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"I've recently come across some rather interesting books."
"They talked about things like maid services and secretaries hiding under their boss's desk."
"You have all kinds of outfits there. We can try them on one by one."
Gion whispered into Ikki's ear, a seductive smile playing on her lips.
"Hmm? Where exactly did you find books like that?"
Ikki stared at her in disbelief. It was hard to imagine those words coming from the mouth of a Marine Admiral candidate who carried the banner of justice.
Although Gion often used her identity as a courtesan while carrying out missions against pirates, that was merely part of her work. Ikki certainly didn't believe she had studied such material purely for undercover operations.
"If you're willing to look for them, you'll naturally find them."
"Ikki, I only read those books because of you."
"Besides, simply hiding under a desk doesn't sound exciting enough."
"The books all say that when someone comes looking for the boss, the secretary hides underneath."
Gion's alluring words brushed against Ikki's ears, making him grin.
Wrapping an arm around the waist of the woman who stood a head taller than him, he smiled.
"When a beauty makes a suggestion like that, how could I possibly refuse?"
"The Explorer is over there. Let's go have a drink."
Even Ikki had to admit that Gion's proposal was tempting.
Just imagining the reactions of Hina, Tashigi, and the others was enough to make him chuckle.
Holding Gion around the waist, he leaped into the air and headed toward the Explorer.
The Marines aboard the warship watched in stunned silence.
Rumors of a relationship between Gion and Ikki had circulated for a long time, but only a handful of high-ranking officers knew the truth.
Now that Gion was openly showing affection toward him, more than a few Marines secretly nursing feelings for her felt their hearts shatter.
Ikki, of course, paid none of it any attention.
At that moment, all of his focus was on Gion.
"By the way, Gion, why don't you wear your Marine justice coat later?"
"Oh? So that's the game you want to play?"
Gion laughed.
"Ikki, you know what the word 'Justice' on our coats represents. If you're just asking me to put on the uniform..."
"Can't you make an exception?"
Ikki looked directly into her eyes.
The anticipation in his gaze was impossible to miss.
"Ugh... fine."
Gion sighed.
"I suppose it's not impossible."
Even so, the mere thought of it made her cheeks redden slightly.
She couldn't help squeezing the hand Ikki was holding.
"Ikki, don't tell anyone about this, alright?"
"Don't worry. I know what I'm doing."
Smiling, Ikki accelerated and landed on the deck of the Explorer a few moments later.
"Master Ikki!"
Ginrummy, dressed in a maid outfit while cleaning the deck, immediately looked up when she heard the noise.
The moment she saw Ikki carrying Gion in his arms, she froze.
Gion glanced at Ginrummy before turning to Ikki with an amused expression.
"Ikki, shouldn't this one be in Impel Down?"
Hearing that, Ginrummy instantly paled and looked at Ikki pleadingly.
"Don't scare her, Gion."
"She may be a member of the Beasts Pirates, but she's my prisoner now."
"I've done the Marines enough favors over the years. Keeping one prisoner around shouldn't be a problem, right?"
Ikki said with a smile.
He wasn't worried in the slightest.
He knew Gion well enough to understand her intentions.
If it had been some notorious and irredeemable criminal, Gion might have objected.
But for someone like Ginrummy, she was willing to overlook it.
Sure enough, Gion simply rolled her eyes at him.
"Fine."
"But you'll have to reward me properly."
"Of course."
Ikki nodded confidently.
After all, he still had a special Life Potion reserved for Gion.
Now that she had arrived, he naturally intended to use it on her.
As for how to explain the sudden increase in strength...
Perhaps he could think of a suitable excuse later.
"Hehe. Then I'll look forward to it."
With that, Gion ignored Ginrummy and entered the cabin alongside Ikki.
Watching them leave, Ginrummy finally breathed a sigh of relief.
"Master is incredible."
"He even managed to win over a Marine Admiral candidate."
"Robin was right. If I want to survive, I should stay on Master's good side."
Taking a deep breath, she quietly followed behind them.
With his Observation Haki, Ikki naturally noticed her movements.
But since Ginrummy wasn't causing trouble, he couldn't be bothered to stop her.
Several hours later, Ikki stood inside the bath area of the ship's training room, looking at Gion.
She was asleep on a recliner, her expression peaceful and content.
Smiling, Ikki took out a Life Potion from his personal space and carefully poured it into her mouth.
The medicine worked almost instantly.
Without any need for training, it was completely absorbed.
At the same time, a notification appeared in Ikki's mind.
Gion's Life Force had successfully broken through to the SSS level.
"So she's finally reached the level of a Marine Admiral."
"And with Monohoshizao and Tsubame Gaeshi, she could probably defeat many powerful opponents in a single strike."
Ikki stroked his chin thoughtfully.
Just then, Gion suddenly opened her eyes and pulled him into her embrace.
"Gion?"
Ikki asked in surprise.
"Ikki, what did you just do to me?"
Gion smiled as she wrapped her arms around him.
"Why does it feel like all my fatigue has disappeared?"
"And... I feel much stronger than before."
The stimulation from the potion had completely restored her energy, waking her from her sleep and leaving her acutely aware of the changes within her body.