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Sengoku twitched the corner of his mouth. Although he was unhappy with Hawkeye's behavior of eavesdropping on the conversation, he didn't have many ways to punish him, especially at this stage when Hawkeye's power was needed.
But when he heard Hawkeye say the word 'Ikki', Sengoku also had some understanding.
With Hawkeye's sensitivity to sword-related matters, Ikki was indeed able to arouse his interest.
As for Hawkeye, although he was interested in Ikki, he was also quite interested in Gion, who had previously cut through the thick clouds above Marine Headquarters.
"Ikki?"
Blackbeard frowned, thinking that Ikki had killed his crewmates.
He suddenly felt that the cherry pie in his hand wasn't so sweet anymore.
'Is that man actually connected with Marine Momousagi?'
'Able to guide a Marine Admiral candidate.'
'How strong is he now!'
Blackbeard glanced at Gion and clenched his fists involuntarily.
Like Blackbeard, Doflamingo, who had just arrived at Marine Headquarters not long ago, also frowned after hearing the word Ikki.
At the same time, his eyes fell on Hancock.
Thinking of the scene where he was knocked unconscious by Hancock, the veins on Doflamingo's forehead bulged.
"Sorry, if it were another time, I would really like to know the gap between me and the world's greatest swordsman."
"But I have other plans later, so I'll leave the competition for next time."
Gion shook her head and looked through the conference room window to the sea in the distance.
From just now, her mind was no longer on the Warlord meeting.
She just hoped that the meeting would end early so that she could have time to go to where Ikki was.
Hawkeye frowned and was about to say something.
Hancock, who had frowned and said nothing since arriving at Marine Headquarters, spoke.
"Speaking of swordsmanship, I'm also very interested in your sword skills."
"I wonder if you can let me see what kind of swordsmanship you've learned from my Ikki?"
Hancock took out the long sword she got from Ikki at her waist and drew it partway from its sheath. The sunlight shone on the blade and instantly gleamed with a cold light.
"A Supreme Grade sword?"
Hawkeye looked at Hancock in surprise.
"Hancock, when did you get a Supreme Grade sword?"
"You just said Ikki? Are you also connected to Ikki?"
"This sword was given to you by Ikki?"
As the world's greatest swordsman, Hawkeye naturally had a unique eye for blades.
He recognized the quality of the long sword at Hancock's waist just at a glance.
This was still because he didn't know that the sword was originally Pluton Rayleigh's.
If he knew, he would be even more surprised.
Gion frowned and stared at Hancock intently.
Regarding Hancock studying under Ikki, Gion naturally knew this.
Onigumo had notified Marine Headquarters of this matter.
Since Gion was closely connected to Ikki, of course this news wouldn't escape her attention.
Of course, what she cared about most wasn't what Hancock learned under Ikki's guidance, how quickly she mastered swordsmanship, or how she obtained excellent weapons.
What she cared about most now was what Hancock had just said.
"Empress, what did you mean by 'my Ikki' just now? What is the relationship between you and Ikki?"
"You should understand what I mean! Although you met Ikki first, I promise that I won't hand Ikki over to you."
"Oh, is that so."
Gion's frown deepened.
In just two sentences, combined with the reason for the conflict between Hancock and Doflamingo reported by Vice Admiral Onigumo, she completely understood Hancock's feelings.
The empress, who had always been unattainable, now really had given her heart to someone.
And this man who held her heart was officially Gion's beloved.
Thinking of this, Gion still had a smile on her face.
But her clenched fists and the veins bulging on her forehead showed her turbulent emotions.
"Hancock, I heard that you easily knocked Doflamingo unconscious during the Sabaody Archipelago incident."
"You used the sword that Ikki gave you."
"Well, as a woman who studied 'before' you with Ikki, I also want to see what level your swordsmanship has reached."
"Follow me, I'll take you to the training ground at Marine Headquarters!"
Gion stood up, glanced at Hancock, turned around, and quickly left the conference room.
"That's just perfect."
Hancock stroked her hair gently and followed with a confident smile on her face.
"Sengoku, just stay here."
"I'll go see."
At this time, Tsuru stood up from her seat and followed suit.
Sengoku opened his mouth - he wanted to go with her.
But there were several Warlords here, and if he left too, no one would be able to control the situation.
"Heavenly Yaksha, were you defeated by that empress with a sword?"
Hawkeye stood up and looked at Doflamingo with sharp eyes.
"Tsk, you don't have to worry about it, Hawkeye." Doflamingo snorted and turned to look at Sengoku. "Fleet Admiral Sengoku, if you don't mind, I'd like to go watch the battle."
"You want to watch the battle? I happen to be very interested too."
Kuma closed the book in his hand and looked up at Sengoku.
"Zehahaha, is this a battle between the strongest female Marine and the most beautiful woman in the world?"
"I'm quite interested too, Fleet Admiral Sengoku. You see, everyone seems to have lost their appetite for eating."
"We've pretty much discussed everything, so why don't we all go take a look?"
Blackbeard stuffed the remaining food in his mouth and laughed boldly.
Sengoku glanced at Blackbeard, not quite believing what he said.
He knew that the man in front of him had a lot of grudges with Ikki.
"I also plan to participate in this sword competition."
Hawkeye said something and walked out of the conference room carrying his black sword on his back.
Obviously, he hadn't given up his plan to compete with Gion.
"Forget it, since everyone is interested, let's go and take a look."
"Just in time to show you pirates the power of our new generation of Marines."
Sengoku waved his hand and led the other Warlords to watch the battle.
"Ah?! Hey, I don't want to watch a battle between swordsmen."
"Wait, don't push me, I don't want to go!"
Moria's shrill voice continued to spread through the conference room window into the distance.