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Three days later
Aboard the Explorer, in the Training Room.
In the arena, there were still figures wielding flaming swords. There were still people practicing Two Sword Style techniques. The person wielding the flames was still Nojiko, but the one employing the Two Sword Style had been replaced by Golden Lion Shiki's sword shadow.
"Breath of the Sun: Thirteenth Form!"
With a fierce cry, her face covered with flames just like Ikki's, Nojiko, with Madara tattoos visible on her skin, swung her long sword to attack Golden Lion's sword shadow in the arena.
Suddenly, the entire arena was engulfed in intense flames.
Outside the dueling field, Ikki, Nami, Vivi, and Nico Robin watched closely as Nojiko challenged Shiki's swordsman shadow.
"The battle's been going on for two hours now," Vivi said nervously, clutching Ikki's hand. "Do you think Nojiko can win?"
"Don't worry, she's gotten really strong," Ikki reassured her with a squeeze of her palm. "Intermediate Armament Haki, those innate Demon Mark, and the Transparent World technique. With all that, plus the three days of training in here, she's got what it takes to beat the Golden Lion's Sword Shadow, even if her Zanpakutō isn't a combat type." He smiled confidently. "And don't forget, I've been showing her Golden Lion's moves these past few days. Though I didn't expect she'd awaken the Transparent World on her own at her limit. The Breath of the Sun is really something special."
After three days of training, Nojiko's life force had successfully exceeded S level. Ikki had also given her the "Intermediate Armament Haki Awakening Potion" that she obtained after breaking through to S level.
As if to prove Ikki's words, in the arena, Nojiko's flame-wrapped sword suddenly passed through the Golden Lion sword shadow's neck.
The severely injured Golden Lion immediately froze in place.
A few seconds later, the shadow's figure turned into pure energy and merged into Nojiko's body.
[Ding! Congratulations to Host's partner Nojiko for defeating 'Mountain-Cutting Swordmaster Shiki' and entering the 'Mountain-Cutting Realm' in swordsmanship.]
[Nojiko's personal attributes have been refreshed, please check it yourself.]
[Name: Nojiko]
[Age: 20 years old]
[Weapon: Minazuki Shikai]
[Life force: 30038, S level]
[Swordsmanship Realm: Mountain-Cutting Realm]
[Swordsmanship schools: Breath of Water, Breath of Sun, Tashigi One-Sword Style]
[Abilities: Intermediate Armament Haki, Intermediate Observation Haki, Innate Demon Mark, Transparent World]
'Her swordsmanship realm and life force have finally reached the standard,' Ikki thought with satisfaction as he watched Nojiko walk out of the arena. Then he glanced at Vivi and Nico Robin beside him.
After these past days of training, combined with the effects of the medicinal supplements, their strength had increased significantly as well.
'Vivi's at 25,000 points of life force. With an A-level supplement, she could break through to S level. Once she reaches the Mountain-Cutting Realm, Sode no Shirayuki will be able to perform all kinds of techniques.'
While Ikki was thinking, Nojiko had walked over with Nami supporting her.
"Congrats, Nojiko! You really pushed yourself," Ikki said with a grin, patting her shoulder. "Get some rest. Once you've recovered, we can leave this Sky Island."
Hearing this, Nojiko smiled and nodded. "Sure thing, Ikki."
Two hours later, Blue Sea
On Long Ring Long Island, the nearest island to Jaya Island in Paradise, the first half of the Grand Line.
A tall soldier wearing a Marine uniform walked toward a small sailboat on the coast.
On the sailboat, there were more than ten sailors also wearing Marine uniforms.
"Any news? Have you heard anything about Ikki?" an older sailor on the sailboat asked, standing up as his companion approached.
"Nothing about Ikki here either," the Marine soldier replied, shaking his head in frustration. "There are only some ordinary locals stranded on this island. Where the hell did Ikki go? Vice Admiral Gion's condition isn't looking good."
"Shh! Don't let Vice Admiral Tsuru hear that. She's not in a good mood right now."
"Sorry, you're right."
The tall sailor apologized and stepped onto the sailboat.
But suddenly, his eyes widened as he stared at the horizon in disbelief.
"What... is that? Why is there an octopus flying in the sky?" he gasped. "Wait, that's... Ikki's Explorer flag!"
The tall soldier who had already pulled out his telescope exclaimed in surprise.
"Ikki's Explorer?" The older soldier immediately turned around, grabbing the telescope. Through it, he saw a large octopus in the sky being pulled toward the island where they had landed.
A smile immediately spread across the older soldier's face. "Haha, great! Ikki actually showed up! We need to tell Admiral Aokiji and Vice Admiral Tsuru right away."
The older soldier quickly pulled out his Den Den Mushi, planning to call Admiral Aokiji.
Neither he nor the other soldiers on the sailing ship noticed the pirate ship approaching from the other direction.
Back with Ikki's crew
"That's one interesting way to get back down," Nojiko remarked with amazement as the Explorer returned to the sea. She watched as the balloon octopus, now much smaller, fell into the ocean, its tentacles waving as if saying goodbye.
"Pretty cool creature, right?" Ikki said, walking up to Nojiko with a smile. "Saved us from having to use your shikai to land."
Although he'd seen Sky Island's landing octopuses in the anime, experiencing them in person was completely different.
"By the way, I just spotted a pirate ship over there," Ikki said, turning to look at the island not far away.
"It's flying the flag of the Foxy Pirates," Nico Robin announced as she jumped down from the observation deck, putting away her telescope.
"Foxy Pirates?" Nojiko recalled the bounty posters she'd seen in the captain's cabin. "Their captain has a bounty of 24 million berries, right?" she asked Ikki with slight uncertainty.
"Yep, and he's also a Devil Fruit user," Ikki confirmed with a grin, slipping his arm around Nojiko's waist. "Let's go, Nojiko. Time to liberate your Zanpakutō."
He turned to the others. "Robin, everyone, sail the ship to that island. You're free to explore until the Log Pose records the island's magnetic field."
With that, Ikki jumped off the deck with Nojiko, using Moonwalk to rush toward the location of the Foxy Pirates that he had sensed.