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"I don't understand, Ikki."
"That way, even if you manage to hold on to your Shichibukai title for a while longer, one day the World Government will still move to arrest you. They want your power, and I don't believe they'll walk back that decision. If you're counting on them dropping the warrant and letting you keep your seat, you may end up disappointed."
Gion said.
"I'll stay as long as I can." Ikki shrugged. "While I'm still a Shichibukai, I can at least be around you, a Marine, in peace like this. Even here at Marine Headquarters, no one bats an eye when they see the two of us together." He paused, reconsidering. "Well, not exactly no one. I can tell some of them are pretty hostile about me being near you. If looks could kill, I'd have died a hundred times over by now."
He laughed loudly.
"All you ever do is make people laugh, Ikki."
Gion shook her head. Even so, hearing him say that made her quietly glad.
"Alright, I won't try to stop you anymore." She looked at him gently. "Do what you think is right."
"Thank you, Gion."
Ikki smiled back at her, the same softness in his expression. "Seems like we've walked long enough. We should head back."
Astolfo and Gion nodded without objection. Moments later, the Hippogriff carried the three of them back down to the ground.
Gion watched Astolfo and Ikki's retreating figures, her eyes settling into something resolute.
'Ikki. If things go badly for you, no matter what it costs, I will get you out.'
In the distance, Ikki turned around, as though he had somehow heard her. He met Gion's serious gaze and smiled faintly.
"What? The World Government actually wants to betray you?"
Hancock's voice rose sharply in disbelief.
"Shh, keep it down, Hancock." Ikki pressed his index finger lightly against her lips. "What if someone heard that?"
Hancock's face flushed. She glanced at him shyly, then gave a small nod.
"It's completely understandable that Hancock's upset," Nami said, lips pressed together in a pout. "You finally earned your Shichibukai title. We held up our end and got so many people involved in this war. And they want to pull the rug out from under you? How could they treat us like this?"
"Captain Ikki, doesn't it bother you?" Vivi asked, genuinely puzzled. "Losing your position as a Shichibukai?"
"It's not that it doesn't bother me."
"It just doesn't bother me as much as you'd think," Ikki said, and laughed.
He knew that even without any of this, the Marines and the World Government would eventually dismantle the Seven Warlords system on their own terms. Once those artificially developed Warlords were ready, the originals would become redundant. When that day came, it wouldn't matter whether Fujitora had appeared or not. The system would be abolished regardless.
What Ikki needed was simply to remain a Shichibukai for as long as possible before that happened. That was why losing the seat didn't weigh on him the way it did the others.
"Alright, everyone, no need to worry so much. Just follow my lead when the time comes." He turned toward Hancock. "Also, Hancock, it might be better if we keep some distance between us for a while. If my situation starts affecting you, I'll be the one who feels worse about it."
"No." Hancock's answer came without a moment's hesitation. "I will stand with you, Ikki."
"I'm glad to hear it." He raised his hand and clapped her on the shoulder, a grin spreading across his face. "But sometimes, keeping a low profile is the smarter play."
"Alright, let's talk about something more exciting." He straightened up. "The famous swords I took from Onigumo and Zephyr. I've got materials to work with now. I want to use the time we have left to forge some new equipment. Before the war kicks off, I'm planning to confront the life force needed for the process. With some luck, we might end up with new Zanpakuto, maybe even a Noble Phantasm."
The room stirred with interest the moment the words left his mouth.
Ikki drew a slow breath and turned his focus inward, reaching for the system interface only he could see. The sleek, technological panel materialized in his mind, crisp and immediate.
The lottery counter read: 3.
'System, run three draws.'
[Ding! Lottery started... Lottery complete. Congratulations, host. You have obtained: 5 A-grade life potions, 3 S-grade life potions, and the Zanpakuto, Pantera.]
'Wait. Pantera?'
'How did I end up drawing this one?'
His expression shifted, genuine surprise breaking through.
It made sense that he was caught off guard. Every Zanpakuto Ikki had drawn before came from Shinigami. But Pantera was different. Pantera was a hollow's Zanpakuto, an Arrancar's blade.
Specifically, it had once belonged to Grimmjow. An exceptionally powerful weapon by any measure.
Ikki wasn't complaining. But the mechanics of it puzzled him. He brought up the system's detail panel and examined the entry carefully.
'I see. So unlocking this Zanpakuto fully requires two Devil Fruits.'
'But unlike a Shinigami's Zanpakuto, the first Resurrección of Pantera via Devil Fruit transforms the wielder into an Arrancar form, Grimmjow's Resurrección state.'
'A second Devil Fruit would then push it further, achieving true sword unity.'
'Calculated that way, transforming into the Grimmjow Resurrección form is essentially the equivalent of Shikai for this Zanpakuto.'
He turned the information over in his mind, then let his attention drift to the life potions.
'Perfect. The A-grade and S-grade potions can go toward cultivating Ginrummy.'
'Once she's grown into her strength, Pantera ought to suit her well enough.'