011 Visiting Relatives!

Chapter 11: 011. Visiting Relatives!

"Haki, the innate potential power of all living beings in this world, is equivalent to [Aura] and [Deterrence], existing like an instinct."

In Mercer's opinion, Haki was, in essence, just a manifestation of the "Essence, Qi, and Spirit" within the human body.

Through prolonged breathing training and the study of medical skills, Mercer's understanding of his own body far surpassed that of ordinary people.

Observation Haki was a unique perceptive power, a form of perception on the "Spirit" level of consciousness.

Mercer was a natural Awakening of Observation Haki.

Unlike other natural Awakening of Observation Haki who possessed abilities like "Mind Reading," "Empathy," "Precognition," and "Voice of All Things," Mercer's Observation Haki only had the most basic perceptive effects.

However, through his unique and long-term [Breathing] method, Mercer's Observation Haki, in constant coordination and fusion with his breathing, was gradually changing.

He perceived his own breath, and then, following his breath, he perceived his entire body comprehensively.

When the gift of [Breathing] manifested and reached A-rank, achieving Qi flowing through the entire body, Mercer's Observation Haki suddenly gained a unique "Internal Vision" effect.

He could sense through his own skin, flesh, bones, and internal organs. Initially, Mercer often felt a nauseating discomfort he couldn't adapt to.

But over the past year, since he couldn't change it, he could only adapt. He certainly wouldn't abandon the use of Observation Haki due to some "minor" discomfort.

Observation Haki was inherently used for external perception, so logically, this externally projected "Internal Vision" became a form of "X-ray Vision."

It's just that Mercer's current Observation Haki level was insufficient, so the external X-ray vision effect wasn't as clear as his internal vision.

Furthermore, Now that his [Breathing] gift had improved, it also added the effect of Unity of Heaven and Man. Mercer had a premonition that, barring any surprises, his Observation Haki would continue to develop unique characteristics in the future.

Through prolonged use and accumulation over time, Mercer's Observation Haki had already grown considerably.

And now.

[C+ Rank Gift: Observation Haki] (Can grow freely)

[Gift Effect: Innate perceptive ability, the power of "consciousness." The ability to strongly perceive surrounding auras. Gains the special effect of "Visual Sense." Gains a moderate permanent growth acceleration for Perception/Agility/Mystic Attribute at C+ rank and below.]

[Gift Evaluation: Among the three treasures of "Essence, Qi, and Spirit," it belongs to the "Spirit" aspect of consciousness – Perception is the prerequisite for everything!]

Observation Haki had upgraded from C-rank to the current C+ rank, without a major rank breakthrough, but Mercer didn't see it as a problem.

Because, Everything was closely interdependent and influenced each other. If Observation Haki could accelerate the growth of Perception/Agility/Mystic Attribute, then conversely, these attributes also influenced the growth of Observation Haki to a certain extent.

And now, Mercer's various attributes haven't changed much, only some negligible alterations.

Attributes:

[Physique]: Strength: F+ → E- Endurance: F+ → E- Agility: F+ → E-

[Soul]: Willpower: F+ → E- Perception: E- → E Spirit: F+ → E-

[Special.Mysterious (Energy)]: F+ → E- (Observation Haki growth bonus.)

In over a year, the basic physical attributes have improved from F+ to E-. This is neither fast nor slow. Mercer, who is in his growth spurt, hasn't undergone any particularly arduous training.

Every day, he simply followed a routine of long-distance running training, breathing perception training, or occasionally hunting various wild beasts in the wilderness.

But even so, in Mercer's opinion, his current physical condition is stronger than Ace's at nine or ten years old in the original timeline.

Because E-class is the highest level of physique for ordinary and common "powerful" pirates in the Four Great Seas.

Pushing aside the chaotic thoughts, Mercer closed the light screen panel and quietly gazed at the magnificent and spectacular beauty of nature before his eyes.

In Mercer's perception, everything around him had already changed. The Unity of Heaven and Man Insight had also endowed this natural beauty with a unique "spirituality."

"No, or rather, it's only today, only now, that I've truly seen the essence of all things in nature. Everything has 'come alive'."

[Breathing]

The breathing of earth and stone.

The breathing of pine trees.

The breathing of water vapor.

The breathing of ice and snow.

All things possess their own unique breathing, a special life frequency.

Mercer curled his lips:

"What is this Breathing of All Things, what is this Power of To Cut or Not to Cut? In the end, it's all just some insights related to the Unity of Heaven and Man."

"In fact, many complex and high-sounding things, once you have the Correct Cognition, are really quite simple."

Having figured things out and obtained what he wanted, Mercer had no intention of staying here any longer.

As for comprehending nature?

A joke.

"You can't get fat with one mouthful. You have to eat slowly, walk steadily, and take it one step at a time. That's the most secure way."

All the profound insights and powers are often built upon the most basic attributes, which is the "body."

He reached out and stroked Bear Cub's ears, then grabbed him by the scruff of his neck and turned him around. Seeing the cub look up at him with confusion.

"Let's go, we're going home."

Bear Cub shook his body and happily ran towards the cave, with Mercer following behind.

He placed the stone slab back as it was.

The vast summit became quiet again, with only rows of footprints confirming that another creature had visited.

The path down the mountain was more difficult than the path up. Accompanied by the cold wind on the cliff, halfway up the mountain, passing through the damp and cold clouds and mist, they arrived at the foot of the mountain, one step at a time.

Bear Cub vigorously shook his fur, shedding the condensed water vapor. Mercer had already moved to a safe distance, not getting wet.

As if sensing the dampness of his fur, Bear Cub opened his lower jaw unusually wide, then bit down on his own head. In a few bites, like gnawing on bamboo, he completed self-consumption. Only a white furball was left on the spot. A few seconds later, the furball expanded, and Bear Cub's body was already dry.

Mercer was unfazed; after all, he had taught him. When Bear Cub stood firm, Mercer rode on his back. The wobbly Bear Cub walked with pigeon-toed steps towards home.

Back home, he cleaned and dismembered a silly roe deer that he had caught on the way back and had already processed.

He heated oil in the pot, added scallion, ginger, and garlic, various suitable herbs, stir-fried for a few minutes, then added salt, MSG, and other seasonings.

Add potato chunks, add clear water, and simmer over high heat. After the water boiled, simmer over low heat.

Mercer finished dictating, and Bear Cub, standing on his hind legs and holding a spatula, completed the steps one by one. The two cooperated seamlessly.

Leaving Bear Cub in the kitchen to watch, Mercer went to his desk to continue reading. He had almost finished this side of the bookshelf, with only about ten books left. After finishing them, he could declare "graduation."

Kureha was on the second floor conducting her own experiments. After teaching Bear Cub, no, after teaching Mercer how to cook, Mercer was responsible for all meals except breakfast.

Therefore, a gift representing [Culinary Skills] was condensed not long after.

And today, Bear Cub was also showing signs of mastery.

Congratulations!

Because of this, from then on, when Kureha was at home, she could only be seen at mealtimes. The rest of the time, she was buried on the second floor doing her experiments.

Nowadays, apart from mealtimes or when he has free time to examine Mercer's studies, Mercer and Kureha basically do their own things.

Once Garp came and saw their interaction mode, he was full of surprise, saying that if Ace were half as worry-free as you, I would be overjoyed.

Two weeks later.

Mid-September.

After finishing a long run this morning, I saw a sturdy figure sitting in the living room when I got home.

He was leisurely drinking tea.

Upon seeing Mercer, Garp grinned and said, "Yo, Mercer. Your grandpa is here, aren't you happy?"

Mercer sighed. Garp's words always felt awkward, and for some reason, they always felt like he was cursing.

"If I'm not happy, will you beat me?"

Garp's lips curled into a sinister smile, though his expression was quite kind.

"What do you think?"

As he spoke, he raised his fist, clenching it until it made a constant "crackling" sound.

"Happy." Mercer gave Garp a big smile. "Old man, what brings you here today?"

Garp's face darkened. This brat was too cute, not even calling him grandpa. He was about to discipline him.

Just then, Kureha came out of the kitchen with breakfast, looking unhappily at Garp.

"If you were coming, you could have waited until after breakfast. Now that you're here, I have to prepare a meal for you. Why are you so inconsiderate?"

Taking the bowl of porridge and grabbing a steamed bun with side dishes, Garp's expression was a bit subtle. He, who was almost sixty, was being called inconsiderate and treated like a child.

At this moment, Garp finally realized why, despite his good relationship with Kureha, he rarely visited her before.

But now.

He let out a "hehe" laugh, feeling happy. As he got older, more familiar people left. Having a friend like Kureha was a blessing.

Observation Haki flashed and disappeared. He sensed that Kureha's vitality was still strong, feeling that she could live for another twenty to thirty years, and he sighed in relief.

Just as he took a sip of porridge, he heard Kureha say indifferently, "Are you looking for a fight again?"

Garp repeatedly waved his hands, "Sorry, I didn't mean to."

Knowing that his Observation Haki had been discovered, he immediately lowered his attitude and quickly admitted fault.

Kureha gave him a sideways glance, then looked at Mercer. "This old bastard is here today to take you to East Blue to see your younger brother. After you finish eating, you'll leave with him."

Stopping his chewing, Mercer's eyes darted, and he immediately said aggrievedly, "Doctor Doriel, are you driving me away? I don't want Grandpa, I only want you."

Garp's eye twitched, and he instantly felt that the food in his mouth was no longer delicious.

Kureha glanced at Mercer. Although she was happy, she scoffed, "Little rascal, stop pretending. When did I say I didn't want you? I'm just giving you a break. After you see that kid named Ace, come back quickly."

"Oh!" Mercer continued to eat, nodding as he said, "Alright! Then I'll leave Bear Cub with you. This kid already knows how to cook, so he can take care of your daily life."

"Whimper!"

Bear Cub looked at Mercer with reluctance, but his mouth didn't stop stuffing food.

Garp looked at Panda, who was also at the table eating, with surprise. He watched the way Panda held the bowl and chopsticks. "This little fellow is so smart."

As soon as he finished speaking, Bear Cub pulled his bowl into his arms, looking warily at Garp, as if to say, "This is mine, I won't give you any."

Garp's face darkened.

He continued to eat and drink, feeling stifled.

This family are all bad people.

After the meal, Bear Cub tidied up the dining table. Mercer simply tidied up his own belongings.

He mainly took some Gold Beans, a few Change of Clothes, some Silver Needles, a Surgical Knife, and his Weapon Axe.

There was no farewell, because after Kureha finished eating, she went upstairs by herself.

Walking with Garp in the Deep Forest, Mercer wasn't wearing his usual Laboon Coat, just a simple Cotton Clothes.

Because Garp said that after passing the Sea Area of Drum Island, the weather would become Warm.

At the Window of the second floor of the Treehouse, Kureha watched the two figures, one big and one small, leave. A hint of Reluctance flashed in her eyes, and then she Talked to Oneself.

"What's wrong with me? It's not like I'm not coming back, why would I feel Reluctant? How did I become so Sentimental? This isn't like me."

She watched until they disappeared from sight before Kureha turned back to continue her Experiment.

After walking for Half an Hour, in a Wide River Channel on the Island, a Medium-sized Warship could be seen docked there, with Figures all over the Deck.

On the Riverbank, seven or eight Marines with "Cook" written on their backs could be seen processing over ten wild beasts.

Some were already processed.

Some were still being processed.

Mercer's Eyesight was very good. He saw at a glance that they were Laboons. Mercer couldn't help but sigh, "Quite impressive, to have hunted so many Laboons."

Garp reached out and rubbed Mercer's head, laughing heartily:

"Of course. The Marines on my ship are all Skilled Experts. What, are you envious? Do you want to come to my ship in the future and be a Marine with Grandpa?"

Mercer pretended not to hear.

Garp looked depressed.

They walked closer.

The Marines, some with looks of reverence, others smiling, greeted Vice Admiral Garp one by one. Their eyes were filled with curiosity as they looked at the little fellow following beside him.

Mercer boarded the ship with Garp via the gangplank. The warship's deck was spacious, clean, and tidy, with open spaces at both the bow and the stern.

At this moment, many Marines were exercising on the deck. Some were wielding swords, others were doing physical training, and of course, a few were leaning against the railing, smoking and chatting.

As Vice Admiral Garp returned, those training completed their salutes and continued their exercises, while those chatting and bantering restrained themselves, extinguishing their cigarette butts and greeting Vice Admiral Garp.

These men held official ranks. Seeing Mercer looking at their epaulets and capes, Garp's expression faltered for a moment, then he smiled.

"You also think those epaulets and capes look handsome, right? Those few lads are all officer-level officers from Marine Headquarters. Their strength is not bad; they can easily handle ten-million-Beli pirates outside."

A few colonels blushed at Garp's praise, looking somewhat shy.

Mercer remained quiet, only listening and not speaking.

Just then, footsteps approached, and a slightly curious voice rang out, "Vice Admiral Garp, you're back. Are we departing now?"

Curiosity flashed in the newcomer's eyes as he subtly sized up Mercer. Bogard thought to himself, 'This little fellow must be the baby from a few years ago. I didn't expect him to have grown so much.'

Garp nodded and casually said, "Let's depart. We'll cross the Calm Belt directly; it'll be faster."

Bogard's eyes held some worry, and he spoke directly, "Crossing the Calm Belt, won't that be a bit inappropriate?"

Garp smiled indifferently, "Don't worry, I'm here."

Newcomer, new book! Esteemed sirs, please give it a follow-up read!