"Rifan, I don't quite understand why you're teaching Robin martial arts. Shouldn't her strength be primarily based on her Devil Fruit abilities and Haki?" Gion asked, still blushing.
At that moment, Gion couldn't help but think of how effortlessly Robin had used her devil fruit ability and Haki to defeat Smoothie easily.
"Why do you think Robin can't practise powers beyond Devil Fruit and Haki?" Rifan inquired.
"I trained Robin as my second-in-command," he added.
"I also anticipate Robin's ability to confront your Marine's Marine Admiral in the future."
"Of course, I need to find a way to make her stronger."
"Although Devil Fruit and Haki are sufficient for Robin to wield formidable power," Rifan continued, "I believe that, once she masters the hand to hand techniques I've taught her, her strength and tactics will improve accordingly."
Amidst Gion's relieved expression, Rifan gently released his hand, pivoting Gion's body 180 degrees so that her front faced him.
"Then, Rifan," Gion inquired, "can you give us a glimpse of the type of hand to hand techniques you're teaching Robin?"
Gion was curious, knowing that Rifan possessed a wealth of martial arts knowledge. She wished to discover what technique Robin might master in the future, enabling the Marines to formulate a response plan should Robin become an enemy.
Rifan replied, "I'm sorry, Gion, but to answer that question, you'll need to offer more."
He glanced back at Kalifa, who had returned to the room with the oil he had asked, and continued, "Alright, that concludes our conversation. You may need to speak with Naval Headquarters."
"If you don't call now, you might have to contact them after I make some major moves. That could lead to some misleading information, Gion."
Rifan signaled to Kalifa, who understood and proceeded to dial Naval Headquarters on the den-den mushi. Gion had no choice but to temporarily abandon her questioning and concentrate on the phone call Kalifa gave her.
On the other end, at Naval Headquarters, in Marine Marshal Sengoku's meeting room, the Marine Admiral candidate, Tokikake, was engaged in a fervent discussion with Sengoku and Vice Admiral Tsuru.
"Marshal Sengoku, Vice Admiral Tsuru, when will Gion return?"
"This Rifan is powerful and has a penchant for women. Gion is so beautiful; if he does anything to her, it could be..."
"No, it's not safe for Gion to stay with Rifan. Marshal Sengoku, Vice Admiral Tsuru, let me take action. I'll bring Gion back from that pirate!"
Sengoku, seated with a deep frown, looked at Tokikake, who had once again come to express his concerns about Gion staying with Rifan. It seemed as though Tokikake had confessed his affection for Gion countless times in recent days.
"Calm down, Tokikake. Gion will be fine. She reports to us periodically. Since Rifan aims to become a Shichibukai, he won't harm Gion," Sengoku reassured him.
Sengoku thought that handling Rifan would not be a simple matter, as the Marines had not taken action against him yet. Thus, there would be no further troubles with the Black Pearl Pirates.
"Yeah, Tokikake, calm down. Your anxiety won't help Gion," Vice Admiral Tsuru added.
Just as Tokikake was about to respond, a den-den mushi on Sengoku's desk rang.
"Hello, is this Gion?" Sengoku, after a glance at Tokikake, quickly answered the call.
"It's me, Marshal Sengoku, regarding the periodic report..."
Before Gion could finish speaking, the worried Tokikake couldn't contain himself. "Gion, are you okay? Did that Rifan do anything to you? If that scoundrel mistreated you, you must tell me!"
On the Black Pearl, Gion frowned. "Tokikake?" After a brief pause, she shifted her gaze to Rifan. Rifan, who was currently massaging Gion's calf, heard Tokikake's words and wore a mischievous smile.
"Tokikake, calm down. Let's hear Gion's report," Vice Admiral Tsuru intervened, using her own abilities to soothe him.
With Tokikake now calmer, Sengoku resumed the conversation with Gion. "Gion, let's proceed. Tell us about your situation with Rifan," he requested.
"Marshal Sengoku, Sister Tsuru, please rest assured that I wasn't mistreated on the Black Pearl." Gion assured them, trying to prevent any misguided actions. After a pause, she continued, "Marshal Sengoku, Sister Tsuru, this time, the regular report is a bit special."
"Just before that, we encountered Charlotte Smoothie from the Big Mom Pirates, and Boa Hancock from the Kuja Pirates," Gion continued. "There was a certain conflict between the three parties."
Gion's words left Sengoku and others in the Marine Marshal's meeting room stunned. They were shocked.
"What?!" Sengoku exclaimed. "The Black Pearl Pirates met Charlotte Smoothie from the Big Mom Pirates? And at the same time, you also encountered the Kuja Pirates? There was a conflict between the three parties? Gion, tell us what happened?"
Sengoku initially expected a routine report from Gion, so this revelation surprised him immensely.
Outside the office, the three Marine Admirals, Aokiji, Akainu, and Kizaru, who had just entered the Marshal's office, heard Sengoku's surprised voice. They exchanged glances, sharing the surprise.
Subsequently, the three Marine Admirals found seats in the office and waited to learn more about the Black Pearl Pirates.
On the Black Pearl, Gion glanced back at Rifan and noticed that he didn't intervene. She then went on to describe the encounter between the Black Pearl Pirates and Charlotte Smoothie and Boa Hancock, as well as the conflicts that arose. Gion included the details of Smoothie being defeated by Robin and the clash between Hancock and Mikita.
As Gion narrated, the three Marine Admirals, who had just arrived at the office, became increasingly interested in the Black Pearl Pirates, particularly Marine Admiral Aokiji, who had prior contact with Rifan.
Gion added, "Rifan stated that he ultimately defeated Hancock and intends to continue guiding Robin in her training. He aims to make Nico Robin as formidable as a Marine Admiral."
"Nico Robin? Marine Admiral?!" Sengoku exclaimed. "What are Rifan's plans?"
"That's right," Gion replied. "He seems interested in instructing Nico Robin in hand to hand technique and martial arts. Marshal Sengoku, Rifan excels in martial arts. With Robin's current strength, mastering powerful boxing techniques like Eight–Impact Fist and Fishman Karate, combined with her Devil Fruit abilities, would make her even more formidable."
After some contemplation, Gion added, "Just imagining Robin using martial arts... if she suddenly manifests a Haki-infused hand and throws punches at her enemies, it's astonishing. People with weaker observation Haki might not even see it coming."
Sengoku pondered this, his brow furrowing further. "Unexpectedly, not only has Rifan awakened Conqueror's Haki, but this woman, Nico Robin, also possesses it. She instantly defeated Charlotte Smoothie! We have seriously underestimated her."
"Conqueror's Haki? She has that kind of potential?" Aokiji was also dubious.
Akainu snorted and remarked, "Are the remnants of Ohara becoming formidable after all?"
Kizaru, on the other hand, gave meaningful looks to his colleagues who had participated in the Ohara Buster Call—Aokiji and Akainu. It was as if he was implying that Robin had come to meet them.
"Is this directed at Marine Admirals? Let's see if that woman can reach the strength of a Marine Admiral," he said.
Aokiji added, "Although Rifan and Gion took down Golden Lion, it doesn't necessarily mean Rifan is on par with a Marine Admiral in combat."
He acknowledged the potential of Rifan and the Black Pearl Pirates. "Marshal Sengoku, should we really make someone like him a Shichibukai? If we allow him to develop his power and skills further, he could become a significant problem."
However, before Akainu could continue, Crane intervened, wearing a serious expression. "Be attentive, Kasazuki!"