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"Nojiko, go to Hancock's ship and use your ability to treat Sandersonia and Marigold," Ikki instructed. "As for the treatment details, the two of them will tell you."
Now that Hancock had become a partner, Ikki naturally didn't mind helping to eliminate the Celestial Dragon slave seals on Sandersonia and Marigold's backs.
Nojiko nodded, walked to the stern of the ship, and jumped toward the Kuja pirate ship.
"Thanks, Ikki," Hancock said gratefully.
"It's nothing, Hancock." Ikki waved his hand and looked at Smoker. "Smoker, Hina, and Tashigi, you guys wait for me for a while. Since Hancock is going to Marine Headquarters to attend the Shichibukai meeting soon, I want to take advantage of this time to give her some special training. After that, I'll go to Impel Down with you. Don't worry, it won't take too long."
Ikki said goodbye to Smoker and the others, then took Hancock's hand and walked toward the Explorer.
Although Smoker felt helpless, he could only choose to wait at this point.
"Hey, can't we watch your special training with that woman?" Hina frowned and shouted in dissatisfaction.
"Forget about watching my so-called special training," Ikki replied. "You and Tashigi should study how to awaken the Demon Slayer Mark. When I'm done here with Hancock, I can help you unlock the Innate Demon Slayer Mark. If we can hurry up, Hina, maybe you'll have the opportunity to take the Innate Demon Slayer Mark to participate in the war with the Whitebeard Pirates."
After finishing his explanation, Ikki used Geppo and took Hancock to the deck of the Explorer.
Hancock's training method was relatively special, and Ikki wasn't ready to let the Marines, who were just temporary partners, know about it yet.
"Tch, this man," Hina muttered, walking away in dissatisfaction.
Although Tashigi felt disappointed, she quickly cheered up and began researching ways to awaken the Demon Slayer Mark.
"Ikki, you're really lucky to be favored by Empress Hancock," Nico Robin said as soon as they entered the Explorer's cabin. She buried Ikki's arm deeply in her embrace with a faint smile on her face.
Seeing this scene, Hancock immediately frowned and looked at Robin warily. Her actions naturally made Hancock feel uncomfortable.
After Shakky's help, Hancock had come to understand that she had fallen in love with Ikki. Naturally, she didn't want to see him getting close to other women.
"Miss Hancock, you're welcome to join us," Robin said, as if reading Hancock's thoughts. "As partners, we must get along well, otherwise Ikki might be unhappy. Speaking of which, it's rumored that there are only women on Amazon Lily. This is very similar to our Explorer. Except for Ikki, all of us here are women."
The implication was clear: if Hancock hated Ikki's contact with other women, she might not be suitable to become a member of the Explorer crew in the first place.
Hancock wasn't an idiot and immediately understood what Robin meant.
'Does this woman have some kind of relationship with Ikki?' Hancock wondered, biting her thumb and looking at Robin with some wariness.
While on the Marine warship, Hina had mentioned many times that Ikki liked mature women. At that time, Hancock had been happy about her own qualities. But when she came aboard the Explorer and saw Robin, who was dressed maturely and spoke intellectually, Hancock felt a sense of crisis.
"Horohorohoro! As a senior, I have to remind you of something," Perona chimed in, holding her head high. Despite her young face, her tone seemed quite mature at this moment. "Even if you are the most beautiful woman in the world, it won't work if you try to control Ikki with your beauty. Robin is right – it's better for you to keep a low profile here."
"Perona, you're trying to show off." Ikki said with a smile.
Perona's expression froze and she smiled awkwardly.
"Hancock, actually everyone is very easy to get along with," Ikki reassured her. "Don't feel too restricted. Compared to that, your time with me is limited, so I think it's better to improve your strength first. The Marines will definitely want you to participate in the war with the Whitebeard Pirates. Since you and I are destined to meet, I think it's better to take advantage of now to increase your strength appropriately."
While they were talking, the group had already arrived at the Explorer's Sword Enlightenment Room. Ikki took out the sword he had obtained from Silvers Rayleigh again.
"Ikki, I'm so touched that you think of me so much," Hancock said excitedly after hearing his words.
"Okay, don't get excited yet," Ikki replied. "Rather than that, I hope you'll master the power of this sword."
He handed the blade containing Aestus Estus to Hancock and spoke meaningfully. If she wanted to master the power of Aestus Estus, she needed Nero's recognition. Ikki didn't want Hancock to be unable to grasp this power in the end.
"Is this Rayleigh's sword? Ikki, are you going to give it to me?"
"Well, the premise is that you get the recognition of that emperor," Ikki smiled, explaining the general situation before raising his hand and snapping his fingers.
The next moment, the long sword in Hancock's hand burst into flames. The original katana shape transformed into a uniquely shaped, dark red longsword surrounded by flames.