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[Ding! It has been detected that the host's partner, Nico Robin, has reached the SS-tier in terms of life force through training. The host is hereby rewarded with a 'High-Level Armament Haki Fragment'.]
[Note: Three 'High-Level Armament Haki Fragments' can be combined into one 'Advanced Armament Haki Awakening Life Potion'!]
Aboard a Marine warship, Ikki, who had been chatting with Gion, suddenly froze when he heard the system's voice in his mind.
"What's wrong, Ikki?"
Gion tilted her head, looking at him in confusion.
"Haha, it's nothing. I just sensed that one of my companions has become stronger again."
Ikki smiled.
Gion nodded slightly. She already knew that Ikki had a special connection with those marked by the Partner Seal.
Because of that, neither she nor the others found it strange that he could sense when one of his partners had grown stronger.
"Ikki, which companion are you talking about? Why don't we invite her over and celebrate?"
"Actually, why don't we invite everyone from the Explorer?"
"It's almost lunchtime anyway."
Gion smiled.
She wasn't simply inviting Ikki's companions over for a meal.
What she truly wanted was to earn the approval of Ikki's partners and build good relationships between them and the Marines.
Even if the possibility was small, she believed that if more of Ikki's companions developed a favorable impression of the Marines, it would be a good thing.
Perhaps it would increase the chances of Ikki joining the Marines in the future.
Just imagining the years she could spend working alongside him in the Marines made Gion feel excited.
"Let's forget it, Gion." Ikki leaned closer and spoke softly near her ear. "You know there are some people with me who can't show their faces here. If others discover them, they might label me an enemy of the Marines, and that wouldn't be good."
Hearing his words, Gion shook her head regretfully.
She naturally understood who he was referring to. Ginrummy, who had recently appeared aboard the Explorer, was one of them.
Besides her, there was also Nico Robin. The mission involving Robin was something the Marines and the World Government absolutely could not discover.
Within the Marines, only Gion, Kuzan, and Tsuru currently knew about it.
"Alright. In that case, I won't force the issue."
"But Ikki, are you planning to see the partner who became stronger?"
Gion asked.
"Yes. I want to see her changes with my own eyes."
"Besides, I have something to give Nami."
As he spoke, Ikki glanced toward the Explorer, where Nami was directing the crew's navigation.
The next moment, his consciousness entered his personal space, where he combined the three High-Level Armament Haki Fragments he had accumulated into an Advanced Armament Haki Awakening Life Potion.
'With this, Nami will be one step closer to becoming the right-hand woman of a Yonko.'
Ikki smiled inwardly.
After bidding farewell to Gion and greeting Hina and Tashigi, he leaped from the warship and headed toward the Explorer.
"Nami, this is for you."
The moment he landed on the deck, Ikki handed the life potion to her.
"This is the Advanced Armament Haki Awakening Life Potion we talked about before."
"After drinking it, you'd better keep your promise and train hard enough to become someone worthy of being called a Yonko's right-hand woman."
Ikki laughed.
"Hehe, don't worry, Captain."
Seeing how much confidence he had in her, Nami beamed with happiness and immediately drank the life potion.
As soon as it entered her stomach, it transformed into a warm current that flowed through every part of her body.
In only a few moments, Nami felt a tremendous change in her strength.
Instinctively, she swung her hand toward the sea.
A blast of Armament Haki shot out like a cannonball and slammed into the ocean, creating a circular crater several meters wide.
The people nearby immediately froze.
Ginrummy and Belo Betty, who had just left the training room and stepped onto the deck, stared in shock.
"Armament Haki released externally... Advanced Armament Haki?!"
"Congratulations, Miss Nami!"
Belo Betty inhaled sharply before hurrying over to offer her congratulations.
At the same time, the way she looked at Ikki became even brighter.
"Congratulations, Miss Nami."
Ginrummy spoke with a trembling voice, her heart filled with even greater awe toward both Nami and Ikki.
After all, she had only ever seen that level of Armament Haki among the strongest members of the Beasts Pirates.
Every one of those individuals was a true powerhouse.
Now she was watching Nami wield the same power.
Ginrummy could only sigh helplessly.
'She's clearly a woman like me, so why is she already this strong?'
'I will do it. I will definitely become Lord Ikki's partner and become just as powerful.'
Her eyes shone as she looked at him.
"Lord Ikki, before we arrive at Marine Headquarters..."
"Could you continue guiding my swordsmanship training?"
"I've almost completely mastered Rock Breathing."
"It's about time to begin training for those so-called marks."
After witnessing Nami's display, Belo Betty also stepped forward, her eyes gleaming with anticipation.
Not only Belo Betty, but Ginrummy felt the same way.
"The power of the marks, huh? You've indeed nearly mastered the use of Rock Breathing."
"I also possess a method that can directly activate the Demon Slayer Mark."
"But you're a little too old."
"Since you've read my Demon Slayer manga, you should know that someone your age wouldn't have long to live after awakening a Demon Slayer Mark."
Ikki shook his head.
"But, Lord Ikki, you must have a solution."
"After all, some of the people around you are clearly older than the normal age limit, yet they're perfectly fine."
Belo Betty laughed lightly.
"That's because I helped them comprehend their Innate Demon Slayer Mark."
"Even if the user is older, awakening an Innate Demon Slayer Mark won't cause any problems."
"Don't worry, Belo Betty. You brought me that famous sword."
"I naturally intend to keep my promise."
"However, if I use my power to forcefully awaken your mark and begin the process of transforming it into an Innate Demon Slayer Mark..."
"You won't be able to move around freely for quite some time."
"Even during my upcoming battle against the Whitebeard Pirates, you wouldn't be able to participate."
Ikki smiled as he watched her.
"Are you really sure you want to begin Innate Demon Slayer Mark training right now?"
"Of course, Lord Ikki."
"I followed you precisely because I wanted to make the most of my time cultivating."
"Even if I can't fully comprehend the Innate Demon Slayer Mark before the war ends, you can still help me complete it afterward, can't you?"
Belo Betty laughed.
"Even so, aren't you worried that I might die during the war? If that happened, your training would end there."
"I believe that with your abilities, Lord Ikki, you could never die in that war."
"Besides, you have so many powerful allies around you."
"You're surprisingly open-minded, Belo Betty."
Ikki chuckled softly and stroked his chin in thought.
'After the war ends, Sabo will most likely recover his memories of being Ace and Luffy's brother.'
'If I act too aggressively against the Whitebeard Pirates or Ace during the war, the Revolutionary Army's attitude toward me may change completely.'
'If that happens, Belo Betty may no longer be able to continue training with me.'
'And then I wouldn't be able to fulfill my promise.'
'In that case, starting her Innate Demon Slayer Mark training now really is the right decision.'
'Even if the Revolutionary Army's attitude changes because of Ace's situation, I can still fulfill my promise and help her master the power of her Innate Demon Slayer Mark while she's unable to move freely.'
With that thought, Ikki nodded to himself.
"Alright, Miss Belo Betty. I agree."
"Let's begin your Innate Demon Slayer Mark training."
"With your understanding of Rock Breathing, you may be able to master that power very quickly."
Ikki looked up and smiled at Belo Betty.