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"Ikki doesn't have any special methods for his partners to quickly master the power of the Innate Demon Slayer Mark and Transparent World," Gion replied with an extremely serious expression, biting her thumb.
"If he really had such power, he should have let all his partners have this ability long ago. Ikki once jokingly said to me that if you're a person who's very adaptable to the Demon Slayer Mark, you may be able to master its power and Transparent World as soon as you learn the related breathing swordsmanship. Perhaps Empress Hancock mastered this power for this reason."
She continued, "As for knowing Hancock... if he had known her from the beginning, Hancock should have mastered those sword skills already. Based on her appearance, Ikki should have given her corresponding weapons very early, instead of waiting until now."
As she spoke, Gion couldn't help but feel a sense of crisis in her heart. Ikki had given Hancock a special sword, but hadn't given her one.
Thinking of Hancock's charm again, Gion couldn't help but feel nervous. Because of Nico Robin, she hadn't thought about monopolizing Ikki. But when she thought of him with a pirate, and this pirate being more charming than herself, Gion's heart surged with strong feelings of unwillingness to admit defeat.
What she didn't know was that what Ikki had given Hancock wasn't a Zanpakutō, but a sword like a Noble Phantasm similar to the Monohoshizao in her possession.
"Could it be that he actually has some special means?" Sengoku asked, pushing up his glasses and giving a guess. "It just requires some cost when using it. Ikki wasn't willing to pay this price with other partners, but he was charmed by Empress Hancock and paid this price to let her quickly gain power?"
CRACK!
As soon as the words fell, the water glass in Gion's hand was immediately crushed.
Seeing this, Sengoku twitched the corner of his mouth. While feeling troubled about the relationship between Gion and Ikki, he quickly changed the subject.
"Ahem, it's useless for us to guess here. Anyway, Gion, you're going to see Ikki later. Ask Ikki what's going on."
Hearing this, Gion took a deep breath, nodded, and accepted Sengoku's mission.
'Yes, it's useless for me to think about it here. Better to ask Ikki directly. By the way, I still have to prepare a gift!'
Thinking of this, Gion quickly stood up.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, things here are finished. I still have something to do, so I'm leaving. I'll rush back after the Shichibukai arrive."
After speaking, Gion quickly left the conference room without waiting for Sengoku to respond.
"Tsuru, what's wrong with her? Is she jealous of the empress?"
"Don't ask me this question, I don't know either."
"Even you don't know?"
"I've never encountered such a situation, so of course I don't know about it. Besides, don't you know either?"
"That makes sense."
"Of course, it's also possible that Gion just wants to prepare a gift for Ikki," Tsuru said, taking a breath.
Meanwhile, on the other side
'What kind of gift would Ikki like?' Gion thought to herself. 'He likes to draw, so why not give him a new drawing board... No, these are too simple. Maybe give him some model clothes? Would he be happier if I wore some more sexy and mature clothes? Would he like it if I put on those clothes and did... that... with him?'
As she thought about it, Gion's face became flushed.
Explorer, gym.
[Ding! Hancock's personal attributes have been refreshed, please check them yourself.]
'Huh? What happened to Hancock's personal attributes?' Ikki raised his eyebrows and opened Hancock's personal attributes with some confusion.
'Hey! Observation Haki has added the option of Future Vision? Is this woman full of fighting talent? Even though she didn't get it right in one step like Gion, after mastering Transparent World, she quickly developed Future Vision. By the way, she must have fought with someone, right? Doflamingo?'
Ikki rubbed his chin, muttering in his mind. He thought it was very possible that Doflamingo had been very unhappy with him since their earlier meeting. After that, Doflamingo had waited for a long time on the Marine warship. In addition, Hancock had launched an attack on Doflamingo earlier.
Therefore, he was likely to complain to Hancock later, and Hancock herself had an arrogant personality. When two arrogant people met, there would be some conflict, and Ikki could understand that.
'However, with Hancock's current strength, Doflamingo is probably going to suffer.'
"Ikki, you've been staring at me – are you thinking about some dirty things?" At this time, Hina, who was sitting in the hot spring pool, spoke.
"Dirty things? Sorry, I was just lost in thought," Ikki shook his head and looked at Hina with a smile. She had to enter the pool because of the Demon Slayer Mark.
"Hmph! Don't even think about touching me," Hina snorted coldly. "By the way, how long do I need to stay here?"
"There's no set rule for how long it takes," came Kalifa's cold voice from across the pool. "It all depends on your adaptability to breathing techniques, your swordsmanship level, and how much time Ikki spends with you. If he's willing to activate the Innate Demon Slayer Mark and stay by your side for a long time, you'll naturally be able to awaken yours earlier."
Hina frowned and looked at the woman opposite her who was wearing a mask even in the hot spring.
"Congratulations, Kalifa," Ikki said with a laugh. "It seems you're very adaptable to the Demon Slayer Mark. It's only been a few days, but you've already developed your Innate Demon Slayer Mark."
Just then, the voice of Kalifa's personal attribute update had sounded in Ikki's mind – the sound of the Innate Demon Slayer Mark awakening.
"This is all thanks to you often activating the Innate Demon Slayer Mark to accompany me," Kalifa said with a smile.