Aboard the Explorer, in the training gym.
After witnessing Zenitsu's power, Nami began a new phase of training with renewed enthusiasm. Despite sweat pouring down her body, her determination remained unshaken.
In a corner of the gym, not far from Nami, Ikki and Nojiko sat opposite each other.
"Haah..."
Nojiko took a deep breath and opened her eyes.
"Mr. Ikki, I think I've successfully completed the breathing technique you taught me," she said, placing her hand on her chest to feel the rhythm created by her breathing.
"Good. It seems you're more suited for 'Water Breathing,'" Ikki nodded. "In the days to come, you should practice according to the Water Breathing method."
He carefully repeated the Water Breathing technique to Nojiko, who listened attentively, afraid of missing any detail. Even after Ikki finished speaking, she closed her eyes and began committing the instructions to memory.
'Nojiko's adaptability to Water Breathing is quite high,' Ikki thought. 'I wonder what kind of challenge she'll face in the Sword Enlightenment Room.'
As he watched Nojiko memorizing the technique, Ikki mentally accessed his system space and used the remaining "Iron-cutting Realm Swordsman Challenge Permission" on Nojiko.
[Host uses the 'Iron-cutting Realm Swordsman Challenge Permission.' The challenger is Nojiko, and the opponent is Tanjiro Kamado!]
[Name: Tanjiro Kamado]
[Life Force: 300]
[Weapon: Nichirin Sword]
[Sword Realm: Iron-cutting Realm]
[Swordsmanship Schools: Water Breathing, Hinokami Kagura]
[Special Ability: None] (T/N: Head)
'Tanjiro Kamado?' Ikki noted with interest. 'And among his swordsmanship schools is Hinokami Kagura! If Nojiko can defeat him, could she learn to use Sun Breathing?'
Ikki closed the system properties panel and carefully observed Nojiko.
"What's wrong, Captain Ikki? Is there something on my face?" Nojiko opened her eyes, noticing Ikki staring at her, and couldn't help but touch her face self-consciously.
"It's nothing," Ikki reassured her with a wave of his hand. "I was just thinking about who you'll challenge in the Sword Enlightenment Room in the future."
"Oh, I see. I thought Captain Ikki was attracted to Nojiko," Nami teased as she approached, wiping sweat with a towel. "I was already thinking about matchmaking you two."
"What are you talking about, Nami?" Nojiko replied with a smirk. "As your sister, I have no intention of competing with you for men."
"Come on, Nojiko! I already told you that Captain Ikki and I don't have that kind of relationship," Nami protested.
"Really? Then why are you so comfortable dressed so scantily in front of Captain Ikki?" Nojiko challenged.
"Nojiko, as you just saw, you sweat a lot when exercising. Besides, this is just a swimsuit—it's no big deal," Nami explained.
"But this isn't a swimming pool, is it?" Nojiko stood and moved closer to Nami, her tone playful.
Hearing their exchange, Ikki glanced at Nami, who was indeed wearing only a swimsuit.
'Her Life Force has increased by 100 points,' he observed. 'This seems to be the effect of using D-level nutritional medicine during training. A total of 500 Life Force points are required to advance from D-level to C-level. If all goes well, it should take Nami and Nojiko about two days to upgrade from D to C.'
With this in mind, Ikki retrieved five bottles of D-level nutritional medicine from his system space and placed them in front of Nojiko and Nami.
"Nojiko, these are D-level nutritional potions, the same kind Nami used earlier," he explained. "They're perfect for both of you at your current stage. If nothing unexpected happens, once you've consumed these potions, your strength should advance to the next level."
"Nami, after your level increases, you'll be able to perform Shikai with your zanpakuto Gonryōmaru."
Upon hearing this, Nami couldn't help but glance at her zanpakuto resting on a nearby counter. Recalling the power Ikki had demonstrated with his own zanpakuto, Nami felt a surge of excitement and resolve. She was determined to train hard enough to defeat Zenitsu in the Sword Enlightenment Room and gain his swordsmanship knowledge.
"Captain Ikki, you're giving us these nutritional potions—are you planning to leave the Explorer temporarily?" Nojiko asked perceptively as Ikki handed her a notebook labeled 'Water Breathing.'
"Yes, now that we've arrived at a new island, I plan to take a walk around," Ikki confirmed with a nod.
"Captain Ikki, aren't you going to train with us?" Nami approached Ikki, playfully nudging his side with her elbow. "Could it be that you felt shy after seeing me in a swimsuit?"
"You need another two years of development to make me feel shy, Nami," Ikki remarked, glancing at her relatively modest chest and shaking his head.
Compared to her future self two years later, Nami still had considerable room for growth. As for exercising in the gym—Ikki currently didn't have B-level nutritional medicine available, so even gym training wouldn't yield significant results for him. Rather than spending two days in the gym, he preferred to explore outside.
Besides, he wanted to ensure the Arlong Pirates didn't cause trouble in Cocoyasi Village during this period. Although it was ultimately up to Nami and Nojiko to resolve the Arlong Pirates situation, Ikki would feel uneasy if the pirates harmed their hometown while they were training.
"What? I'm not that young anymore!" Nami pouted after hearing Ikki's comment.
"Alright, enough teasing," Ikki patted Nami's shoulder. He took out a card from his personal system space and handed it to her.
"Nami, this is the permission card for activating the battle with Zenitsu in the Sword Training Room," he explained. "As my partner, with the mark on the back of your hand, you can activate the challenge. I'm entrusting this card to you. When you feel confident, go and face him."
"Don't worry about dying from defeat," he added. "Even if you fall in battle in the Sword Room, you'll be resurrected. However, if you fail, you may lose the opportunity to gain Zenitsu's swordsmanship knowledge."
Hearing this, Nami showed no pretense and solemnly accepted the card from Ikki's hand. She understood that Ikki wanted her to make her own decisions and judgments. Despite the pressure, she refused to back down.
"I understand, Captain Ikki," Nami nodded firmly.
"Good. I may be outside quite a bit during this time, so you two can focus on your training here," Ikki said. "Nojiko, there are some ordinary swords in the storage room. You can use those to practice Water Breathing techniques. Don't worry about my safety—no one on this island has the power to harm me."
Ikki patted Nojiko's shoulder and offered a few more words of advice before turning to leave the gym. He planned to check on Arlong Park while Nami and Nojiko were training.
"Well then, let's get back to training," Nami stretched as she spoke. "Nojiko, would you like me to show you around the equipment here?"