Check out advanced chapters on P@treon: [email protected]/CosmicKaminari
----------
"According to Vice Admiral Garp's assessment, Vice Admiral Gion is now just one step away from becoming a real Marine Admiral," Hina continued.
"What led to this result was Ikki knowing Vice Admiral Gion for less than a month. If Hina says so, you should understand the power of that man."
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku agreed to let Hina go to Ikki because she knew the man and had Vice Admiral Gion's recommendation. Of course, I also requested that Tashigi come with me."
Hina turned to look at Tashigi as she spoke.
"Tashigi? Speaking of which, she really has improved a lot recently," Smoker said, turning to look at Tashigi with a sigh.
"That man Ikki might be right—Tashigi really is a genius in swordsmanship."
After learning Water Breathing swordsmanship, Tashigi's power had begun increasing at a speed visible to the naked eye. Now, she could even perform flying slashes.
If it weren't for the fact that Tashigi hadn't learned Armament Haki yet, Smoker was starting to feel she could pose a threat to him.
"It's all thanks to Ikki's teachings that I've achieved what I have now," Tashigi said quietly, lowering her head with a slight flush on her face.
Seeing this scene, Smoker and Hina exchanged glances. Without much thought, both knew that Tashigi was thinking about Ikki.
Smoker gestured to Hina, and the two walked to the edge of the ship alone.
"Hina, I heard that Vice Admiral Gion became involved with that Ikki. Is this true?" Smoker asked.
"It's true. If you return to Marine Headquarters, you'll learn the truth of this matter. It's been spread throughout the entire base."
"Such a thing happened... Hina, please don't tell Tashigi about the matter between Vice Admiral Gion and Ikki for now."
"Hina knows—you don't need to remind her. However, this matter will eventually be exposed unless Tashigi never returns to Marine Headquarters."
"We can hide it for as long as possible. As you can see, Tashigi seems to like Ikki quite a bit. Speaking of which, I thought you might become Tashigi's rival in love, but I didn't expect it would end up being Vice Admiral Gion."
"Hmph, you underestimate Hina too much. She would never like a man like Ikki," Hina said with a cold snort, turning around and walking toward the bow of the ship.
Calm Belt, Ruskaina Island.
"We're here. Let's disembark," Rayleigh said, jumping from the Explorer's deck and landing on the soft ground.
"This place is called Ruskaina Island. If we fight here, no one will disturb us."
"Speaking of which, you really are something, Ikki. None of your crewmates aboard are ordinary. Every one of them is a swordsman who can at least perform flying slashes."
"The rumored crew of great swordsmen and bounty hunters seems to be true. I just don't know if your swords are as special as the rumors say."
Rayleigh turned back, his eyes resting on the sabers at the waists of Ikki and the others.
"You even know about that? It should be information you got from Shakky," Ikki said, jumping off the boat and looking at Shakky, who remained on deck.
"Just something I happened to know," Shakky replied with a shrug and a smile.
Ikki nodded slightly and turned to look at Kalifa.
"Kalifa, do you want to go back to the cabin and rest? You have the Demon Slayer Mark now. Even after my influence these past days, you'll still feel uncomfortable if you stay outside too long."
Hearing this, Kalifa shook her head.
"Don't worry, Ikki. If I really can't hold on anymore, I'll go back. I want to see the battle between you and Silvers Rayleigh through to the end if possible."
"Also, I'd like to learn some techniques for using Katen Kyōkotsu from you."
After hearing that Kalifa wanted to learn how to use her Zanpakutō better, Ikki couldn't continue trying to persuade her. He could only take her hand and follow Rayleigh toward the center of the island with his other companions.
As for the beasts on the island, they scattered under Silvers Rayleigh's Conqueror's Haki and fled toward the island's outskirts.
"Kalifa, everyone, stay here," Ikki said.
"I'll handle this. Nojiko, the battle between Rayleigh and me may last quite a while. If Kalifa isn't feeling well, please send her back."
After saying a few words to his companions, Ikki drew Zangetsu from his waist and walked toward Rayleigh, who stood several hundred meters away.
"Ready?" Rayleigh asked, drawing the long sword that gleamed with cold light from his waist, a faint smile on his lips.
"Ready," Ikki replied, raising his blade. "The name of this sword is Zangetsu! Please go easy on me, Silvers Rayleigh."
"The name of my blade is Haō —it's also the source of my title," Rayleigh said, raising his hand and flourishing his sword. "Then, let's begin."
After those words, Rayleigh kicked hard against the ground. In the blink of an eye, he was above Ikki.
The black blade surrounded by black and red lightning fully expressed its nature as both Armament Haki and Conqueror's Haki.
Ikki's eyes sharpened as advanced Armament Haki and Conqueror's Haki instantly coated Zangetsu. He struck hard at Rayleigh's blade from bottom to top.
BOOM!
Thunder erupted from where the two clashed, and a gust of wind swept skyward from their location, instantly blowing away the clouds on the horizon. The entire island seemed to tremble faintly.
"Despite your young age, you've mastered advanced Armament Haki and Conqueror's Haki, and you can even use Conqueror's Haki infusion," Rayleigh observed, a flash of light in his eyes as he stared closely at Ikki, as if trying to see through him.
But soon, the blue-white brilliance gradually rising from Ikki's blade caught Rayleigh's attention.
"You're the amazing one, Silvers Rayleigh," Ikki replied.
"You're already this old, yet you still have such power. Speaking of which, is opening with Conqueror's Haki-infused attacks a standard greeting among you former Pirate King crew members?"
The corners of Ikki's mouth curved upward. Feeling the tremendous pressure in his hands, he made an instant decision to use his Bankai.
"Bankai: Tensa Zangetsu!"
There was an explosion. Rayleigh felt the strength in Ikki's hands suddenly multiply.
A massive black crescent formed and rushed toward the sky, pushing against Rayleigh's sword.
"Getsuga Tenshō!"