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After the war broke out, Marine Headquarters would likely take significant damage. Crumbling eaves and broken walls had little aesthetic value.
"Perfect, we have Hippogriff to lead us," Astolfo said, taking Ikki's hand and pulling him toward the door. At his call, a creature appeared before the group: the upper body of a griffin, the lower body of a horse, with something of a hawk about its bearing.
"What is that?" Hancock looked at the beast with curiosity.
"A phantom steed that has no place in the natural world," Ikki said, walking up to Hippogriff. "A creature that could not possibly exist. It is one of Astolfo's Noble Phantasms, and the symbol of his Rider class." Hippogriff seemed to sense the bond between Ikki and Astolfo. It did not startle at Ikki's approach. Instead, it lowered its head in a friendly gesture and nudged his arm.
"The symbol of the Rider class, and a living creature at that," Gion said, studying it with interest. "Since it qualifies as a Noble Phantasm, it must possess some exceptional power, yes?"
"Of course it does," Astolfo said, puffing out his chest with a proud expression. "Hippogriff is very powerful."
"Since Hippogriff is Astolfo's Noble Phantasm," Hancock said, "does that mean he can't use the sword you gave Sadi-chan?"
"I can't use that sword right now," Astolfo said. "It's the symbol of my Saber class. But even without it, I still have other Noble Phantasms available." He raised his hand and summoned a spear-shaped Noble Phantasm. "Like this one, for instance. Trap of Argalia."
"'Trap of Argalia'?" Vivi tilted her head. "That's a very strange name for a weapon."
"Don't underestimate it, Vivi," Ikki said with a laugh. "Anyone struck by that spear will fall involuntarily, no matter where it hits them. Even one of the Four Emperors wouldn't be immune to its effect."
Hearing the praise, Astolfo's expression grew even prouder. Normally, sharing information about a Noble Phantasm so openly was inadvisable. But everyone here was someone Ikki trusted, so Astolfo saw no reason to hide it.
"That's a remarkable ability," Nojiko said with wide eyes. "It sounds like some kind of curse."
"What about Logia-type Devil Fruit users?" Gion rested her chin on her hand, murmuring to herself. "If a person can transform their body into an element, would the spear still work on them?"
"Not necessarily." Ikki's lips curved into a smile and he glanced upward toward a specific corner of the room. "Admiral Kuzan, you've been watching for quite a while now. Aren't you going to come out and say hello?"
At the sound of Ikki's voice, everyone turned to look. A moment later, Aokiji scratched the back of his head and stepped out from the corner with a wry expression.
"Knew I'd get caught eventually."
"Were you spying on us?" Hancock's frown sharpened with irritation. "Was this Fleet Admiral Sengoku's order?"
"Settle down, Empress Hancock. I was observing Ikki, yes, but it wasn't on Sengoku's orders." Aokiji stopped in front of the group and glanced curiously at Astolfo. "A face I've never seen before. Another one of your partners, Ikki? I hadn't seen him until now, but here he is." He studied the group with his usual languid look. "Am I right in thinking you used some method to keep your other partners out of sight?"
Ikki shrugged and smiled. "You want to ask whether she's here, don't you?"
Kuzan nodded. He knew exactly who the "she" referred to. He had wanted to meet Nico Robin, who traveled with Ikki's crew, for some time.
"You'd be better off not seeing her," Ikki said. "It's not appropriate for her to be here, and I think you already know why."
"You're right. It would be inconvenient." Kuzan's expression was even. "I don't know what method you're using to keep your partners hidden. But since you didn't bring her with you, please keep it that way. At least for the duration of this war, don't let her show up."
Kuzan was genuinely concerned about the possibility of Ikki calling Nico Robin out into the open. If her presence were discovered, Ikki's situation would become extremely complicated. The Marines would have to deal with both the Whitebeard Pirates and Ikki's crew at the same time, and that was the last thing Kuzan wanted.
Ikki and his people were not easy opponents. Suppressing them realistically would require deploying at least two admirals. Marine Headquarters simply did not have the surplus manpower for that right now.
"You don't need to worry about it, Kuzan." Ikki's expression shifted, a glint entering his eyes. "And since you're already here, why not do us a small favor?"
"A favor?" Kuzan looked at him. For some reason, that look in Ikki's eyes gave him a bad feeling.
"Nothing major," Ikki said pleasantly. "Just transform into your elemental form and let my friend here give you a light jab with that spear of his."
Nami and Hancock both perked up immediately. They had just heard the explanation of what Astolfo's spear could do. The question of whether it would function against someone who could become an element was exactly what they were curious about. Gion felt the same way.
Aokiji's expression darkened. He looked like he was about to decline. Gion spoke before he could.
"Kuzan, don't you want to learn more about Astolfo?" she said with a calm smile. "A simple jab from that spear shouldn't be able to hurt you, not with your abilities."
Kuzan frowned. She was not wrong on either count. He did want a better understanding of the people around Ikki. Ikki was always accompanied by formidable swordswomen, and now a new face had appeared.
Astolfo wasn't carrying a sword, but anyone who stood beside Ikki was not a simple person. There was every reason to think Astolfo had some kind of exceptional ability, and this was a clean opportunity to find out.
"Alright," Kuzan said at last, scratching the back of his head with a look of mild resignation. "Let's give it a try."
He shifted his body into elemental form, ice particles dispersing and resettling into the loosely-held structure of his transformed state. His half-lidded eyes settled on Astolfo.
"Here I come," Astolfo said, smiling as he raised the spear and thrust it lightly toward Kuzan's shoulder.
Kuzan watched the slow, unhurried motion of the spear approaching him and felt nothing but mild skepticism. "An attack like that seems entirely pointless, don't you thi—"
Astolfo's spear touched his shoulder.