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"Well, Lord Ikki, does this mean Ginrummy can learn from you?"
Belo Betty looked at Ginrummy, whose maid outfit had been reduced to ashes by the flames, leaving her in a rather revealing state, and couldn't help asking. Although they stood on different sides, she was still a woman. Seeing Ginrummy endure the energies of so many different Breathing Styles without making a sound made her genuinely hope the girl would succeed.
After all, when Ikki had guided Rock Breathing energy into her body, she had felt nothing but comfort. But judging from Ginrummy's expression, the experience was clearly very different for her. The energy Ikki was sending into her body brought only pain.
"Not bad." Ikki nodded. "Although your compatibility with Sun Breathing isn't quite on Belo Betty's level, it's still surprisingly good. From now on, you'll train under me every day. Once you've built a proper foundation in the breathing method itself, we'll move on to swordsmanship."
As he withdrew his hand, the energy of Sun Breathing dissipated.
The flames surrounding Ginrummy instantly vanished, revealing her smooth skin beneath the remains of her burned clothing. Fortunately, while the flames had looked terrifying, they hadn't actually injured her. Aside from the redness lingering on her skin from the intense heat, she was completely unharmed.
"Thank you, Lord Ikki." Ginrummy finally let out a relieved breath. "I'll definitely work hard and learn it."
Although her body still ached terribly, the knowledge that she had passed Ikki's test filled her with excitement.
As for Ikki seeing her in her current state, she didn't particularly care. Back when she served the Beasts Pirates, she often fought in clothing that revealed just as much. Besides, influenced by Robin's earlier suggestions, she had once seriously considered offering herself to Ikki. Although he had rejected her at the time because she still harbored doubts in her heart, there wasn't much left for him to see that he hadn't already seen before.
"You're actually quite fortunate," Ikki said. "Sun Breathing is the strongest of all Breathing Styles, and almost nobody possesses an affinity for it. To speed up your progress, I'll regularly use Sun Breathing energy to temper your body. As for sword techniques, we'll worry about those after you've mastered the breathing method itself."
Then he pointed toward the hot spring.
"Now stop standing there. Your body might look fine, but I know it still hurts. Get into the water and let the hot spring heal you."
"Yes, Lord Ikki."
Ginrummy immediately obeyed. The moment she stepped into the hot spring, a comfortable warmth enveloped her body. Within minutes, the lingering pain disappeared completely, and the relief was so overwhelming that she nearly moaned aloud.
However, before she could fully relax, Ikki suddenly grabbed her wrist.
"Lord Ikki?" Ginrummy blinked in confusion.
"What do you mean, 'what's wrong?'" Ikki laughed. "Of course I'm helping you train."
Before she could react, he activated Sun Breathing again. This time, the energy was even fiercer and more domineering than before. The scorching power surged into her body, forcing it to adapt.
Instantly, the water around her began bubbling violently as though it had started boiling.
"Ahhh! Hot! It's so hot!"
Ginrummy finally couldn't hold back her screams.
Behind Ikki, Belo Betty turned around in surprise.
Does it really hurt that much? When Ikki guided Rock Breathing energy into my body, it felt incredibly comfortable. So it really does depend on compatibility. I should probably be grateful for my affinity with Rock Breathing.
Just as that thought crossed her mind, a cheerful voice suddenly sounded from the doorway.
"What a miserable scream. Ikki, are you bullying Ginrummy again?"
Belo Betty looked toward the entrance and saw Nojiko walking over with a broad smile. The moment Nojiko noticed Belo Betty's posture, her eyes immediately lit up with interest.
Embarrassed, Belo Betty hurriedly turned around and pressed her back against Ikki's again.
Nojiko merely grinned.
After seeing the Demon Slayer Mark on Ikki's face and the patterns covering Belo Betty's body, she immediately understood what was happening. Casually stepping into the hot spring, she crouched beside Ikki and Ginrummy.
"That's Sun Breathing energy, isn't it?" Nojiko asked curiously. "Does Ginrummy have talent for Sun Breathing?"
"That's right." Ikki nodded, glancing at the trembling Ginrummy. "Out of all the Breathing Styles, Sun Breathing suits her the best. The problem is that Sun Breathing is extremely domineering. Using it to temper the body is far more painful than other Breathing Styles. Of course, if her talent were a little higher, she'd probably find it quite comfortable."
Nojiko nodded thoughtfully before slipping off her outer clothing and entering the pool herself.
"By the way, Nojiko," Ikki continued, "when you have time, help Ginrummy practice the sword techniques related to Sun Breathing. If everything goes well, she may officially become one of our companions before long."
"Of course." Nojiko smiled. "Leave it to me, Captain."
Then she reached out and took Ginrummy's hand.
"Good luck, Miss Ginrummy. I'm looking forward to exchanging sword techniques with you in the future. And if you become strong enough, Captain Ikki might even give you a Zanpakutō."
The moment those words entered her ears, a spark appeared in Ginrummy's eyes. She immediately gritted her teeth and forced herself to stop screaming.
"I... I'll definitely become stronger."
The pain remained unbearable, but her eyes were filled with determination.
Ginrummy's screams not only attracted Nojiko, who had just finished training, but also caught Gion's attention. Wanting to check on Ikki's condition, she headed straight toward the gym's bathing area.
The moment Ikki sensed her approach through Observation Haki, he shot Belo Betty a meaningful look.
Because of their earlier discussion, Belo Betty immediately understood.
Someone from the Marines was coming.
Robin and Ginrummy weren't major issues. Robin's existence had already been covered by the agreement between Ikki and Gion, while Ginrummy was little more than a former subordinate of a Yonko Commander.
But Belo Betty was different.
As the commander of the Revolutionary Army's East Army, her appearance here would create endless complications. Neither she nor Ikki wanted to deal with that.
Normally, she avoided Gion altogether. Unfortunately, there was no way to escape now unless Ikki shut the door in Gion's face, which obviously wasn't going to happen.
Belo Betty pursed her lips and quickly put on the mask she had prepared earlier. Then she listened as the approaching footsteps grew closer and closer.
After a brief moment of thought, she suddenly turned around, wrapped both arms around Ikki's waist, pressed her body firmly against his back, and buried her face there.
A warm softness immediately pressed against him.
Ikki's lips twitched.
If it had been Tashigi or Hina, it wouldn't have mattered. But when it came to Gion...
This was only going to make her more suspicious.
A moment later, Gion stepped inside.
The first thing she noticed was Ginrummy, who was surrounded by flames. A trace of surprise appeared in her eyes, but her attention was quickly drawn to Belo Betty—a masked woman wearing almost nothing while clinging tightly to Ikki's back.
Gion immediately became interested.
Another masked woman? Did Ikki kidnap another wanted criminal this time? Honestly... how did I end up liking a man like this?
She shook her head helplessly before remembering that she wasn't exactly in a position to criticize.
Forget it. If he wants to collect women, that's his business. Still, I should probably find a way to drain some of his energy before Tashigi and Hina end up falling into his hands too.
Remembering her earlier "battle" with Ikki, Gion unconsciously licked her lips before walking over.
"Ikki, what's going on with Ginrummy?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Ikki shrugged. "I'm helping her train."
He pointed toward the flames surrounding Ginrummy.
"Unlike you, she doesn't have absurd talent. She's learning the strongest Breathing Style I possess—Sun Breathing—so a little pain is unavoidable."
Then he looked apologetically at Gion.
"Sorry, Gion. I probably won't have time to chat for the next few days. I need to focus on helping Ginrummy train."
"Really?" Gion raised an eyebrow and glanced meaningfully at Belo Betty. "Are you sure that's the only thing you're doing? Isn't helping that mature beauty behind you awaken her Innate Demon Slayer Mark equally important?"
Then she sighed dramatically.
"Honestly, Ikki, why do you always keep finding wanted criminals? Our agreement only covered Nico Robin. I'm not supposed to help hide every wanted person you bring aboard."
She crouched in front of him, looking genuinely troubled.
Internally, Ikki relaxed.
At least she thought Belo Betty was simply some wanted criminal.
That was manageable.
"Haha." He scratched his cheek. "You're overthinking things, Gion. The person behind me is just shy. I can assure you she's not some vicious criminal."
"Not vicious, perhaps," Gion replied dryly, "but she definitely has a bounty on her head."
Ikki immediately fell silent.
"That's what I thought." Gion waved her hand dismissively. "Don't worry. I'll pretend I didn't see anything, but in exchange, you have to grant me one request."
"What kind of request?"
A playful smile appeared on Gion's face.
"After the war ends, spend a few days with me."
"That's all?"
"That's all."
Ikki laughed.
"Then it's a deal."
Gion's smile immediately brightened.
"Good. In that case, I won't interrupt your training any longer. I'll come find you when we're close to Marine Headquarters."
She licked her lips and shot him a flirtatious glance before turning and leaving.
Only after she disappeared did Belo Betty finally let out a breath.
"Looks like we managed to get through that."
Ikki sighed and glanced over his shoulder.
"Honestly, Miss Belo Betty, you really put me in a difficult position."
"I'm sorry, Lord Ikki." Belo Betty chuckled softly and tightened her arms around his waist. "As an apology, let me stay like this a little longer."
For her, a few extra minutes in this position made little difference.
And judging by the amused look on her face, she had absolutely no intention of letting go anytime soon.