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"Captain Ikki is really confident," Nico Robin remarked.
"From your manner of speaking, it seems you don't consider Crocodile a genuine threat."
"He is a Warlord of the Sea, while you're merely an unknown figure sailing these waters."
"It's difficult for me to believe you possess the strength to defeat Crocodile."
"I wonder what Captain Ikki can demonstrate to prove you can overcome Crocodile," she said with a slight laugh.
"You want proof? I think I can provide that," Ikki replied.
The corners of his mouth curved upward as his newly awakened Conqueror's Haki emanated from his body, directed specifically at Nico Robin.
Though his mid-level Haki couldn't cause physical harm, it allowed Ikki to control who experienced its effects. That's why Vivi, who stood nearby, remained unaffected by Ikki's Conqueror's Haki.
But Nico Robin, positioned much closer to Ikki, felt its full impact.
Noticing Robin's eyes had contracted to pinpoints, Ikki knew it was sufficient and withdrew his Haki.
"What was... that?" Robin asked, drawing a deep breath. Her body trembled as she regarded Ikki with fear.
In that moment, she had felt utterly paralyzed. Beside Ikki, Robin felt like a small sheep confronting a formidable wolf.
"Conqueror's Haki—the mark of someone worthy to be called a king by powerful individuals on the sea," Ikki explained.
"They say only one person in a million possesses this ability."
"Nico Robin, you've spent considerable time with Crocodile. Have you ever sensed this kind of power from him?" he asked with a smile.
Robin remained silent. She had never experienced such overwhelming power from Crocodile.
Now she suspected Ikki might be telling the truth. This stranger might indeed have the capability to defeat Crocodile.
'Why have I never heard of someone this powerful?' she pondered. 'Is it because he's not a pirate, so news of his strength hasn't circulated?'
Robin scrutinized Ikki, now less certain that Crocodile could help her access the Poneglyphs in Alabasta. As Ikki had suggested, if he truly attempted to thwart Crocodile, the Warlord's plans might collapse.
Ikki placed a hand on Robin's shoulder, then opened the door to the captain's quarters and guided Vivi inside.
While he wanted Robin's cooperation, Ikki didn't wish to force an immediate decision. The journey to Alabasta would take time, offering plenty of opportunity. After witnessing what Ikki, Nami, Vivi, and the others could accomplish during this period, perhaps Robin would reach her own conclusion.
"Vivi, look at this. This is your next training opponent," Ikki said in the Sword Room. He glanced at Robin, who followed behind them, gazing in amazement at the spacious chamber. "After defeating this individual, you'll be a true swordsman."
Upon hearing this, Vivi immediately focused on the combat area within the Sword Room.
There, a stern-looking swordsman had materialized—the Sword Shadow of Giyu Tomioka.
Based on Vivi's previous attempt against Zoro's Sword Shadow, Ikki activated Tomioka Giyu's sword demonstration.
Instantly, Tomioka became enveloped in water flowing from his Water Breathing.
'Water?' Robin thought, perplexed.
'How does wielding a sword generate water?'
'And what is this place?'
'Not only is this room incredibly vast, much larger than a three-masted ship, but where did that swordsman come from?'
Robin, witnessing a Sword Shadow for the first time, was just as astonished as Nami, Vivi, and the others had been initially.
"Captain Ikki, is that man also working with you?" she inquired.
Now accustomed to her capture, Robin felt composed enough to ask Ikki her questions.
"Not a partner—just a sword model to help my crew improve their combat skills," Ikki responded.
"Speaking of which, Crocodile possesses the Sand-Sand Fruit power. Nico Robin, what do you think would happen if I employed this swordsman's techniques against Crocodile?"
Ikki turned to Robin, with a subtle smile on his face.
Robin pressed her lips together thoughtfully. Having collaborated with Crocodile for several years, she knew his weakness was water. If his body became wet, his sand powers would be neutralized, rendering him vulnerable to conventional attacks.
She had even devised strategies to use water against Crocodile should they ever confront each other.
"Captain Ikki, are you suggesting you can generate water with your sword like that model? Isn't water creation typically a Devil Fruit ability?" she asked after deliberation.
Rather than answering Robin verbally, Ikki demonstrated.
He unsheathed Zangetsu from his waist and took a measured breath. Water immediately enveloped the blade, expanding until, within seconds, it formed a water barrier surrounding Robin.
"This power!" she exclaimed, her heart racing.
Observing the water materialize around her, Robin realized Crocodile's chances against Ikki had significantly diminished.
"This ability doesn't originate from a Devil Fruit," Ikki explained. "It stems from a specialized sword school."
"Currently, I can utilize this style, as can my partner Nojiko."
"Previously, I taught a talented girl I knew well how to apply this style."
"Moving forward, I plan to instruct Vivi in the sword style called Water Breathing."
"Robin, consider this - if Vivi masters this technique, combined with the ice powers she used to freeze you, would that pose challenges for Crocodile?"
Through the water barrier, Ikki observed Robin's expression with interest.
"Your ability is truly remarkable, Captain Ikki," she acknowledged.
"This power might not only counter Crocodile's fruit but would present a significant threat to all Devil Fruit users."
"If Princess Vivi acquires this skill, she could indeed create problems for Crocodile."
"But such sword techniques cannot be learned rapidly," Robin noted, looking at Vivi.
Robin understood Crocodile's mentality well. He was extremely proud, or more accurately, excessively arrogant. He would likely dismiss someone like Vivi, potentially creating opportunities if he became careless.
"I believe you've misunderstood, Robin," Ikki clarified.
"The water I generate with my sword differs from seawater."
"It doesn't weaken Devil Fruit abilities."
Ikki dispelled the water surrounding Robin and returned Zangetsu to its sheath.
In the pirate world, water contains sea stone particles, which can neutralize Devil Fruit powers. But the water produced by Water Breathing lacked these particles.
If Water Breathing truly possessed such properties, then the most formidable of the breathing methods Ikki knew wouldn't be Sun Breathing, but Water Breathing.
Robin regarded Ikki skeptically. After all, even hot springs could weaken Devil Fruit users when fully immersed.
By now, Tomioka's demonstration had concluded.
Vivi closed her eyes, attempting to memorize Tomioka Giyu's movements while contemplating the abilities granted by her Sode no Shirayuki's Shikai. She considered how to overcome Tomioka.
Ikki watched Vivi's concentrated expression. He nearly offered advice but restrained himself.
'Achieving victory independently is far more valuable than winning with assistance,' he thought. 'This will strengthen Vivi's self-confidence.'
After a while, Vivi opened her eyes.
Following a respectful bow to Ikki, she released Sode no Shirayuki's Shikai and entered the arena.
Observing this, Ikki nodded approvingly. Utilizing Sode no Shirayuki's power immediately without attempting to improve basic swordsmanship was precisely what he wanted Vivi to do.
'The sword has reverted to its previous state. What kind of ability is this?' Robin wondered, watching Vivi and Tomioka Giyu's Sword Shadow.
As Vivi positioned herself before Tomioka, his movements accelerated. He dropped his Nichirin sword and charged toward Vivi, propelled by water's force.
Vivi's eyes narrowed as she swung Sode no Shirayuki in a broad arc across Tomioka's path.
"First Dance, Moon White!"
A gentle hum filled the air as Robin witnessed a circular ice wall form beneath Tomioka's feet.
When the wall appeared, the surrounding water froze instantly.
Sensing danger, Tomioka frowned, pushed forcefully off the ground, and leaped high.
The next second, brilliant light erupted from the ice wall.
A surge of ice energy followed the light upward, capturing Tomioka and encasing him in a massive ice column.
"Frozen!" Robin exclaimed, her eyes widening as she observed Tomioka trapped in ice, wondering if he could break free.
"Without prior knowledge of this ability, even Crocodile might fall victim to it," she admitted.
"You've truly provided your partner with a formidable weapon, Captain Ikki."
As she spoke, Robin watched in amazement as Tomioka transformed into water, flowing into Vivi's body.
"Captain Ikki, does the water entering Princess Vivi signify something?" she inquired.