Meanwhile, on the coast, Kuja pirates watched as Gojo stood before them, a basket of flowers in one hand, the other in his pocket, his eyes peering over his glasses.
"Long time no see, girls," he greeted, raising his hand in a wave.
"It's a pleasure to see you again, Gojo-san," Sweet Pea, a round woman, replied amiably.
"And that basket you brought, zahahaha!" Daisy chuckled with her distinctive laugh.
"I think it's pretty obvious, Daisy, I'm sure she'll love them," Rindo replied with a smile.
Suddenly, a voice could be heard in the distance, "Gojo," making the Amazons turn around to see their empress running towards them, a radiant smile on her face. She squeezed between them and threw herself into Gojo's arms, wrapping hers around his waist and resting her head against his stomach, being smaller than him. Realizing her gesture suddenly, she stepped back sharply, hands on her face, blushing intensely.
"This is the 36th time I've hugged Gojo," she cooed, squirming, cheeks on fire. "I'm so happy," she exclaimed, raising her arms to the sky.
All the Amazons looked at their empress with heart eyes, while the Boa sisters smiled, their eyes closed. Hancock, usually so serious, calm, and cold, became a completely different person when it came to Gojo.
"I see you're doing well, Hancock," Gojo laughed as he approached her to hand her the basket of flowers. "Happy 29th birthday."
"For me?" Hancock blushed joyfully as she took the basket. Then, suddenly serious, she murmured, "Maybe... is it a marriage proposal? Ahhh."
"No, silly!" Nyon exclaimed comically. "Every year he brings you a gift and you always imagine it's a marriage proposal!"
While Hancock imagined a conversation with Gojo asking her to marry him, he approached to greet the Sandersonia and Marigold sisters. Indeed, the Empress was a young woman hopelessly in love.
"Well, girls, you keep on growing! When I first met you, you were just crybabies," teased Gojo, looking at the sisters who, contrary to the anime, had a much sexier appearance.
"We've become strong since that day, Gojo-san," Sandersonia replied, hands on her hips.
"I still remember when you hugged me crying, you were so cute," teased Gojo with a smile, making the green-haired young woman blush.
"Are you going to remind me of that every year?!" she protested playfully.
"Hahaha, you never change, Gojo-san," Marigold laughed, happy to see that the first man they had appreciated had remained the same.
"What if we go to the castle to celebrate your birthday?" Gojo suggested to Hancock. The Boa sisters agreed. "Hancock, are you coming?" he called out to her.
"This is the 314th time he's called me by my name," Hancock exclaimed, hugging the flowers to herself. "Is he declaring his love to me?!" she exclaimed, hearts in her eyes, waving the bouquet.
"No, silly!" Nyon exclaimed once again, looking bored.
Thus, after being welcomed by the Amazons, Gojo headed to Amazon Lily's castle with them. These women harbored a deep admiration for their empress, although only her sisters, the old Nyon, and of course Gojo knew her past. The immense castle stood before them. On the way, as usual, the Amazons questioned Gojo about the New World and his adventures.
A few hours into the festivities, Hancock could be seen by Gojo's side, presenting plate after plate of food to him. A mountain of dishes piled up next to them as he devoured dish after dish, a characteristic shared by most of the D. who have an ogre-like appetite.
"Ahh Gojo, keep eating, I prepared all this for you," Hancock cooed like a teenager. Then, suddenly pointing at an Amazon with her finger: "Hey you! Bring more food for Gojo!" she ordered, proudly raising her chin.
The Boa sisters watched with affection as their older sister, hands on her cheeks, eyes fixed on Gojo eating. They loved seeing her like that.
As Hancock leaned over to hand him a new plate, her long black hair brushed against Gojo's arm. She froze for a moment, her gaze meeting Gojo's, who looked at her over his glasses with a mischievous smile. He took the plate, but instead of placing it down, he let his fingers deliberately brush against Hancock's, causing a visible shiver in the empress.
"Hancock, you know you make this party much... tastier than the food, don't you?" he murmured, his voice low and teasing, just loud enough for her to hear.
Hancock blushed instantly, her cheeks turning crimson. "G-Gojo!" she stammered, clutching the plate to her chest like a shield. "T-This is the 37th time you've given me such a bold compliment!" she exclaimed, her heart pounding.
Gojo burst into laughter, leaning slightly towards her, his breath brushing her ear. "Oh, but I haven't started counting yet, Empress," he replied with a wink, before straightening up casually, as if nothing had happened.
The Amazons around them exchanged amused glances, while Nyon rolled her eyes. "This man will drive her crazy one day," she muttered.
"By the way, Gojo-san, how is Yuki doing? We haven't seen her in a long time," Marigold asked, causing a comical frown on Hancock's face.
"Don't talk about that stupid blonde!" she exclaimed. "Anyway, it's obvious that the kind of woman he likes is me! And do you know why?" she asked as all the Amazons looked at her with heart eyes. "Because I'm beautiful!" she declared, puffing out her chest, triggering a chorus of "Hebihime-sama!" throughout the room.
"Hahahaha, you're always so entertaining, Hancock," Gojo said, affectionately ruffling her hair.
Later in the evening, as the music of the Kuja drums filled the room and the Amazons danced, Hancock led Gojo to a flower-decorated alcove, away from the crowd. Her eyes sparkled with a determined gleam, although a hint of nervousness betrayed her.
"Gojo," she murmured, her voice softer, almost vulnerable. She approached, her jasmine scent enveloping the air around them. "You come every year... but this time, I want you to stay longer." Her fingers brushed against the collar of his jacket, hesitant but bold.
Gojo raised an eyebrow, his smile widening. He placed a hand against the wall behind her, leaning just enough for their faces to be dangerously close. "Oh, Hancock, are you trying to convince me with that irresistible look?" he teased, his azure eyes diving into hers. "I might be tempted to stay."
Hancock felt her breath catch, her heart pounding like the distant drums. "T-Then just stay."
Gojo chuckled softly, brushing a lock of her hair with his fingertips. "Then I will stay," he murmured, his tone both teasing and charming. Then they returned to the room, Hancock's face tomato red.
"By the way, Gojo, I heard you met Big Mom," Nyon intervened, causing surprise among the Boa sisters.
"Is that true, Gojo?" Hancock immediately worried.
"Yes, it is," he confirmed with a carefree smile.
"But why did you do that, Gojo-san? That woman is completely crazy!" Sonia exclaimed, concerned for the man who had saved her life.
Suddenly, the atmosphere grew heavy, beads of sweat forming on the foreheads of the Amazons and even the Boa sisters, except for Hancock. Gojo's aura became oppressive.
"I appreciate your concern, Sonia... But don't forget who I am..." he declared in a serious tone, his azure eyes sending chills of fear through the assembly. Although jovial and cheerful most of the time, Gojo remained one of the five Emperors on the same level as Big Mom.
"I'm sorry, Gojo-san...," Sonia apologized, saddened.
"Anyway, it's pure madness to venture into the territory of one of the Emperors," Nyon remarked.
"Hehehe, I love challenges," Gojo replied, regaining his cheerful tone and changing the atmosphere again. "Things are going to get very interesting," he added with a predatory smile.
After that, dinner and festivities continued, celebrating Hancock's birthday until late into the night.