Cutting Loose

Luffy and Hancock rode the Karros until the sun started to set.

"Looks like our first day here is over."

Hancock said as she watched the sunset with her arms around Luffy's waist.

"It was an exciting day! I had a lot of fun!"

Luffy grinned from ear to ear.

"It's time to go back now."

Luffy nodded and turned the Karros around. They arrived at the shores and gave the reins back to Luka.

"So do you two want to go back now?"

Caria asked the two. Luffy nodded.

"I'm beat. Kinda hungry too."

(Hungry? After how much he ate at the Mayor's manor?)

Caria looked at Luffy again.

(Where does the food go?)

"If you're going back then I'll see you guys later."

Luka cut off her thoughts.

"Where are you going? The orphanage?"

Luka nodded.

"The Sheriff said he wanted to meet with Tate tonight so he can't watch the kids. The brats won't be able to sleep if neither he nor I aren't there."

"I see. Then, later."

"Yeah."

Luka glanced at Luffy and Hancock and gave them a nod before leaving with the Karros.

"Alright, I'm going to take you back to where you were staying. Is that okay with you?"

The two nodded and they left with Caria.

"I know I asked if you're ready to go home but are you going to end the date here?"

Caria asked them as they walked through the bustling town in the night.

"Then what do you suggest?"

Hancock asked.

"Since you're hungry you could visit a tavern. I know one that got great food and beer."

"Oh, that sounds fun!"

Luffy was eager.

"Why are you helping us have a good time?"

Hancock on the other hand was suspicious.

"It's nothing complicated. You two are strong, so if you end up staying on the island you might become top-tier Bounty Hunter, in other words, my colleagues. Since that's a possibility, we might go out on jobs together. So, I thought it would be better to develop a good relationship rather than be standoffish."

"....I don't understand what you're saying but basically you want to be friends?"

"Basically."

"Great!"

Luffy started patting her shoulders. Hancock's face immediately soured.

"Uh, thanks but I think it's better you touch her only."

"Huh? Why would I only touch Hancock?"

"Because it makes her--"

"It's alright."

Hancock cut her off.

"I'm not a jealous woman."

Boa Hancock lied as naturally as she breathed.

"I don't really get it but the way how I touch Hancock is different than how I touch everybody else."

Hancock's face became flushed. Caria's eyes widened.

"So you two have gotten that far?"

She started blushing along with Hancock. The two walked in silence as Luffy looked back and forth at them.

"What are you talking about?"

"Nothing, it's not my business to pry into."

Caria's answer just made Luffy more confused.

(I was just saying I touch everyone differently....)

He thought. Caria brought them to a tavern named Jasmine's. Inside was crowded and noisy from people enjoying themselves.

"Ah, Lady Caria."

A waitress approached them.

"A table for three please."

"Okay, we'll prepare your usual seat."

"No, we would like somewhere a bit more private."

She leaned closer to the waitress and whispered into her ear.

"Oh my."

The waitress looked at Luffy and Hancock a bit before giving them a thumbs up.

"You two look amazing together."

She then walked away.

"This island is filled with sensible people! I promise to protect it as long as I'm here!"

Hancock was fired up. The waitress came back and led them to a table on the second floor of the tavern. They were able to oversee everyone below them. She then gave them three menus.

"Since you're castaways I'm sure you don't have money, so I'll pay for you."

"Really? Man, you're a really good guy huh?!"

Luffy's eyes sparkled as he scanned the menu. RIP wallet.

"If you two don't mind me asking, just how did you two meet?"

Caria asked after giving her order.

"Oh, I was sent to her island by a bear."

Luffy answered.

"A bear?"

"Yup, she tried to kill me but we became good friends after."

"Enemies to Lovers?!"

Caria's eyes lit up.

"Who fell first?"

"Fell?"

Luffy thought about the first time he met Hancock. He had crashed through her roof and landed in her bath.

"I guess I fell first."

"Oh!"

Caria looked at Hancock and gave her thumbs up. She looked away with a red face.

"So how long have you two known each other?"

"Two years."

"Really that's not a long time."

Hancock stood up a bit flustered.

"It's not a long time but I feel like I've known him all my life! He's seen parts of me nobody has!"

"Oh!"

Caria placed her hands over her mouth after what Hancock said.

"What a bold statement."

(What's with this girl?....The way she talks reminds me of talking to the girls on Amazon Lily. She makes me flustered and want to say things I wouldn't say in front of Luffy....Wait, could she be a sucker for romance?!)

Caria's eyes were bright and had hearts in them.

(I'm right! I gotta change the topic before I say something I shouldn't in front of Luffy!)

Luffy had stopped listening to their conservation a long time ago and was busy telling the waitress what he wanted to eat. By the way, the waitress was immersed in Hancock and Caria's conversation.

"Caria, you said you wanted to cut down all swordsman pirates? Can you tell me why?"

Hancock attempted to change the subject.

"It's nothing special. You've heard of Wano, right? There was an old man who came from there here. He thought me swordsmanship despite not being that great at it himself. He would always complain about pirates posing as swordsmen and how they were a disgrace. He got sick and died a few years ago. On his dying bed, he asked me to cleanse the world of those frauds and I accepted."

Caria spoke with a look of nostalgia on her face.

"I have to admit though, I believe he was right. After walking down the path of the sword myself, I learned how beautiful swordplay can be. So those using something that beautiful to commit heinous crimes deserve death."

(There's a lot of conviction in her eyes.)

Hancock thought.

"Anyway, forget about me and my boring backstory."

Caria leaned over the table.

"Tell me more about you guys. Like what your first date was like or what plans you have for the future together?

(Tsk, I failed to change the topic!)

Hancock frowned.

(Is this how Granny feels when she's around me and the other girls when we're talking about Luffy? I'm starting to understand, Granny!)

Later into the night, the tavern became rowdy.

"Alright, alright! Everyone make your bets!"

The waitress was standing in front of a table in the center of the tavern. A massive crowd formed around the table. Luffy sat at the table with a burly man sitting across from him.

"Are you betting on the local arm-wrestling champ, Arm Snapper Kenny or the young man who just won 24 arm wrestling matches in a row, Lucia?! Make your bets!"

"10K Berries on Kenny!"

"30K on the kid!"

The crowd started aggressively placing their bets as Luffy and Kenny eyed each other. Meanwhile, Hancock was on the second floor observing everything.

"Look at him having fun without me on our date..."

In front of her were several empty mugs and a barely conscious Caria who was drinking with a red face. Hancock's face was flushed too.

"I mean I love it when he's having fun but I wish he were having fun with me..."

She lay her head on the table.

"Now I sound like a clingy woman."

"What's wrong with being clingy? It's just proof you love them."

Caria took another drink of her beer.

"But I can get not wanting to come off as annoying. However, doesn't it depends on your partner? What you think they'll consider annoying might not be."

"No, I will be annoying. I'm just that type of person."

Hancock sat up to drink more.

"It sounds like you're too scared to lose him and are subconsciously limiting yourself."

"Why are you so wise for a 19-year-old?"

"I was raised by old people."

Caria laughed.

"Anyway, Hanson. You and Lucia really seem like a great fit, like you two really complement each other. That's why I'm certain he will never hate you for wanting to be closer to him."

"...To be honest, I already know he wouldn't hate me. It's just baseless fear on my part but I can't help it."

"Well, I think as long as you two stay together you'll eventually get rid of your fear."

Caria lifted her mug.

"To you two having a relationship of eternal love!"

Hancock smiled and the two hit their mugs together before chugging their drinks.

"Alright, the bets are in! Everybody, let's get this started!"

The crowd cheered as the waitress shouted. Luffy and Kenny placed their elbows on the table and clasped hands.

"Ready....Go!"

Luffy and Kenny poured strength into their arms. Kenny's eyes widened as his arm started to bend towards him. Before he could process what was going on a loud thud reached his ears and pain run up his arm. His arm was pinned to the table.

"We have a new champion!"

The waitress lifted Luffy's arm and declared. The crowd cheered and cried as Luffy's laugh rang out.

"So, he won. Well, that's to be expected."

Hancock mumbled. She looked at him for a bit before grinning. She stood up.

"What are you going to do?"

Caria asked while trying to keep her eyes open.

"I just had a great idea."

Hancock jumped over the railing and landed on the first floor next to Luffy.

"Oh, Han--"

Luffy stopped talking when Hancock held his face. She pulled his face towards hers and locked lips. As if lightning ran through everybody there, eyes widen, jaws dropped, and hair stood up. After a few seconds, Hancock moved Luffy's face back.

"Congrats on winning."

She spoke with a flirtatious look and a sweet voice. She then lifted her arms in the air.

"I did it! I finally kissed him!"

"OOOOOHHHHHH!!!!!!!"

The tavern shook as cheers rained down on Hancock. She laughed gleefully as her eyes spun in her head.

"I can't believe she did that..."

Caria mumbled as she watched Hancock wrap her arms around the shoulders of a confused Luffy. After a few seconds, he shook it off and started celebrating with everybody else.

"Well, it looks like he doesn't mind it. Hanson will regret it once she sobers up though."

She grinned and took another drink.

"Alright!"

She slammed the mug on the table and jumped on top of the railing.

"Listen up everybody, it's a joyous day so let's party non-stop! All drinks on the mayor's tab!"

"OOOOOHHHH!"

The tavern shook again.

"Can I get a chant for Mayor Tate for his generosity?!"

"Tate! Tate! Tate! Tate!"

Caria laughed with her arms spread as her consciousness blurred in and out.

Some hours later, the sun rose on the island. Inside the tavern was a sea of people passed out on the floor.

"Hehehehe."

The waitress was sitting on the bar counter counting money with a wide grin on her face. Hancock was passed out slumped over a railing on the second floor. Caria was knocked out on a heap of drunk bodies she would occasionally step on. Hancock's body swayed and fell off the railing.

"Whoa there."

Luffy caught her before she hit the ground.

"Good catch."

He turned his head and saw Frantz picking up Caria. He threw her on his shoulder.

"Kelly called me to come and pick you guys up."

He pointed at the waitress who waved the money in her hand.

"I'll show you guys where the house is."

"Thanks."

Luffy smiled and threw Hancock over his shoulder. The two left the tavern and started walking down the streets as they basked in the morning sun.

"So did you have fun?"

Frantz asked. Luffy showed him a big grin and nodded.

"I had a blast."