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Three days later.
Early morning, Loguetown coast.
A ship with crossed swords emblazoned on its sails slowly approached the shore.
It was the Explorer.
After docking the vessel, the blue-haired Nojiko and orange-haired Nami smiled at each other from the deck.
They turned and walked toward the cabin, intending to inform Ikki that they had reached their destination.
Due to the effects of the C-level nutritional potions, both women's Life Force points had reached 1500, giving them a more formidable presence overall.
With long blades hanging at their sides and newfound confidence in their movements, they carried themselves with undeniable power.
As they passed the Explorer's guest room, a sharp sound echoed from the partially open door.
Exchanging curious glances, Nami and Nojiko pushed the door open and entered.
They found Tashigi clutching her blanket with both hands, giving Ikki—who held a wooden training sword—an injured look.
"Tashigi, your breathing pattern faltered while you were sleeping. That's not acceptable," Ikki admonished with a disappointed shake of his head.
"But... but you clearly told me to rest well tonight," Tashigi protested.
"Doesn't that mean not to wake me if my breathing changed?"
She pouted, looking at Ikki with grievance in her eyes.
Although her Water Breathing had improved significantly under his supervision, she hadn't enjoyed a proper night's sleep for three consecutive days.
"It's morning now," Ikki pointed out with a smile, turning to acknowledge Nami and Nojiko.
The two women nodded slightly, confirming his suspicion.
"We've arrived at Loguetown!" Tashigi exclaimed, her eyes brightening as she pulled back the sheets and leapt out of bed.
Seeing Tashigi emerge from beneath the blankets, Nami and Nojiko exchanged meaningful smiles.
Ikki glanced at Tashigi, a thoughtful expression crossing his face.
"What's wrong? Why are you all looking at me like that?" Tashigi asked in confusion.
"It's nothing. I just think you're really barren, Tashigi," Ikki remarked casually.
"By the way, you shouldn't be bothered by what I said last night."
"You might as well remove your coat and relax."
"Hey!" Hearing Ikki's words, Tashigi froze and looked down at herself.
The next moment, her scream echoed throughout the Explorer, carrying all the way to the Loguetown coast.
...
"Nami, Nojiko, please go to the Marine Base to collect our bounty rewards," Ikki instructed as he jumped down from the Explorer's deck.
"We'll need to purchase some daily necessities as well. We might be staying in Loguetown for about ten days."
"Understood, Captain," Nojiko acknowledged.
"Don't worry, I won't miss a single Berry," Nami added, her expression more serious than ever when money was involved.
Without further delay, she dragged Nojiko off toward the Marine Base.
"As expected, Nami's true love is money," Ikki chuckled, shaking his head before turning to Tashigi, who was still blushing furiously.
"Come on, Tashigi. Take me to where they sell swords."
"I promised to help you find a good blade, and I intend to keep my word."
Ikki's eyes gleamed with anticipation, and for good reason.
He knew that a weapons shop in Loguetown housed two famous swords:
One was the cursed blade Sandai Kitetsu.
The other was Yubashiri, one of the fifty Skillful Grade swords.
Ikki had trained Tashigi specifically so she could wield a famous sword and duel with him or his partners.
This would allow him to obtain lottery permissions from the system.
'It's unfortunate that Tashigi doesn't use two swords,' Ikki sighed inwardly.
According to the system's rules, a famous sword must be wielded by a swordsman before it could be "claimed" through victory.
The swordsman must truly consider it their own and have used it for at least ten days.
Therefore, Ikki planned to have Tashigi carry Sandai Kitetsu on her back while fighting him with Yubashiri.
Even if he defeated her, he would only be able to take Yubashiri.
While Ikki contemplated this plan, his gaze remained fixed on Tashigi.
Facing Ikki's intense stare and remembering how she had just been caught in her undergarments, Tashigi lowered her head in embarrassment.
This was even more mortifying than being seen in a swimsuit.
Although she had put on her coat, Tashigi couldn't shake the feeling that Ikki's eyes could see through her clothing.
"What's wrong? Are you feeling ill, Tashigi?"
Noticing her prolonged silence, Ikki raised his hand and pressed the back of it against her forehead.
Tashigi's eyes widened. She quickly stepped back, waving her hands frantically.
"No... I'm fine! Let's go now, shall we?"
She turned and began walking with unnaturally stiff steps.
"Tashigi, you're going the wrong way!" Ikki called after her.
"Waaah!"
Tashigi froze, then covered her face and ran off with her head tucked to her chest.
'How embarrassing, Tashigi!'
'What are you doing?'
'I've completely humiliated myself! How can I face Ikki after this?'
Lost in her thoughts, she nearly collided with a passerby.
Seeing this, Ikki shook his head and sprang into action.
With a powerful push against the ground, he reached Tashigi's side and caught her hand.
"Don't run off like that. Also, your glasses fell off."
As he spoke, he gently placed her glasses back on her face.
Immediately, Tashigi's face turned as red as an apple.
Ikki could almost see faint wisps of steam rising from her head.
"Hey, isn't that Tashigi?"
"It is her! Wait, who's that man beside her?"
"They look so close! Could he be Tashigi's boyfriend?"
"No way! How could Tashigi get a boyfriend just after a short mission?"
"I don't believe it. I'm going to ask!"
Suddenly, a burst of excited chatter erupted nearby.
Ikki and Tashigi turned toward the sound and spotted a group of Loguetown patrol Marines.
"Ikki, don't say anything. I'll handle this," Tashigi whispered before quickly approaching her fellow Marines.
Ikki leaned against a wall, taking in the sights of Loguetown while listening to the conversation between Tashigi and the Marines.
'I wonder if Zoro has already set sail,' he mused to himself.
'I can only imagine his expression if he knew I'd taken Yubashiri—the sword that was meant for him.'
'Then again, he'd damage it in an accident after acquiring it anyway, so I'm really doing the blade a favor.'
Ikki continued his private thoughts, a slight smile playing on his lips.
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