JACK POV
Jack quietly studied Hancock expression. No matter how closely he looked, he couldn't find any trace of the admiration she had once shown towards Luffy in the original story.
She didn't blush whenever Luffy spoke, nor did her eyes follow his every movement. In fact, she treated him much like she treated Ace and Sabo, as nothing more than Jack's companions.
A faint smile appeared on Jack face. This confirmed that Luffy and Hancock would never become a couple in this world. Even in the original timeline, their relationship had always been one-sided. Hancock might have loved Luffy with all her heart, but Luffy was far too dense to notice her feelings.
Even after Hancock openly confessed and proposed marriage to him, Luffy hadn't hesitated to reject her.
Romance was simply something his foolish captain couldn't understand. Luffy loved adventures, freedom, his friends and food. There was hardly any room left in his head for anything else.
Jack glanced at Luffy, who was standing nearby with his usual carefree grin.
'Yes, there is absolutely no hope for Hancock,' Jack thought.
However, Hancock wasn't the first empress of Amazon Lily to fall in love with a man who had no interest in romance. Even Gol D. Roger had rejected Elder Nyon despite her beauty and her former position as the empress of Amazon Lily.
Perhaps every generation of Kuja women was have the same habit to fall for the most troublesome man they could find.
Jack shook his head at the thought.
It was a pity Elder Nyon hadn't joined them on this voyage. Since she had lived during the same era as Rocks D. Xebec, she might possess information that had never appeared in the original story.
Jack had many questions he wanted to ask her.
What kind of person had Rocks truly been? How had he managed to gather so many powerful pirates beneath his banner? Why had monsters like Whitebeard, Kaido, Big Mom, and Shiki agreed to serve under him?
More importantly, what had actually happened at that island?
Unfortunately, Elder Nyon wasn't there. Jack could only suppress his curiosity and wait until they meet again.
He looked around and realised that they had already stayed there long enough. Their livestream had exposed far too many secrets to the public. By now, the World Government was probably scrambling to control the damage while the Marines tried to prepare for the chaos that would follow.
Pirates across the world would also begin making their moves.
"Luffy, let's return to our place," said Jack. "I believe the entire world is in chaos right now."
"Shishishi! You're right," Luffy agreed without hesitation. "I wonder what everyone thought about the livestream."
"They're probably losing their minds," Ace commented. "That livestream was really wild. I still can't believe you actually showed all of that to the entire world."
Unlike Luffy, Ace understood how serious the consequences would be. Whatever Jack had revealed couldn't simply be taken back. Even if the World Government destroyed every recording, millions of people had already witnessed the broadcast with their own eyes.
"I knew it," Sabo suddenly said.
Jack turned towards him. "You knew what?"
"You were the one behind that livestream," Sabo replied, pointing at him. "I suspected it from the beginning, but hearing you admit it finally confirms everything."
Sabo had already guessed the truth after seeing the scale of the broadcast. Very few people possessed the ability, resources and courage to humiliate the World Government in front of the entire world.
Jack was one of those few people.
Instead of becoming worried, Sabo looked pleased. The Revolutionary Army would undoubtedly benefit from the information Jack had revealed. Dragon and the other commanders were probably already discussing how they could use the chaos to weaken the World Government.
Jack smiled but didn't explain any further.
"Let's go," he said.
He turned around and prepared to leave with Luffy, Ace, and Sabo. Before any of them could take more than a few steps, however, a soft voice called out from behind them.
"Wait a minute!"
Jack stopped and looked over his shoulder.
Hancock stood several metres away, her eyes fixed on him. She looked as though she wanted to say something, but the words refused to leave her mouth.
Her usual confidence had disappeared. The proud Pirate Empress, who could look down upon almost anyone without the slightest hesitation, was now struggling to form a single sentence.
Jack raised an eyebrow.
Hancock's cheeks were flushed, and her fingers nervously gripped the edge of her garment. Whenever their eyes met, she would immediately glance away, only to look back at him a moment later.
She clearly didn't want him to leave, but she couldn't bring herself to admit it.
Jack stared at her strange behaviour. At first, he thought she might have remembered something important. However, the longer he watched her, the more familiar her reactions became.
Her blushing face, nervous movements, and unusually quiet voice caused something to click in his mind.
'Don't tell me…' Jack thought, his eyes narrowing slightly. 'Has she fallen in love with me?'
It wasn't impossible.
Many things had changed since his arrival in this world. Hancock didn't have any romantic feelings towards Luffy and Jack had been the one who helped her and her sisters. Gratitude could easily turn into admiration, especially for someone like Hancock, who rarely allowed other people to get close to her.
In his previous life, Jack might have been delighted to receive the affection of a woman as beautiful as Boa Hancock. Countless men would willingly fight an entire army just to receive a single smile from her.
Unfortunately, Jack current body was different.
He could recognise beauty, and he understood why others were attracted to Hancock, but he couldn't feel any sexual desire towards women. The body he had received didn't produce the hormones responsible for those urges.
He had accepted that fact long ago. It allowed him to remain calm around beautiful women, but it also made situations like this far more complicated.
'This could become troublesome,' he thought.
Luffy tilted his head as he looked between Jack and Hancock.
"Why is her face so red?" he asked. "Is she sick?"
Ace immediately covered his mouth to hide his laughter, while Sabo turned his head away and pretended not to hear anything.
Hancock face became even redder.
"Sister, why are you stopping them?" Sandersonia asked.
Marigold looked at Hancock and then at Jack. A knowing smile slowly appeared on her face, but she wisely remained silent.
"I… I…"
Hancock tried to speak, but her pride and embarrassment fought against each other. For a brief moment, Jack thought she might confess her feelings in front of everyone.
Instead, Hancock straightened her back and raised her chin, desperately trying to regain the dignity of the Pirate Empress.
"I merely wanted to wish you good luck," she finally said.
It was the only excuse she could think of.
"Good luck?" Luffy repeated. "For what?"
"Don't ask," Ace whispered as he grabbed Luffy by the shoulder.
"But I want to know."
"Just don't."
Jack ignored their argument and looked at Hancock. Although her excuse was painfully obvious, he chose not to expose her.
"Thank you, Hancock," he said with a gentle smile. "We'll meet again soon."
Hancock's eyes brightened at those words.
She wanted to ask exactly when he would return, but before she could gather enough courage, Jack had already turned around and begun walking away with the three brothers.
Hancock remained where she was, watching his retreating figure until it disappeared from sight.
Behind her, Sandersonia and Marigold exchanged glances.
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