章節 16: Become Me Again

"Shanks, what was that all about?" Ben asked, his voice tinged with frustration.

"You shot at her, and naturally, she responded. That's what happened," Shanks replied, a smirk playing on his lips.

Ben frowned. "But why didn't you stop me? You knew it'd escalate!"

"Because I wanted to see if she's still got it," Shanks admitted with a laugh. "If time had dulled her edge or if she'd grown soft."

"And what's the verdict?"

Shanks chuckled deeply. "Sharper than ever. Stronger. She's scarier now, if that's even possible. Almost makes me nostalgic."

"You call nearly dying nostalgic?" Ben muttered, rubbing his temples.

"Ah, come on. You're still breathing, aren't you?" Shanks teased. "But you're right. She's a monster, and if anyone in this world can convince my daughter to quit stirring up trouble, it's her."

Imai stirred awake in the middle of the night, jolted upright by a sudden sneeze. "Was someone talking about me?" she muttered groggily, rubbing her nose.

The air felt restless, and she couldn't shake the sensation. Wandering out onto the deck, she let the cool sea breeze wash over her, clearing her thoughts. Her gaze drifted to the vast, star-filled sky, but her mind was elsewhere. She replayed her clash with Shanks, dissecting every moment.

It hadn't been a real fight; she knew that. Shanks was testing her, probing to see if her strength, her edge, had diminished.

Her grip on the ship's railing tightened as she reflected on her reaction. The thrill of unsheathing her blade, the rush of adrenaline coursing through her, the burning, primal hunger to fight—it was all still there.

"The Empress of the Blade," she murmured to herself, a faint smirk tugging at her lips.

Her hand drifted instinctively to the hilt of her katana, her heartbeat quickening as if responding to the title. It wasn't just a name; it was a reminder of who she once was.

"Maybe it's not so bad to go back," she mused. Her smile widened, a spark of mischief and danger lighting her eyes. "The world is birthing monsters, after all. Let's see how they handle me."

She spread her arms wide, her voice carrying into the vast night. "Good luck to the world! The Empress of the Blade has officially returned to conquer—and maybe cause a little chaos!"

The morning sunlight filtered through the cabin windows as Nico emerged groggily onto the deck. Blinking at the bright light, she noticed Imai already steering the ship, an almost unsettling energy radiating from her.

"Good morning, Nico! There's breakfast downstairs if you're hungry," Imai said cheerfully, flashing a wide grin.

"I already ate. Thanks, though," Nico replied, still waking up.

"Did you like it?"

"Yes, it was good."

Imai laughed, clearly pleased with herself. "Teehee! Not only am I the strongest fighter, but I'm an amazing cook! What can't I do?"

"What's gotten into you?" Nico asked, her tone skeptical. "You seem... different. Did something happen?"

"Not really," Imai said, the grin never leaving her face. "I just made a decision, and everything feels clearer now."

There was something about Imai today—something sharper, more intense—but Nico couldn't quite place it.

"Do you even know where we're going?"

"Of course I do!" Imai declared. "We're on course to Skypiea! After that, who knows? Maybe we'll look for Shanks' daughter. I'm curious about her."

"Shanks' daughter…" Nico mused. "If she's his, she must be strong, right? Why doesn't she have a bounty yet?"

"She's probably laying low somewhere remote," Imai speculated. "But if fate has its way, we'll meet her soon enough."

"I'm kind of excited."

"Me too!" Imai clapped her hands. "But before that, you're starting your Haki training today. And we're starting now!"

Before Nico could protest, Imai blindfolded her and handed her a stick.

"Here's the deal: I'm going to attack you, and you'll dodge. No peeking—just sense it."

"This sounds unreasonable," Nico muttered. "You're not just using this as an excuse to hit me, are you?"

"Trust me, this is exactly how I trained. Don't worry—I'll hold back. Mostly."

For hours, Nico endured hit after hit as Imai swung the stick mercilessly.

PAK! PAK!

By evening, Nico's patience was wearing thin. Her head throbbed, and frustration boiled over. But then, something changed. As another strike came down, she felt it before it happened. Her body reacted on instinct, and she dodged.

Pulling off the blindfold, Nico glared at Imai. "Finally!"

"Took you long enough!" Imai teased with a mischievous grin. "But hey, that's your first taste of Observation Haki."

"First taste? You hit me so many times, I think I forgot some poneglyphs!"

"Haha! Want me to keep hitting you to jog your memory?"

"Shut up!"

Their banter was interrupted by a sudden rumbling beneath the ship.

"Hold on, Nico!" Imai shouted as the ship suddenly shot upward on a massive burst of water.

"What's happening?!" Nico yelled, clinging to the railing.

"We're heading to Skypiea! Isn't it amazing?" Imai laughed, clearly enjoying the chaos.

The ship surged higher, propelled by the Knock-Up Stream. As they broke through the clouds, a shimmering sea of white stretched out before them.

Ahead, the towering gates of Heaven's Gate came into view.

"Get ready, Robin!" Imai shouted, her eyes alight with excitement. "A whole new adventure awaits us!"

Nico took a deep breath, steadying herself. The journey to Sky Island had only just begun, and she could feel in her bones that it would be unforgettable.