Armament Haki

In an instant, Doflamingo seemed to return to the battlefield. Only this time, he was fighting as Andrew.

He wildly swung his greatsword, yet he could never strike Doflamingo. Instead, his opponent left wound after wound across his body.

At last, in a state of utter fury, something seemed to erupt from within him. Black Armament Haki appeared over his abdomen, completely blocking Doflamingo's attack.

Opening his eyes, Doflamingo wore a startled, doubtful expression in reality. He raised one hand, and black Armament Haki swiftly crept over his right hand.

"Hehehehe, hahahaha, fufufufu—ptooey, ptooey, why am I making that weird laugh again?"

He shook his head, casting the demonic laughter that came with this body out of his mind, but Doflamingo still could not help smiling.

By his estimates, it would probably take him another year or two to develop Armament Haki. Yet after gaining Andrew's soul experience, he had awakened Armament Haki in an instant.

"Still, it's somewhat unfortunate. This Haki isn't as strong as Andrew's, that Three-Headed Hydra. My body is still too weak."

In truth, the strength of all Haki was closely linked to one's physical strength. Even Observation Haki, a power that relied more on the mind, could not be fully unleashed because Doflamingo's body was currently too weak. Let alone Armament Haki, which relied even more heavily on the body.

All power in the Pirate World was ultimately inseparable from physical stamina. Even his Illusion Fruit ability was limited by his stamina and could only display a small portion of its potential.

Otherwise, with his nearly monstrous Mental Energy, he would have long since been able to fully turn intangible.

"Anyway, I've finally uncovered one benefit of this cheat." Doflamingo let out a long sigh. All this time, he had never truly enjoyed the benefits this cheat brought him.

Before he ate the Illusion Fruit, it had nearly become his death warrant. The later increase in his Mental Energy had only been a minor byproduct of some of the cheat's abilities.

"But judging by what this cheat means, if I want to grow stronger, I'll have to take down more powerful people."

"And if they aren't strong enough, I won't gain anything from them either."

Besides Andrew, he had killed quite a few pirates last time. But after those pirates' souls were churned through the Sea of Soul Fragments, they were essentially ruined, no different from ordinary Blood-colored Puppets. Clearly, the cheat had requirements for souls as well.

Over half a month later, the merchant ship docked at Water 7 to resupply. Doflamingo took the opportunity to disembark, while erasing everyone on the ship's memories of him.

"There should be a Navy branch here too!" Doflamingo kept both hands in his pockets. Although he was still young, he was tall and already possessed an imposing air.

"As a shipbuilding center, Water 7 definitely has a Navy base. But this isn't Navy Headquarters or one of the major Navy bases, so the strongest person here is probably no more than a colonel."

"Someone at that level shouldn't be able to see through my illusions. Perfect—I can change my identity and join the Navy."

It was worth mentioning that the Navy's recruitment system generally worked on a local basis, apart from Navy Headquarters and the major branch bases. All other Navy branches recruited their own soldiers from nearby areas.

After all, the countries and islands in the Pirate World were severely fragmented. Powerful high-ranking Navy officers could travel around freely, but ordinary soldiers could never simply take a ship to Navy Headquarters to enlist.

They trained at their local branches first, and only those with outstanding performances would be recommended to Navy Headquarters.

Of course, if one truly had confidence in oneself, it was not impossible to head directly to Navy Headquarters and enlist. But first, one had to have a clean background, and preferably know someone at Navy Headquarters who could verify one's identity. Only then would they look at one's strength.

But if one was recommended to Navy Headquarters by a branch base, verifying one's identity became much easier, because they could directly retrieve one's records from the Navy branch.

For Doflamingo, who possessed the Illusion Fruit, fabricating an identity was effortless. Illusion abilities truly had no answer against the weak.

He did not dare go to Navy Headquarters because he was wary that experts at the rank of Vice Admiral and above might see through his illusions and recognize him as Doflamingo, the Celestial Dragon.

After taking a stroll around Water 7, Doflamingo found that the current Water 7 was nowhere near as prosperous as it would become in the future. In particular, the Sea Train had yet to be built. Coupled with the threat of massive tsunamis every year, which were gradually sinking Water 7, the entire island carried an air of decay.

This situation would likely continue until Tom the fish-man built the Sea Train. It was precisely because of the Sea Train that Water 7 became the hub connecting all the nearby islands, regaining its former brilliance.

However, Doflamingo had not come here to find Tom the fish-man. Speaking of that greatest of shipwrights, he seemed to have built a sea-going ship for Pirate King Roger's voyage a year ago. What was it called again...?

In any case, because of that little matter, Mr. Tom had landed himself in serious trouble and had nearly been sentenced to death.

Well, it also made Doflamingo question the laws of the Pirate World. Even when Pirate King Roger's crew members were caught, they did not seem to be executed outright—they were thrown into Impel Down instead. So why was the shipwright who built their ship to be directly put to death?

But the Pirate World was full of absurdities. Just thinking of that "Trinity" chief judge at Enies Lobby made it clear that law was worth nothing in the Pirate World.

Relying on his illusion ability, Doflamingo made a round of Water 7 and found the Navy branch. However, he did not immediately go inside and report that he wanted to enlist.

He first used illusions to change his appearance, then exchanged Andrew's head for a bounty. Doflamingo began crafting his identity, while also taking the opportunity to enjoy Water 7's Water Water Meat.

The delicious ingredients of the Pirate World far surpassed those of the real world. Meat ingredients in particular were exceptional. Under such circumstances, for Water 7's Water Water Meat to still enjoy such a great reputation, one could well imagine just how delicious it was.

"Mmm, this flavor... It has a jelly-like texture, combined with the rich, savory taste of meat and a tender freshness that melts in your mouth. No wonder it's a delicacy that can only be eaten in a manga world."

"Haha, Steve, what are you talking about?" An old man standing beside him spoke with a smile.

"I was saying that the Water Water Meat from my hometown is still what gives me the greatest appetite." Steve turned back with a beaming smile.

"Indeed. The Water Water Meat of our Water 7, along with the sea salt left behind by the Water Gods, are supreme delicacies that people on other islands simply cannot eat."