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She also wanted to know if the ending would change.
"Either way, even if we don't know what the future holds, I really do want to get my hands on Whitebeard's Supreme Grade Sword. And Vista's two blades as well. A swordsman of Vista's caliber can't possibly be fighting with anything ordinary."
Ikki said with a smile.
"And Hawkeye Mihawk's sword? You must want that one too, Lord Ikki," Belo Betty said with a light chuckle.
"Naturally. But getting it here at Marine Headquarters would be difficult."
Ikki shook his head.
It wasn't a question of confidence. With his Innate Demon Slayer Mark, the Transparent World, and his Zanpakuto all in play, he genuinely believed he could beat Mihawk.
But even if he won, he'd come out of it exhausted and likely banged up. The last thing he needed was to be in that state at Marine Headquarters with the Marines and the World Government both nearby and looking for any opening to press.
"It seems you'd rather not duel the world's greatest swordsman here. Though from what I've heard, he's quite eager to face you. If he actually comes looking, are you going to turn him down?"
Belo Betty had spoken with Bartholomew Kuma at some point, and through that conversation she had come to understand that Dracule Mihawk had been wanting to find and duel Ikki for some time, and that Gion was the reason.
Mihawk had seen Gion's swordsmanship and been impressed. Her weapon was unusual too. Monohoshizao was not among the world's famous named blades, and yet in terms of sheer quality it surpassed most swords that pirates carried. The fact that all of Gion's skill traced back to Ikki's instruction was more than enough to make Mihawk curious.
And then there was Hancock. Her swordsmanship had surprised Mihawk as well, but what had truly caught his attention was Aestus Estus, the crimson longsword she carried, which Ikki had crafted. That blade was something else entirely.
Monohoshizao was sharp and long, a weapon that rewarded reach and precision, and Mihawk could appreciate that. But it was a pole. Compared to the crimson sword in Hancock's hand, it had no special quality beyond its physical characteristics. Aestus Estus was different. It was a truly exceptional weapon.
Mihawk had once witnessed Hancock summon an enormous golden palace with that sword, and had personally felt the way that structure amplified her power. He had come close to losing his sword arm in the skirmish that followed, caught between Hancock and Gion, and it was only his perception that had saved him from ending up like his old friend Shanks.
Under those circumstances, there was no question he would seek Ikki out. Belo Betty, Robin, and the rest of the crew had all come to the same conclusion independently.
"Heh. Even if he comes after me, I'm not going to back him into a corner and fight him in earnest. A light exchange to test each other is fine though."
Ikki nodded.
"I'm not sure Mihawk will settle for that. He might push for a real fight no matter what you say."
Belo Betty had seen firsthand that Mihawk had dueled Gion at past Warlord meetings and had clashed with both Gion and Hancock right here at Marine Headquarters. He wasn't the type to let an opportunity slip by. And after this war was over, Ikki might disappear to somewhere Mihawk would struggle to find him. Belo Betty thought it was entirely plausible that Mihawk would try to force the issue.
"What's there to worry about? There's still Gion. All she has to do is step in. Her strength alone may not be enough to beat Mihawk, but the moment she moves, Tsuru, Sengoku, and the rest won't just stand there watching. They'll step in to stop him. Mihawk isn't stupid. He wouldn't force a duel under those conditions."
Ikki waved his hand.
"So it was all accounted for from the start. That does put my mind at ease." Belo Betty placed a hand over her chest.
"The way you're talking, you'd think you were one of us," Perona said, throwing a sharp glance at Belo Betty.
Perona didn't like her. In Perona's view, Belo Betty's ties to the Revolutionary Army were a liability that could bring trouble down on Ikki, and by extension on herself. If she could have had her way, she would have asked Ikki to cut ties with her entirely. But she only kept that thought firmly to herself.
She had spent enough time with Ikki to know his character. He had already accepted Durandal, one of the Twenty-One Great Swords that Belo Betty had delivered on behalf of the Revolutionary Army. That meant he would keep his end of the arrangement and train a swordsman for them.
'Though she's not really a swordsman, is she,' Perona thought, glancing at the enormous axe blade Belo Betty wore at her hip, suspended by chains. Rock Breathing didn't require a sword. Belo Betty had no need for one. Ikki had also deliberately kept her weapon different from Gyomei Himejima's in the manga, to make sure the Marines couldn't connect Belo Betty's fighting style to the leaked Demon Slayer source material.
"At the very least, we're companions now, aren't we, lovely Miss Perona?"
Belo Betty smiled without a trace of irritation. She had that quality about her, a broadness of character that didn't take easy offense. It was part of why Dragon had chosen her from among the many candidates who had sought a place at Ikki's side. Her temperament, and her strength.
Only someone already formidable enough could come to Ikki, undergo his training, and come out capable of standing against the kind of enemies the Revolutionary Army needed to face.