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"Tch!"
"She's just a few years older than me!"
"It's not like I won't become more mature in the future."
Nami crossed her arms and turned her head to look away.
She looked like she didn't want to talk to Ikki.
Ikki smiled - he believed that.
In just two years, Nami would indeed become quite mature.
Of course, he was referring to her body shape.
"Ikki, you haven't answered me yet. That empress obviously didn't stay on your crew's ship, but you gave her a weapon similar to the swords in Princess Vivi's hands."
"Does that mean you can give us weapons like this too?"
Sadi-chan walked up to Ikki and looked up into his eyes.
"Unfortunately, the weapons given to Hancock aren't the same type of weapons as those given to Nami and Vivi. Of course, that 'Aestus Estus' also has considerable power."
"It's somewhat similar to the long sword I once gave Gion. As I said before, if you want to get a Zanpakutō, you need to stay on my ship for a long time."
"After all, it's not very often that I can successfully develop weapons like that. I hope the people with these powerful weapons will stay with me and help me."
Ikki laughed.
At this time, he also thought of the Zanpakutō 'Hyōrinmaru' he left in the system space, the weapon known as the strongest ice-type Zanpakutō.
If possible, he would naturally want to take out this weapon and let one of his crewmates wield 'Hyōrinmaru'.
In that case, one day in the future, he would be able to use the strongest ice-element Zanpakutō.
But unfortunately, there was no one on board who could make Ikki hand over Hyōrinmaru with peace of mind.
Even Tashigi, who had a relatively better relationship, was the same.
"Okay, I have to take Vivi to the bathhouse for recuperation. I won't chat with you anymore, Sadi-chan."
"Vivi, when using Sode no Shirayuki's Bankai, please tell me first. Sode no Shirayuki's Bankai is quite dangerous and can seriously injure yourself if used improperly."
"Fortunately, I just removed your Bankai, otherwise I don't know what would have happened."
Ikki lowered his head and glanced at Vivi in his arms, who had lost most of her strength due to improper manipulation of Sode no Shirayuki's Bankai for the first time and had become quite weak.
"Sorry, Captain Ikki. I was just so excited that I forgot a little bit."
Vivi said with a blush, not sure whether it was because of lack of physical strength or because she was being held by Ikki.
"Wait a minute, Ikki. You just said that you gave Vice Admiral Gion and Hancock different weapons. Can you tell me what the conditions are?"
"Please tell me."
Sadi-chan saw Ikki walking away and quickly followed him.
However, at this time, Ikki had no intention of answering.
Just kidding - it was impossible to tell Sadi-chan about his relationship with Gion and Hancock.
There were some things that even friends needed to keep secret, not to mention a half-partner like Sadi-chan.
"Can people who become a member of the Explorer get 'Zanpakutō'? People like Hancock and Vice Admiral Gion were given other types of weapons."
"Is it because they are beautiful? No, Hina isn't bad either. If it was just because of their faces, he would have given Hina weapons, right?"
Hina frowned and turned to look at Tashigi who was supporting her toward the gym.
"Tashigi, you have a better relationship with Ikki. For what reason do you think Ikki gave the weapons to Vice Admiral Gion and Empress Hancock?"
"Ah... I, I don't know."
"Is it because those two people are closer to Ikki? In addition, both of them are in line with Ikki's aesthetics?"
Hina touched her chin, and a flash of understanding suddenly appeared in her eyes.
"Yes, that must be the case! Hina also fits Ikki's aesthetics, but her relationship with him is worse. Tashigi, you have a good relationship with Ikki, but you're not the sexy and mature woman that Ikki likes."
"That's why neither of us got excellent weapons. Yes, that's the case."
Hina nodded affirmatively, but she didn't know that Tashigi looked extremely embarrassed when she heard her words.
'Am I not mature enough?' Tashigi pursed her lips, feeling uneasy in her heart. 'But, did Ikki really hand over powerful weapons to Hancock and Vice Admiral Gion just because he felt they were mature and had a good relationship?'
'These weapons, even for Ikki, are extremely difficult treasures to obtain.'
'Hancock's weapon also needs to be converted using a famous sword as a medium.'
'Obviously Ikki was so eager to seek famous swords... wait, could it be because of that?'
Tashigi's eyes widened and her body trembled slightly.
She thought of the white spots on Gion's face in the bathroom.
'No... no way, forget Vice Admiral Gion.'
'Did that empress also reach that point with Ikki?'
'They must have known each other for a short time, right? Why would that proud empress fall for Ikki?'
The more Tashigi thought about it, the more she blushed. She even started to walk crookedly, and the wet bath towel on her body began to tilt, revealing a large area of fair skin.
"Tashigi, what are you thinking about? Do you have a fever?"
At this time, Hina turned her head and looked at the blushing Tashigi in confusion.
"No... no, no, don't worry, Captain Hina."
Tashigi shook her head quickly.
"That's good." Hina nodded slightly. "But you'd better tidy up your bath towel. Ikki is in the bathroom right now."
"Of course, if you want to show him, just pretend Hina didn't say anything. Hina knows you like Ikki, but Hina has to remind you that that man is too much."
"And you are too gentle. It's difficult for him to only hold you in his heart."
After saying this, Hina fell silent.
After this period of observation, Ikki's impression had been finalized in her eyes.
If it weren't for the fact that Ikki was too carefree, Hina would even think that he was a good man, and her attitude toward him would be much better.
Of course, Ikki didn't know this.
'Can I just... pretend to be mature?'
Tashigi's eyes dimmed.
'Wait, if Vice Admiral Gion and Hancock really have that kind of relationship with Ikki.'
'Don't they both mind? Or do they not know about each other?'
'No, Vice Admiral Gion mentioned Hancock when she came here, so she should know about it.'
'If they don't mind, would Ikki be willing to accept me?'
Thinking of this, the blush on Tashigi's face became heavier and heavier.
She didn't know why she thought of this, but when she thought of Ikki, even she couldn't help but think about it.
Just like this, she continued to feel drowsy as she helped Hina enter the hot spring provided by the gym.
"Ikki, Mr. Ikki, Mr. Ikki, can't you really tell Sadi-chan? I also want to own a weapon like Hancock's."
In the bathhouse, Sadi-chan's seductive voice pulled Tashigi back from her thoughts.
She raised her head and saw only Ikki who was trying to leave the bathhouse, and Sadi-chan who was holding Ikki's hand firmly against her chest.
"Don't be too greedy, Sadi-chan. I promised that I will teach you well and make you a great swordsman like Shiryu."
"Coupled with your original strength, you can at least become an elite Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral. Isn't this enough?"
"That kind of weapon is difficult for even me to get. The relationship between the two of us isn't so good that I have to hand over the weapon to you, right?"
"If you're really free, just put on your clothes and come with me to practice the swordsmanship of Love Breathing, or become a model and let me paint."
"Stop dragging me along."
Ikki glanced helplessly at Sadi-chan, who was getting more and more familiar with him.
Although the touch on his arm made Ikki feel quite good, it wasn't like he had never touched a woman before.
Naturally, he wouldn't take out weapons of the 'Aestus Estus' type just because of this.
Even though he now had a weapon even better than 'Aestus Estus' - the 'Balmung' that could activate Siegfried's power.
"Tashigi, Hina, you're here. As Marines, please give this Sadi-chan some good advice."
After seeing Sadi-chan still refuse to let go, even pouting with a cute expression, Ikki sighed and looked at Tashigi and Hina.
"Tsk, anyway, you can come up with such excellent weapons from time to time. So what if you give them to Marines?"
"Rather than handing them over to pirates like Hancock, Hina would rather see these excellent weapons being used by Marines."
Hina snorted and suddenly bumped into Ikki's back with strength she didn't know where she found.
Ikki fell into the hot spring together with her, and bumped into Tashigi who was looking at them.
The sudden contact made Tashigi panic and pull Ikki out of the water.
She endured the shame and wiped Ikki's wet hair.
"What are you doing? You probably don't like me staying in this water with you."
Ikki glanced at Tashigi gratefully, then turned to look doubtfully at Hina who had jumped into the water and splashed everywhere.
"It's now less than ten minutes away from Fish-Man Island. Hina wants to go to Fish-Man Island later."
"When the time comes, Hina needs you to keep your Demon Slayer Mark active with her, so now you should get in here to recover your strength."
Hina raised her hand to hold Ikki's shoulder and said in a serious tone.
"Haha, that's it. Forget it, I'll just stay with you for a while. But don't say anything when the time comes that I took advantage of you again and saw things I shouldn't have seen."
Ikki raised the corners of his mouth and looked Hina up and down with his eyes, as if he was looking through the water to see Hina's underwater state.
Hina frowned slightly and grabbed the towel tightly with both hands.
"Okay, stop looking like this. Don't forget that I have Transparent World - if I want, I can see your physical condition even if you're wearing heavy armor."
"You should still know the effect of Transparent World depicted in comic books. Now, I can freely control the degree of thickness of objects that can be seen through Transparent World."
Ikki smiled, took off his coat, and took the towel handed over by Vivi.
Hina's body froze when she heard Ikki's words. It was obvious that his words had affected her.
"Hina warns you, don't look around. Also, don't look at Hina!"
Hina raised her hand, wanting to push Ikki's face away.
Seeing Hina's angry expression, Ikki felt a surge of joy in his heart and simply closed his eyes, lying down in the water, enjoying a moment of peace.
He concentrated on recovering the physical strength that had been consumed since opening the Innate Demon Slayer Mark for Hina and Tashigi.
He knew that Fish-Man Island was very big.
Even if the Innate Demon Slayer Mark wasn't fully activated and didn't enter a fighting state, simply opening it to a state that prevented Hina from losing vitality due to her own Mark was enough.
It would consume a lot of physical energy as time went on.
He must take advantage of now to restore himself to his peak condition as much as possible.
'Tsk, I don't know if this guy can use his ability to see through with his eyes closed.'
Hina took a breath and looked at Ikki's whole body relaxing.
Finally, she squatted down against the wall and rested quietly.
On the side, Tashigi and Sadi-chan, who hadn't interrupted since just now, looked at each other.
Inexplicably, the two of them suddenly felt that the relationship between Ikki and Hina seemed to be quite good.
'Lucky Commodore Hina.'
'If my age reaches 25 years old.'
'I may also be temporarily unable to move freely because of the activation of the Demon Slayer Mark.'
'By then, Ikki will be able to act with me for a long time.'
Tashigi pursed her lips, the envy almost spilling out of her face.
Sadi-chan, on the other hand, touched her chin and gradually became lost in thought.
Meanwhile, on the other side.
En route to Fish-Man Island.
Vice Admiral Onigumo, who went to Fish-Man Island to perform a mission related to Jinbe, raised his head and looked deeply in the direction away from Fish-Man Island.
To be precise, it was the direction where Vivi used Sode no Shirayuki's Bankai.
"What's with that giant ice? Able to freeze the deep sea over a thousand meters... Could it be that Admiral Aokiji is here?"
"No, he should be at Marine Headquarters now. Why is he here?"
Vice Admiral Onigumo murmured, feeling quite confused in his heart.
However, his eyes could only see the obvious huge ice formation in the distance, but he could not notice the tiny Explorer still in the distance.