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Oh no... I was careless!
Ginrummy stared in horror at the blazing attack that seemed ready to swallow her whole.
Her movements immediately became erratic.
Little by little, she lost control of her rhythm.
Soon, she could barely even parry properly.
Seeing this, Ikki frowned.
Catching sight of that expression, Ginrummy became even more anxious.
No... I can't fail.
If I fail, Lord Ikki will abandon me.
Ginrummy, you can do this! Didn't you want to become a powerful female pirate?
If I lose this chance, there may never be another one.
Keep fighting! You can do it!
She desperately encouraged herself.
After a short while, she miraculously regained her composure.
Relying on the Observation Haki Ikki had given her, she gradually stabilized the battle.
Not bad.
So she's more than just a pretty face after all.
Once she gets serious, she can still grow.
Ikki nodded in satisfaction.
"Sun Breathing, First Form: Dance!"
With a sharp shout, Ginrummy's blade flashed forward.
The slash landed directly on the Sword Shadow's neck.
A burst of flames erupted.
The Sword Shadow Puppet was sent flying before crashing into the arena wall.
Its body slowly crumbled apart.
Then it transformed into a mass of fire that completely engulfed Ginrummy.
After unleashing her final strike, Ginrummy had already dropped to one knee from exhaustion.
When the flames suddenly rushed toward her, she instinctively thought the Sword Shadow was launching one last attack.
Panicked, she tried to stand.
But after such a fierce battle, her body had no strength left.
Her leg gave out.
Just as she was about to fall, a familiar figure appeared in front of her and caught her.
It was Ikki.
"The battle is over. Relax."
"Carefully experience these flames. They'll grant you new power."
Hearing his calm voice, Ginrummy immediately relaxed.
She lowered her sword and instinctively wrapped her arms around his waist, allowing her weight to rest against him.
At that moment, the flames left behind by the Sword Shadow completely merged into her body.
Instantly, her understanding of swordsmanship rose to an entirely new level.
"Lord Ikki, I..."
Ginrummy opened her eyes, eager to share her excitement.
Before she could finish, Ikki took out an enhancement item and pressed it into her hand.
A familiar surge of power immediately flowed through her body.
At the same time, a system notification sounded in Ikki's mind.
[Ding! Ginrummy's personal attributes have been updated.]
Name: Ginrummy
Age: 23
Weapon: None
Life Force: 9,999 (B Rank)
Swordsmanship Realm: Sky-Cutting Realm
Breathing Style: Sun Breathing
Special Abilities: Basic Armament Haki, Intermediate Observation Haki
Good.
She can use flying slashes now.
Next, I need to raise her Life Force to A Rank and help her awaken the Innate Demon Slayer Mark and the Transparent World.
The Transparent World can wait.
I will awaken her mark first.
Those who awakened their Demon Slayer Marks normally suffered shortened lifespans.
However, Ginrummy was only twenty-three years old.
With Ikki's methods, the risk was manageable.
Afterward, he could gradually help her transform it into an Innate Demon Slayer Mark.
As for her Life Force, pushing her to her limits in battle should allow her to break through that final barrier.
While Ikki was lost in thought, he failed to notice the look of complete admiration in Ginrummy's eyes.
Lord Ikki, I won't betray the trust you've placed in me.
She silently made a vow to herself.
"How does it feel to use a flying slash, Ginrummy?"
Sitting at the edge of the arena, Ikki watched as she launched a small flying slash toward the wall.
"It's... it's incredible, Lord Ikki."
Ginrummy turned around, her face filled with excitement.
"I never imagined I'd possess this kind of power one day."
"It seems you really enjoy becoming stronger."
Ikki smiled.
"Then are you ready for even greater power?"
"Even greater power?" Ginrummy's eyes lit up. "The mark?"
She immediately ran over and crouched in front of him.
"Since you've already guessed it, let's begin."
"You're only twenty-three years old, so activating the mark may feel uncomfortable at first."
"But there won't be any danger."
"Afterward, you simply need to remain around me frequently and receive the influence of my Innate Demon Slayer Mark."
As he spoke, Ikki explained the process.
Because Ginrummy practiced Sun Breathing, awakening the mark was significantly easier for her than for most swordsmen.
Under Ikki's guidance, she succeeded quickly.
As a mark bloomed across her forehead, Ikki stood up and drew his sword.
"Lord Ikki?"
Ginrummy blinked in confusion.
"What are you doing?"
Ikki grinned.
"Heh. Awakening the mark is meaningless if you can't use it properly."
"Come at me, Ginrummy."
"Let's see what your new power can do."
"And if possible, I'd like to see you take another step forward in your Life Force."
"If I obtain a Zanpakutō for you in the future, higher Life Force will make it easier to wield."
Ginrummy instinctively wanted to retreat.
But after meeting Ikki's gaze and remembering her determination to grow stronger, she nodded firmly.
"Please don't hold back, Lord Ikki."
"I'll do my best."
Taking a deep breath, she raised her sword.
Ikki nodded.
A flying slash instantly shot toward her.
Twenty minutes later...
[Ding! Ginrummy's Life Force has increased from B Rank to A Rank.]
[Congratulations, Host. Reward obtained: Intermediate Armament Haki Fragment ×1.]
[Three Intermediate Armament Haki Fragments can be combined into one Intermediate Armament Haki Awakening Potion.]
She finally broke through.
Though this time I only got a fragment.
Fine. I'll combine them once I collect all three.
Ikki sheathed his sword and checked Ginrummy's updated status.
Name: Ginrummy
Age: 23
Weapon: None
Life Force: 10,005 (A Rank)
Swordsmanship Realm: Sky-Cutting Realm
Breathing Style: Sun Breathing
Special Abilities: Innate Demon Slayer Mark, Basic Armament Haki, Intermediate Observation Haki
Only six points.
Looks like Life Force doesn't increase very much during breakthroughs.
Even when training with the mark active.
Ikki turned toward Ginrummy.
"Lord Ikki, is training over?"
Panting heavily, she leaned on her sword and looked up at him.
"Yes."
"That's enough for today."
"You worked hard, Ginrummy."
"I'm very satisfied."
"At first, you reminded me of Perona."
"You were terrified whenever something dangerous happened."
"But the good thing is that you're willing to grow."
"Keep working hard."
"Yes, I captured you and brought you onto my ship."
"But as long as you contribute to the crew, I'll treat you well."
"You don't need to use your body to earn my favor."
"If you want strength, I'll help you become stronger."
"I won't claim I can immediately turn you into someone on the level of a Marine Admiral or a Yonko."
"But making you strong enough to defeat one of the Flying Six?"
"That, I can definitely do."
Ginrummy stared at him.
Strong enough to defeat a member of the Flying Six...
The thought alone filled her heart with longing.
Can I really become that strong? she wondered.