Awakening of Haki

Luo Ya picked up a branch and drew a circle on the ground, roughly five meters in diameter, leaving each person with an activity range of only 2.5 meters.

It was not even as large as a fighting ring.

"Whoever steps outside the circle loses. No problem with that?"

"Fine!"

Ace's heart sank.

Fighting within such a small circle meant the battle would be several times more intense. To avoid stepping out, they would have to take some attacks head-on that they could otherwise evade.

This Marine was completely different from his previous opponents. Even in an ordinary spar, he intended to crush Ace completely.

Just what I wanted!

Ace's eyes burned.

As long as he defeated the Marine before him, it would mean he could survive on these seas. This would be the beginning of his rise to fame across the world!

Luo Ya's gaze was equally blazing.

By cutting off all retreat and fighting in the simplest, most direct way, losing to Ace could only mean that he was inferior.

But if he won...

Would that mean he had truly caught up with these chosen sons of fate? That he could truly step onto the highest stage?

The two stepped into the circle.

The next second!

"OOOH!!!"

"AAAH!!!"

Time rapidly passed.

The sun set, and the moon rose.

Luo Ya and Ace's battle continued.

The two fought at close quarters like martial artists, their brutal flesh-on-flesh blows leaving both covered in wounds as they battled to their hearts' content.

Without weapons, unless there was an overwhelming gap in strength between them, it was difficult to end a fight quickly.

Judging from the battle, their strength and speed were extremely close. Luo Ya's attacks were more methodical, while Ace's were filled with wildness.

Besides, neither of them wanted to lose!

Fullbody and the others had long since finished their fight with Luffy.

Luffy's strength was quite good. A charged Gum-Gum Pistol could shatter rocks, but his age was what it was, and he lacked reaction speed and combat experience.

Rubber was not that difficult to deal with either. Though it resisted blunt strikes, there were many other ways to win, such as grappling and hypnosis.

It was even easier for Zoro to beat Luffy. Slashes were the bane of rubber.

The four sat beside the battlefield, watching Luo Ya and Ace pummel each other with great interest. As if by agreement, they all sighed.

"They're amazing!"

Whether it was Luo Ya or Ace, both displayed astonishing resilience. They were covered in injuries and so exhausted they could barely stand, yet neither had any intention of stopping.

Even worse, the two seemed to have reached an understanding. Neither was willing to take even one step back. When facing the other's attacks, they either blocked, took them head-on, or returned blow for blow.

As a result, their physical condition plummeted. Other than their clean backs and buttocks, there was not a single intact spot on their bodies.

Just watching them was exhausting.

"Haah~~"

They all yawned at the same time.

"How long are they going to keep fighting?"

Someone knew the answer.

Garp suddenly appeared inside the circle. With two BAM BAM Iron Fist blows, he knocked Luo Ya and Ace flat. Fist-sized lumps rose on their heads, giving off wisps of smoke.

"Puhahaha! Time to eat!"

Not long after.

A four- or five-meter-tall wild boar was mounted over the fire, releasing an enticing aroma as the wood flames roasted it.

Luo Ya lifted a roasted boar leg twice as large as himself, took a huge bite, chewed a few times, and swallowed it directly.

His long-empty stomach greedily absorbed the nutrients, digesting them more than ten times faster than usual.

Only this way could he eat more food.

CRUNCH!

Even the bones were bitten apart and swallowed.

In less than five minutes, the entire roasted boar leg, larger than a person, had gone into his stomach.

Across from him, Ace seemed determined to compete. He desperately finished an entire boar leg as well, his belly swelling into a huge ball.

Late at night.

Everyone slept soundly around the campfire. Garp and his three grandsons seemed to be competing, their snores growing louder one after another.

Zoro hugged his swords and leaned against a tree trunk.

"I'll keep watch."

"Mm."

Luo Ya nodded and walked alone into the forest. He casually found a quiet spot and silently recited in his heart.

"The World!"

The world slowly unfolded.

Inside the Training ground, "Ace" looked over with slightly numb eyes.

Luo Ya walked toward Ace, light shining in his eyes.

Before fighting Ace, he had always harbored a question: could effort truly make up for the gap in talent?

After setting out to sea, Ace had earned the name Fire Fist in only one year. His strength had reached the level of a Shichibukai, and his bounty had climbed as high as 500 million Beli.

Luffy was even more remarkable, becoming one of the Four Emperors in two and a half years.

Their training from childhood had certainly played a role, but it was their astonishing inborn talent that had allowed them to transform in leaps and bounds within such a short time.

Luo Ya was certain that this body of his possessed no gifted bloodline. He was merely an ordinary human.

But now, he had truly caught up with a genius like Ace.

Thinking about it now, having more time than others was also a kind of talent, and the most powerful kind at that.

Besides, the "world" did not merely extend time. Many unknown abilities still awaited his discovery.

"What devil's son? What Sun God Nika!"

"It's all bullshit!"

"The world is the strongest!"

Unwavering conviction was strength!

An invisible aura radiated from Luo Ya's entire body as he walked toward Ace step by step. That intimidating gaze was entirely different from the state in which he had craved recognition during the day.

It was the gaze of someone looking at prey!

Early the next morning.

Inside the duel circle!

BANG!!!

Luo Ya's fist smashed viciously into Ace's cheek!

"Pfft!"

Ace's mouth filled with blood, his molars shattered, and his eyes gradually rolled white.

"My consciousness... is about to be beaten apart!"

What had happened?

In just one day, why had this guy's fists become so hard? It was like facing Grandpa's fists.

In the distance.

Fullbody and Jango clenched their fists excitedly, while Luffy was frantic with worry.

"Lieutenant Commander Luo Ya has the advantage!"

"Ace, you can't lose!"

Yesterday's evenly matched battle had clearly tilted today. Luo Ya was gradually suppressing Ace.

Garp cried out in astonishment.

"Haki!"

"Huh?"

The three looked at Garp in confusion, not understanding what Haki was.

Garp did not explain.

For these little brats, encountering Haki was still too early. Only after tempering their hearts, bodies, and skills until they were strong enough would it be the best time to learn and master Haki.

"That brat's fists are coated in Haki!"

Garp saw it clearly. Haki coated Luo Ya's fists. Though it was still weak and the way he used it was extremely crude, it undeniably existed.

"Did he awaken it on his own?"

Garp found it somewhat unbelievable.

He was certain that Luo Ya had absolutely not mastered Haki yesterday. Judging from his current performance, his strength had not changed much either.

It was a change in mentality!

That brat's will had become firmer. His fists carried unwavering belief in victory, thus drawing forth Haki!

Damn brat, where did he get the confidence to defeat Garp's grandson?!

Garp's expression turned strange.

Originally, he had thought Luo Ya was merely a somewhat clever New Recruit with decent talent. There were countless Marines like that at Headquarters.

But now.

Marines capable of awakening Haki on their own were incredibly rare. Could this brat actually be a genius whose talent was no weaker than Garp's grandson's?

Impossible!

His grandson's talent was the strongest!

Aaargh, this is so infuriating!

"Go, Ace!"

Garp cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted, "Ace, if you lose to that brat and shame your grandpa, your grandpa will punch you flying!"

"..."

Ace nearly failed to catch his breath.

Damn old man!

Damn it, who wanted to lose?!