Check out advanced chapters on P@treon: [email protected]/CosmicKaminari
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"About this... I'll summon you if necessary," Ikki said with a smile. "As you all know, it's very convenient for me to summon all of you now." He wasn't lying.
In the past, the doors to the gym and the sword training room could only remain fixed in one location. Now, however, he could freely move between the two rooms provided by the system.
If he wanted to, he could even place the gym's entrance directly on the ground outside, allowing everyone inside to walk out through the main entrance. Hearing this, everyone nodded, knowing he wasn't exaggerating.
"Also, about the upcoming Marineford War..." Ikki paused, his expression turning serious. "Everyone in the gym should prepare yourselves."
"When the war begins, all of you may have to take part." The atmosphere immediately grew heavy as his words settled over the room.
"W-We all have to fight? No! I don't want to go to a battlefield like that!" Perona cried, spinning around to flee, only for Ikki to catch her and pull her into his arms.
No matter how hard she struggled, she couldn't break free. "Let me go, Captain Ikki! Please don't make me go to war! I don't want to experience a battlefield like that!"
"You were clearly much braver before. So why are you acting so spoiled again?" Kalifa frowned, clearly displeased. Ikki had entrusted Perona to her care, so she couldn't help feeling partly responsible.
"There's nothing we can do about it. All the battles before were just small fights, but this time is completely different." Perona's voice shook, and even her body trembled with fear.
"You silly girl." Feeling her trembling in his arms, Ikki sighed. "You're the woman wielding the Zanpakutō I gave you, one capable of summoning a giant black-armored samurai."
"With a weapon like that, you shouldn't be this timid." As he spoke, he pinched both of Perona's cheeks.
"Ow! That hurts!" Perona yelped. The pain instantly stopped her trembling, leaving her body stiff.
"Don't be so afraid. If you keep acting like this..." Ikki leaned close and whispered into her ear, "I'll have to do this every now and then."
"If you can endure it without crying... maybe I'll make an exception for you."
Perona pressed her lips together, desperately trying not to make a sound.
It wasn't because she was frightened. Ikki's face was simply too close, and although she believed he wouldn't take advantage of her, even this small lesson was enough to leave her flustered.
"Come on. Be more confident, Perona. Don't forget, you're not alone." His voice softened. "If any real danger appears, I'll stand in front of you and deal with it."
"Y-Yes, Captain Ikki... But could you stop rubbing me? It's... it's so embarrassing." She lowered her head, her face burning bright red.
Everyone in the gym burst into laughter. Perona's bashful expression was simply too adorable, even if she herself wasn't enjoying the attention.
"What does it matter? You both are fully dressed." Kalifa smiled with folded arms. "I think you should get used to it, Perona."
Robin chuckled. "That's right. If you can't even get used to this, you'll be even more uncomfortable when you end up sleeping beside Captain Ikki someday."
"H-How is that possible? I would never sleep with this guy!" Perona protested, only for Belo Betty to grin and add, "But you already bathed with Captain Ikki."
Perona instinctively wanted to argue, but the moment she noticed Ikki smiling at her, the words caught in her throat. She no longer dared make such absolute declarations.
If she really angered him and he decided to tease her further, she knew she'd be the one suffering. That thought alone made her fall silent.
"Hehe. Perona still dislikes me as much as ever." Ikki smiled. "She's really cute." He gave her cheek one last gentle squeeze before finally letting go.
"What? Are you backing down now, Captain Ikki? Already satisfied?" Belo Betty laughed, clearly amused.
"Not completely," Ikki admitted with a grin. "But if I keep teasing her, Perona is really going to cry, and I don't want to make such an adorable young lady cry."
Teasing Perona was fun, but he wasn't some kind of devil. Besides, after spending enough time together, she would naturally grow accustomed to the way he treated her.
"Since you're still not satisfied..." Belo Betty puffed out her chest with a teasing smile. "Would you like me to help?"
"You're the one who offered." Ikki didn't hesitate. He stepped forward and placed his right hand against her chest, calmly feeling the steady beat of her heart.
Belo Betty stiffened for only a moment before quickly relaxing again. Like Perona, she still hadn't decided whether she would become Ikki's woman, but that didn't stop her from giving him small favors.
After all, Ikki had helped her more than once, and if she wanted to obtain even greater power from him in the future, giving him a few benefits in return didn't bother her.
About a dozen seconds later, Ikki withdrew his hand. "That's enough."
"That's it?" Belo Betty asked in confusion, placing a hand over the spot he had touched.
"I should head back now." Ikki rubbed the back of his neck with a laugh. "Everyone should be gathering soon."
"If I'm any later, Nami and Nojiko will probably come looking for me. Rather than waiting to be dragged back, I'd rather go on my own." As he finished speaking, he looked across everyone gathered before him.