After finishing his bath, it was already 10 PM. Nao changed into the clothes Gion had prepared for him, finally freeing himself from the bandages.
He donned a white rear admiral's uniform, adorned with pale pink epaulettes and cuffs, presenting a valiant and spirited appearance.
Lying on the bed, he exchanged goodnights with Gion, who was on the floor mat. Pretending to close his eyes and sleep, he secretly attempted to open the system panel with his mind.
A bluish panel floated before his eyes, appearing as smoothly as usual. It seemed the system was indeed bound to his soul, following his consciousness rather than remaining with his body.
Relieved, Nao turned his head to see Gion already fast asleep, her breathing steady and deep.
"Good night," he silently wished her, watching her for a while before lying flat and withdrawing his gaze.
Listening to the quiet breathing in the dark night, drowsiness gradually overwhelmed him, and he eventually drifted into sleep.
Outside the porthole, stars filled the sky, and the moonlight was cool and serene.
The next morning, Nao was awakened by a rustling sound.
Groggily sitting up in bed, he turned to see Gion staring blankly at the ceiling, her face filled with existential doubt.
"What's wrong, Rear Admiral Gion?"
"You have the nerve to ask?"
Hearing his voice, Gion suddenly turned her head, gritting her teeth as she questioned, "Your body! What's wrong with it, huh?"
"Why do you automatically wake up at 5:30 AM and can't fall back asleep no matter what?"
She looked annoyed, somewhat exasperated, and perhaps even... aggrieved?
Nao wasn't entirely sure, but he knew very well that the culprit behind Gion's sleeplessness was his own precise biological clock.
"Years of waking up at this time have ingrained it into my muscle memory. Sorry."
He gave an awkward smile, glancing at the dimly lit sky outside, pondering whether he should stick to his usual routine of morning training.
Skipping it felt like something was missing, making him uncomfortable. But training wouldn't benefit his own body, making any effort seem futile.
Caught in this dilemma, Nao decided to seek Gion's opinion.
"Absolutely not."
That was Gion's immediate response, delivered with an uncompromising tone that crushed Nao's thoughts instantly.
Her reasoning was simple: with so many acquaintances on the ship, having Nao, in her body, run laps around the deck or perform basic physical training would be utterly inappropriate.
As a distinguished figure in the Marine Headquarters and a prodigy of the new generation, she couldn't afford such embarrassment.
"But I can't just do nothing for the next few days, cooped up in the room," Nao protested, following closely behind Gion with a bitter expression. "As we say in the East Blue, 'An inch of time is an inch of gold,' Rear Admiral Gion!"
"Nonsense. Your time isn't that valuable."
Gion was brushing her teeth. Hearing his words, she snorted and mumbled through the foam, "It's just three days. Deal with it."
After brushing her teeth, she quickly washed her face and dried it with a towel. As she lifted her gaze, she met the eyes of the handsome young man in the mirror.
With medium-length black hair, deep black eyes, and a well-defined, resolute face, he exuded a clean and youthful vitality.
Gion paused, momentarily stunned.
At that moment, even someone as self-assured as she had to admit that this guy's charm was nearly on par with her own.
Especially when he smiled, his eyes curved into crescents, revealing white teeth. That infectious smile could make anyone forget their worries and feel joyful all day.
Perhaps this was why she allowed him to live in her body for over a week, even letting him go to sea alone to carry out missions?
If it were someone else, like Aokiji, she might have knocked him out and endured the days in the simplest, most brutal way.
"Rear Admiral Gion?"
Behind her, Nao noticed Gion staring at the mirror in silence and tentatively called out.
"Hmm?"
Gion snapped out of her thoughts, casually turning her head while continuing to dry her face. She asked Nao,
"Before leaving Marineford, I heard about a new recruit in the elite training camp who's a training fanatic, practically living in the training grounds. That maniac must be you, right?"
My reputation has already spread beyond the recruit camp?
"Probably," Nao scratched his head and answered honestly, "If we're talking about this batch, I don't think anyone trains harder than me."
"No wonder you look so uncomfortable not training for a day."
Gion hung the towel back in place, thought for a moment, and said, "In that case, I'll ask Kuzan to set up a small training room. For the next few days, I'll give you one-on-one guidance."
"Really?"
Nao's previously gloomy mood instantly lifted, his face lighting up with joy.
Not only would he receive several days of one-on-one instruction, but they'd also set up a dedicated training room on the warship. This was an incredible opportunity, something he wouldn't have dared to dream of just two days ago when he first met Gion.
"Consider it compensation for missing the actual combat assessment."
Gion remained indifferent, as if she had done something trivial. "From what I know, Zephyr-sensei recently started teaching you Rokushiki, right? Do you want me to focus on that or something else?"
"Anything is fine!"
Nao nodded eagerly, then suddenly remembered something, his eyes lighting up:
"Oh, right, swordsmanship! I forgot to mention, I'm a dual-wielding swordsman. I'd like to receive your guidance in swordsmanship!"
He clearly remembered that in the future, Gion would not only be a candidate for admiral but also a master swordswoman. In terms of swordsmanship, few in the Marine could match her.
Everyone has their strengths. At least in swordsmanship, Zephyr-sensei couldn't compare to Gion.
"Sure."
Gion remained nonchalant, nodding slightly in agreement. After returning to the bedroom with Nao, she pulled a sword from behind the desk and tossed it to him.
"Take this. After breakfast, I'll arrange the training room and start today's instruction."
"Oh, okay."
Nao hurriedly caught the sword. Initially, he didn't think much of it, but upon feeling its weight, he realized something was off.
Looking down carefully, he discovered that Gion had given him the slender sword she usually carried. The scabbard was elegant and ornate, with a pale pink hue reminiscent of Gion herself.
He flicked his thumb upward, revealing half the blade. Under the light, it shimmered with a cold gleam, its texture hard and icy to the touch.
"A fine sword..."
Nao admired it for a long time before coming back to his senses, unable to help but mutter.
As a swordsman, he recognized quality. Since he began practicing swordsmanship, he had never seen a sword that could compare to this one.
"That's Konpira, one of the 21 Great Grade Blades."
Gion's calm voice came, "Considering your good taste, I'll lend it to you for now, but only for these three days. Cherish it. Before you leave the warship for your mission, I'll take it back. Understand?"