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The Hoof of the Soaring Dragon was a mark burned into the flesh of slaves by the Celestial Dragons. This mark of shame was incredibly difficult to remove.
Even if the skin was peeled away, the brand remained, etched deep into the bone.
The people Noir had rescued from Mary Geoise all bore the Hoof of the Soaring Dragon, a constant reminder of their humiliating past.
Noir refused to let them carry this burden for the rest of their lives, even if it meant concealing the marks. He sought a way to erase them completely.
With the scars gone and a powerful figure offering them protection, the freed slaves had recovered remarkably well. Their spirits were high, and there was no outward sign of their former enslavement.
Hancock observed the passing individuals, a look of disbelief on her face. It wasn't possible that every single one of them had the mark hidden.
"There's no mark. Why?"
Hancock was momentarily lost in thought.
Noir, noticing her expression, explained, "I've erased the marks on their bodies."
Hancock's head snapped towards him, her voice laced with a hint of excitement. "You can completely remove the Hoof of the Soaring Dragon?"
Noir smiled and nodded. "It's a sort of cosmetic surgery, a healing technique. Quite useful."
As he spoke, Noir felt his arms suddenly grasped. Hancock's captivating face was inches from his, her voice urgent.
"Can you help me? I also..."
She stopped abruptly, the initial joy replaced by a complex mix of emotions.
"I also..."
Hancock tightened her grip on his arms. Noir, understanding her unspoken plea, gently placed a hand on her smooth hair.
Hmm… feels like petting a large cat.
He stroked her head softly. "I understand. Shall I help you?"
Hancock trembled, her eyes wide with disbelief.
He understands? Did he realize that I was also a slave?
"Forgive me, Boa."
Noir gently pulled Hancock into an embrace. Her soft form felt like a warm kitten in his arms, making him reluctant to let go.
Hancock gasped, about to deliver a swift kick, when a wave of warmth washed over her back. A strange energy flowed from Noir's hand into her body.
"Mmm..."
The warmth felt like a gentle hand caressing her back, bringing a wave of soothing pleasure that elicited a soft moan from Hancock.
Hearing the sound, Noir's lips twitched in embarrassment. He quickly released her.
Hancock's eyes were slightly unfocused, her voice laced with annoyance. "What are you doing?!"
Enel hopped around excitedly, while Wyper clapped his hands impassively.
The women of the Kuja Pirates gasped, their eyes sparkling with interest. A few even looked ready to draw their swords.
Only Hancock's sisters watched Noir with complex expressions, unsure of what to say.
Noir pointed to Hancock's back. "It should be gone now."
Hancock instinctively reached back to cover her back. "What?"
Noir lowered his voice. "Don't worry, I won't tell anyone."
Within the Underworld, a cool evening breeze, like the sigh of a night goddess, rippled across the sea, stirring Hancock's emotions.
"Thank you."
Hancock understood. He had erased the mark.
It was still hard to believe that the Hoof of the Soaring Dragon could be removed so easily, but with so many examples of his healing before her, she couldn't deny the truth.
But…
Hancock eyed Noir suspiciously, her voice barely a whisper. "How did you know it was on my back?"
Noir's expression froze. He whistled nonchalantly. "I didn't. I just guessed…"
Hancock stared at the clearly flustered Noir, then a smile softened her features.
It didn't matter anymore. Even if he had investigated her past, it didn't change anything.
Noir could have easily asked her to remove her clothes, using the healing as an excuse to see her naked…
But he hadn't. He'd healed her mark through her clothing.
He really acts like a Gentleman…
Fortunately, Noir couldn't hear Hancock's thoughts, or he would have burst into tears.
It wasn't that he wasn't devious; he was simply too straightforward…
Hancock's beautiful eyes sparkled as she smiled seductively. "Noir-sama is a very gentle man."
Noir-sama? That's a respectful title, right?
And isn't "gentle" a common trait among harem protagonists in anime?
Well, he'll take it as a compliment.
Noir extended a hand. "Then we're friends now."
His dark eyes held a mysterious allure, drawing Hancock in like a whirlpool. She found it difficult to meet his gaze.
Looking away, she shyly took his hand, a haughty hum escaping her lips. "Hmm."
But Noir could have sworn he saw a blush on her face as she turned away…
After a long and eventful day, the Kuja Pirates decided to stay the night on Thriller Bark.
That evening, Noir hosted a banquet, warmly welcoming the Kuja Pirates.
The rough-and-tumble members of the Underworld Pirates, encountering an all-female pirate crew for the first time, put on their best behavior, acting like perfect gentlemen.
...
The banquet turned into a social mixer.
Noir understood the feeling. No matter how unkempt they were around their crewmates, with a group of women present, appearances mattered.
Hancock maintained her aloof and regal demeanor, seemingly detached from the lively atmosphere.
But Robin, sitting beside Noir, narrowed her eyes. She could sense Hancock stealing glances at her.
Robin was well aware of Hancock's title as the world's most beautiful woman. But she couldn't figure out when Hancock and Noir had become so close.
And based on Robin's keen intuition, the Empress seemed to have feelings for Noir?
Hancock, in turn, observed Robin. So this is the rumored, yet unconfirmed, wife of the Underworld Pirates' captain?
She's beautiful, but not as beautiful as me.
The Empress played with a strand of her long, flowing hair, a narcissistic thought crossing her mind.
Robin and Hancock's gazes locked, an unspoken rivalry crackling in the air.
Even the rowdy crew members sensed the tension and quieted down.
As for Noir, caught in the middle of this unspoken battle, what was he thinking?
He gnawed on a large piece of meat, his mind preoccupied with his new ability…
I wonder what the world looks like through Bewitching Eyes…
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