Entanglement

At the Kuja's temporary residence, Elder Nyon was with the girls in the living room. They sat in front of a Transponder Snail.

"That's everything that happened today."

She said.

"Do you want us to meet you on the island? It sounds like the situation could get a bit tense."

Sandersonia's voice came from the snail.

"No, Snake Princess has other plans. So stay on standby unless we send a distress call."

"Understood."

"Granny..."

Mariegold's voice came from the snail.

"Yes."

"How's our sister and Luffy's relationship coming along? Is there any progress?"

Elder Nyon smiled.

"About that..."

Above them, Luffy and Hancock were inside a bedroom together. Hancock was sitting on the bed topless with Luffy behind her.

"Hmm..."

He pressed a statoscope on her bare back with a serious expression.

"Mhm."

He nodded and moved it to another section of her back.

"Hmmm..."

He nodded again and moved it to another section.

"I see."

He moved the statoscope away from her back.

"I have no idea what this thing does."

He threw it away with a frown.

"You can put your shirt back on, Hancock. Thanks for stripping."

"No problem. Whenever you want me to strip just say the word."

Hancock put on her shirt and buttoned it up.

"I don't really get it. Why were you on the verge of dying earlier? You seem fine to me."

"I-I don't know. Maybe it's something internal?"

"Ha~!"

Luffy threw himself back on the bed while letting out an exaggerated sigh.

"This doctor stuff is hard. Chopper is amazing to make it look easy."

Hancock quickly turned around and crawled over to Luffy.

"Don't give up, Luffy! I'm sure if you give it your all you'd make a great doctor!"

She shook her head.

"You can be the world's best doctor if you put your mind too!"

Luffy would become the real Surgeon of Death if he became a doctor.

"Wait a second."

Hancock came off the bed and picked up something off the floor. It was a roll of bandages.

"How about you try wrapping me in bandages again?"

"Are you sure? I'm probably going to just tie you up again."

"That's fine. I don't mind being tied up by you."

"I see."

Luffy took the bandages with a big smile.

"Alright, let's give it another shot."

Elsewhere, Tate, Felix, and the boys paid a visit to Frantz's room after leaving the Sea Guards.

"Geh!"

Frantz showed visible disgust upon seeing them.

"Why are you here?"

His eyes landed on Astrid.

"I want to know the same thing."

Astrid sat on a chair in the corner with a frown.

"I wouldn't have visited an ugly thing like you if I could."

"Then leave. Better yet, just hurry up and leave."

Frantz fired back.

"Such attitude after I saved you when you begged for your life. Ugly on the inside and the outside I see."

"What do you mean you "saved me", you sea orchid?"

"I applied first aid, didn't I?"

"First aid? You literally poured salt in my wounds and wrapped me up with a piece of cloth! A dirty one if I must add!"

"You hideously stupid thing. I disinfected your wounds before stopping the bleeding. It's medicine 101."

"Was it also medicine 101 to slap me repeatedly when "treating" me?!"

Veins stood up in Frantz's neck and head as he glared at Astrid with bloodshot eyes. Astrid merely shrugged and spoke with a carefree tone.

"I needed you to stay awake, so a little shock was necessary."

"You damn clown fish!"

"C-Clown fish?!"

Astrid stood up so fast he kicked over his seat.

"How dare you compare my magnificent self to those hideous creatures?!"

"You're right, it was rude....to the clown fish."

"You bastard!"

Astrid coated his arms in armament. Frantz formed a crystal cannon at his missing arm.

"Bring it! I'll make fish fillets out of you!"

Tate and Felix took a seat near the door while Luka and Jessie watched on.

"Enough, you idiots!"

The door burst open and Caria came in shouting.

"This is a hospital! Stop making a ruckus!"

"You're causing a ruckus yourself, Car--"

Tate stopped talking when he felt a blade pressed against his throat.

"Fair enough."

He nodded and kept quiet. Frantz and Astrid backed down clicking their tongues.

"Frantz, relax. You're still injured after all."

Felix spoke up.

"Yes, Sheriff."

Frantz got rid of his cannon and lay down. Astrid deactivated his haki.

"I can't believe you two are still carrying a grudge over a stupid argument."

Jessie burst out laughing.

"It's not a stupid argument!"

Frantz pointed at Astrid.

"That arrogant bastard actually said he's more beautiful than Boa Hancock!"

"Hmph. I merely spoke the truth."

"You're delusional! Hancock is a matchless beauty! You can't compare!"

"That woman is overrated. I can confirm after meeting her she pales to me in every way."

"Blasphemy!"

Frantz stood up again.

"She got better hair, better face, prettier eyes, and a heavenly voice to match! You're a bottom-feeder in comparison!"

Astrid punched out. His fist was blocked by Caria's blades.

"If you attack him his wounds will open up."

Her eyes became cold.

"Attack again and you'll lose an arm like him."

"What?"

The two started glaring at each other.

"Enough!"

A burst of haki spread through the room and hit everyone. They turned their attention to Jessie.

"I can overlook playful banter, but I won't overlook threatening each other's lives."

His eyes narrowed as more haki flowed and caused the room to tremble.

"Don't push me."

Caria sheathed her swords and Astrid stepped down.

"Jessie is right. It's alright to get a bit heated but never get too serious against each other."

Tate spoke up. He looked at Astrid.

"There's nothing wrong in believing you're the most beautiful, but don't mock others for not agreeing with you."

He then looked at Frantz.

"It's fine to defend those you admire but don't cross the line and shove your beliefs down others' throats. Do you two understand?"

"Yes, Sir."

Astrid and Frantz answered at the same time. Tate nodded.

(The reason Astrid was able to identify Hancock in an instant is because he firmly believes only she can rival him in beauty. Ironically, that arrogance worked in his favor.)

Tate thought while sighing.

"I just want to say, keep the Hancock insults to a minimum for a while."

Caria said to Astrid.

"You...So you knew as well?"

"I only found out recently, but I'm on that side for now."

"...Is that so?"

Astrid clicked his tongue.

".....?"

"I don't know what they're talking about either."

Luka said to Jessie when he looked to him for answers. Felix clapped and drew everyone's attention to him.

"Now you've all calmed down, Let's discuss what needs to be done going forward."

He pointed at Frantz.

"With Frantz's injury, we're down to an important war asset. To fill this void, I will now be taking a more vanguard role if the island is attacked again. I'll be upfront and center. Luka and Caria will fill in my position as the final line to the non-combatants. Any objections?"

He looked at Tate.

"None on my part."

"Good."

He nodded.

"Then, tomorrow will be a funeral and after, a feast to celebrate the lives of the fallen."

Tate spoke up.

"All are invited, including the castaways."

"I heard they helped fight off the invaders."

Tate nodded at Felix.

"They have the potential to become valuable assets in the future."

"....We'll see about that."

"Are you talking about those guys we met on the shore? They seemed pretty strong. I would like to fight them one day."

Jessie spoke with haki overflowing with excitement.

"Calm your Haki man!"

Frantz complained.

"My bad."

Jessie laughed awkwardly.

"Anyway, I want you all to try to get along with them. The more strong allies we have the better."

Tate wore a huge smile on his face. Felix silently side-eyed him with his hands folded.

Meanwhile, Elder Nyon went upstairs to check on Luffy and Hancock. As she was about to knock on the door, she heard voices.

"Hancock, lift your leg and turn that way."

"?!"

She practically flung herself on the door to listen.

"Like this, Luffy?"

"No, turn the other way. I want it tighter."

"Like this?"

"Yeah, that's perfect! How does it feel?"

"It feels great because you're the one doing it!"

"Really? I guess I must be a natural."

(A natural?! What are those two doing in there?!)

Elder Nyon screamed in her head.

"Do you want more bandages, Hancock?"

(Bandages?)

"Yeah, I'm sure it would feel even better."

Elder Nyon's eyes became bloodshot.

(What kind of freaky play is going on in there?! This new generation is something else!)

Inside, Luffy was standing over Hancock with rolls of bandages in his hands. Hancock, who was pretty much a mummy at this point, had the biggest smile on her face.

(I'm getting entangled with Luffy! This is the best day of my life!)