Check out advanced chapters on P@treon: [email protected]/CosmicKaminari
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"Ikki, no—Captain Ikki, please make me your partner," Vivi said, taking Ikki's hand and nodding firmly.
Ikki's words had made her understand: to completely solve Alabasta's crisis, defeating Crocodile was the safest option. Now, a way to become stronger was right in front of her, along with reliable allies. The only condition was to join Ikki, Nami, and the others on their ocean voyage—something Vivi, who longed for adventure, found appealing in itself. How could she refuse?
"Excellent. Let me first place my partner mark on you," Ikki smiled, taking out a partner seal from his system space and placing it on the back of Vivi's hand.
[Ding! Congratulations to Host for gaining Nefeltari Vivi as a partner. Special reward: 'Entry level Swordsman Challenge Permission' x1.]
[Nefeltari Vivi's attribute panel has been updated!]
[Name: Nefeltari Vivi]
[Age: 16 years old]
[Weapon: Sode no Shirayuki]
[Life force: 66, E-grade]
[Swordsmanship Realm: None]
[Swordsmanship School: None]
[Special ability: None]
'Her life force is E-grade, but her initial points are higher than Nami and Nojiko's were,' Ikki thought to himself. 'Perhaps because of her training with Baroque Works? Still, 66 points is too low to effectively use E-grade nutritional potions for training. I'll need to use the 500-point life force boosting potion.'
"Welcome aboard, Vivi!" Nami and Nojiko approached, each taking one of Vivi's hands. "It's wonderful to have you join us."
Both women were delighted to have another partner.
Vivi smiled back at their enthusiasm. While becoming a member of the Explorer was unexpected, she was happy to gain new companions. However, her smile froze when Nami added:
"With Vivi here, there'll be one more person to help operate the Explorer. Now I can have more time to do things I enjoy, hehe."
Hearing this, Vivi was momentarily speechless. She realized that Nami and Nojiko seemed to handle most of the ship's navigation work.
"Nami, you should probably stop talking," Nojiko said with a laugh, covering her mouth. "Otherwise, Captain Ikki might teach you a lesson later."
Vivi smiled awkwardly as she placed the Zanpakutō Sode no Shirayuki, which Ikki had handed her, at her waist.
"Captain Ikki, how can I quickly become stronger?" she asked.
"You'll find out after drinking this," Ikki replied with a smile, taking out a bottle containing the 500-point life force boosting potion from his system space and placing it in Vivi's hand.
"Hey! Is that the same potion Captain Ikki gave Nojiko and me before?" Nami asked, looking over in surprise.
"Yes, I acquired more recently," Ikki explained. "The quality of this bottle is actually stronger than what you received. Since Vivi will be facing a Shichibukai, she needs to improve rapidly. After drinking this, she'll be able to use C-grade nutritional potions for training, just like you do."
Though Vivi didn't understand what the red potion did, she trusted Ikki and the others. She honestly opened the bottle and drank the entire contents.
Immediately, her body flushed, and white steam rose from her skin.
"It's... it's so hot!" she gasped in surprise.
"The heat is normal," Nami reassured her with a smile, speaking from experience. "This potion's effect is powerful and direct—it's natural to feel uncomfortable temporarily. Don't worry, Vivi, this feeling will pass soon."
Sure enough, as Nami finished speaking, the redness and steam disappeared from Vivi's body. She felt significantly lighter, and when she clenched her fist, she was amazed to find she could create a gust of air with her punch.
'So what Captain Ikki said was true—he really can make his partners stronger quickly!' Vivi thought, feeling even happier about her decision to join Ikki's crew.
"Here, Vivi. Drink these later and exercise in the training room. Your strength will improve dramatically," Ikki said, taking four bottles of C-grade nutritional potion from his system space. He gave two bottles to Vivi and one each to Nami and Nojiko, then explained in detail how the potions worked with the training room's equipment.
Though Vivi was surprised by the effects Ikki described, she was reassured when she considered how the life force boosting potion had already affected her. Meanwhile, Nami and Nojiko, familiar with the nutritional potions, easily began a new round of training. Soon, both were covered in sweat due to the combined effects of the potion and exercise.
After explaining everything to Vivi, Ikki took out a bottle of B-grade life force potion, preparing to start his own training.
"Um... Captain Ikki, may I ask you something?" Vivi approached, her cheeks slightly pink.
"What is it, Vivi?" Ikki asked, setting down his potion. "The training equipment here is quite heavy. If you need help, you should ask Nami or Nojiko."
"No... it's not about the equipment," Vivi clarified. "I wanted to ask if training requires... dressing like Nami and Miss Nojiko."
As she spoke, her eyes glanced toward the other women.
Following her gaze, Ikki quickly understood. "You think their clothes are too revealing, especially in front of a man like me?"
"Actually, you don't have to dress like them. Wear whatever makes you comfortable," he assured her. "But when using these nutritional potions, your body will sweat profusely—you can see that from Nami and Nojiko's appearance."
Having answered Vivi's question, Ikki drank his B-grade potion and began his own workout. Watching him remove his shirt to reveal strong muscles, Vivi bit her lip and walked to the area where Nami and Nojiko were training.
'It seems... you really do sweat a lot!' she thought, noticing the puddles beneath Nami and Nojiko's feet as she began her own exercises.
Time passed quickly. Two hours flew by in a flash.
[Ding! Congratulations to Host for reaching A-grade. Your strength is one step closer to the peak. Keep up the good work!]
Hearing the system's voice in his mind, Ikki took a deep breath and set down the weights in his hands.
'Open my attributes panel!'
[Host: Ikki]
[Age: 25 years old]
[Weapon: Zangetsu]
[Life force: 10050, A-grade]
[Swordsmanship Realm: Sky-Cutting Realm]
[Special abilities: Beginner Armament Haki, Beginner Observation Haki]
[Swordsmanship Schools: Demon Slayer breathing methods, Zoro's Santoryu, Tashigi's single-sword style]
[Items: E-grade nutritional potion x4, D-grade nutritional potion x0, Beginner Swordsman Challenge Permission x1]
'So reaching 10,000 life force points means A-grade,' Ikki thought. 'A single bottle of B-grade potion can increase life force by 3,000 points. The remaining eight bottles should be enough for multiple partners. No wonder these are so difficult to obtain. Next, I'll need to search for A-grade nutritional potions.'
At this thought, Ikki suddenly felt less interested in training. Without A-grade potions currently available, further improvement would be challenging. If B-grade potions were this rare, he could only imagine how much luck would be needed to obtain A-grade ones.
Shaking his head, Ikki looked around. By now, Nami and Nojiko had already finished their exercises and left the training room. When Ikki checked, only Vivi, who had started training when he did, remained.
"Phew... finally done!" Vivi sighed with relief as she felt the potion's effects fade from her body.
"How do you feel, Vivi?" Ikki asked.
"Captain Ikki!" Vivi turned with a smile. "This potion is truly amazing. How did you develop it?"
"It's an exclusive formula," Ikki shrugged. "These potions are extremely valuable, so I only use them for myself and my partners. I hope you'll keep this secret from Igaram and others."
Vivi nodded repeatedly.
"Wipe off your sweat, and then we'll work with Sode no Shirayuki," Ikki said, handing her a towel. "You've built up your basic strength now. Let's quickly improve your swordsmanship."
"Thank you, Captain Ikki," Vivi said, taking the towel. She suddenly noticed that her clothes had become quite damp and revealing from her workout. Her face reddened, and she quickly held the towel in front of herself.
Whether from sweating so much during exercise or being influenced by Nami and Nojiko's example, Vivi had ended up training in a similar state of undress.
Ikki smiled, turned around, and walked out of the training room. Taking advantage of his absence, Vivi quickly grabbed a coat from the counter and put it on.
'Next time, I'll prepare a swimsuit or something more appropriate for training,' she thought to herself.
After composing herself for a moment, Vivi walked to the Sword Enlightenment Room next door. Ikki had already taken out the "Swordsman Challenge Permission Card" that Vivi had earned upon joining the crew.
[Beginner Swordsman Challenge Permission: Opponent Determined!]
[Name: Giyu Tomioka]
[Life force: 1000]
[Weapon: Nichirin Sword]
[Swordsmanship Level: Entry Level]
[Swordsmanship School: Water Breathing]
[Special abilities: None]