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"It looks like our Captain Ikki will be spending the next few days soaking in the gym's hot spring again."
"Even if that's the case, it's not so bad. After I finish training in the Sword Enlightenment Room, I can just head to the hot spring and find Captain Ikki."
"Hey, Nami, you're trying to delay Captain Ikki from helping Miss Belo Betty awaken her Innate Demon Slayer Mark, aren't you?"
"What does it matter, Nojiko? Once the Innate Demon Slayer Mark is awakened, Captain Ikki only needs to stay there and wait."
"That's true. Now that you mention it, I'm a little tempted too."
As soon as Ikki finished speaking, his companions immediately began discussing the matter among themselves.
After so much time had passed, everyone had long since gotten used to mixed bathing.
Of course, they still felt shy every now and then.
"Thank you, Lord Ikki."
"So, how do we begin this mark training?"
Although Belo Betty was somewhat puzzled by Nami and the others' discussion, she still gave Ikki an elegant bow and asked politely.
"It's because I need to engrave a seal on you. That way, my power can influence you."
"Belo Betty, I hope you'll promise me one thing."
"Don't reveal this seal to the Marines or the World Government."
"Otherwise, they'll definitely target me directly, and I don't intend to fall out with them just yet."
As he spoke, Ikki took out the Partner Seal from his system space.
"I see. So you don't intend to become enemies with the Marines for the time being."
"Lord Ikki, can I take that to mean you might become enemies with them someday?"
Belo Betty smiled as she looked at him expectantly.
"Don't overthink it."
Ikki rolled his eyes before glancing at her.
"Hold out your hand... actually, never mind. The back of your hand would be too obvious."
"Let's find somewhere more private to engrave it."
As he spoke, Ikki looked Belo Betty up and down, frowning slightly.
The problem was simple—her clothing was far too revealing.
For a moment, he genuinely couldn't find a discreet place to hide the seal.
Even the location over the heart wasn't particularly concealed.
Belo Betty noticed his gaze, but instead of feeling embarrassed, she gracefully spun around in front of him.
"It seems Lord Ikki is having a difficult time deciding."
"Would my abdomen work?"
"Belo Betty, are you sure that's safe? Your usual clothing leaves quite a lot exposed."
"Then..." Belo Betty chuckled softly.
"Why not engrave it somewhere even more hidden?"
Turning her back toward him, she slowly slid her right hand downward from her lower back.
The flirtatious gesture immediately caused Vivi and several others to blush.
However, Ikki remained perfectly calm.
He had seen far too much to be flustered by something like this.
After thinking for a moment, he nodded.
Even if she wore a short skirt, there was one place that certainly wouldn't be exposed.
"Alright."
"I'll choose a location that won't be visible even if you're wearing a swimsuit."
"That said, are you sure, Belo Betty?"
"If your future husband discovers a strange mark there on your wedding night, how are you going to explain it?"
Ikki asked with an amused smile.
"Hmm..."
Belo Betty stroked her chin thoughtfully.
"I'll worry about that when the time comes."
"Lord Ikki, shall we do it now?"
As she spoke, her hands moved toward the hem of her skirt.
"Hold on."
"We'll do it once we get to the gym's bathing area."
"You can wrap yourself in a bath towel then."
Ikki waved his hand.
He didn't want Belo Betty to think he was taking advantage of her.
More importantly, he had no intention of engraving a Partner Seal on an outsider in front of Nami, Robin, and the rest of his companions.
Seeing Robin and the others watching him with teasing expressions, Ikki helplessly waved at Belo Betty.
After asking Nami to greet Gion on his behalf, he headed toward the gym.
Belo Betty chuckled and followed after him.
Meanwhile, Nojiko and the others returned to their training in the Sword Enlightenment Room.
Ginrummy, however, noticed that no one was paying attention to her and quietly slipped after Ikki and Belo Betty.
[Ding! Congratulations to the host for successfully engraving a Partner Seal on Belo Betty.]
[Special Reward: 'Sea-Breaking Realm Sword Master Challenge' privilege.]
[Special Reward: 'Instant Advancement to the Mountain-Cutting Realm' privilege.]
[Note: Please use the 'Sea-Breaking Realm Sword Master Challenge' after Belo Betty completes the Mountain-Cutting Realm.]
[Belo Betty's personal attributes have been updated. Please check them.]
'Huh?'
'After engraving the Partner Seal on Belo Betty, the system actually granted a Sea-Breaking Realm Sword Master Challenge?'
'Does that mean she's already advanced from an ordinary swordswoman to the Iron-Cutting Realm?'
'That's strange.'
'She's training in Rock Breathing, and she isn't even using a conventional sword.'
'Yet her swordsmanship has improved this quickly?'
'As expected of one of the Revolutionary Army's highest-ranking commanders.'
'Her talent is truly exceptional.'
Still immersed in the hot spring, Ikki withdrew his hand and looked at Belo Betty's back with surprise.
At that moment, he realized that Belo Betty's determination was extraordinary.
Even using the giant kusarigama he had forged for her, she had managed to improve her swordsmanship at an astonishing pace.
After a moment's thought, Ikki opened her status panel.
[Name: Belo Betty]
Age: 32
Weapon: None
Life Force: 50,003 (S-Rank)
Swordsmanship Realm: Iron-Cutting Realm
Sword Style: Rock Breathing
Special Abilities: Pump-Pump Fruit, Intermediate Armament Haki, Intermediate Observation Haki
'S-Rank life force... impressive.'
'If she awakens her Innate Demon Slayer Mark in the future and gains insight into the Transparent World...'
'Combined with the group-enhancement abilities of the Pump-Pump Fruit...'
'She could become one of the Revolutionary Army's true pillars.'
Ikki thought to himself.
"Ikki, is it finished?"
As the cool sensation of the engraving faded from her back, Belo Betty's curious voice reached his ears.
"Yes."
"The seal is complete."
"That means you've met the requirements for me to help awaken your Innate Demon Slayer Mark."
Ikki leaned against the edge of the hot spring and silently observed Belo Betty, who was wrapped in a bath towel.
"Honestly, the Partner Seal was originally intended only for my partners."
"I never expected both the Marines and the Revolutionary Army to come looking for it."
"If possible, we'd very much like to become your partners, Lord Ikki."
Belo Betty removed her sunglasses, placed them beside her, and smiled.
"Forget it."
"I enjoy my freedom."
"Neither the Marines nor the Revolutionary Army suits me."
Ikki shook his head.
"Really? What a shame."
Belo Betty hadn't expected a few words to recruit him anyway, so she wasn't particularly disappointed.
"Alright."
"Prepare yourself."
"I'm about to use my power to directly awaken your Demon Slayer Mark."
"When that happens, even inside this healing hot spring, you'll experience the sensation of your body being completely drained."
"But don't worry."
"As long as you remain here, you'll be fine."
"Once the mark is awakened, the rest will depend on time."
"If your talent is high enough, you may be able to transform it into an Innate Demon Slayer Mark fairly quickly."
"And once that happens, your strength will reach an entirely new level."
"Although activating an Innate Demon Slayer Mark only grants that boost temporarily."
As he spoke, Ikki placed both hands on Belo Betty's smooth shoulders.
"Go ahead, Lord Ikki."
"I'm ready."
Belo Betty took a deep breath.
Ikki nodded.
The next moment, a powerful stream of energy infused with the essence of Rock Breathing flowed into her body.
His own Innate Demon Slayer Mark activated automatically.
The energy of Rock Breathing instantly became scorching hot.
A moment later, Ikki noticed two faint markings appearing near Belo Betty's collarbones.
The Demon Slayer Mark had awakened.
Pale yellow lines rapidly spread outward from the marks, extending across her chest and back as intricate patterns quickly formed across her body.