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"Will my Zanpakutō enter the next stage? Can I... do it now?"
Vivi's eyes lit up, feeling both excited and worried.
"Don't worry, Vivi, you can do it. Although when it comes to Haki, your training isn't enough yet, the S-level nutritional medicine just now has made your life force rise again."
"Coupled with the power of the Innate Demon Slayer Mark and your Zanpakutō, there's a chance to defeat Shiryu's sword shadow. Although that guy was originally powerful, the version of Sword Shadow I created is him in a weakened state."
"Although it's still a bit difficult for you to defeat this sword shadow without mastering Bankai, as long as you carefully observe his swordsmanship, you can always find an opportunity."
"I believe in you, Vivi, and I hope you believe in yourself!"
Ikki patted Vivi's shoulder solemnly and cast a gentle look at Robin.
Regarding the 'Mountain-Cutting Realm swordsman Shiryu's challenge permission,' Ikki could naturally let the two of them use it when they reached a stronger level.
But after seeing Nojiko opening up Transparent World, Ikki began to feel that he was being too protective of his crew, so that there was no way for them to get more challenging experiences.
Once upon a time, Nojiko, who wasn't very talented in swordsmanship, opened Transparent World in the battle with Aokiji.
This showed that as long as they had enough determination, even people with lower talents in fighting and swordsmanship could still unlock higher realms.
Although Shiryu's sword shadow was still a bit difficult for current Robin and Vivi, Ikki didn't think the two would lose, and it just so happened that the weakened version of Shiryu could still play a sufficient role in promoting their growth.
Under such circumstances, Ikki naturally planned to let the two of them challenge first.
Soon, Ikki expressed his thoughts to Robin and others present.
"It's true that fighting can indeed increase a person's experience and even help a person gain more power. Since this is your arrangement, Ikki, I'm willing to accept it."
Robin raised the corners of her mouth and nodded in agreement without hesitation.
"Me... me too, and I'm willing to work hard, Captain Ikki."
Not to be outdone, Vivi also nodded in agreement.
"In that case, you two come and enter the Sword Enlightenment Room with me. Nami, Nojiko, you two just work out with Kalifa and Perona."
Ikki smiled at Nami, then put his hands behind Vivi and Robin, pushing them toward the sword enlightenment room.
Soon, he disappeared from the sight of Nami and others.
"Transparent World... is it related to fighting? It seems that I have to strengthen my practice in this area."
Nami clenched her fists slightly, and her eyes gradually became firm.
Some time passed, in the Sword Enlightenment Room.
[Ding! Congratulations to Host's partner Nefeltari Vivi for reaching the Mountain-Cutting Realm of swordsmanship!]
[Nefeltari Vivi's personal attributes have been refreshed, please check it yourself.]
[Ding! Congratulations to Host for cultivating a total of five partners, 'Nefeltari Vivi', 'Nico Robin', 'Nami', 'Nojiko' and 'Boa Hancock', to advanced levels of swordsmanship.]
[Special reward: Host receives a lucky draw opportunity.]
'This is an unexpected surprise.'
'System, use this lottery opportunity.'
Listening to the system prompts in his mind, and looking at Vivi walking out of the center of the arena with the support of Nico Robin, Ikki walked toward Vivi with a smile and gave instructions to the system in his mind.
[The lottery has started. Congratulations to Host for getting the 'Intermediate Observation Haki Awakening Potion'. After taking it, you will directly awaken Intermediate Observation Haki.]
'Observation Haki is a good reward.' Ikki nodded secretly in his mind and raised his hand to hold Vivi's shoulder. "Are you okay, Vivi?"
"I'm... I'm okay, Captain Ikki." Vivi shook her head. "The injuries from the battle with Shiryu's sword shadow just now have disappeared. I'm just a little overwhelmed right now."
Vivi took a deep breath, thinking of the dangerous situation she had just faced with Shiryu's sword shadow, her heartbeat still couldn't calm down.
"Anyway, you did a good job. In this way, you two have reached the Mountain-Cutting level. After that, I'll find a way to get Devil Fruits so the Zanpakutō of you two can perform Bankai."
Ikki laughed.
At this time, Ikki even thought about going to Impel Down to find some Devil Fruit users to defeat.
This would ensure the liberation of Vivi and Nico Robin's Zanpakutō.
However, Ikki could only think about this idea.
Although there were a lot of Devil Fruit users in Impel Down, it wasn't that easy to defeat them.
Once he entered Impel Down, Magellan would surely follow.
In that case, he would have no chance to attack the Devil Fruit user criminals.
"Compared to Robin, I'm still far behind. Robin successfully awakened Transparent World through fighting Shiryu's sword shadow just now. On the contrary, I had some insights when I was forced into a desperate situation, but in the end I still wasn't able to comprehend this power."
Vivi lowered her head, feeling full of regret.
"Transparent World itself is an extremely difficult power to cultivate. It's normal if you don't learn it in one battle. Vivi, take this - this thing may be able to help you."
Ikki smiled and put the Intermediate Observation Haki awakening potion he had just received from the system into Vivi's hands.
"What is this, Captain Ikki?"
"A potion that can help you awaken Observation Haki. This thing can strengthen your perception, and when your perception is stronger, your chances of understanding Transparent World will increase in the future."
Vivi's eyes lit up when she heard this.
As a veteran crew member of the Explorer, she naturally knew the connection between Observation Haki and Transparent World.
Since it enhanced the user's ability to perceive, there must be a deep connection between the two.
Sure enough, after taking the Observation Haki potion, Vivi felt that her hazy perception of Transparent World became slightly clearer.
[Ding! Your partner Vivi's personal attributes have been refreshed, please Host check it yourself.]
[Name: Nefeltari Vivi]
[Age: 16 years old]
[Weapon: Sode no Shirayuki]
[Life Force: 40126, S level]
[Swordsmanship Realm: Mountain-Cutting Realm]
[Swordsmanship School: Water Breathing (Giyu Tomioka)]
[Abilities: Beginner Armament Haki, Innate Demon Slayer Mark]
[Props: S-level nutritional potion x2]
"Thank you, Captain Ikki."
After sensing her own situation for a while, Vivi stepped forward, opened her arms and hugged Ikki tightly.
"I will definitely not let you down. I will become stronger, and I will definitely be of help to you."
Ikki raised the corner of his mouth and patted Vivi on the shoulder.
"I believe you, Vivi. But now, let's go change some clothes first. Of course, if you don't mind the exposure, I don't care."
"Uh!" Vivi's beautiful eyes widened, and then she realized that her clothes were damaged in many places in the battle just now. She quickly turned around and ran out of the Sword Enlightenment Room toward her bedroom.
Soon she disappeared from Ikki's sight.
"She looks great, doesn't she, Captain Ikki?"
At this time, Nico Robin smiled beside Ikki.
"Vivi is young and beautiful. She is indeed very good-looking."
"What about me?"
"Robin, you are mature and sexy, and naturally good-looking too."
"Haha, Captain Ikki is as good at talking as ever."
Robin chuckled lightly, took Ikki's hand in her arms, and said with a smile:
"Ikki, today is your birthday. Why don't I give myself to you as a birthday gift?"
"You? Aren't you mine already?"
"That's true, but haven't you fully explored me yet?"
Robin raised the corners of her mouth and stuck out her tongue to lick Ikki's earlobe.
Suddenly, a subtle electric shock made Ikki's body tremble, and it also made him excited.
"If you don't mind, could you let me join in?"
At this moment, a very familiar voice to Ikki sounded outside the door of the Sword Enlightenment Room.
Ikki and Nico Robin looked up.
Just in time to see Gion walking in.
"Gion, why are you here?"
Ikki asked, confused.
"Really, today is obviously your birthday, so why didn't you tell me in advance, Ikki? If I hadn't heard it from other people, I might not have made it to your birthday."
Gion walked to the other side of Ikki and skillfully took his other hand in her arms.
She even smiled at Nico Robin beside him.
Robin also nodded politely to Gion, who knew her identity.
"So, you came all the way here just to celebrate my birthday?"
"Isn't this enough? Don't you want to experience what it's like for me and Robin to be together? For your birthday's sake, I can be with her. Isn't that right, Robin?"
Hearing this, Robin chuckled and nodded: "Although I hate Marines, today is Ikki's birthday, so I can adjust."
Ikki looked at Robin, then at Gion.
Facing two mature women, Ikki thought for a moment, and the gym door automatically closed and locked.
And Ikki's hands were already placed on the waists of Robin and Gion.
Two hours later, gym bathhouse.
"Ahh, this hot spring is really comfortable. This is the best hot spring I've ever soaked in."
Sadi-chan leaned on the shore with her hands, looking happy.
Hina glanced at Sadi-chan, who was bold and confident without wearing a towel.
She wanted to alert her to Ikki who might be coming in here, but thinking of Ikki's previous promise, she finally swallowed her words.
"Hey guys, can I join in?"
Along with a mature and steady voice, a pair of long white legs appeared in front of Tashigi, Hina and Sadi-chan.
"Vice Admiral Gion!"
Tashigi exclaimed.
"Vice Admiral Gion? Why are you here?"
Hina frowned and looked at Gion with some confusion, noticing her face was flushed and her skin was even more radiant.
"Haha, I heard that today is Ikki's birthday, so I rushed over here today. Fortunately, you guys haven't left here yet. This one must be the Marine whom Ikki allowed to board the ship."
"Sure enough, she is a mature and beautiful woman."
As Gion stepped into the hot springs, she looked at Sadi-chan with interest.
"Hello, Vice Admiral Gion!"
Sadi-chan straightened her body slightly and solemnly saluted Gion with a military salute.
Gion was a Marine Admiral candidate, and her position was two levels higher than Sadi-chan, so she naturally needed more respect.
"Hello, have a good time studying with Ikki here. I listened to Magellan's report - it seems that you've managed to get Ikki to train you to become a great swordsman like Shiryu."
"Ikki is a man of his word. I mentioned it to him many times just now, and he promised to train you into a great swordsman. So, work hard."
The corners of Gion's lips raised, and she felt happy when she thought about the effect of her... conversation.
"Yes, Vice Admiral Gion."
Sadi-chan said solemnly, but when she suddenly noticed a white spot at the corner of Gion's mouth, her face instantly turned a little red.
She wasn't stupid. Thinking of the subtle scent around Gion at the moment, she had already guessed something.
'Vice Admiral Gion actually wanted me to learn real skills from Ikki.'
'And she... sacrificed herself?'
'No... I've never met Vice Admiral Gion before, so how could she be willing to do this for me!'
'Could it be that Vice Admiral Gion likes Ikki?'
'Or is she simply trading her body for stronger power?'
Sadi-chan's eyes were shining brightly, and she looked at Gion's face carefully.
Although Sadi-chan herself wouldn't engage in the act of exchanging one's body for strength, she wouldn't object to other people's behavior.
After all, this world was one where the strong preyed on the weak and relied on power.
In addition, Ikki was already very attractive, and Sadi-chan understood Gion even more.
"Vice Admiral Gion, what are the white spots on the corners of your mouth?"
At this time, Hina suddenly approached Gion and raised her hand to touch the corner of Gion's mouth.
"Hmm?! This... this is..."
Gion's eyes widened and she became flustered after seeing what was on Hina's finger.
"What a strange smell?"
Hina sniffed it and her expression became more and more puzzled.
"This... I... well..."
Gion's lips trembled, and even at this moment she was speechless.