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"What are you thinking about, Tashigi?"
"Why are your thoughts so inappropriate!"
Ikki walked up to Tashigi and flicked her forehead in annoyance.
"Ouch!" Tashigi held her forehead. "But the way Nojiko and Nami look right now..."
"They just fainted because they witnessed too much power and couldn't handle it," Ikki explained with a dismissive wave.
After seeing Nami and Nojiko faint, he had contacted the system again to inquire about what happened.
It turned out that as the Host, Ikki was watching the Zanpakutō demonstration without feeling much pressure from Unohana Retsu.
But Nami and Nojiko, although they were Ikki's partners, didn't receive the same protection.
They felt Unohana Retsu's overwhelming presence much more directly.
Recalling Unohana's terrifying murderous intent, Ikki understood why Nami and Nojiko had lost consciousness.
"Too much power? What does that mean?" Tashigi asked, looking curiously at the unconscious women.
She was clearly intrigued by a power capable of frightening someone into fainting.
Unfortunately, unless Tashigi became a trusted partner, Ikki wouldn't take her to witness a Zanpakutō demonstration illusion.
"That's a secret," Ikki replied with a smile before continuing:
"However, you might see Nojiko using that power in the near future."
"Rather than dwelling on this, let's continue your training."
"As a Marine, you can't stay with me for long, right?"
"There's a waterfall in the mountains behind Cocoyasi Village. Let's go there to feel the rhythm of water."
"By the way, do you really not need a swimsuit for practice?"
"Your clothes are completely soaked through. Do you have any spare clothing with you?"
As he spoke, Ikki glanced at Tashigi's thoroughly wet attire.
"No... no need, this is fine," Tashigi insisted.
The conservative Marine shook her hands vigorously at the thought of exposing skin in front of strangers.
"Really? But allowing your skin to directly feel the rhythm of water would accelerate your learning."
"You won't be able to train under me for long. Are you sure you want to continue practicing like this?"
"If you're worried I'll be excited by seeing you in a swimsuit, there's no need."
"I prefer mature women, and your barren body won't excite me," Ikki stated frankly.
Ikki wasn't lying.
He genuinely wanted to help Tashigi become stronger, so she could challenge him, Nojiko, and Nami while wielding famous swords from Loguetown.
That way, Ikki could acquire those swords and earn more lottery draws.
If Tashigi didn't strengthen quickly and advance to the next level, Ikki would need to wait longer before challenging her again—a scenario he preferred to avoid.
As for Tashigi's physique...
While Tashigi's physical appearance would improve considerably after the two-year timeskip, currently she was just the girl-next-door type, not even as developed as Nami.
For Ikki, who preferred more mature women, the current Tashigi naturally lacked certain appeal.
Barren... Body!
"Sir Ikki, how can you say such things!" Tashigi protested, crossing her arms with a blush spreading across her face.
"I'm simply stating facts," Ikki shrugged as he turned and walked outside the captain's cabin.
"I've said what needed to be said."
"As your instructor, I still hope you can complete your training as quickly as possible."
"Let's go, Tashigi. We're heading to the waterfall in Cocoyasi Mountain for practice."
Tashigi pursed her lips, listening to Ikki's increasingly distant voice. The blush on her face not only persisted but deepened further.
"Swimming... it's just a swimsuit, not underwear," she murmured to herself, her expression resolute.
"Get it together, Tashigi."
She hurried into the training room, retrieved the swimsuit Nojiko had lent her earlier, and quickly ran to the Explorer's deck, following Ikki's footsteps.
...
Two days later, at the Cocoyasi Coast.
"Are you really leaving, Nami, Nojiko?" Genzo asked, looking at the two young women with reluctance.
"Yes, Captain Ikki helped us and saved Cocoyasi Village."
"Though my abilities are modest and I lack Nami's navigation skills, I still want to become as powerful as Captain Ikki," Nojiko explained with determination in her eyes.
"What are you talking about, Nojiko?"
"You and I aren't weak anymore."
"Plus, you can become our exclusive ship doctor in the future," Nami added cheerfully, hugging Nojiko's arm.
She was delighted that Nojiko would join her at sea. Having family by her side made Nami's sadness at leaving her hometown much easier to bear.
Hearing Nami's words, Nojiko nodded slightly.
Her right hand instinctively tightened around the Zanpakutō at her waist—the one containing Unohana Retsu's power.
After learning that her sword possessed healing abilities, Nojiko felt a strong determination to improve her strength.
This way, she could use Minazuki's power to heal her companions at sea.
"Well, since you've made your decision, I won't try to stop you," Genzo conceded.
"It's just going to be a bit lonely around here from now on."
He turned away with a touch of melancholy and walked toward Cocoyasi Village.
He couldn't bear to watch Nami and Nojiko depart.
With smiles on their faces, Nami and Nojiko waved to Genzo before boarding the Explorer and preparing to set sail.
Soon, under Nami and Nojiko's capable hands, the Explorer sailed straight toward Loguetown.
"Ahh... it's wonderful having you to help me, Nojiko."
"Captain Ikki may be the captain, but he doesn't even remain on deck when setting sail," Nami remarked as she adjusted the rudder, pretending to wipe nonexistent sweat from her brow.
"Captain Ikki is probably still helping Tashigi practice in the training room," Nojiko suggested.
"Tashigi is different from us and can't use Captain Ikki's special items to enhance her training."
"And since she can't stay on the Explorer indefinitely, Captain Ikki has little choice but to dedicate more time to her."
"Really, Nojiko? You're always defending Captain Ikki," Nami teased.
"Tashigi isn't a partner, and I don't understand why Captain Ikki bothers teaching her."
"Maybe he's fallen for Tashigi."
Nami shook her head and walked briskly toward the cabin with Nojiko.
"Nami, are you jealous of Tashigi?" Nojiko inquired with a knowing smile.
"No way! How could I be jealous?"
"Well, I think you care about Captain Ikki."
"As I said, I don't feel that way about him."
"In that case, I won't hesitate to pursue Captain Ikki myself."
"What?! Are you serious, Nojiko? You don't actually like Captain Ikki, do you?"
"What can I do? Captain Ikki is exceptional. Besides, when I was practicing Water Breathing, he looked at my exposed body, so I had no choice but to choose him."
"Being looked at isn't so bad... I'm not—"
"What did you say, Nami?"
"Nothing."
Nami pouted and quickened her pace toward the captain's cabin.
After hearing Nojiko suggest that Ikki had been watching her, Nami wanted to confirm whether he was behaving inappropriately while teaching Tashigi Water Breathing.
Nojiko smiled and shook her head, hastening her own steps to follow.
When they pushed open the training room door, they were greeted by surging waves of water.
"Water Breathing, Third Form: Flowing Dance!"
"Water Breathing, Third Form: Flowing Dance!"
Ikki and Tashigi each held swords, swinging them in perfect synchronization within the open space of the training room.