@shinuchi-ulti continued from here:
Getting to visit Spa Island was a welcome relief to Ikkaku. The past few years hadn't taken away the thrill or danger of piracy for the Hearts, especially with the Straw Hats still stirring up trouble across the Grand Line. So, the Hearts had opted to take a vacation to recover from whatever latest madness the new Pirate King had stirred up.
It was even better that she would get to visit Ulti. The engineer had come to enjoy chatting with her when they crossed paths. The other woman was brash and rather fun in her own way, and there was no bad blood between them since Wano. But Ikkaku could also admit by the time she'd gotten over to Ulti, she was rather exhausted. She'd been stopped to chat by several other people on her way across the dock, and it seemed no matter how hard she tried to get out of those conversations quickly, another was just around the corner.
Thankfully, chatting with Ulti tended to recharge Ikkaku's social battery, though she could recognize that perhaps when taken out of context she'd taken her statement the wrong way.
"Funny you should mention that," she stated, chuckling a bit at the response to her analogy. "I've actually got shark mermaid heritage from my grandmother's side, so I can actually grow my teeth back. It's a nifty trick to have if they get damaged, and I guess it means I can have infinitely more conversations. Though, some are more enjoyable than others. I'm definitely happiest chatting with you right now."
Plopping down into a nearby bench, Ikkaku adjusted her sunglasses. The sun shining off of the ocean was bright but beautiful. "My grandmother actually did have shark teeth, too. She was considered the most beautiful woman on Joras. Gramps always said those teeth of hers were part of why he found her so gorgeous. Of course, she also used them to bite off the fingers of a man who thought she should leave Gramps for him. Now that's true love right there!" she laughed.
Ikkaku gestured to the empty seat beside her so Ulti could sit while they caught up. "Anyway, how have you been lately? That brother of yours still driving you up a wall?"