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"See that? That's Ikki."
"Of course I saw him. He came with Captain Hina and Captain Kujaku."
"Damn it, they actually managed to come with two of the beauties of our Marines. How enviable."
"Yeah, why should a pirate like him get such treatment?"
"There's nothing we can do about it. He's just that special."
"That's true. Even women of the highest caliber flock to him like moths to a flame. I wish I had his abilities."
"Holy crap, is Fleet Admiral Sengoku going to go and have a chat with him in person?"
Upon seeing the arrival of Ikki, Nami, and Nojiko, the group of Marines immediately began to discuss among themselves. Everyone was even more surprised when they saw Sengoku personally come forward to greet them.
"Ikki, you're here. Aren't you a little too slow?" Sengoku frowned slightly and said, with some displeasure.
"Are we slow? Not really. The Whitebeard Pirates haven't arrived yet. And aren't your people not ready yet either?" Ikki shrugged and said.
"But the other Seven Warlords of the Sea have already arrived."
Sengoku looked at Ikki speechlessly. He had originally thought Ikki would be the first honest person to arrive at the square. And the result? Good heavens, Ikki had actually arrived at the very last minute. This made Sengoku begin to doubt whether he had overestimated him.
What he didn't know was that if the World Government hadn't conspired with the Blackbeard Pirates to cause him trouble, Ikki did indeed intend to actively participate in this war. After all, it didn't matter which side he helped; his goal was to obtain more famous swords. If he continued to cooperate with the Marines, he might have a greater chance of obtaining them.
Unfortunately, the World Government ultimately chose a solution that displeased Ikki. He stared intently at the results of the battle before him, his gaze fixed on the World Government's intention to cause him trouble. Ikki did not believe Sengoku had been completely without any news. He was a Marine admiral, after all. It would be absurd if he couldn't get even the slightest bit of information.
"What's wrong? Is there something on my face?" Sengoku noticed that Ikki hadn't spoken for a long time, and asked in confusion.
"It's nothing. I just feel a bit sentimental." Ikki shrugged, seemingly acknowledging Nami and Nojiko, and said, "Look, didn't I bring two companions with me to fight?"
"If you count the three points, it doesn't matter if I arrive a little late, right?"
Upon hearing this, Sengoku couldn't help but shake his head. "But the people you bring are not as powerful as you are."
Nami immediately expressed her dissatisfaction. "Hey, we're here to help. Aren't you underestimating us, Fleet Admiral Afro?"
Knowing that the World Government already considered them enemies, Nami already harbored some resentment towards Sengoku. Now that he was saying this, how could she possibly hold back?
Sengoku only twitched his lips and stared blankly at Nami.
"What, aren't you supposed to have an afro? And you said your beard looked weird too, didn't you? Your taste isn't very good," Nami said, crossing her arms.
Sengoku's lips twitched even more violently.
"Please don't mind her, Fleet Admiral Sengoku. My sister's just a little more lively than most," Nojiko said with a small smile. "Besides, although we're no match for the captain, compared to the weaker Seven Warlords of the Sea, we're still quite useful, aren't we?"
Upon hearing Nojiko's words, Sengoku instinctively wanted to refute them. But upon closer reflection, she was right.
Ikki's strength was naturally among the top tier of the Seven Warlords of the Sea. Otherwise, they wouldn't have been able to bring down some of the others.
As for Nojiko and Nami, they had both genuinely demonstrated their strength. Nami had once fought alongside Ikki against Blackbeard, and together they gave Blackbeard's crew a good beating. Nojiko had once had a brief encounter with Admiral Kuzan, and Kuzan too had praised her strength.
Although the reason both Nami and Nojiko were so powerful was also related to the special swords Ikki had given them, for now these famous swords seemed to belong to their own power. As long as Nami, Nojiko, and even the other members of Ikki's crew did not betray him, Ikki would not take these famous swords with special powers back.
From Sengoku's observation, Ikki's pirate crew was a solid, unbreakable unit. Most pirate crews were, in essence, a group of vicious people who came together out of shared interest. If a greater benefit were offered, such people would likely part ways. The once-powerful Rocks Pirates had been just like that.
But Ikki's situation was different. Though he was a bit lecherous, he was extremely kind to every crew member. He treated them with sincerity and helped them grow stronger, and each was given a precious famous sword besides. He had also saved the lives of many people in his crew.
Given all this, even Sengoku couldn't imagine why any of them would betray Ikki.
"Okay, I have to admit you have a point," Sengoku finally said, nodding to Nojiko.
"I hope Fleet Admiral Sengoku understands," Nojiko laughed.
Sengoku nodded and glanced away. He so desperately wanted Ikki on the Marines' side. With someone like that among them, perhaps the Marines could produce many more powerful swordsmen.
Though with someone like Ikki in the ranks, it was also possible that many of the Marines' own beautiful women would become his for one reason or another. Given Ikki's current personality, Sengoku didn't believe he wouldn't pursue those beautiful female officers.
Or perhaps those female officers would pursue him instead, for reasons of their own. Sengoku had the same thought.
'No wonder the World Government is so eager to possess Ikki's power.'
Sengoku silently muttered this to himself, then gestured for Ikki to go to where the Seven Warlords of the Sea should be standing, before striding toward the execution platform himself.
As Ikki walked forward, he glanced at Ace, who had already been brought to the platform. Ace seemed to sense his gaze and looked up to meet his eyes. In the past, he might have liked to strike up a conversation with the man whose rise had been so rapid, but now, having already resolved to die, he quickly lowered his head in dejection, seemingly lost in thought.
Ikki withdrew his gaze and turned to look at Garp, the Marine hero, who seemed to be thinking about something as well, not far to his left.
"What's wrong, Ikki?" Garp noticed his gaze and laughed.
"It's nothing," Ikki shook his head and said.
"But you, are you alright, Garp?"