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Of course, he was referring to war.
Although Ikki did want to appreciate the charm of Hina and Kujaku, as Nojiko and Nami had suggested.
But at this crucial juncture, he really didn't have much interest.
"Come on, you two. Don't keep the others waiting too long."
Ikki waved to Hina and Kujaku, who were silently following behind him.
"So, have you finished whispering to each other? What's your decision?"
Hina took out another cigarette, as if she intended to replace the nearly finished one she was holding in her mouth. However, before she could even spit out the one in her mouth, Ikki snatched the new cigarette from her hand.
"Yes, how did your chat go? Would you allow us to visit your place often?" Kujaku asked curiously.
To be precise, she meant frequently visiting the special bathhouses at Ikki's place. She enjoyed taking baths, so if there were a bathroom with special therapeutic functions that could improve her figure, she certainly wouldn't want to miss it.
"By the way, don't you smoke?" Kujaku asked.
"I'm curious too. I've never seen you smoke before," Hina said.
"I don't really like smoking, but seeing how much you enjoy it, Hina, I wanted to give it a try. By the way, shouldn't your cigarettes have a clearer flavor than the cigars Smoker and his crew have?" Kujaku said.
Ikki put the cigarette in his mouth and was about to light a flame on his finger using a breathing technique. However, before he could, Hina bent down slightly and brought her head closer.
"What?" Ikki looked at her with a puzzled expression.
"Light a cigarette." Hina licked the still-smoking cigarette butt from her mouth and spoke.
Ikki raised an eyebrow and, recalling something from a movie he'd once seen, lit his own cigarette off the one Hina was holding.
"Oh my, what a beautiful scene. They're just like a couple," Nami said, putting her hands together with a smile.
"I do have that feeling a little bit. Hina, you don't actually like Ikki, do you?" Kujaku asked curiously.
"It's just friends lighting a cigarette for each other. What does that have to do with whether Hina likes him or not? Hina just wanted to try out this way of lighting a cigarette," Hina shrugged and said nonchalantly.
"That being said, my heart is actually racing a little, Hina," Ikki coughed twice and said.
"That being said, I've never seen you or anyone else light a cigarette this way before, Hina," Kujaku chuckled.
"Perhaps Hina isn't that familiar with other people." Hina lit a new cigarette for herself and looked at Ikki.
Ikki followed Hina's example and lit a cigarette for her. Among the Marines, there were almost no female sailors who smoked, so Hina couldn't find a suitable female Marine officer to light her cigarette for her.
As for the men, Hina didn't think she knew any of them well enough to light cigarettes that way, and that suited her fine. As Ikki said, Smoker and the others smoked cigars, and she didn't want to light her cigarettes off his.
As for Ikki himself, the two of them had a completely honest relationship. They were familiar enough with each other that they could light cigarettes like that. At least that was what Hina thought.
"As for your racing heart and all that, isn't it really because you're just not used to the taste of cigarettes?" Hina glanced at Ikki and asked.
"It's not impossible that such a possibility exists," Ikki said with a smile.
Just as Hina said, he really rarely smoked. It should be said that he basically never smoked.
"It's rare to find a great pirate like you who doesn't smoke," Hina remarked with emotion.
"It's not just cigarettes. Captain Ikki basically doesn't drink either. So isn't he actually a very good man? Are you feeling a little flutter in your heart, Hina?" Kujaku asked with a smile.
"Just looking at it this way, he does seem like a good man. But like most pirates, he probably really likes beautiful women," Hina glanced at Kujaku and complained.
"Hehe, that's true. But compared to those great pirates, Captain Ikki has toned down his fondness for beautiful girls quite a bit, hasn't he?" Kujaku said.
Although she had only been a pirate for a short time, since entering the trade Nojiko was determined to learn as much as possible about it, and had thoroughly investigated matters concerning pirates. She knew there were many beautiful girls on the ships and bases of some great male pirates, and that those pirates could be described as using them and then discarding them.
Compared to those pirates, Ikki was practically perfect. Hina was not unaware of this. So even she couldn't help but nod after hearing what Nojiko said.
"If you think about it that way, he really is a good man," Hina said.
"I feel a bit shy when you praise me like that, Hina," Ikki said with a smile.
"I'm not praising you, I'm just telling the truth. Compared to those rotten people, you are indeed much better," Hina waved her hand casually and said.
"That's really something, if I didn't know about your situation, Hina. I was starting to think you might have fallen for this Ikki," Kujaku spread her hands and sighed.
"Let's not say those things. We can already see the main force ahead. Let's hurry over there." After Hina finished speaking, she quickened her pace.
Kujaku spread her hands and looked toward the forest.
"Ikki, you must let me try your bathroom next time. You have to promise me, okay? If you refuse me, I'll tell Gion-nee."
Ikki patted his forehead helplessly and sighed. "If you really want to relax in the bathroom on my ship after the war is over, then come on over. I'm afraid you won't dare to come, or you won't want to come."
"How could that be?" Kujaku raised her hand and patted Ikki on the shoulder. "I have very high expectations for your bathroom right now. I will definitely come back after the war. Wait, you don't think I'll be seriously injured or killed in the war, do you? That's why you thought I wouldn't be able to come to your place later."
"What are you thinking?" Ikki shook his head. "I have absolutely no such thoughts."
Just kidding. Kujaku's abilities were quite outstanding, and there was a crane-like advisor looking after her. Although the battlefield was ruthless, Ikki still didn't think Kujaku would be in any danger. Even if danger were to befall her, there would surely be nearby Marine personnel willing to step forward and protect her.
"You will live a good life, Kujaku," Ikki said.
"Really? Then I'll take your good wishes." Kujaku smiled and took long strides to catch up with Hina.