Check out advanced chapters on P@treon: [email protected]/CosmicKaminari
----------
"Tsk, could it be that Hina's timing was bad?"
"Did we interrupt something, Ikki?"
Hina clicked her tongue as she looked at Ginrummy, who had just finished changing clothes, then at the way Robin and Ikki were interacting. Her expression immediately became somewhat displeased.
Tashigi's face reddened slightly as well, though this time it was only a light blush since Ikki was already fully dressed.
Upon seeing Hina and Tashigi arrive, Ginrummy quickly finished changing. Although it was called clothing, what she wore was actually a rather revealing swimsuit. After Ikki's earlier advice, she was no longer as insistent on wearing a maid outfit.
"How could Hina and Tashigi's arrival possibly be an interruption?" Ikki smiled. "The two of you are good friends of mine. You're welcome here anytime."
Then he raised an eyebrow.
"Come to think of it, did you somehow predict I'd be leaving the bath? Were you planning to help me create some new paintings?"
As he spoke, he casually reached out and flicked both Hina and Tashigi on the forehead.
"Tch. Hina actually has something important to tell you. If you want us to wear those ridiculous outfits of yours, save it for later."
Hina turned her head away and spoke harshly, but her reddened face completely undermined her words.
Ever since accepting her feelings for Ikki and deciding where she stood, she no longer minded wearing the outfits she had once considered far too embarrassing. If even Hina had reached that point, Tashigi naturally had no intention of refusing either. The two of them were simply too shy to admit it openly.
"Something important?" Ikki raised an eyebrow. "Have we already reached Marine Headquarters?"
"No," Tashigi replied, taking a deep breath to calm herself. "We're not there yet. We came because Fleet Admiral Sengoku contacted us. They said Doflamingo attacked Dressrosa while you were away."
"That really happened?" Ikki looked mildly surprised. "Did Kyros kill him already?"
Hina frowned.
"Hina is surprised. You seem very confident in Kyros."
"Of course I am." Ikki patted his chest proudly. "His strength was personally developed by me. Besides, he also possesses Balmung, the powerful weapon I entrusted to him."
With Balmung in hand, Ikki couldn't imagine Kyros losing. At worst, he should have been able to fight Doflamingo to a standstill.
Moreover, Dressrosa still had countless soldiers. While ordinary soldiers couldn't truly threaten Doflamingo, they could still create enough distractions with rifles and artillery to support Kyros. Under those circumstances, Doflamingo should have had no realistic path to victory.
Unless Vergo, who had once been hidden within the Marines, somehow appeared to help him.
Unfortunately for Doflamingo, Vergo had already been arrested because of Ikki's earlier actions.
"You're certainly confident." Hina crossed her arms. "Fine, I'll tell you directly. Fleet Admiral Sengoku informed us that Doflamingo isn't dead. He's been taken into custody by the World Government."
"The World Government imprisoned him?"
Ikki frowned.
"What exactly are those people planning?"
He understood that Doflamingo possessed secrets important enough for even the Five Elders to protect. However, he still didn't know exactly what those secrets were.
"Hina doesn't know. However, Fleet Admiral Sengoku said he'll continue monitoring Doflamingo's situation. He also wanted us to tell you that, since you have friends in Dressrosa, the Marine will provide any intelligence they obtain regarding Doflamingo."
Hina relayed the message.
"Really?" Ikki smiled. "Then I'll have to properly thank Fleet Admiral Sengoku later."
He waved toward Ginrummy.
"Anyway, I have something to do now. We'll talk again later, Hina, Tashigi."
Ginrummy immediately understood and followed behind him.
"Hm?" Hina frowned. "Weren't you planning to paint?"
Tashigi looked equally curious.
"I'll paint eventually." Ikki pointed toward Ginrummy. "But this girl has finally become a qualified swordswoman. I plan to continue her training so she can truly grasp the essence of Breathing Styles. As for paintings, we'll have plenty of opportunities after the war ends, won't we?"
As he spoke, he casually brushed a hand through Hina's pink hair.
Hina's lips parted slightly.
Her cheeks instantly turned even redder.
It was the first time Ikki had made such a natural and intimate gesture toward her. Even someone as composed as Hina froze for a moment.
By the time she recovered, Ikki had already led Ginrummy and Robin into the Sword Enlightenment Room.
"That man actually teased Hina."
"Hina will remember this."
She stomped her foot and glared at the closed door like a sulking child.
"Miss Hina, should we follow them?"
Tashigi walked over and asked curiously.
Even though they were technically Marines, their position between Ikki and Gion had somehow made them natural allies.
"No need. I still have to report to Vice Admiral Gion. Besides, just like that guy said, there will be plenty of time for painting after the war."
Hina shook her head, glanced one last time at the Sword Enlightenment Room, then grabbed Tashigi's hand and began walking toward the exit of the Explorer.
"Oh, right, Tashigi."
"Hm?"
"Do you think the bunny-girl outfit Ikki mentioned before would suit us?"
"E-Eh?! A bunny-girl outfit, Miss Hina? I... I don't know..."
Their voices gradually faded into the distance.
A moment later, the gym's bathhouse door opened.
Dressed in red, Bello Betty stepped out.
"Impressive, truly impressive. As expected of Lord Ikki. Even beautiful women from the Marine have completely fallen for him. No wonder he's not interested in someone like me."
She chuckled and shook her head.
"It seems the honey-trap strategy really won't work. I'll have to think of another approach."
Setting Tashigi aside, Hina alone was enough to make Bello Betty feel a certain amount of pressure.
It wasn't that she believed herself less attractive. Rather, she could clearly see that Hina genuinely cared about Ikki, and that greatly increased the likelihood that Ikki would accept Hina compared to someone like her.
Which also meant that, among all the major factions, the Marine might actually have the best chance of winning Ikki over through personal relationships.
Especially considering that Gion had already established such a close connection with him.