"Hehehe, hahahahaha!" Crocodile laughed maniacally. "You heard me, Princess Vivi! The super bomb I arranged has successfully exploded. Everyone gathered in Alubarna Square, whether royal soldiers or rebels, must have been blown to pieces. The man you trusted, Ikki, could do nothing. Not only could he not save your fellow citizens, he can't save you either."
Crocodile spread his arms wide, grinning at Vivi. Perhaps adhering to the principle of "real men never look at explosions behind them," he didn't even turn to see the actual location of the blast.
Vivi tilted her head, doubt flashing in her eyes. She simply stared at Crocodile without saying a word.
After a moment, Crocodile finally sensed something was amiss. He frowned and asked suspiciously, "Miss Wednesday, what's with that expression? The people of Alabasta you loved so much are dead. Perhaps your father Cobra also died in the explosion. Yet you don't seem sad at all?"
Vivi pursed her lips, raised her finger, and said, "Crocodile, you said you placed the bomb in Alubarna Square. But why did the explosion come from the uninhabited desert?"
Vivi wasn't surprised about the existence of a bomb in Alubarna. Before this confrontation, Nico Robin had called to inform the three of them about the conversation between Crocodile and Ikki. When she heard the explosion from elsewhere, Vivi immediately realized this was Ikki's doing.
Vivi and her companions had prepared for Crocodile's appearance. However, the Sand-Sand Fruit user's stealth abilities proved too formidable for them without Observation Haki. That's why Nojiko and Nami were caught by the sudden sandstorm.
Though they were blown away, Vivi remained calm and wasn't overly concerned for their safety. From her frequent training sessions in the Sword Room aboard the Explorer, she understood that the sandstorm wouldn't cause serious harm to Nojiko and Nami—at most, it would just separate them temporarily.
"What? Where was the explosion?" Crocodile frowned and quickly turned to look behind him. He discovered that the towering clouds of smoke and dust stirred up by the explosion were indeed located in an uninhabited desert area.
"Damn it, could it be... hmm?!" Crocodile was speaking when a sudden movement behind him caught his attention. However, confident in his powers, he didn't take any precautions, turning leisurely back toward Vivi.
"Your sword is of no use to me... Gah!"
Before he could finish speaking, a sharp pain shot through his chest. Looking down, he found that Vivi's sword had pierced his torso.
This wasn't what surprised him—he hadn't bothered to evade because he normally could transform into sand. What truly shocked him was the sight of water mixed with his blood flowing from the wound.
"Water? Why is there water on your blade?" Crocodile looked up at Vivi in shock.
After a moment of confusion, he understood why the attack had succeeded. The water flowing on Vivi's sword prevented his body from elementalizing. If his body hadn't instinctively shifted slightly, his heart would have been pierced.
"I missed the heart?" Vivi, momentarily stunned by her successful sneak attack, came to her senses. She twisted the blade, preparing to cut Crocodile's body in two.
Crocodile snarled and grabbed Vivi's sword with his right hand. Activating his Sand-Sand Fruit ability, he quickly absorbed all the water condensed on Vivi's blade.
"So you planned to use water against me from the beginning?" Crocodile said. "I must admit, I underestimated you. But now the water is gone. How do you intend to fight me?"
He raised the poisonous hook on his left arm, swinging it toward Vivi.
"Armament!" Vivi's eyes narrowed as Armament Haki quickly covered Sode no Shirayuki. The bright blade instantly darkened under the influence of Haki.
Seeing this, Crocodile's eyes widened. He abandoned his attack and tried to retreat, but Vivi's two-handed slash still left a long gash across his body. Blood poured from Crocodile's wound.
Even without summoning water flow, Vivi's Water Breathing technique gave her tremendous striking power. Even if Crocodile tried to grab her sword, he couldn't hold it back.
"Damn it!" Vivi frowned as she watched Crocodile. She realized she'd been too nervous, preventing her from executing her attacks smoothly. Even with Crocodile's carelessness, she had missed his vital points.
"'Damn it'? You actually regret not leaving a deeper scar on my body?" Crocodile said as he used his ability to absorb the remaining moisture from his wound. "Miss Wednesday, I truly underestimated you. Have you mastered Armament Haki? Such strength is impossible to obtain without intense training. Are you... really Princess Vivi of this country?"
"What do you think, Crocodile?" Vivi replied. "I gained this power specifically to defeat you. Today, I won't let you leave here alive."
Vivi took a deep breath, slammed her foot on the ground, and rushed toward Crocodile at incredible speed.
"Water Breathing, Fifth Form: Blessed Rain!" Vivi cried out, using the fastest stabbing technique of Water Breathing to target Crocodile's head. Ten streams of water curved around the blade as she thrust forward.
'A Devil Fruit power that creates water?' Crocodile thought with alarm. 'What a nuisance! But the real problem is... that Armament Haki!'
Crocodile's eyes widened as he swung his arm, transforming it into yellow sand aimed at Vivi. "Desert Sword!"
The sand formed by his arm pulled in surrounding sand to create a sharp slash heading directly toward Vivi. After the near-fatal attack he'd just experienced, Crocodile wasn't taking any chances.
BOOM!
Vivi turned her blade, and the tip of Sode no Shirayuki struck the sand slash head-on, causing it to ripple like a stone thrown into water. The soft water technique instantly diminished the power of the Desert Sword.
"This woman cannot be underestimated!" Crocodile thought, his confidence shaken. He suddenly remembered what Ikki had said on the Den Den Mushi. 'That man wasn't joking—his companions aren't ordinary people. And those two who were blown away just now, plus Ikki himself... I need to end this quickly.'
Realizing that Nojiko and Nami might not have been seriously injured by his sandstorm, and that Ikki could be heading their way, Crocodile gritted his teeth and raised his hands. The surrounding sand began rapidly gathering around him as if responding to his command.
In an instant, thousands of meters in all directions were shrouded in dust clouds and yellow sand.
"A simple trick to obscure vision?" Vivi raised her eyebrows, trying to locate Crocodile in the swirling sandstorm.
"Miss Wednesday, you've surprised me," Crocodile's voice echoed. "But you've also completely infuriated me. I originally planned to spare your life so you could witness Alabasta's misery. But now I've decided to execute you right here. Prepare yourself, princess of the desert kingdom."
Crocodile extended his right hand, and the sand before him tore and spun, forming a human-sized tornado. Surrounding sand continued pouring into it, making it grow larger by the second.
"Executing me? That depends on whether you can," Vivi replied. "Don't think what you've seen is the full extent of my power."
Vivi took a deep breath and moved Sode no Shirayuki in a graceful pattern. "Dance, Sode no Shirayuki."
Following her soft command, the sand around Vivi was immediately enveloped in a burst of cold air and fell harmlessly to the ground.
"Not your full power? Do you have more tricks to show?" Crocodile frowned deeper, sensing the sand around Vivi slipping from his control. He grew increasingly uncertain about her abilities.
"It doesn't matter what power you possess," he declared. "You'll die here regardless."
With that, Crocodile thrust his hands forward. The sand tornado rushed toward Vivi, growing to nearly 100 meters high in an instant.
"Second Dance: White Ripple!" Vivi remained calm, pointing Sode no Shirayukiat the approaching sandstorm. A wave of ice erupted from the sword's tip, surging toward the tornado.
BOOM!
The collision produced a thunderous noise. Under the continuous onslaught of ice, the sand tornado stopped expanding.
"How is this possible? This woman can use ice powers too?" Crocodile's focus intensified as he noticed the elegant Sode no Shirayuki in Vivi's hand. "No, it must be the sword that possesses ice powers."
"Interesting. In that case, I'll take that sword without mercy!" Crocodile laughed fiercely, his legs transforming into sand to propel him toward Vivi as she continued defending against the sandstorm.
"Die!" Just a few meters from Vivi, Crocodile prepared another Desert Sword attack.
At that moment, thunder suddenly cracked above them. Crocodile looked up in confusion and was struck directly by a purple lightning bolt. With his attention fully on Vivi, he couldn't evade, and his body instantly shattered into a burst of yellow sand.
"Pierce , Gonryōmaru!" A female voice called through the thunder.
"Nami! Nojiko! You're okay!" Vivi exclaimed, looking up in surprise as Nami and Nojiko descended on the one-eyed manta ray transformed from Nojiko's Minazuki.
At that moment, the sword in Nami's hand had transformed into its Shikai state - Gonryōmaru had become a western-style blade crackling with electricity. Vivi realized that the purple lightning that had struck Crocodile was the power of Nami's Zanpakutō.
"We're fine," Nami called as she leaped from the manta ray. While still in mid-air, she used Gonryōmaru to strike another lightning bolt at the sand tornado. "It's you we were worried about!"
Hit by both ice and lightning simultaneously, the sandstorm finally collapsed despite Crocodile's efforts to maintain it.
Seeing this, Vivi gave Nami a thankful nod. Meanwhile, Nojiko, having spotted Crocodile reforming from sand into his human shape, directed the one-eyed manta ray straight toward him.
"Damn you! What now?!" Crocodile spat out a mouthful of blood, glaring at the approaching Nojiko. Although lightning couldn't effectively neutralize his sand powers, the previous attack had still injured him.
Seeing Nojiko controlling the strange creature heading toward him, the furious Crocodile transformed his hands into sand and swept them toward her. "Desert Dagger Storm!"
As Crocodile roared, the sand from his hands formed four massive blades that rushed toward Nojiko. Boulders in their path were instantly sliced apart.
"Return, Minazuki!" Nojiko commanded, and the manta ray transformed back into a sword which she caught in her right hand. She immediately coated the blade with Armament Haki while her body began rotating rapidly, generating a powerful water vortex.
"Water Breathing, Eighth Form: Waterfall Basin!"
The spiraling water vortex created a powerful counter-slash that collided with Crocodile's sand blades, halting their advance.
"What? This woman also has Armament Haki?!" Crocodile exclaimed. "And another water technique... Could it be that she also—"
He looked toward Nami, only to see that her blade was similarly enshrouded in Armament Haki's black coating. Trailing purple and golden lightning, she had closed the distance to less than a meter from him in the blink of an eye.
"Curse you!" Crocodile roared, his body transforming into sand as he darted diagonally backward, narrowly avoiding Nami's slash. Though her attack didn't incorporate water, the Armament Haki alone was enough to make Crocodile wary.
'What's happening with these three women?' he thought frantically. 'This level of power shouldn't exist in the first half of the Grand Line! And their swords—one summons ice, one controls lightning, and another transforms into a strange creature? That man Ikki must be coming here too...'
With this realization, Crocodile touched the wounds Vivi had inflicted during his moment of carelessness and decided to retreat. Even a single opponent like Vivi had proven difficult to handle while injured. With two additional women of unknown strength, Crocodile wasn't confident he could prevail.
'Damn them all! I'll pay back this humiliation someday,' Crocodile cursed inwardly, finally deciding to flee.
However, just as his body drifted a few meters away, a familiar voice called out:
"Hey, isn't this the sewer crocodile himself, Mr. Crocodile? I finally found you—where do you think you're going?"
Crocodile turned toward the voice, his eyes widening instantly. There was Ikki, running toward them at incredible speed. He drew the sword from his waist and swung it forward, releasing a black crescent-shaped slash that raced toward Crocodile's position.
"Armament Haki... projected outward?" Crocodile was stunned, realizing too late that he couldn't escape. He could only summon several Desert Swords to try blocking Ikki's attack.
BOOM!
With a deafening sound, the Desert Swords were mercilessly shattered by the black crescent slash, which continued on to strike Crocodile's body. The external Armament Haki made his elemental transformation useless.
Blood sprayed through the air as Crocodile's body reverted from sand to human form and plummeted toward the ground. Across his chest was a massive wound that nearly bisected his entire body.
"Damn it! If I hadn't been injured earlier, I would never have—" Crocodile clutched his chest in rage.
Suddenly, he spotted something below that made his eyes widen further. On the ground, Vivi knelt on one knee, with Sode no Shirayuki tracing a beautiful arc.
"First Dance: Moon White," Vivi intoned. "Let it end here, Crocodile."
The ice arc suddenly erupted upward, forming a cylindrical pillar of ice that seemed to connect with the sky, freezing Crocodile within it.
"How... could... I... die... at the hands... of this country's... princess...?" Crocodile managed to move his eyes toward Vivi, his final thought before the ice cylinder shattered with a crisp sound, causing his body to break apart with it.
"Well done, Vivi," Ikki said, sheathing Zangetsu and walking over to pat her shoulder proudly. "Compared to when we met just days ago, you've really grown stronger."
"It's all thanks to you, Captain Ikki. Without your help, I could never have defeated Crocodile," Vivi replied.
"Haha, I just swung my sword. You showed the greatest strength in this battle, Vivi."
"Even so, if it hadn't been for that strike you made just now, Captain, I probably wouldn't have had the opportunity to finish Crocodile," Vivi insisted, shaking her head.
Although her Armament Haki was only at the basic level, from what Ikki had taught her, Nami, and Nojiko, Vivi understood the power and application methods of each Haki level. The projected Armament Haki that had successfully struck Crocodile had dealt significant damage.
"Regardless, your performance was outstanding," Ikki said with a smile. "I'm proud to have a crewmate like you. Of course, Nami and Nojiko did excellently as well."
The corners of Vivi's mouth turned upward, but as she began to relax, her body suddenly went limp from the exhaustion of continuously using Sode no Shirayuki'spowerful techniques.
Seeing Vivi falling backward, Ikki quickly reached out to support her waist.
"Are you alright, Vivi? Are you injured anywhere? Do you need me to treat you?" Nojiko asked worriedly as she rushed over.
"I'm just a little weak, don't worry, Nojiko," Vivi assured her. Then, turning to Ikki: "Captain Ikki, you handled the bomb in Alubarna, right? Has the conflict between the rebel army and the royal army been resolved?"
"Yes, I took care of the bomb, and the civil unrest has subsided," Ikki confirmed, gently stroking Vivi's hair. "The battle is over, Vivi. Rest now. When you wake up, you'll see your father."
Vivi smiled faintly before slowly closing her eyes. Within seconds, her breathing became even and steady.
"She fell asleep so quickly. Vivi must be truly exhausted," Nami observed.
"It's our fault. If we hadn't been blown away by Crocodile at the beginning, we wouldn't have left Vivi to fight him alone," Nojiko added, guilt flashing in her eyes as she looked at Vivi's sleeping face.
"Regardless, the outcome is good," Ikki said, carefully shifting Vivi onto his back. "Let's go, Nami, Nojiko, Alubarna awaits. After all this fighting, I'm starving—let's try some royal cuisine!"
Hearing this, Nami nodded immediately and followed alongside Ikki. "Since Vivi's father is the king, he must be very wealthy," she mused. "For helping resolve such a major crisis, he should reward us with some Berries."
Nojiko smiled and gently tapped Nami's forehead. "Vivi is our crewmate, Nami. It seems a bit inappropriate to ask her father for Berries like that."
"That's true..." Nami conceded, touching her chin thoughtfully. "But Vivi will be going to sea with us in the future. As a father, he would never let his princess daughter leave without taking anything..."
Ikki adjusted Vivi on his back, smiling at the conversation between Nami and Nojiko. Then he turned his head to look at a spot in the desert to their left, where a glass reflection was flickering.
'A reporter?' he thought. 'Well, we're not pirates anyway—let them take their photos.'
Shaking his head, Ikki told Nami and Nojiko to pick up the pace, and they quickly disappeared from sight.
Meanwhile, at the position Ikki had glanced toward:
"Are...are they gone?" a man whispered, his hand trembling as he held a camera. "That man must have seen me just now."
The man, dressed in Alabastan civilian clothes, wiped cold sweat from his forehead, fear evident on his face.
"The photos! I still have the photos!" he exclaimed, checking his camera. After confirming he had indeed captured images of Ikki and the others, he sighed with relief.
"Thank goodness I got them. The Sand Crocodile was actually killed by the princess of Alabasta! This will be front-page news for sure."
The reporter climbed onto a camel waiting nearby and took out a Den Den Mushi, dialing a number.
"Hello, Chief Editor? It's me. I've got Big news—Shichibukai Crocodile is dead, killed by the princess of Alabasta..."
Alabasta, the royal city of Alubarna.
"...So Crocodile defeated?" Nico Robin said, holding a small Den Den Mushi in her hand. "I understand, Captain Ikki. I'll inform King Cobra about Crocodile's defeat."
Robin nodded slightly and turned to look at Cobra, who was standing nearby, having just finished his own call.
"Ma'am, I've already informed the World Government about Crocodile and Baroque Works," Cobra said, approaching her. "Since he's a Shichibukai, the Marines or World Government will certainly send someone to investigate. Given your special status, if you can..."
Before Cobra could finish, Robin laughed and raised her hand to interrupt him.
"You want me to leave, correct?" she said. "Don't worry, I'm self-aware and won't cause you any trouble. I'll find an opportunity to depart. Besides, I just spoke with Captain Ikki. He and your daughter have defeated Crocodile. They're currently enjoying the scenery on their way to Alubarna."
Hearing Robin's words, Cobra's eyes widened immediately. "Crocodile has been defeated? Thank goodness Vivi is safe! Wait, ma'am, you misunderstood me. I wasn't trying to drive you away—I wanted to offer you refuge in the palace. I can find a safe place where neither the Marines nor the World Government could trouble you."
"Oh, is that so?" Robin replied. "I appreciate the offer, but I must decline. I have my own plans." She shook her head and turned to leave.
"Wait, ma'am," Cobra called. "If you don't mind, I'd like to speak with you further. Because of the conflict between the Royal Army and the Rebel Army, I only have a vague understanding of the relationship between you, Vivi, and Ikki. Can you tell me what exactly happened between them? For someone with such tremendous power as Ikki, I can't imagine why he would help Vivi, whom he had just met."
Ikki's ability to use Conqueror's Haki to subdue tens of thousands of warriors and to move to the clock tower in an instant to remove the bomb had deeply impressed Cobra. He had only seen such power among the strongest individuals in the first half of the Grand Line and high-ranking Marines. Now that such a man had become Vivi's companion, as a father, Cobra naturally wanted to know more about him.
"Haha, so our great King Cobra has seen Captain Ikki's power," Robin said with a sly smile. "Are you worried about what he might do to your daughter? Afraid he might have bad plans like Crocodile?"
She approached Cobra, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry, King Cobra. I once spoke with Captain Ikki and tried to tempt him with the Poneglyph that Crocodile was looking for. After all, the Ancient Weapons are very tempting to those who want power. But that man showed no interest in them. Compared to Ancient Weapons, famous swords... and perhaps pretty women are more appealing to him."
"By the way, you wanted to know why Captain Ikki helped Vivi? I'll tell you why."
Cobra swallowed, sensing that Robin's next words might be quite shocking.
"Actually, Captain Ikki fell in love with your daughter at first sight," Robin said. "And Vivi fell for him after he rescued her. They've officially become a couple, which is why Captain Ikki is doing everything to help Princess Vivi. King Cobra, are you satisfied with my answer?"
As she spoke, Robin's smile widened. She was already looking forward to the scene when Ikki and Vivi would return to Alubarna and meet Cobra.
Nearby, Chaka, Pell, and Koza, who had been busy attending to various matters, paused their activities, listening intently to the conversation between Robin and Cobra.
Thanks to Robin's help, Koza, the rebel leader, had learned the truth about the civil strife in Alabasta and no longer intended to lead the rebel army against the royal forces. Surprised by what they were hearing, the three men subtly eavesdropped on the conversation.
"So that's it!" Cobra exclaimed, slapping his left fist into his right palm with evident joy. "Vivi's marriage prospects are settled!"
As Vivi's father, he had been concerned about her future marriage. Now, hearing that a powerful man close to Vivi's age and apparently good-looking had fallen for her, Cobra was elated.
"You're not upset that your daughter has been... swept away?" Robin asked, regarding Cobra's enthusiasm with surprise.
"Haha, there's nothing to worry about. My daughter would marry eventually when she's older," Cobra replied, patting his chest with a smile.
"I see," Robin said, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "In that case, you definitely won't mind that your daughter is pregnant with Ikki's child."
"WHAT?!" Cobra, Koza, Chaka, and Pell exclaimed in unison, their jaws dropping.
The two royal guards practically teleported to Robin's side, dropping the newly awakened soldiers they had been attending to.
"Isn't this too soon? Princess Vivi is only sixteen!" Chaka protested.
"That's right!" Pell added. "Although Mr. Ikki is clearly a powerful man who has helped Alabasta, isn't it too early for children?!"
"The little girl I grew up with... is going to be a mother?" Koza muttered in shock.
"I'm... going to be a grandfather?!" Cobra stammered.
Seeing their stunned expressions, Robin smirked and turned to walk away from Alubarna.
'Captain Ikki's face will be very funny when he arrives,' she thought with amusement.
Cobra shook his head, watching Robin's retreating figure with a slight frown. Recalling what she had said earlier about the Poneglyph, hesitation flashed in his eyes.
After a moment, he hurried after her. "Ma'am, could you spare a moment to speak with me?"
Cobra glanced around at the increasing number of people regaining consciousness in the area. With Robin's help, they had captured many spies hidden among both the royal and rebel forces. Now that neither side intended to continue fighting, he could address other matters with peace of mind.
"Does King Cobra have something else to discuss with me?" Robin asked, turning to regard him curiously before noticing the crowds. She nodded in understanding. Cobra didn't want to reveal her identity in such a public place, which was why he had been referring to her as "ma'am" rather than by name.
"Please come with me," Cobra said, gesturing toward the rear of the castle.
Pell started to follow, but Cobra sent him to oversee the others instead. Trusting Robin, who had provided significant help, Pell nodded and withdrew.
"Where are you taking me, King Cobra?" Robin finally asked after they had walked to a secluded area.
"Robin, you mentioned earlier that you helped my daughter and Ikki because of the Poneglyph," Cobra said as he led her through the deserted corridor. "And Ikki promised to show you the Poneglyph, correct?"
"Captain Ikki did promise to let me see it, and this agreement—"
"Robin, may I ask why you want to see the Poneglyph?" Cobra interrupted.
"I'm pursuing the true history, of course! Don't worry, I have no interest in whether your country possesses an Ancient Weapon. The only thing that interested Crocodile was the weapon," Robin answered honestly, though uncertain why Cobra was asking.
"In that case, I will show you the hidden Poneglyph of this country," Cobra decided. "Captain Ikki has done this country a tremendous service, and he has also become Vivi's partner... no, her husband! That makes us family. Sooner or later, Ikki would see the Poneglyph anyway."
"Robin, since you said you are Captain Ikki's ally and have an agreement with him, I cannot let him fail to fulfill that promise. Come with me, and I will take you to the Poneglyph that Alabasta has been concealing. However, I hope that after you learn its contents, you will not reveal them to anyone."
Cobra's expression turned extremely serious.
Robin was momentarily stunned. 'Another Poneglyph? This is an unexpected surprise,' she thought, smiling as she nodded to Cobra.
With this opportunity to see another Poneglyph, Robin decided not to mention that Ikki had actually already fulfilled his agreement by showing her the Poneglyph in the desert.
A few minutes later, beneath the Alabasta Mausoleum, Robin ran her fingers over the ancient script on another Poneglyph, feeling amazed.
'Two Poneglyphs in one day,' she marveled silently. 'This hasn't happened in over a decade. Captain Ikki, you truly have a connection to these stones.'
Meanwhile, at Marine Headquarters...
A group of Marines sat together, listening attentively to Fleet Admiral Sengoku conducting an important meeting.
Suddenly, a knock sounded at the conference room door.
Sengoku paused his briefing and looked toward the entrance. "We're in the middle of a meeting. Any reports can wait until we've concluded, Marine."
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, this is urgent news! Shichibukai Crocodile has been defeated in Alabasta!"
"What?! The Sand Crocodile was defeated?" Sengoku's eyes widened, and all the Marines in the room turned to stare at the messenger in surprise.
"The information is absolutely correct. Intelligence agencies have obtained photos of Crocodile when he was killed. And the person who killed him was none other than the princess of Alabasta!"
The Marine soldier held up the document in his hand, showing a photo of Vivi freezing Crocodile using her 'First Dance: Moon White.'
"The power of ice?" The Marines in the conference room all turned to look at Marine Admiral Aokiji, their faces showing strange expressions. After all, their Admiral Aokiji was a master of ice powers.
"Is it the same Devil Fruit ability that uses ice?" Aokiji raised his eyebrows, his expression suddenly becoming more alert after being bored by the meeting.
"Perhaps it's not a Devil Fruit power, but ice created through a certain sword style," Marine Captain Hina, wearing a red uniform, suddenly spoke up.
"Why do you think it's a sword style?" Aokiji looked over curiously.
"I have seen the black-haired man in that photo, as well as the orange-haired woman and the blue-haired woman," Hina explained. "I once saw that man perform a sword technique that could create fire and water. The woman with short blue hair can also use sword techniques that create water. The orange-haired woman can use swordsmanship that produces thunder and lightning. These two women learned their swordsmanship from this man. Perhaps this man also mastered sword techniques that can create ice and taught it to Princess Vivi in the photo."
When the surrounding Marines heard this, especially those who used swords, they all became interested in Ikki.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku motioned to the Marine soldier who gave the report. He took the report in his hand and read it. The more he read, the darker Sengoku's face became.
"This Crocodile actually wanted to get his hands on an Ancient Weapon!" Sengoku slapped the report on the table, his words full of anger toward Crocodile.
"Ancient Weapon?" Vice Admiral Tsuru asked with a frown. "Sengoku, what exactly is written in that report?"
"That man set up some organization called Baroque Works in Alabasta," Sengoku began. "He manipulated Alabasta's people and caused civil strife in the kingdom. He wanted to take the country away from King Cobra and create his own..."
Sengoku shook his head and read the contents of the report to the Marines present while posting the photos from the report on the board behind him.
"King Cobra of Alabasta has already reported this matter to the World Government," he continued. "Although there's no hard evidence yet, Cobra probably isn't lying. Crocodile has seemed quieter in recent years, but he was indeed quite dishonest."
"Pirates are pirates. Even if they become Shichibukai, they're still dangerous," Aokiji commented. "But that man is probably dead, so we don't have to worry about him anymore. Compared to this, I'm more interested in Ikki and Vivi. When did someone appear in the first half of the Grand Line who could project Armament Haki? When did the princess of Alabasta become so powerful?"
Aokiji put his hands behind his head, his eyes appearing lazy but actually studying the photos behind Sengoku with great interest. Among the several photos were not only the scene where Vivi finally used Sode no Shirayuki to freeze Crocodile in a cylinder of ice, but also scenes of Nami wielding lightning slashes and Nojiko using water attacks against Crocodile. There was also an image of Ikki slashing with Armament Haki.
"Although it was Vivi who defeated Crocodile in the end, the contribution of the others was essential," Sengoku said, pointing to a picture of Ikki. "Especially this man. His slash damaged the elemental Crocodile. There's no doubt this is a slash using Armament Haki. A person who can achieve this level of Armament Haki is rare even in the second half of the Grand Line."
"This matter involves Crocodile, one of the Shichibukai. We need to learn more about this black-haired man's identity." Sengoku turned to Hina. "You said you know this man. Please tell us what you know about him."
Everyone in the conference room turned curious eyes toward Hina.
"Actually, I've only met this man twice," Hina replied, taking a drag from her cigarette. "The people who really know him are Smoker and his subordinate Tashigi."
After recalling her meetings with Ikki, she continued: "Fleet Admiral Sengoku, you may remember that someone reported Captain Nezumi to Marine Headquarters. That person was actually Ikki."
Hearing this, Sengoku nodded slightly. "I do remember that!" A bounty hunter reporting a Marine Captain to Headquarters was something that had rarely happened in decades. However, since Ikki was just a bounty hunter at the time, Sengoku hadn't paid much attention to him. Who would have thought that the next time he heard about this man, he would be involved in defeating a Shichibukai?
"When I first met him, I just thought his swordsmanship was a bit unusual," Hina continued. "He was very good at teaching swordsmanship to others, but I didn't think he was especially powerful. I didn't expect that he could actually train a student who could fight against Crocodile. The princess of Alabasta's power must come from Ikki's teachings."
"Regarding Ikki's teaching ability," she went on, "I heard Smoker say that he once taught Marine Lieutenant Tashigi for just over ten days. In that short time, Tashigi successfully mastered the swordsmanship called 'Water Breathing' that can create water. Additionally, under Ikki's guidance, Tashigi also became a swordsman who can cut through steel."
"What? It took only ten days for a Marine Lieutenant to become a swordsman who can cut through steel? How is that possible?" one Marine exclaimed.
"Yes, let's not even talk about the water-creating sword techniques—becoming a swordsman who can cut steel is not easy," another added. "It takes several years to become a steel-cutting swordsman. No matter how good this Ikki's teaching ability is, he shouldn't be able to make his students progress so quickly."
After Hina finished speaking, the Marines in the conference room began discussing among themselves.
"Hina, based on your knowledge of Ikki," Vice Admiral Doberman, one of the chief instructors of the Marines, asked, "would you say Tashigi's growth has more to do with Ikki's teaching methods or with Tashigi's natural talent?"
As an instructor who had trained many Vice Admirals, he was quite knowledgeable about teaching methods. But even he wouldn't claim he could make his students progress so quickly.
"Smoker said that Ikki once commented that Tashigi has great talent for swordsmanship," Hina replied. "Her ability to quickly become a steel-cutting swordsman must have a lot to do with her talent. But I believe Ikki's contribution is essential. Look at the blue-haired woman Nojiko and the orange-haired woman Nami—they learned swordsmanship from Ikki in a short time and can defeat Dragon Pirates. This speaks volumes about Ikki's teaching ability."
"Also, though I'm not a swordsman myself, I can tell that man's swordsmanship is indeed quite powerful. He once offered to teach me swordsmanship if I gave him a famous sword he wanted."
After saying this, Hina couldn't help but sigh inwardly. She never thought that the man who initially seemed just somewhat skilled would turn out to be at the level of a Shichibukai. 'Did Hina make a mistake?' she wondered to herself as she put out her cigarette.
"Special sword style, rapidly progressing students..." Sengoku mused. "This man deserves our attention."
After a pause, he continued: "Hina, since you know this man, you should also participate in the investigation of Crocodile. Additionally, since Crocodile was a Shichibukai, his actions reflect on the Marine Headquarters and World Government. We need to keep some of what he's done confidential."
"I hope you can convince Ikki to keep the Crocodile incident a secret. As for his swordsmanship... Hina, if he's still willing to teach you, you might consider learning from him. His students progress quickly, perhaps because of his style. It could be very useful to the Marines. I'll also inquire about this from Tashigi later."
After reading the report's details, the strict Sengoku was naturally curious about the power demonstrated by Vivi and the others. Since Ikki had once offered to teach Hina, Sengoku didn't mind letting her try again.
Vice Admiral Zephyr lowered his head, pondering the story about Ikki. He was also curious about him but, considering his next assignment, abandoned the idea of meeting Ikki.
"Understood, Fleet Admiral!" Hina nodded in agreement after receiving her orders.
"Also, investigate Nico Robin while you're at it," Sengoku added, looking down at a portion of the report with a question mark. "This information mentions the appearance of someone suspected to be Nico Robin."
"Nico Robin?" Off to the side, Aokiji frowned quietly.
Half an hour later, two Marine battleships sailed out of the Marine port and began heading toward Alabasta. On one of them, Hina stood at the bow wearing sunglasses, talking on a Den Den Mushi.
"Smoker, where are you now?"
"What is it, Hina?" came the reply.
"Ikki and his companions defeated Crocodile in Alabasta. Hina thought you might be interested in this, so I'm letting you know."
Grand Line, first half.
"Captain Smoker, don't we need to continue the pursuit?" Tashigi asked, holding her sword as she approached Smoker.
"Let the Straw Hat crew go. We're heading to Alabasta first," Smoker replied, putting the Den Den Mushi back into his pocket. He looked down at Tashigi and continued, "Ikki has appeared in Alabasta and defeated the Shichibukai Crocodile with his companions."
"Defeated Shichibukai Crocodile? Is Mr. Ikki that powerful?! Wait, three companions?" Tashigi asked in surprise.
"Yes, three companions. According to Hina's information, Ikki seems to have invited the princess of Alabasta to join his crew and taught her a sword style that can control ice," Smoker nodded. "The princess of Alabasta apparently performed very well in the battle against Crocodile."
"Tashigi, you're familiar with Ikki. Among the sword styles he knows, are there any that can create ice? I don't remember seeing an ice-controlling style in the 'Demon Slayer' manga he gave you. Though that ghost from the 'Upper Moon' seems to have ice powers."
After all this time, Smoker had found the opportunity to read the "Demon Slayer" manga that Tashigi had. Seeing the sword techniques that Ikki also used in real life, Smoker naturally didn't treat "Demon Slayer" as just a story.
Smoker admired the swordsmen of the Demon Slayer Corps depicted in the story. Even sacrificing their lives to kill evil demons—wasn't this the justice he believed in?
"I've never seen Mr. Ikki use swordsmanship that creates ice," Tashigi replied. "However, according to 'Demon Slayer', swordsmen can develop different breathing styles based on their own methods. Although it's not shown in the manga, perhaps Mr. Ikki developed a sword style that uses ice."
"Captain Smoker, are we going to Alabasta to hold Mr. Ikki responsible for killing Crocodile?" she asked worriedly.
"Don't worry. That Crocodile was planning to overthrow Alabasta's royal family," Smoker explained. "What Ikki did has been recognized and appreciated by the King of Alabasta. We're going there to work with Hina and others to investigate what Crocodile was doing in Alabasta. Our current location isn't too far from Alabasta anyway."
"After this mission is over, you may need to explain your sword skills to the higher-ups," he added.
"My swordsmanship?" Tashigi frowned.
"Hmph, those people upstairs are very curious about how quickly Ikki's companions get stronger," Smoker said. "They think the breathing method that Ikki taught you, Nami, and the others might make people stronger more quickly than the Marines' regular training methods."
"I don't believe it. If this breathing method really has such power, would he let it spread so easily? Tashigi, didn't you learn the swordsmanship Ikki taught almost in a daze? Forget those higher-ups. More than anything, you probably want to see Ikki again. It's been a while since you last saw him. This is a good chance to meet up before he gets taken away by Nami and Nojiko."
Smoker patted Tashigi on the shoulder and walked toward the other Marines.
"Really, Captain Smoker says such things again..." Tashigi's face turned red, but she didn't deny Smoker's suggestion that she liked Ikki.
"Water Breathing, following the breathing method can indeed improve the body's functions. But... how did my body adapt to this breathing method?" she murmured to herself, thinking about Ikki training her, confusion on her face.
Just as Smoker had said, she seemed to have simply followed Ikki's suggestions. It didn't seem easy to summarize the specific method of Water Breathing.
"Well, at least I don't have to worry about teaching the Water Breathing method to others and making Mr. Ikki unhappy," Tashigi said to herself. She raised her head and quickly ran to where Smoker was.
'Ikki, we can meet again!' she thought. 'I wonder how he's doing now. Nami and Nojiko... they shouldn't be with him yet, right?'
Thinking about seeing Ikki again soon, Tashigi felt both excited and a little worried.
Meanwhile, in Alubarna, the royal capital of Alabasta...
"Achoo!"
"Have you caught a cold, Captain Ikki?" Vivi asked, as she got off Ikki's back and looked at him with concern.
She didn't notice that her father Cobra, childhood friend Koza, and the others were looking at her strangely.
"Don't worry, my nose just itched suddenly," Ikki waved his hand, indicating that Vivi didn't need to worry.
"Speaking of which, where is King Cobra? And Nico Robin? Where is she now?" Although Ikki felt that his agreement with Robin had been fulfilled and he no longer owed her anything, he had left so suddenly to deal with Crocodile that he still wanted to say goodbye to her properly.
"In her words, she left after seeing what she wanted to see," Cobra replied, walking up to Ikki and Vivi. "But she said she would meet you again, Ikki."
Then Cobra's eyes looked Ikki up and down, as if trying to understand everything about him.
"King Cobra, is there something about me that interests you?" Ikki asked, confused.
"Nothing strange, I just think you're quite talented, Ikki, haha," Cobra laughed. "I really must thank you for your help. Without you, Alabasta would be in a terrible situation."
"Come, Vivi, Ikki, Miss Nami, and Miss Nojiko. I've prepared a banquet for you. Please follow me," Cobra said happily, patting Ikki and Vivi on the shoulders before leading the way out of the royal chamber toward the banquet hall.
"Vivi, is your father acting a little weird?" Ikki whispered, leaning close to Vivi's ear as they walked. "And your childhood friend, and those guards... they're all looking at us strangely."
With Ikki's Observation Haki perception, he could naturally feel the odd looks that Cobra, Pell, and the others were giving him and Vivi.
"I don't know. Maybe everyone just wants to thank you, Captain Ikki," Vivi whispered back.
"Really?" Ikki looked suspiciously at Cobra and the others, feeling that something was off.
'Forget it. Compared to this, the swords that Chaka and Pell carry are more important,' he thought, shaking his head before continuing in a low voice:
"Vivi, do you remember the deal you first made with me?"
"The first deal? You mean Pell's sword?" she asked.
"That's right! Not just Pell's famous sword, but also the one Chaka carries. Please help me get both of them."
"You want Chaka's sword too? Captain Ikki, you're being a bit greedy," Vivi teased.
"I can't help it. The swords they carry are all grade swords. I'm a sword hunter, after all. I can't ignore a famous sword when I see one."
"Okay! I'll ask Pell and Chaka later. But... Captain Ikki, can you promise me something?"
"What is it? We're crew members—I'll agree to whatever I can."
"It's not too difficult. I want to ask you to teach Chaka and Pell your sword skills. I think that would make it easier for me to get their swords," Vivi whispered.
After everything that had happened with Baroque Works, Vivi felt more strongly about the importance of having strength to protect a country.
"Captain Ikki, you once taught a Marine named Tashigi the Water Breathing swordsmanship. You can teach other people related sword skills too. To prevent something like Crocodile from happening again in Alabasta, I hope this country can have two stronger fighters. Captain Ikki, can you grant this small request from your crew member?"
As she spoke, Vivi reached out and grabbed Ikki's hand.
"Teach Chaka and Pell swordsmanship?" Ikki looked at them thoughtfully. "That's not impossible. I'll be staying in Alabasta for a few days anyway. I can use this time to teach them. But whether they can learn it depends on their talent. You understand that, Vivi."
The breathing sword styles weren't easy to learn. Without the system's power-up items to quickly master the techniques, one had to rely on natural ability to learn the breathing styles. Ikki didn't think everyone in this world had the qualification to learn breathing techniques like Tashigi did. Not many people could master Water Breathing as quickly as Tashigi and learn other breathing techniques.
"Thank you, Captain Ikki. As long as you're willing to teach them, I'm happy," Vivi smiled brightly and hugged Ikki's arm tightly.
Cobra, walking ahead, saw this and became more convinced of what Nico Robin had told him before leaving.
'Vivi has finally found her home,' he thought. 'After what Robin said, it seems Vivi wants to go adventuring with Ikki. With his strength, he should be able to protect her. The only issue now is the wedding. Since they're already expecting a child, we need to hold the wedding as soon as possible.'
Cobra nodded to himself, then approached Chaka who was standing nearby and asked in a low voice, "Chaka, is everything for the wedding ready?"
"Don't worry, Your Majesty," Chaka patted his chest reassuringly. "Everything is prepared, and the announcement has been distributed throughout the country."
"Excellent. That puts my mind at ease," Cobra replied, patting his chest with a relieved expression.