"By the way, this is probably the third time today," Ikki shook his head and looked helplessly at his friends.
"No, it's the first," Robin smiled, holding her sword. "To be precise, this is the first time 'today' someone has invited us to become partners... sorry, to become subordinates."
Though Enel had just demonstrated his power as a Logia fruit user, Robin wasn't scared with Ikki nearby.
"Really? It's already the second day," Ikki raised his head to look at the star-filled sky, speaking in a calm tone.
His flat response made the proud Enel immediately frown.
"Ignoring me? It seems I need to teach you the difference between a mortal and a god," Enel said. "Don't think you can disrespect my majesty just because you defeated my priest and cut through my lightning."
"Thirty Million Volts Thunder Bird!" Enel struck the drum on his right shoulder with his golden staff, using his Rumble-Rumble Fruit powers to create a thunderbird filled with terrifying lightning that rushed toward Ikki and the others.
Seeing this, Ikki made no move to counter it. There was even a hint of amusement on his face.
"Pierce, Gonryōmaru!" Nami quickly drew her sword and pointed it at the thunderbird.
Her Zanpakutō transformed into a western-style longsword as purple lightning flashed across her body.
Then something happened that surprised Enel—the thunderbird that had been charging toward Nami stopped for a moment, then turned around and flew back at Enel.
Caught off guard, Enel was struck by his own attack. Though it didn't harm him, it was enough to make him both surprised and angry.
"Woman, you controlled my lightning?" Enel stood up from his throne and walked toward Nami with a hostile expression.
His eyes fixed on Gonryōmaru, now wrapped in purple lightning. With his ability to sense electricity, he could detect the considerable thunder power contained in the Zanpakutō.
"Hehe, you were right, Ikki," Nami smiled happily. "Using Gonryōmaru, I can control this guy's lightning."
Enel didn't answer her but turned to look at Ikki instead, veins popping out on his forehead.
"Abominable woman, tainting the power of God! You must be punished!" Enel shouted. "Sixty Million Volts Thunder Dragon!"
Enel struck the drums on both sides of his body, forming a thunder dragon that rushed toward Nami.
Facing this thunder dragon, twice as powerful as the previous thunderbird, Nami fearlessly raised Gonryōmaru and pointed it at the attack, intending to control it just as she had before.
This time, the control didn't go as smoothly. Nami frowned slightly, redirecting the thunder dragon so it brushed past Ikki and the others, striking the forest behind them.
"Manipulated again?" Enel stared at Nami in disbelief.
But Nami wasn't satisfied with her control of the thunder dragon.
"I couldn't direct it back at him. Am I still too weak?" she whispered.
"Gonryōmaru is a Zanpakutō that can change the sky and guide thunder," Ikki explained. "But a Zanpakutō in Shikai state has limited powers. With your current ability, you're doing well. If you were much stronger than him, you might be able to control his body directly with your Zanpakutō."
"I see... then let me try my Bankai," Nami smirked, as if she'd found a new toy to play with, and looked at the still-dazed Enel.
"Bankai: Kōkō Gonryō Rikyū!" (Golden Lightning Palace)
With a crackle of energy, a powerful aura erupted from Nami's body. She pointed Gonryōmaru toward the sky, and the entire Sky Island was suddenly shrouded in dark clouds. Golden lightning flashed continuously within them.
"What's happening?" The Sky Island natives dropped to their knees in fear when they saw the golden thunder filling the sky. "Is God angry? Please, God, calm down and don't punish us!"
Though this golden thunder was different from the blue-white lightning Enel typically used, they still attributed it to him.
Except for a certain Shandian.
"How is it, Aisa? Can you sense anything?" On the other side of Sky Island, the Shandian warrior Wyper approached Aisa with a serious expression.
The thunder in the sky gave him an ominous feeling, so he turned to Aisa, who could use Mantra (their name for Observation Haki).
"It doesn't seem to be Enel's power," Aisa opened her eyes and looked curiously toward the sanctuary where Enel, Ikki, and the others were confronting each other.
"Not Enel? What do you mean?" Wyper asked.
"Some Blue Sea people arrived, and they're facing Enel now. That golden thunder seems to be caused by one of them—a woman with orange hair."
"Blue Sea people? And one can control thunder like Enel?" Wyper's eyes widened in disbelief. Then they lit up with hope.
"If they can create such a disturbance, those Blue Sea people might cause trouble for Enel," he realized. "If we attack now, we might be able to reclaim our homeland and rescue our captured leader."
Wyper clenched his fists and turned toward the door.
"Wyper, where are you going?" Aisa called, quickly catching up to him.
"To gather our warriors. We're going to Enel's location to take back what belongs to our ancestors," Wyper replied, his voice filled with determination.
"This is... Bankai?" Enel gaped, his eyes as wide as possible.
After a long moment, he finally found his voice and stared at the Gonryōmaru in Nami's hands.
"Woman, are you using your weapon to control the sky?" he asked.
"If I say yes, what will you do, 'God'?" Nami challenged.
"Give it to me! A mortal like you doesn't deserve such a weapon!" Enel's eyes burned with desire.
Even with his Rumble-Rumble Fruit abilities, he needed to use the Ark Maxim he had built to create thunder that could affect the entire sky. But Nami had done the same with just a small sword. How could he not covet it?
The next moment, Enel's body transformed into a flash of blue light as he rushed toward Nami. Two thunder dragons formed around him, targeting Ikki and the others standing beside her.
The corners of Nami's mouth lifted in a smile as, with just a thought, she redirected the two thunder dragons that had been rushing toward Ikki and the others. Instead, they struck Enel himself.
Though the attack didn't damage Enel, who was made of lightning, it was enough to halt his movement momentarily.
"You insolent woman! Once again you trespass on God's domain!" Enel stood up, grinding his teeth in anger.
But his response was met with golden lightning bolts continuously falling from the sky.
'Using thunder against me? I'll control it myself!' Enel raised his head, attempting to take command of the descending golden thunderbolts.
He quickly discovered he had no way to control these golden strikes. By the time he decided to escape, it was already too late.
As a Rumble-Rumble Fruit user, Enel experienced for the first time what it felt like to be struck by someone else's lightning.
The Sky Island natives in the distance saw the golden thunder raining down on the sanctuary and believed it was a sign of Enel's wrath. They prayed even more fervently, hoping he wouldn't harm them.
"Is that thunder really being controlled by Blue Sea people?" Wyper wondered as he organized the Shandian warriors. "Why are they fighting Enel? Do they want to become Sky Island's new gods?"
Worry flashed in his eyes as he looked up at the thunderstorm.
"Hmph! Yahaha! It's useless. Your lightning attacks can't hurt me," Enel declared once Nami stopped her golden thunder assault. He rose from the ground, looking slightly disheveled but determined to maintain his arrogant demeanor. "I am the god who rules thunder. Your lightning has no effect on me."
Nami frowned. Her Observation Haki had already confirmed what she suspected: while she could control the thunder Enel created, her own lightning, even using Gonryōmaru, had limited impact on him. That was why she had stopped her attack.
"Your weapon is impressive. I... wait, where is that mongrel?" Enel looked at Nami, suddenly realizing that Ikki, who had been standing behind her, had disappeared.
Nami and the others smirked, looking behind Enel.
Sensing this, Enel's eyes narrowed as he activated his Mantra. He discovered that Ikki was somehow already standing behind him.
"You stepped away from that woman's protection?" Enel turned to face Ikki. "What gives you such courage?"
"Courage? Probably this," Ikki raised his fist, now black with Armament Haki and Conqueror's Haki, and showed it to Enel.
Then he punched Enel in the head.
Facing this seemingly casual blow, a mocking smile flashed across Enel's face—and then disappeared.
THUD!
Enel, who had full confidence that it won't touch him, failed completely. Struck by Ikki's Armament Haki-infused fist and stunned by the powerful Conqueror's Haki, he collapsed unconscious.
"Though skilled, he's unfortunately a fool," Ikki said, clapping his hands. "Otherwise, he could have been something special."
He waved to Robin. "Robin, come here. Finish him so your Senbonzakura can finally reach Shikai. After that, I'll take you to see the historical stone tablets you've been wanting to find."
Hearing this, Robin nodded and walked to Ikki's side. Using Senbonzakura, she pierced Enel's heart.
The severe pain briefly woke Enel. He looked down in horror to see Robin's blade, now black with Armament Haki, through his chest as blood poured from the wound.
"Good night, sir," Robin said calmly, twisting the blade to cut Enel's heart to pieces, ending his life.
As Enel's eyes closed in despair, a thunderous energy flowed into Robin's Senbonzakura.
'What a shame. If I could harvest the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, it would be valuable,' Ikki thought, shaking his head as he approached Robin, who was sheathing her sword.
"Let's go, Robin. I'll take you to see the poneglyph," Ikki said. "Nami, you can go find gold or whatever interests you. Some others might arrive soon, but they shouldn't be difficult to handle. If they act against you, don't hesitate to defend yourself."
Ikki placed his hand on Robin's waist, then looked toward some nearby trees.
"You over there—how long do you plan to hide? Why not come out and introduce yourself?"
After Ikki spoke, an old man in silver armor riding a pegasus flew out from the forest.
"Greetings, Blue Sea dwellers," the old man said. "I mean no harm. I simply noticed the fighting and came to investigate."
Gan Fall glanced at Enel's body with a complex expression, as if he couldn't believe Enel had been defeated so easily.
"I know you don't mean harm," Ikki replied. "That's why I didn't attack you."
He studied the pegasus Gan Fall was riding, recognizing it as an animal that had eaten a Devil Fruit.
'Perhaps this flying mount could be useful after Nojiko reaches the Mountain-Cutting Realm,' Ikki thought, his eyes flashing with interest.
The pegasus trembled under Ikki's gaze, seemingly sensing potential danger.
'No, forget it,' Ikki decided, looking away.
"My Observation Haki tells me soldiers are approaching from that direction," he said. "Gan Fall, you must have some influence on Sky Island. Why don't you negotiate with them? Tell them about Enel's death and explain why we're here. That should prevent unnecessary fighting."
With that, Ikki took Robin and leaped into the sky, using Moonwalk to head toward the poneglyph.
Gan Fall watched Ikki's departing figure with a speechless expression.
"Um, old gentleman?" Nami approached him. "You know where the gold is, right? Could you take us to find some?"
"That's... alright," Gan Fall nodded slightly. "But please wait a moment. Your companions who just left mentioned people coming to this island. To avoid conflicts between them and you, allow me to speak with their leader first."
Sky Island, at the highest point of the giant beanstalk.
"I didn't expect to find a poneglyph here," Robin followed Ikki excitedly.
Before them stood the magnificent Golden City and the poneglyph stored beneath the Golden Bell.
"Although it is a poneglyph, it might not be what you're looking for," Ikki said with a wave of his hand.
"Not what I want?" Robin looked at his back in confusion.
"That's right. After all, this poneglyph also describes an Ancient Weapon. Having seen the one buried deep beneath Alabasta Palace, you should understand what I mean," Ikki glanced at the stone, then looked at the massive golden bell. With a smile, he leaped up and struck it with his fist.
Now that they were here, Ikki didn't mind letting the golden bell's sound ring throughout Sky Island and even reach the Blue Sea below.
When the Shandians rushing toward them heard the bell, they stopped in disbelief, looking toward its source.
At the same time, a giant python that had been sleeping like a hill suddenly raised its head at the sound. After shaking excitedly, it began slithering quickly toward the golden bell.
"Ancient Weapon... Poseidon!" Robin shook her head as Ikki landed beside her. "You were right, Ikki."
Though the bell's sound was beautiful, it couldn't hide her disappointment. A poneglyph recording information about an Ancient Weapon wasn't what she had hoped to find.
"Don't be so disappointed. Look at this," Ikki patted Robin's shoulder and pointed to a golden platform to the right of the poneglyph.
"This is... ancient writing?" Robin gasped in surprise at the golden characters inscribed on the platform.
"Gol D. Roger has been here," Ikki said with a smile, leaning against the golden platform. "He left directions to their final destination."
Robin's eyes quickly scanned the ancient characters, her expression growing more amazed.
"Could it be... directions to the final island, Laugh Tale? So as long as we reach the final island, we can learn about the Void Century? But why did Gol D. Roger use the ancient script?"
"He didn't carve it himself," Ikki explained. "One of his crewmates did—a warrior from Wano who knew the ancient writing. After all, his people were among those who created the poneglyphs."
"Ikki... how do you know so many details?" Robin turned to stare intently into his eyes. "Just knowing the monument's location is surprising enough. How do you know about Gol D. Roger's message and that he had a samurai who could write in the ancient language? Did you sail with Roger?"
"Do I look old enough to have sailed with Roger?" Ikki chuckled.
"Indeed, you're too young to have been part of Roger's crew. Are you perhaps related to Roger? His son?"
"Stop guessing. My name isn't Gol D. Ikki. As for how I know these things, let's just say my intelligence network is ridiculously good."
Ikki looked ahead where the giant python had arrived. It ignored Ikki and Robin, throwing itself down before the still-ringing golden bell and making low rumbling sounds.
Robin glanced at the giant python without much concern, then walked back to Ikki.
"So, Ikki, will you go to Laugh Tale?" she asked.
"Laugh Tale? Of course I want to go," Ikki replied, noticing Robin's quiet, expectant expression. "After all, who am I to refuse when I have a partner so curious about ancient history?"
Hearing this, Robin's lips curved upward slightly.
"Thank you, Ikki."
"If you really want to thank me, you could..."
"Wear a nurse's uniform next time and let you sketch me?" Robin teased.
"That's not what I meant. I was going to say you should train hard for the battles ahead." Ikki said.
"I'll train, of course, but the uniform... aren't you interested?" Robin smiled.
"Ahem, that would be fine too," Ikki coughed, shaking his head as he walked toward the giant python known as the Master of the Sky.
"Hey, python, let us inside your belly," Ikki said, patting its massive body. "I need the gold inside you. Consider it payment for letting you hear the bell you love so much. What do you say?"
"Ikki, does it understand what you're saying?" Robin asked curiously. "And how do you know there's gold in its stomach? Can your Observation Haki detect gold?"
With Ikki beside her, she wasn't worried about any threat the python might pose.
"Transparent World lets me see through bodies directly to what's inside," Ikki explained, turning to Robin with unusually bright eyes, clearly using the ability at that moment. "My eyes can see the large amount of gold in its belly."
He wasn't lying—he had used Transparent World to confirm the gold inside the python before asking to enter its body.
"Transparent World? So you can see through my clothes too?" Robin laughed.
Having read the "Demon Slayer" material Ikki had shared, she knew what Transparent World was. She was teasing him, knowing the ability could see skeletons but not necessarily complete bodies beneath clothing.
"Well, you do have a good figure, Robin," Ikki replied with a smirk and a thumbs up.
"I should charge you Berries for that comment, according to Nami's rules."
"You care about that too?"
Ikki shook his head, looking up at the Master of the Sky as traces of Conqueror's Haki began flowing from him.
The giant python lowered its head and stared at Robin and Ikki, as if considering something. But after feeling Ikki's increasingly powerful Conqueror's Haki, it obediently bent down and opened its mouth.
Ikki, of course, stepped inside.
"I don't care about the Berries. You've already paid me enough," Robin said, following Ikki with a smile. Her heart was beating faster as she placed a hand on her chest.
In just a few days, she had seen three poneglyphs, including one with a message from Gol D. Roger himself. That was more than enough to make her grateful to Ikki.
"So, Ikki, how do we pack up all this gold and take it away? There seems to be too much treasure here."
"I'll open the gym door and store it all there," Ikki replied.
"Using the gym as a storage space? That's quite convenient."
As Ikki opened the door to the gym, Robin crossed her arms and used her Flower-Flower Fruit ability, sprouting multiple arms inside the python's belly to help collect the gold.
Meanwhile, at Mock Town...
A massive Marine warship docked at the coast.
"Vice Admiral Tsuru, please stay on the ship. I'll gather information about Ikki," Admiral Aokiji said, nodding to Tsuru before jumping onto the dock.
He walked toward the center of Mock Town, followed by several Marine soldiers who spread out in different directions to investigate Ikki's activities.
"Look, that Marine over there!"
"That's... isn't it? How could someone like him appear here?"
"Admiral Aokiji! Is he here because of Golden Lion?"
"But Golden Lion was killed by that man with the black sword, right? Why is the Admiral still here?"
"Idiot, even if Golden Lion is dead, he was a legendary pirate. It's normal for an Admiral to investigate."
"Stop talking and let's get out of here. After barely surviving the aftermath of those battles, I don't want Admiral Aokiji to throw me into Impel Down."
The criminals in Mock Town whispered among themselves as they saw Admiral Aokiji approaching. Those with bounties on their heads quickly fled, afraid of being recognized.
What they didn't realize was that Aokiji had no interest in them at the moment.
"So Ikki defeated Golden Lion?" Aokiji murmured to himself. "As expected from someone who could challenge Gion. He's truly at this level. He must not have used his full strength against Gion. I wonder where he is now."
Aokiji looked around, extending his Observation Haki in all directions.
"Admiral Aokiji, may I interview you?" A mustached man dressed as a reporter approached him, camera in hand.
"And you are?" Aokiji frowned slightly, looking down at the reporter.
"Allow me to introduce myself," the reporter removed his hat and greeted Aokiji politely. "I work for the president of the World Economy News Paper. I wonder if you're looking for something? Perhaps I can help. And of course, if you have time on your busy schedule, I'd like to interview you."
Aokiji raised his eyebrows. "World Economy News Paper... so you work for that 'Big News' Morgans. Fine, if you can give me the information I need, I'll answer a few of your questions. Since you were here before me, did you see the battle between Ikki and Golden Lion? How is Ikki now? Do you know where he is?"
"The Admiral seems very interested in Ikki..."
"Stop the small talk and answer my questions first."
"Yes, of course!" The reporter nodded quickly. "I didn't personally see the battle between Golden Lion and Ikki, but I've heard everything. After defeating Golden Lion, Ikki had some injuries, but nothing serious. Later, people saw his ship being carried into the sky by a giant one-eyed manta ray. Some say he went to Sky Island."
Aokiji immediately frowned. "Sky Island? So he went there... this complicates matters."
As a Marine Admiral, Aokiji knew about Sky Island's existence. But with Ikki there, their search would become much more difficult. Finding the Explorer would be nearly impossible until Ikki returned to the Blue Sea.
'I need to tell Vice Admiral Tsuru about this,' Aokiji thought, turning to head back to the Marine warship.
"Wait, Admiral Aokiji!" The reporter hurried after him. "Can you tell me why a Marine Admiral is looking for Ikki? Is he a wanted criminal? I haven't seen any bounty posters for him."
"He's not a wanted criminal," Aokiji replied. "As for why I'm looking for him, he has some friends in the Marines. I'm just checking on him."
With that, Aokiji quickened his pace, soon leaving the reporter behind. Matters concerning Gion were classified Marine information, and he wouldn't share them with reporters.
"Just checking? That can't be the real reason," the reporter muttered. "Well, I should report what happened here to the president. Golden Lion's death is already breaking news."
He smiled brightly as he looked at the photo he'd purchased at a high price—an image of Ikki piercing Golden Lion's heart. He could already imagine his promotion and raise.
Back on the Marine warship, Tsuru stood up sharply when Aokiji delivered the news.
"What? You say Ikki went to Sky Island?"
"There should be no mistake. The man definitely went to Sky Island," Aokiji nodded firmly. "This information came from a World Economy News Paper reporter, and I confirmed it with others. Several people saw Ikki and his crew heading to Sky Island."
"But Vice Admiral Tsuru, you needn't worry too much. If we keep watch on the islands near Jaya, we'll find Ikki as soon as he returns to the Blue Sea."
Tsuru sighed, glancing at Gion lying nearby. "That's all we can do for now..."
Little did Tsuru know that by the time Ikki and his crew would return to the Blue Sea, three days would have already passed.
Meanwhile, elsewhere...
"Are you serious, Captain? You're saying Burgess and Van Augur are dead?"
Laffitte, a member of the Blackbeard Pirates, stared at Blackbeard in shock. Learning what had happened in Mock Town surprised him even more than seeing Ace unconscious at Blackbeard's feet.
"They're all dead," Blackbeard confirmed grimly. "Killed by that bounty hunter's companions. But I will definitely have my revenge."
Blackbeard clenched his fists and looked at Laffitte. "How's the situation with the Marines? Have they agreed to my terms? I have a strong bargaining chip now." He glanced at the unconscious Ace.
"While Fleet Admiral Sengoku hasn't officially agreed, he's bound to accept if we offer a pirate with a bounty of hundreds of millions of Berries," Laffitte replied. "In exchange for the Warlord position, he has no reason to refuse Fire Fist Ace."
"Good!" Blackbeard stood up. "Let's go, Laffitte. It's time to meet the Marines. Even without Van Augur and the others, our plan continues. No... it must continue."
Laffitte nodded, lifting the unconscious Fire Fist Ace and following Blackbeard.
Hours later, News Coos took flight from various World Economy News Paper Agency branches, delivering newspapers throughout the world.
Soon, two shocking stories spread like wildfire: Golden Lion had been defeated by a bounty hunter, and Fire Fist Ace of the Whitebeard Pirates had been captured.
Marine Headquarters, Fleet Admiral's Office
BOOM!
There was a loud noise as the door to the Fleet Admiral's office suddenly burst open.
Sengoku, who was handling official paperwork, raised his head and looked toward the door.
There stood Marine Hero Garp, his face grim with anger.
"Sengoku, is everything in this paper true?" Garp demanded, slamming the newspaper down on the desk. "Are you really going to publicly execute Ace? He's my grandson!"
"Garp, remember your position," Sengoku shot back with equal force. "You're a Marine, and he's a pirate. Furthermore, Ace is obviously Roger's son, yet you've hidden this fact from us for years. I haven't even held you accountable for that matter yet."
Sengoku slapped the table forcefully. "Additionally, this decision has received support from the Five Elders. Under the law, there's no way to change it now." His tone softened slightly. "Garp, if you don't want to witness Ace's public execution, I can permit you to be absent from the battle."
Garp clenched his fists, wanting to argue further but finding no words. Emotionally, he couldn't bear the thought of Ace being executed. But the concept of justice that defined his life restricted his actions.
In the corner of the office, Admiral Kizaru Borsalino took a sip of tea and set down the newspaper he was reading.
"It's really scary, this man named Teach," Kizaru drawled. "We just had the Shichibukai meeting in the Holy Land of Mariejois, and someone as powerful as Fire Fist Ace was captured so quickly." He glanced at Sengoku. "But, Fleet Admiral Sengoku, do you really want such a man to become a Shichibukai? This man seems to have some issues with Ikki. If Ikki sees the news that Teach has become a Shichibukai, I wonder if he'll be reluctant to continue treating Vice Admiral Gion."
Kizaru unfolded the newspaper to show the section depicting Blackbeard capturing Ace. One line clearly described the conflict between Ikki's group and Blackbeard's crew before Ace and Golden Lion appeared, as well as how Ikki's companions had killed some of Blackbeard's crew members.
"This is... troublesome," Sengoku said, rubbing his forehead. "I didn't expect Ikki and Blackbeard would have a conflict. But Blackbeard's Shichibukai appointment letter has already been issued by the World Government. It's too late to change course, and we need Ace too." He sighed. "When Ikki shows up, I'll speak with him personally."
Sengoku sighed inwardly. The Marines had received no information about the conflict between Ikki and Blackbeard. Sengoku himself had only learned about it after the World Economy News Paper was released. By then, the World Government had already announced to the world that Blackbeard would become a Shichibukai.
Kizaru raised his eyebrows. Since Sengoku said he would take responsibility for this matter, he could continue reading his newspaper in peace.
New World, Whitebeard's Territory
"Pops, here's the latest newspaper."
Marco, the First Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, handed the newspaper to Whitebeard, his expression unusually serious.
"Gurararara, Marco, you don't look well," Whitebeard laughed as he took the newspaper, but his face froze when he saw the front page.
"This is... Golden Lion Shiki has been killed?"
On the newspaper cover, a photo clearly showed Ikki piercing Golden Lion's heart with Zangetsu. The headline proclaimed Golden Lion's death at Ikki's hands.
"When did such a character appear on these seas?" Whitebeard wondered aloud with a heavy sigh. "Someone actually managed to kill Golden Lion, who disappeared from Impel Down all those years ago."
He never imagined that Golden Lion, who had escaped from Impel Down and once visited his ship, would be killed by an unknown figure by the time he heard of him again.
"Pops, look closer. This man is extraordinary," Marco pointed out. "The report says Marine Admiral Aokiji seems to be specifically looking for this man, though I don't know why. But that's not the most important part." Marco's fists clenched unconsciously. "This man fought with Teach before battling Golden Lion. Their fight was interrupted, and in the end... Ace was captured by Teach and handed over to the Marines!"
"What? Marco, are you serious?" Whitebeard's eyes widened. "Ace was defeated by Teach and given to the Marines?"
"You must be joking, Marco. Did you read it wrong?" The crew members of the Whitebeard Pirates, who had been drawn by the conversation between Marco and Whitebeard, gathered around upon hearing that Ace had been captured.
Whitebeard frowned and quickly scanned the newspaper. Soon he found the second story reporting that Teach had become the new Shichibukai, and that Ace had been captured and imprisoned in Impel Down.
BOOM!
Suddenly, Whitebeard's powerful Conqueror's Haki surged outward, causing even the clouds in the sky to lose their shape under its pressure.
"TEACH! YOU TRAITOR!"
Beyond Whitebeard, the other Four Emperors also saw the newspaper and recognized Ikki. Even they were shocked by Golden Lion's death and Ikki's existence.
However, all of this had little to do with Ikki at the moment. Currently, he was accompanying his companions on Sky Island for further training.
Aboard the Explorer, Inside the Training Room
In the arena, Nojiko and Ikki's figures kept intertwining as they wielded their swords, attacking each other with precise movements.
Nojiko's hands were wrapped in thick flames, having clearly entered the Sun Breathing state.
Ikki, meanwhile, held two swords he had obtained from Golden Lion, transformed into Katen Kyōkotsu. He was using Golden Lion's dual-sword style to deliver continuous strikes against Nojiko.
DING!
A crisp sound rang out as Ikki and Nojiko clashed again, their faces close enough to see each other's expressions clearly.
Both Nojiko and Ikki laughed.
"Ikki, are you really not going to the party?" Nojiko asked. "The Sky Island natives and Shandians seem to really like you. Perhaps at the banquet, you might see a beautiful woman who inspires you to paint."
"Speaking of beauties, isn't there one right in front of me?" Ikki replied with a smile. "And rather than attending a banquet, I'd prefer to help you improve your strength. If you could become familiar with Golden Lion's swordsmanship through my demonstrations, it would help you when you challenge Golden Lion Shiki's sword shadow later."
"Well, if you're thinking of me that way, I'll have to work extra hard," Nojiko said. She took a deep breath, narrowed her eyes, and swung her flaming blade at Ikki once more.