Check out advanced chapters on P@treon: [email protected]/CosmicKaminari
----------
"Let's go. Training is over. Head to the bath for a while. It'll help you recover your strength much faster."
As Ikki spoke, he turned and prepared to leave the Sword Enlightenment Room. However, just as he reached the door, Ginrummy suddenly collapsed.
Ikki reacted immediately, catching her before she could fall.
"I-I'm sorry, Lord Ikki." Ginrummy laughed awkwardly, looking embarrassed. "I don't know why, but my legs won't move."
"It was my oversight." Ikki shook his head. "First, you fought the Sword Shadow challenge. Then you sparred with me for so long afterward. Even someone made of iron would be exhausted. I'll carry you to the bath."
As he spoke, Ikki scooped her up in a princess carry.
"L-Lord Ikki!"
Being held by a man like this for the first time in her life, Ginrummy immediately panicked.
"Hm? Is there a problem?" Ikki lowered his head and looked at her curiously.
Ginrummy turned her face away, too embarrassed to meet his gaze.
Ikki chuckled but didn't press the issue. Carrying her in his arms, he walked out of the Sword Enlightenment Room.
"Wait, Ikki! I said wait!"
A lively voice suddenly echoed from a corner of the room.
"Oh, you're here, Perona." Ikki glanced at her but didn't slow down. "Do you need something?"
Seeing him continue walking toward the gym, Perona puffed out her cheeks and floated over to his side.
"Can't you stop for two seconds and talk to me?"
"Sorry, Perona. I need to get Ginrummy to the bath first. If it's important, you can tell me while we're walking."
"Ugh, you're impossible!" Perona stomped her foot in midair. "What I wanted to ask is when you're going to help me awaken my Innate Demon Slayer Mark."
"Oh?" Ikki raised an eyebrow. "So you're finally interested in training seriously?"
"Hmph!" Perona crossed her arms. "Everyone else has awakened their marks already. Now even Ginrummy is starting. If this keeps up, won't I become the weakest student?"
She shot Ginrummy a resentful glance.
As one of the later additions to the Explorer, Perona hadn't been particularly concerned about awakening her mark. But seeing Bello Betty, who had boarded even later than her, successfully awaken hers—and now watching Ginrummy begin the same process—made even Perona feel a sense of urgency.
"I see. So that's what's bothering you." Ikki smiled. "Actually, you don't need to worry so much about the Innate Demon Slayer Mark. You're different from Bello Betty. She spent every day soaking in the pool because she was desperate to grow stronger and return to the Revolutionary Army. But you've been living on the Explorer the whole time. As long as you're exposed to the influence of my Innate Demon Slayer Mark, you'll eventually awaken your own."
As he spoke, Ikki carried Ginrummy into the bath area and gently lowered her into the restorative pool.
"But I want it to happen faster, Captain Ikki." Perona grabbed his arm. "Can't you do something?"
"The method is obvious." Ikki looked at her speechlessly. "Stay near me while my Innate Demon Slayer Mark is active. But every time I train, you're off playing somewhere instead."
Perona blinked.
"Then activate it now and let me stay beside you. Problem solved."
"Sorry." Ikki shook his head. "I've already spent enough time in the pool today. I'd rather paint a few pictures than soak any longer. And don't even think about convincing me to activate my mark outside the pool. We're almost at Marine Headquarters. If something unexpected happens, I need to remain in peak condition."
Then he looked Perona up and down.
"...Wait a second. What exactly are you wearing?"
Perona grinned proudly.
"Hehe. I prepared it in advance. Captain Ikki, I specifically chose something more mature. Aren't women like this your type?"
She spun around in her swimsuit.
"Since I'm giving you something nice to look at, activate your mark and get into the pool."
With that, she grabbed his arm and tried to drag him toward the water.
Nearby, Ginrummy watched the scene with great anticipation. If Ikki activated his Innate Demon Slayer Mark in the pool, she would benefit from its influence as well, accelerating the stabilization of her own mark.
"Heh. Mature?" Ikki looked Perona over and shook his head. "Unfortunately, you've still got a long way to go before anyone calls you mature. Let's talk again once you're at least as tall as Ginrummy. Though honestly, I think your genetics have already decided otherwise."
Perona's eye twitched.
"Damn it! What gives you the right to say I can't become more mature?"
She looked genuinely aggrieved.
Ikki laughed.
"Fine, fine. Since we still have some time, I'll indulge you."
Shaking his head, he stepped into the pool and activated his Innate Demon Slayer Mark.
The moment he did, Ginrummy immediately moved closer. Perona did the same.
"Um... Lord Ikki." Ginrummy hesitated. "Would you like me to give you a massage?"
"Forget it." Ikki waved his hand. "You don't have any experience."
Then he turned toward Perona.
"But if we're talking about massages... Perona, why don't you give it a try?"
"What?!" Perona stared at him. "I don't know how!"
Unfortunately, Ikki had already leaned back and closed his eyes as though he hadn't heard a word.
"Damn it." Perona gritted her teeth. "Don't blame me if I hurt you."
Using her Devil Fruit powers to float beside him, she awkwardly placed her hands on his shoulders and began attempting a massage.
Meanwhile, at Impel Down, a warship slowly approached the shore. A beautiful figure leaped from the deck and landed gracefully on the docks.
"I'm finally back."
Sadi smiled brightly.
"I wonder whether Lord Ikki has already arrived at Marine Headquarters. He should be close by now. Dressrosa is nearer to Impel Down, but Marine Headquarters isn't much farther."
A dreamy expression appeared on her face.
"Ah... I wonder what Lord Ikki is doing right now. It would be wonderful if I could soak in a hot spring with him."
Without realizing it, she pressed her hands against her cheeks. The expression on her face became increasingly alluring.
Nearby, Domino and Hannyabal, who had come to greet her arrival, exchanged bewildered looks. Neither of them had any idea what she was imagining.
At that moment, Sadi remembered the conversation she had shared with Ikki before leaving.
"Sadi, the Blackbeard Pirates may take advantage of the war between Marine Headquarters and the Whitebeard Pirates to infiltrate Impel Down. They may even try to release some of the world's most dangerous criminals. When that happens, the entire prison could descend into chaos."
"It'll be dangerous, but it could also be an opportunity. If possible, capture as many escaped prisoners as you can. The merit from those arrests may even be enough to make you the next Chief Warden of Impel Down."
"Still, your safety comes first. I don't want to lose such an outstanding partner."
Remembering those words, Sadi's face turned even redder.
Lord Ikki was still worried about me even while leaving.
She clenched her fists.
Don't worry, Lord Ikki. I'll definitely become the Chief Warden of Impel Down. Then I'll be able to help you with even more things.
Sadi silently made her vow.