You can read ahead up to 30 chapters on my patreon and I've also activated (date to date) subscription model on my patreon https://www.patreon.com/marvel6395
Liam felt a twinge of guilt deep in his heart.
As Hancock grew older, her natural, irresistible charm blossomed more and more, becoming increasingly difficult to resist. On top of that, Liam himself was in the throes of puberty, making it even harder for him to withstand her allure.
Of course, it wasn't to an absurd degree. He wasn't about to have hearts popping out of his eyes or fall into a lovestruck daze just from looking at her. The allure of Medusa, an enchantment that enhanced beauty, was likely similar to the effects of the Love-Love Fruit.
But even in the original timeline, Empress Hancock's charm, despite being amplified by her Devil Fruit, wouldn't be enough to leave truly strong individuals helplessly infatuated.
Liam was no different. His composure and willpower far exceeded that of ordinary people.
Yet, even he occasionally found himself distracted by Hancock, who seemed to embody all earthly temptations, which was quite vexing.
'Damn snake witch! Is there no time left for training?'
Liam wasn't Luffy, his head wasn't filled with nothing but rubber. He could only maintain his resolve through verbal teasing and, at times, even a bit of physical mockery… or rather, a disciplined mindset.
If not for that, after spending so many years together, he might have already become this snake's willing subordinate.
And if that happened, training would take a backseat!
After playing around for a bit and thoroughly shattering her goddess-like image, he finally let go.
Hancock's long, jet-black hair was disheveled, and her face was flushed. Panting slightly, she glared at him and declared, "I grant you the honor of challenging me... ugh!"
A large hand suddenly covered her face again, squeezing and kneading.
Liam scoffed, "You're just the empress of a small island. How can you still be so clueless? Hmm? Tell me, who's challenging whom here?"
"Ugh... you challenge... me..."
Hancock's muffled protests were cut off as Liam playfully continued his assault.
…
As Hancock finally departed, Liam suddenly slapped his forehead. "Oh no, I was careless!"
"What?" Robin asked, tilting her head slightly.
"I just said 'we' are leaving. That doesn't sound right," Liam muttered, rubbing his chin. "After all, someone here is the Princess of Amazon Lily. She might not want to just up and leave to roam the Grand Line with me!"
Hearing this, Robin raised a hand, and delicate petals formed from Liam's shoulders, transforming into two small arms that gently tugged at his cheeks.
"Speak properly," Robin chided. "Stop being so dramatic."
Liam stuck out his tongue before grinning and placing his hands on her shoulders. "So… are we going together, then?"
Robin didn't resist. She brushed a few loose strands of hair aside, her gaze drifting toward the vast, serene sea beyond the dense jungle. In a soft voice, she murmured, "Even if you choose to stay, I have to leave..."
In the past, she had been too young, focused only on survival. While in the West Blue, evading the relentless pursuit of the World Government had been a necessity. But after coming to Amazon Lily with Liam, the island's stability meant there was no need to constantly be on the run.
However, as she matured and grew stronger, the burden of Ohara's tragedy and her mission to uncover the truth of history loomed ever larger. She had to leave this place.
Not necessarily for the Grand Line, but for the world beyond.
Whether Liam was by her side or not…
As that thought crossed her mind, she hesitated, unwilling to dwell on it.
"This island is the ultimate trap. The longer we stay, the harder it is to leave!" Liam lamented. "If we don't get out soon, we might never escape! And I still have my own truth to chase!"
B.I.B.'s hand landed on Liam's shoulder once more, silently reminding him: No one understands you...
Liam and his Stand both turned to Robin.
Robin simply smiled.
Didn't I have a copy of 'Journey to the West' on the bookshelf in Stand City? Liam waved his hands dismissively, laughing. "Sister Robin, whether you understood me or not, don't tell me! Ha ha! I don't wanna know."
"I wasn't planning to say anything," Robin replied, shooting him a knowing, playful glance.
…
Meanwhile, upon hearing that Giorno was about to duel her elder sister, Sandersonia and Marigold hurried to watch, dragging Bonney along to prevent her from slipping away.
Though Bonney didn't serve any immediate purpose, their elder sister had never mentioned letting her go. And so, as her loyal younger siblings, Sandersonia and Marigold naturally took it upon themselves to keep a close eye on the captive, for their sister's sake.
Sonia, transformed into a flying azure serpent, carried Mari while holding Bonney, soaring over the city walls.
By the time they reached a clearing in the woods, Giorno and Hancock were already facing off. Princess Jolyne, seeing them arrive, closed the book she was reading and smiled. "It's about to begin."
Liam and Hancock had fought many times before.
However, their previous bouts were mostly training sessions and playful sparring. This time, Hancock was serious, she wanted a real battle against Giorno!
They couldn't afford to miss this. At last, they would witness their elder sister unleash the full power of the Love-Love Fruit, and just how strong Giorno truly was!
Whoosh...
Leaves scattered between Liam and Hancock.
Though the leaves danced in the air, there was no wind, after all, this was the Calm Belt.
"Medusa's gaze is a real hassle," Liam muttered with a troubled expression. "If I meet your eyes, I'll be turned to stone instantly and lose before the fight even starts… If only there were a way to battle without looking at you! Hmm… Kenbunshoku Haki (Observation Haki)?"
"..." Hancock remained silent. Was Giorno really considering closing his eyes and using Kenbunshoku Haki to fight? Did he think so little of her? He wasn't that naive.
Sure enough, Liam shook his head. Using Kenbunshoku Haki alone might work against someone unskilled in Haki, but against a master like Hancock? That was wishful thinking. In terms of Kenbunshoku Haki, they were nearly equal.
Watching from the sidelines, Sandersonia murmured, "Can Medusa's gaze even be used in this duel?"
Marigold frowned. "How can they even fight like this?"
To her, her elder sister's petrifying gaze was absolute, one look and it was over.
How could there be a fair duel?
"Ah, I have an idea!" Liam suddenly relaxed his body and lowered his eyelids.
Robin, standing nearby, smiled knowingly. "He can fight with his eyes closed. In fact… he doesn't even need to fight personally."
A pitch-black, ghostly figure emerged from Liam's body, encasing him in a spectral armor.
Clank!
A dark mask covered his face, and a pair of narrow, glowing eyes fixed their gaze on Hancock.
Medusa's gaze had no effect on B.I.B.
Hancock could only harm it using Haki, Devil Fruit abilities were useless against it.
Sandersonia and Marigold were momentarily confused, but once they sensed Giorno's presence through Kenbunshoku Haki, realization struck.
"Wait, this is possible too?!"
On second thought, Princess Jolyne often fought using the same ghostly figure. They had simply overlooked the fact that Giorno could do the same, after all, that entity was originally his. He was the true master of that ghostly armor.
Now, Giorno could keep his eyes closed and fight freely, without worrying about Hancock's petrifying gaze!
B.I.B. moved its limbs, adjusting to its form. Beneath the mask, Liam smirked. "So, are we good to go now?"
Hancock frowned. "I want to fight you!"
"It is me," Liam replied.
The armor, merged with Liam, echoed his words. "I am him."
"I don't care! I want to fight 'you'!" Hancock pouted in frustration. Her snake-like hair slithered through the air, and with Medusa fully manifesting, a sinister allure flickered across her face.
Liam sighed, dismissing B.I.B. He now stood beside his spectral counterpart, forming a triangle with Hancock. "Fine, then let it assist me. I can't look directly at you, or I'll be handicapped."
"Two against one? How shameless!" Hancock chided.
"I already told you, it's a part of me…" Liam rubbed his temples. "Would you say your hands and feet don't belong to you? Isn't your Love-Love Fruit part of who you are?"
"I don't care!"
"Hey, don't be unreasonable."
"When have I 'ever' been reasonable?"
"...That's actually a fair point," Liam conceded. "You fairy! First, you don't want this, then you don't want that. What 'do' you want?"
The spectators had braced themselves for an intense battle, only to watch Liam and Hancock bicker like children. Bonney, in particular, was stunned. But what truly left her speechless was the sight of the usually domineering Hancock wearing an expression of playful innocence! Was this really the same Hancock she knew?
"At worst..." Hancock bit her lip, her eyes shimmering. "I just won't use Medusa's gaze."
Heh. That worked for her just fine!
If Medusa's gaze was enough to make Giorno cower, he wasn't worth her time… But of course, she would never admit that.
Snap!
Liam snapped his fingers and lunged forward, grinning. "Then what are we waiting for? Bring it on!"
(End Of This Chapter)