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Aboard the Explorer, Inside the Cabin
"Kuzan, you mean that woman is Nico Robin?" Tsuru frowned as she looked at Robin, who was partially hiding her face.
Gion, still being carried by Ikki, also frowned delicately.
"Yes, she is indeed Nico Robin," Ikki confirmed with a smile, glancing at Tsuru beside him. "I can promise to help Gion, but I need a few people to help me with Robin's situation."
Hearing this, Tsuru rubbed her chin thoughtfully.
"Ikki, do you want the Marines not to pursue the matter of Nico Robin being on your ship... or do you want Kuzan and I to keep her presence a secret entirely?"
"Vice Admiral Tsuru is a smart woman, and it's easy to talk with smart people," Ikki replied appreciatively. "Yes, that's exactly what I mean."
"I see... then can you tell me why someone like you would allow Nico Robin aboard your ship? Are you also interested in Ancient Weapons like Crocodile was?"
Tsuru's face grew serious as she asked this.
"You're mistaken, Vice Admiral. I'm only interested in Nico Robin herself."
"You're interested in her?"
"Yes, for various reasons, I've grown quite fond of her."
Ikki smiled and turned to look at Robin standing nearby. She responded with a smile of her own.
Hearing this, Tsuru's mouth twitched slightly as she glanced up at Aokiji, who nodded subtly. Seeing this exchange, Tsuru fell into deep thought.
Ikki didn't rush her for an answer. Instead, he led the group further into the ship, toward the bathhouse. Aokiji was left outside the captain's cabin by Ikki's instructions.
"Ikki, what are you planning here?" Tsuru asked, looking around with confusion.
But soon, she recalled something Gion had once mentioned to her.
"Is the water in this bathhouse effective for Gion's condition?" she asked.
"Whether it works or not, you'll know after we try," Ikki replied with a smile.
He gently placed Gion, still in her Marine uniform, into the water, simultaneously deactivating his own Demon Slayer Mark.
Tsuru focused her Observation Haki on Gion and was surprised to discover that even though Ikki had deactivated his Demon Slayer Mark, the energy draining from Gion's body hadn't resumed.
"This... actually works!" Tsuru exclaimed in astonishment.
"Gion, how are you feeling now?" Ikki asked, squatting at the edge of the bath, his eyes fixed on her face.
"I feel fine," Gion replied, taking a deep breath. "It's the first time in days I've felt so relaxed." She raised her head and gave both Ikki and Tsuru a genuine smile.
"Looks like the effect is quite good," Ikki observed. "The water in my bath can effectively suppress the drain on Gion's life force and prevent her condition from worsening. After that, if I maintain contact with Gion for a while, I should be able to transform her acquired Demon Slayer Mark into an innate one."
"Are you saying my Demon Slayer Mark still has a chance to become innate?" Gion asked hopefully.
"There's a chance," Ikki confirmed. "Of course, when it can be activated safely depends on your personal constitution."
Nami and Nojiko had activated their Demon Slayer Marks partly because of their life force levels, and partly because both women were Ikki's partners. The partner seals on their bodies also helped promote the activation of the Demon Slayer Mark.
For someone like Gion who didn't have a partner seal, whether she could develop an innate Demon Slayer Mark—and how quickly she could activate it—depended more on her own innate talent.
Therefore, even though Ikki knew Gion could potentially activate the Demon Slayer Mark under his influence, he couldn't predict the exact timing.
"I see..." Tsuru nodded. "Regardless, it's excellent news if Gion can recover. Ikki, I agree to what you proposed regarding Nico Robin. As long as you can heal Gion and promise not to use Robin for anything harmful, I'll help keep your secret. Of course, I'll also convince Kuzan to do the same."
Her expression grew serious. "I hope you truly just care for this woman Robin."
After saying this, Tsuru glanced meaningfully at Robin, who stood at a distance with her arms folded, observing them quietly.
At that moment, Tsuru couldn't help but recall something Gion had once said about Ikki: 'He's a man who appreciates mature, confident women. If such a woman were to ask for his help, her chances of success would be quite high.'
Ikki nodded in understanding. The implication was clear—if he used Robin for harmful purposes, Tsuru would inform the Marines and World Government about her presence.
"I appreciate your understanding, Vice Admiral Tsuru," Ikki said with a nod. "Of course, Vice Admiral Gion will also keep this secret."
He looked at Gion in the bath with a smile.
"In my current situation, I don't really have much choice," Gion admitted. "But Ikki is still the same as before. So, are you considering Robin as another model for your artwork?"
Gion reclined in the water, her face showing the relaxation that had been absent for days.
"Something like that," Ikki replied with a shrug, not elaborating further on his relationship with Robin.
"Vice Admiral Tsuru, treating Gion will take some time," he continued. "What are your plans now? Do you want to stay here and wait for her treatment to finish, or would you and Admiral Aokiji prefer to return to Marine Headquarters first? I should mention that I don't plan to remain on this island for long. Once the Log Pose records the magnetic field, I'll set sail."
Robin's identity had been exposed to Aokiji, Tsuru, and Gion. While Ikki didn't mind these three knowing, he recognized the risks of lingering. If Aokiji and Tsuru broke their agreement and started a conflict, Gion and the Marine soldiers on the warship would definitely be caught in the crossfire.
With his crew's abilities, especially their Zanpakutō powers, Ikki and his companions could likely escape even if Aokiji tried to stop them. But if they stayed on the island too long, who knew what other high-ranking Marine forces might arrive? Even just as a precaution, Ikki didn't plan to stay.
Tsuru studied Ikki's expression carefully. Now that Gion's condition had stabilized somewhat, she could think more clearly. With just one look, she understood what Ikki was thinking.
Just as she was about to answer, Gion spoke up.
"Vice Admiral Tsuru, you should return first," she said. "I can stay alone on Ikki's ship."