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"So this is what you wanted."
Ikki crossed his arms and nodded in understanding. He wasn't stupid. He had been paying attention to Ginrummy's behavior for quite some time.
Especially when Nami awakened Advanced Armament Haki. Through Observation Haki, he had clearly sensed the intense emotional fluctuations coming from her.
"Please, Lord Ikki." Ginrummy lowered her head deeply. "If you're willing to accept me, I'm willing to fight to the death for the Explorer."
"Oh?" Ikki rested his chin on one hand and smiled. "Ginrummy, you were Jack's subordinate not that long ago, and when we fought Jack, you surrendered without hesitation. I find it difficult to believe you'd suddenly be willing to die for the Explorer."
The moment those words left his mouth, Ginrummy froze. All the speeches she had prepared instantly vanished, and a faint mist began gathering in her eyes.
The sight caught Ikki off guard.
"Alright, alright. Don't cry." He shook his head helplessly and reached out to wipe the moisture from the corner of her eye. "I'll agree to give you a chance."
"Really?" Ginrummy's eyes widened. "Thank you, Lord Ikki!"
She immediately bowed again, this time with genuine gratitude.
"How gentle of you, Lord Ikki." Belo Betty's amused voice came from behind him. "Are you the type who can't bear to see a woman cry?"
"Not at all." Ikki waved dismissively. "I was already planning to keep her aboard the Explorer for a long time. If she's going to stay with us permanently, I'd rather gain another companion than keep a prisoner."
His smile turned slightly dangerous.
"Of course, if she ever betrays me, I'll make sure she learns a very memorable lesson."
A faint red gleam flashed through his eyes as he glanced at Ginrummy. The former Beasts Pirate immediately shivered.
"I-I would never betray you, Lord Ikki."
Ikki nodded. "Your situation isn't that different from Perona's. When she first joined, she wasn't exactly trustworthy either. Now she's one of our companions."
He looked directly at Ginrummy.
"I hope you'll eventually become someone willing to fight for the entire crew."
"Don't worry, Lord Ikki." Ginrummy clenched her fists. "I won't lose to Perona."
The comparison immediately eased some of her anxiety.
After all, everyone aboard the Explorer knew how powerful Perona had become. Just thinking about Tenken and the strength Perona displayed in battle filled Ginrummy with envy.
Belo Betty was thinking along similar lines.
She had personally witnessed Perona fighting with her Zanpakutō. That kind of power was enough to threaten even a commander-level fighter.
So that's how it works...
People like Ginrummy can gradually become true companions and receive powerful weapons like Zanpakutō.
Does that mean anyone willing to remain aboard the Explorer long-term has a chance to obtain one?
Could Ginrummy receive a Zanpakutō in the future as well?
If that's possible... could someone like me eventually receive the same treatment as Perona?
The thought lingered in Belo Betty's mind.
Meanwhile, Ikki looked back at Ginrummy.
"Perona became stronger because she accepted my training and learned to value the people around her. I hope you'll do the same."
With a flick of his wrist, the Partner Seal appeared in his hand.
"Give me your hand. Or, if you have another location in mind, tell me. You can even choose the color."
The moment she saw the seal, Ginrummy's eyes lit up.
"As for the color..." She hesitated briefly before answering, "Could you make it the same color as my hair, Lord Ikki?"
Her face flushed slightly.
"And for the location... I'd like it over my heart. I want to remember my identity at all times."
Without hesitation, she pulled aside the upper portion of her maid outfit, exposing the area she had indicated.
Ikki nodded and raised the seal.
However, just as it was about to touch her skin, he suddenly stopped.
The seal hovered barely a centimeter away.
"Lord Ikki?"
Ginrummy's heart immediately tightened. For a terrifying moment, she thought he had changed his mind. If she weren't afraid of offending him, she might have grabbed his hand and pressed the seal onto herself.
"Relax." Ikki chuckled. "I'm not backing out. I just thought of something more interesting."
He withdrew the seal and smiled.
"Ginrummy, I've decided to give you a test."
"A test?" she repeated nervously.
Ikki nodded. "Just like Belo Betty, you're going to begin training in swordsmanship. If you can learn one of the Breathing Styles I've mastered and become at least a beginner swordswoman, I'll personally engrave the Partner Seal afterward."
The smile on Ginrummy's face immediately collapsed, replaced by a wronged expression.
"Lord Ikki..."
"Don't give me that look." Ikki laughed. "Think of it as proving yourself. Or what? Do you think you can't overcome a challenge this small?"
He spread his hands.
"I'll personally guide you. And if you still can't learn a Breathing Style under those conditions..."
He paused before finishing calmly,
"Then I'll have to question whether you're qualified to become my partner."
Naturally, those weren't his only reasons.
If he engraved the Partner Seal right now, the system would immediately grant the corresponding rewards. However, Ginrummy currently had no foundation in swordsmanship. At most, those rewards would raise her to the Iron-Cutting Realm.
On the other hand, if she first became a beginner swordswoman before receiving the seal, Ikki was confident he could rapidly elevate her to a much higher level.
Since he currently lacked spare Zanpakutō to distribute, he naturally wanted future partners to be as strong as possible.
"I understand, Captain Ikki."
Ginrummy nodded firmly.
"I'll definitely pass the test."
The disappointment in her heart quickly transformed into determination.
If becoming stronger is the requirement...
Then I'll become stronger.
No matter what.
"Good." Ikki extended his hand toward her. "If you've made up your mind, then give me your hand. The first step is determining which Breathing Style suits you."
Without hesitation, Ginrummy grasped both of his hands tightly.
"You may feel a little uncomfortable," Ikki said with a smile. "Let's start with Water Breathing. It's one of the gentler styles."
As he spoke, he activated Water Breathing. A stream of azure energy flowed from his body into Ginrummy's.
Her expression immediately stiffened.
Even though she had prepared herself mentally, the sensation of energy flowing through her body like rushing water was extremely strange.
A moment later, Ikki shook his head.
"No good. Let's try Thunder Breathing."
Crackling energy surged through her body.
A few moments later, he shook his head again.
"Not compatible. Rock Breathing... no. Love Breathing... hmm, slightly better, but still lacking. Serpent Breathing... still not right. Wind Breathing..."
One Breathing Style after another flowed into Ginrummy's body.
Cold.
Heat.
Pressure.
Sharpness.
The constantly changing sensations made her entire body tremble. Even so, she gritted her teeth and endured everything.
The physical discomfort wasn't what worried her.
What frightened her was watching Ikki repeatedly shake his head.
Does that mean I don't have the talent?
Do I not even possess an affinity for a single Breathing Style?
Doubt gradually began creeping into her heart.
Then suddenly—
A surge of flames poured into her body.
The scorching energy spread throughout her limbs and bones. This time, although the heat was intense, it wasn't nearly as unbearable as the previous attempts.
Hope immediately appeared in her eyes.
She looked at Ikki expectantly.
"Flame Breathing..." Ikki frowned slightly. "There's some compatibility, but it's still not ideal."
His expression grew thoughtful.
For a moment, he wondered whether Ginrummy might need to acquire a Breathing Style through the Sword Shadow trials instead.
Seeing his frown, Ginrummy's heart sank. Despair began to rise inside her once more.
"Don't give up yet." Ikki smiled. "There's still one more style. I have one that surpasses all the others."
Before Ginrummy could ask anything, Ikki activated Sun Breathing.
Instantly, flames far hotter than those of Flame Breathing surged into her body. The moment the energy entered her, her body temperature soared.
Then, unexpectedly, a powerful force erupted from within her own body and merged with the energy Ikki was supplying. The combined power enveloped her completely.
Strangely, despite the terrifying heat, her body suffered no visible damage.
Unfortunately, her maid outfit wasn't nearly as fortunate.
The fabric quickly gave way under the intense heat, leaving her clothing completely ruined.