"Miss Nami, I'm going to start my training now," Ikki announced as he removed his shirt, revealing his well-defined muscles. "If you're not busy, could you check whether we're still on course?"
He positioned himself in front of an enormous barbell.
"This..." Nami glanced around, noting that from where Ikki stood, she could easily see the lockbox in the captain's cabin through the gym doorway.
'Damn it! How am I supposed to steal that Devil Fruit like this?' she thought in frustration.
After witnessing Ikki's seemingly magical creation of the gym space, Nami was now almost certain that Devil Fruits truly existed. Knowing there was one secured in that lockbox only intensified her determination to acquire it.
"Is something wrong?" Ikki asked, noticing her hesitation as he retrieved a bottle of 'C-grade Nutritional Potion' from the system space and placed it on a nearby counter.
"No, nothing," Nami sighed, realizing she wouldn't be able to get her hands on the Slip-Slip Fruit anytime soon. With reluctance, she exited the gym and headed toward the deck.
'Just keep training,' she grumbled internally. 'I don't believe you'll stay in that position forever.'
Upon reaching the deck, Nami began adjusting the ship's course, still muttering complaints. "This man has me controlling such a large ship by myself while he's just lifting weights in his magical gym! He can't blame me if I take his treasure..."
Her thoughts drifted to the wanted poster she had seen. "But he seems incredibly strong, and he appears to be targeting the Arlong Pirates." She recalled Arlong's monstrous strength—how he could effortlessly lift entire houses.
"No, no," she shook her head. "Although this man is strong, he's definitely no match for Arlong. I can't let him die. Better to guide him to a nearby town instead."
Making her decision, Nami determined the surrounding wind patterns and sailed for about an hour, ultimately setting course for the nearest town. Once satisfied with their heading, she returned to the gym where Ikki continued his training.
"That's... incredible. I've never seen anyone exercise like this before," Nami marveled as she watched Ikki wielding the barbell like a massive sword, swinging it with a speed that defied normal human capability.
With each swing, Nami felt powerful gusts of wind rush past her. She realized that if she had been standing directly in front of him, she might have been blown away by the sheer force generated by his movements.
'Such power,' she thought in amazement. 'How heavy is that barbell? With strength like this, combined with his swordsmanship against those pirates earlier... could he actually be stronger than Arlong?'
Her eyes widened in disbelief as she reconsidered her previous assessment of Ikki's abilities.
BOOM!
Ikki slammed the barbell down onto the floor, taking a deep breath before walking to the counter for a towel to wipe away his sweat.
Nami quickly rushed forward, grabbing the towel first and offering it to him.
"Thanks, Nami," Ikki nodded appreciatively as he accepted it.
While drying himself, he mentally checked his personal attributes panel:
[Host: Ikki Kurogane]
[Age: 25 years old]
[Weapon: Zangetsu]
[Life force: 1100, Level C]
[Kendo Realm: Iron-Cutting Realm]
[Special Abilities: Junior Armament Haki, Junior Observation Haki]
[Swordsmanship Schools: Demon Slayer Breathing Techniques, Zoro's Three-Sword Style]
[Items: D-level Nutritional Potion x10, C-level Nutritional Potion x9]
'My Life force increased from 600 to 1100. These Nutritional Potions truly live up to their name—500 points gained in just one hour,' Ikki thought with satisfaction. 'It's a shame I can only take them twice daily, otherwise I could have broken through to Level B today.'
He retrieved another bottle of C-level Nutritional Potion from the system space and drank it.
[You have taken C-level Nutritional Potion. The effective duration is 1 hour; Nutritional Potions can only be consumed twice per day.]
Hearing the system's notification, Ikki returned to his previous position before Nami could say anything. He picked up the barbell and resumed his rapid swinging exercises.
Nami's lips twitched as she started to speak, but seeing Ikki's intense concentration, she merely sighed and found a seat nearby. She watched him silently, wondering about the weight of the barbell and hoping he might eventually change positions so she could make another attempt at the lockbox.
To her dismay, Ikki seemed committed to his current training method and maintained his position. Though she considered suggesting he try a different exercise, the increasingly powerful winds generated by his swings discouraged her from interrupting.
'Strange,' she thought. 'Why does it feel like the force of his swings is actually getting stronger rather than weaker?'
Time passed slowly, and another hour elapsed.
With another decisive movement, Ikki lowered the barbell to the floor. He checked his attributes panel again, noting that his Life force had increased by another 500 points.
"Ikki, that was amazing!" Nami exclaimed, promptly handing him a fresh towel.
"Thank you," Ikki replied with a smile.
"Can I ask you something?" Nami ventured.
"Of course, what is it?"
"Well, it's nothing really," she began, scratching her head curiously. "It's just that when most people exercise, their strength diminishes over time as they get tired. But with you, I noticed something odd—you actually seemed to get stronger as you continued. How is that possible?"