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'Huh? Aestus Estus? Saber Nero's Noble Phantasm?' Ikki thought to himself. 'I actually won another reward similar to Katen Kyōkotsu. Nero's Noble Phantasm is, to a certain extent, as powerful as a Zanpakutō.'
As long as he could inherit Aestus Estus, he would be able to use Nero's Noble Phantasm even without swallowing a Devil Fruit, and even if he didn't know swordsmanship at all.
'Looking at it this way, it's a pretty good reward,' he mused.
While thinking, Ikki took out Aestus Estus from the system space. What surprised him was that the Noble Phantasm retained the appearance of the famous sword 'Hao' that he had taken out this time. It wasn't like when he had drawn Katen Kyōkotsu last time – that had appeared directly in its original form.
'Could it be because the lottery permission I got last time was obtained through my crewmates' improvement in swordsmanship, while this time's draws came from handing in the famous sword "Hao"?' Ikki wondered.
"Ikki, did you modify Rayleigh's sword?" Nojiko asked curiously after bringing him to the restaurant. She looked at the famous blade in his hand with interest.
"Yeah, it's been transformed, but I didn't turn it into a Zanpakutō," Ikki replied, sitting down. "I'll tell you about its power later when I meet the right person to use it."
He took out 8 bottles of A-level nutritional potions and 3 bottles of S-level nutritional potions from the system space, placing them on the dining table.
"Kalifa, Perona," he called out. "Here are 8 bottles of A-level nutritional potions. Four bottles each for you two. As long as you take them and practice hard, your life force will rise to another level. In CP9 terms, you could say your doriki will increase significantly. Remember, you need to exercise with full intensity after taking them."
Ikki's eyes lingered on Perona for a few seconds as he spoke.
"I... I understand, Ikki," Perona said with a slight pout. "I'll practice properly and won't waste these potions."
Although training was painful, after experiencing the battle with the Supernova Pirates, Perona had seen the improvements that came from hard work. Naturally, she felt less resistance to the upcoming exercises.
"Don't worry, Ikki," Kalifa said, her eyes serious and her tone firm as always. "I'll become stronger as soon as possible and try to help you more."
Ikki smiled and nodded to Kalifa before pushing the three bottles of S-level nutritional potions toward Vivi.
"Vivi, these S-level nutritional potions are for you. Use them well."
"Eh! Me?" Vivi looked at Nami and Nojiko questioningly. "But Nami and Nojiko also need S-level nutritional potions, don't they?"
Vivi knew that Nami and Nojiko had the same life force levels as her – nearly 30,000 points. She felt that if they wanted to build high-end combat power, Nami and Nojiko, who were more proficient with their Zanpakutō, should use the S-level nutritional potions instead.
"Both Nami and Nojiko can use Bankai, and they also have good Haki," Ikki explained. "Their power is already strong enough. On the other hand, Vivi, your proficiency in using Haki and your Zanpakutō isn't as high. The combat power of the swordsman shadows that can improve your skill level may be higher in the future, so I think it's better for you to use these S-level nutritional potions. They might help you improve your sword skills and eventually master Sode no Shirayuki's Bankai."
"I see." Vivi looked at Nami and Nojiko, seeing them both smiling encouragingly at her. She nodded firmly. "I understand, Ikki. I'll train hard and strive to become stronger!"
"Good. I look forward to the day when you can fully master Sode no Shirayuki," Ikki said with a smile. "Now then, let's eat and try the dishes our chef prepared."
A few hours later, Sabaody Archipelago
"Captain Smoker! Captain Hina! Chief Petty Officer Tashigi! Ikki's Explorer has appeared!" a lookout Marine soldier shouted from the crow's nest to Smoker and the others standing on the deck of their warship.
"Where is he going?" Hina muttered, taking a drag from her cigarette and frowning as she looked in the direction the Marine soldier was pointing.
Sure enough, she could see the Explorer speeding toward the coast.
"Maybe he went to catch pirates," Smoker suggested, walking toward the stern of the ship. "Didn't those Supernova pirates escape? Maybe he wants to catch them again and collect another bounty."
"A bounty? That man shouldn't be short on Berries right now," Hina murmured, following Smoker's steps along with Tashigi.
Ikki had obviously spotted Smoker, Hina, and the others at the port. He stepped off the Explorer using Geppo and landed directly in front of them.
"Hey, Smoker, Tashigi! Why are you two here?" Ikki greeted them with a handshake for Smoker and a friendly pat on Tashigi's shoulder, a smile on his face.
Although they were in different camps, Ikki had genuine affection for both Smoker and Tashigi.
"Long time no see, Ikki," Tashigi said, holding her sword with both hands and looking at him with a slight blush on her face.
"Long time no see, Ikki. I didn't expect you to be so strong – able to catch a pirate like Golden Lion," Smoker said.
Tashigi continued, "Even Nami and the others have become so powerful, but I'm still standing in the same place."
Hearing this, Ikki smiled and raised his hand to gently touch Tashigi's silky hair.
"What are you talking about, Tashigi?" he said warmly. "I can see that your progress has been significant too. As long as you keep practicing consistently, you might be able to surpass Smoker in strength soon."