made him immune to such charm-based abilities.

To everyone's surprise, Hancock's cheeks flushed and her lips parted slightly.

"Caelan… are you willing to be my king?"

Question marks popped up above all the girls' heads.

No way...

Was she really here… for Caelan?