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"R-Really? Belo Betty, you can actually become a powerhouse comparable to a Marine Admiral?"
Before Belo Betty could respond, Ahiru's shocked voice rang out from the other end of the Den Den Mushi.
"A Marine Admiral?" Belo Betty smiled and leaned back against Ikki. "Now that's certainly tempting. So how exactly does Lord Ikki plan to train me?"
"How about teaching you to master the Transparent World?" Ikki replied casually. "If you've read Demon Slayer, you should already know what that is."
"The Transparent World..." Belo Betty's eyes flickered. "That is indeed a powerful ability. But I already possess Observation Haki. Exchanging a famous sword for training in the Transparent World seems like a bit of a loss."
"You can't look at it that way." Ikki shook his head. "Once you master the Transparent World, you may be able to advance your Observation Haki even further and eventually reach the level of Future Sight."
"Future Sight?" Belo Betty immediately became interested. "I've heard your companions mention it before. So the key to reaching that level lies in the Transparent World?"
"That's right." Ikki nodded. "Well? Are you tempted?"
"Hmm..." Belo Betty considered it seriously. "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't. But if that kind of training requires a famous sword, I'd rather forget it. I'd prefer you train another talented Revolutionary Army soldier instead."
"Suit yourself."
Ikki shrugged and turned his attention back to Ginrummy.
"Please don't be like that, Lord Ikki." Belo Betty leaned against his back and deliberately softened her voice. "Can't you at least give me some free guidance on understanding the Transparent World?"
The sudden attempt at acting cute made Ahiru freeze on the other end of the call.
Even Ikki couldn't help laughing.
"That doesn't suit you at all, Belo Betty."
"That's cruel." Belo Betty pouted. "If you keep saying things like that, I might start crying."
"You're not the type to cry over something like this."
"Lord Ikki really has a lot of confidence in me."
For a brief moment, Belo Betty fell silent.
Then Ikki spoke again.
"I'll give you guidance on understanding the Transparent World. Whether you can master it afterward is entirely up to you."
He paused before continuing.
"Besides, if the Transparent World alone isn't worth a famous sword, what if I add a Noble Phantasm-class weapon to the deal? Would that be enough to interest you?"
Belo Betty's eyes widened.
"A Noble Phantasm-class weapon?"
She immediately turned around.
"You mean something like what Hancock and Gion possess?"
Ikki nodded.
"Exactly. I'd say that's worth a famous sword."
"I have to admit..." Belo Betty smiled. "Now I'm genuinely tempted."
"Then you'd better work hard and find me more famous swords."
"That's only natural."
Belo Betty nodded before looking down at the Den Den Mushi again.
"Ahiru, you heard everything. Make sure Dragon and the others receive the full report."
"I understand." Ahiru hesitated briefly before adding, "By the way, should I also tell everyone about your flirting with Lord Ikki?"
Belo Betty's smile instantly stiffened.
"Ahiru, you're getting bolder."
Her voice became unusually gentle.
"I think we need to have a very serious conversation when I get back."
"Haha! Just kidding!" Ahiru immediately laughed nervously. "Alright, I'll pass along the message. See you later."
"Moshi moshi? Moshi moshi?"
Click.
The call ended.
Belo Betty put away the Den Den Mushi before hugging her knees and leaning comfortably against Ikki's back once more.
"Lord Ikki, if I really do find a famous sword for you, what kind of treasure would you give me in exchange?"
"I'll tell you after you find one."
Ikki smiled.
Naturally, he wasn't about to make any promises yet.
After all, he didn't currently possess any spare Noble Phantasms. He would first need to acquire a famous sword, exchange it through the system, and only then would he know exactly what he could offer.
Belo Betty clearly wasn't satisfied.
"Come on. At least give me something to look forward to."
"Lord Ikki, tell me what kinds of treasures you have access to."
Ikki laughed.
"Fine. We're killing time anyway."
"But just because I know about these treasures doesn't mean I actually possess them."
As he spoke, he began describing various Noble Phantasms from the world of Fate.
Belo Betty listened attentively.
So did Nojiko.
Even Ginrummy, despite enduring the torment of Sun Breathing, found herself distracted by the stories.
As the descriptions continued, everyone became increasingly fascinated.
"A treasure capable of affecting entire armies..."
Belo Betty couldn't help muttering in amazement.
"Even the weaker Noble Phantasms you've described would be enough to shake the entire world if they appeared on the seas."
She shook her head.
"And those Anti-Fortress Noble Phantasms... just how are weapons like that even created?"
Ikki merely smiled.
The Noble Phantasms he was describing were already heavily restrained choices.
He hadn't even mentioned the truly ridiculous ones.
If he started talking about Noble Phantasms capable of destroying nations or threatening the world itself, Belo Betty would probably be left speechless.
"Could... could I obtain a Noble Phantasm too?"
Ginrummy muttered unconsciously.
The longing in her eyes was impossible to hide.
"If you perform well, you'll receive a Zanpakutō one day."
Ikki smiled.
"That's a promise."
Ginrummy immediately straightened.
"Yes, Captain Ikki! I'll work hard!"
Then she gritted her teeth.
"And please increase the intensity of my training!"
"Oh?" Ikki raised an eyebrow. "That's surprisingly courageous."
A grin spread across his face.
"In that case, let's enjoy the true power of Sun Breathing."
Before Ginrummy could regret her decision, an even greater torrent of scorching energy poured into her body.
The longing she felt toward Noble Phantasms instantly vanished.
A moment later, the bathing area echoed with her miserable screams.
The cries were so pitiful that anyone approaching the bathhouse immediately reconsidered their plans.
After exchanging glances, they all quietly turned around and left.
Time passed slowly.
Aboard the Explorer, Ikki continued helping Belo Betty develop her Innate Demon Slayer Mark while simultaneously using Sun Breathing to temper Ginrummy's body.
At the same time, after days of sailing, another ship finally arrived at Dressrosa.
"Heh... heh... heh..."
Standing at the bow, Doflamingo grinned viciously.
"At last."
"I have finally arrived."
His eyes were filled with hatred.
"Ikki..."
"You destroyed my family for the sake of the Riku Royal Family."
"In that case, I'll destroy the Riku Royal Family once again and take Dressrosa for myself."
His smile became increasingly twisted.
"I wonder what kind of expression you'll make when you find out."
The next moment, Doflamingo leaped from the ship.
His body shot through the sky like an arrow toward the royal palace.
His speed was so great that ordinary citizens never even noticed his arrival.
Only after he entered the castle district did someone finally spot him.
"T-That's..."
One soldier's eyes widened.
"Doflamingo!"
"The Heavenly Demon is back!"
"What?!"
The surrounding soldiers immediately erupted into alarm.
"That bastard who nearly destroyed our country!"
"He's heading straight for the palace!"
"Quick! Stop him!"
Unlike the panicked civilians, however, the kingdom's elite soldiers reacted with remarkable discipline.
One group immediately moved to intercept Doflamingo.
Another rushed to notify King Riku and Kyros.
"Heh... heh... heh..."
Doflamingo's laughter echoed through the air.
"Interesting."
"Very interesting."
"They actually attacked me without hesitation."
His grin widened.
"I've really been underestimated."
Rather than continuing toward the palace, he abruptly changed direction and charged straight at the soldiers.
Once he closed to within several dozen meters, he raised his right hand.
"Five Colored Strings`."
His fingers spread into a claw.
Instantly, several razor-sharp strings shot forward, tearing through the air as they slashed toward the approaching soldiers.