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"Gion, what are you talking about?" Tsuru frowned, looking at Gion who was facing Ikki with a broad smile.
"Vice Admiral Tsuru, I'm serious," Gion replied firmly. "Like Ikki said, I don't know how long I'll need to stay. As Marine Headquarters' Chief Advisor, you can't remain here indefinitely. Admiral Aokiji is equally unlikely to stay. And Nico Robin's situation cannot become known to others. So it's best if I stay here alone."
She smiled reassuringly. "Ikki is a good man and won't do anything harmful to me. Perhaps... the most he might do is ask me to wear some unusual outfits for his paintings?"
Although they hadn't known each other long, Gion had a good understanding of Ikki's character.
Ikki rubbed his face, feeling a little helpless that Gion was so casually vouching for him.
Tsuru narrowed her eyes, looking first at Gion, then at Ikki.
"I... think it's better if I stay for two more days," she finally decided. "I'll leave when the time is right."
Seeing this, Gion didn't try to persuade her further. Two days wouldn't significantly delay Marine business. Gion also understood that Tsuru wanted to observe firsthand whether Ikki could be trusted.
A few hours later, the Explorer set sail again, with the Marine warship heading in a different direction.
On the Explorer's deck, Vice Admiral Tsuru and Admiral Aokiji stood side by side, quietly watching the Marine warship disappear into the distance. Only when it had vanished over the horizon did they turn around.
"Kuzan, you don't have to stay here with me," Tsuru said quietly. "The women around Ikki seem to dislike you quite a bit. If you remain here, you'll only face their hostility."
She glanced at Nami, who was leaning against the cabin door, her eyes fixed coldly on the two Marines.
From Nami's icy gaze, Tsuru could clearly see her dissatisfaction with Aokiji.
Kuzan rubbed his forehead in distress. He could understand Nami's animosity. After all, he had fought with her sister Nojiko not long ago. Although the battle hadn't caused any serious harm to Nojiko, they had both used powerful techniques during their confrontation.
"I'd better stay and observe for a while, Vice Admiral Tsuru," Aokiji replied. "I want to get a better understanding of Ikki. Additionally, Fleet Admiral Sengoku asked me to assist you. You haven't left yet, so how could I choose to leave?"
As Nico Robin's former "custodian," now that she seemed to have found a partner, Aokiji naturally wanted to learn more about Ikki and his crew.
"Whatever," Tsuru sighed. Seeing Aokiji's determination, she could only nod in agreement to his staying.
"By the way, Kuzan," she continued, "you mentioned earlier that Nico Robin is currently wielding Gion's famous sword 'Konpira.' You said she even transformed it into blades sharp as cherry blossom petals. I didn't have time to ask about this before. Can you share your observations and analysis?"
"Actually, I have a significant theory about this," Aokiji replied, glancing at Nami who was watching them from the cabin entrance.
"Regarding Ikki's friends and the swords they possess..." he began. "As Gion once analyzed, Ikki's sword seems to have consumed some type of Devil Fruit. The same appears true for his companions' blades."
"Gion once suggested that Ikki's sword might have eaten a Zoan-type Devil Fruit, but I don't think that's the case," Aokiji continued. "In Mock Town, there were reports of Nami guiding lightning with her sword. On Long Ring Long Island, Robin's sword transformed into cherry blossom blades. While this resembles her Flower-Flower Fruit ability, it's definitely not the same power. Her Devil Fruit doesn't possess such sharp cutting power."
"Then there's Nojiko on Long Ring Long Island. Her sword displayed powers similar to an awakened Devil Fruit. It could affect the surrounding environment and even transform my ice into blood. I felt that if struck by it, my body would be assimilated into blood as well."
"And Princess Vivi, who demonstrated the power to channel ice through her sword in Alabasta. This ability may not be a sword technique used by Ikki, but rather a special power of the sword itself."
"These blades, including Ikki's, all exhibit unique powers. But with so many swords, it's impossible for all of them to be Zoan-type Devil Fruits. I believe Ikki must have developed some method to incorporate certain Paramecia-type Devil Fruits into those swords."
"After all, the swords wielded by Nami and the others, including Ikki's, all display abilities resembling Paramecia Devil Fruits. Of course, Logia-type Devil Fruits can't be ruled out, but that possibility seems remote. If they truly had access to Logia-type fruits, they would likely consume them themselves rather than feeding them to their swords."
Hearing Aokiji's serious analysis, Tsuru fell into deep thought.
"There should be no known way for weapons to consume Paramecia or Logia Devil Fruits," she mused. "But Ikki's ability... In the Sword Training Room, there are accounts of his companions fighting other swordsmen. Ikki's power may not just be the ability to help others become stronger, but to empower them in a specific direction—one related to swordsmanship."
"Kuzan, perhaps you're right. Ikki deliberately collects famous swords. Maybe with these renowned blades, he can use his own ability to integrate Paramecia-type fruits into them."
As Tsuru spoke, her eyes gleamed with interest in Ikki's abilities.
"That's my theory as well, Vice Admiral Tsuru," Aokiji agreed. "The reason Ikki can so quickly train his companions to become swordsmanship masters may be because his abilities are connected to swords. Those training facilities might only be a superficial aspect of his power. The real essence lies in Ikki's Sword Training Room, and of course, the ability to make famous swords consume Paramecia fruits."
"If that's the case, Ikki's abilities are indeed quite exceptional and unique," Tsuru observed. "If such a person could be utilized by the Marines..."
She held her chin with one hand, recalling the reports about Nami in Mock Town and Aokiji's description of Nojiko's abilities. These two had set out from Cocoyasi Village and were originally just capable enough to defeat the Arlong Pirates. Now they could stand against opponents like Golden Lion and even Marine Admiral Aokiji—some of the strongest fighters on the sea. This kind of rapid strengthening was completely beyond ordinary understanding.
"If Ikki were to join the Marines, it would significantly enhance our strength," Tsuru concluded.
"Vice Admiral Tsuru, I believe we truly cannot risk exposing Nico Robin's identity and turning Ikki against the Marines," Aokiji said seriously. "Nami and Nojiko are remarkably strong, Vivi's abilities are impressive, and Ikki himself must be even more powerful than them. If this crew were to become wanted criminals in the future, it would mean..."
At this point, Aokiji fell silent.
He raised his head and took a long look at Nami, who was leaning against the ship's hatch, and at Nojiko, who was walking toward them with a tray of food.
"It would mean this sea might witness the rise of a new Emperor!" he finished gravely.