The Strange Power: Haki!

"After conquering the Grand Line, Roger became the Pirate King, right?"

"Yes."

Rayleigh nodded and said, "After that, Roger was known to the world as... the Pirate King!!"

At that moment, a look of reminiscence appeared in Rayleigh's eyes, as if he were seeing his former comrades again.

This caused the corners of his mouth to gradually turn up.

"The title of Pirate King! That's so prestigious!!" Pappagu exclaimed.

"This title may seem prestigious to the world, but it means nothing to a dying man."

"Because of that terminal illness?"

"Yes," Rayleigh said, "But Roger was still very happy."

Even though he was terminally ill, it didn't affect him too much, and he still enjoyed every day as a pirate!

"He really is a very open-minded person..." Xi Yan remarked.

"Yes."

Most people, upon learning they have a terminal illness, would probably spend the rest of their lives in the shadow of despair. But this person... well, no wonder he's the Pirate King!

"Yes, he is a very open-minded person," Rayleigh nodded.

That's probably why their captain was able to become the Pirate King.

After placing his wine glass on the table, Rayleigh continued, "Shortly after that, the captain announced the disbandment of the pirate crew."

"And so, one by one, the crew members began to leave to do what they wanted."

Even I have no idea where they are or what they are doing.

"It's probably to prevent the navy from causing trouble," Xi Yan said.

"Yes."

Rayleigh nodded and said, "After all... we're all members of the Roger Pirates."

If the Navy discovers that they are the Pirate King's crew, then... they will definitely pounce on them like madmen.

That was true at least back then.

So to avoid this situation from happening, they agreed not to find out each other's location or what the other was doing.

This is... good for everyone.

"Yes, I understand."

"And then?" Usopp asked. "Even if Roger had a terminal illness, it wouldn't have warranted turning himself in, would it?"

The others also looked puzzled; they simply couldn't connect the terminal illness with turning himself in.

"He didn't tell me the final reason," Rayleigh said. "He only said one thing to me as he left."

He said, "Brother, I won't die."

"And so, he left and went to surrender to the navy."

"To demonstrate its power, the Navy publicly executed Roger in Loguetown to curb the arrogance of the pirates."

"But... Roger's words actually ushered in the Great Pirate Era!"

Upon hearing Rayleigh's words, that phrase came to mind for Luffy and his crew.

(Want my treasure? Take whatever you want!)

(Go find it! I left everything there!)

It was because of Pirate King Roger's words that so many young people set sail to pursue their dreams!

"It feels like I've heard something incredible..."

"Hearing the person involved say it felt like a completely different story."

"So, this so-called Great Pirate Era was entirely started by Roger..." Xi Yan said.

He figured it out: Roger turned himself in just for that one moment.

But... why would they do that?

Roger's move was clearly intended to get more people out to sea, as if... he wanted others to discover something.

Could it be that One Piece?

"I can't answer that question," Rayleigh said. "After all... Roger is dead."

"As for the Great Pirate Era you mentioned..."

Rayleigh paused for a moment, then laughed and said, "Only those who live in this era can create this era."

"That being said, Roger's words are like a key."

Hearing Xi Yan's words, Rayleigh smiled and glanced at him, saying, "Is that what you think?"

"Yes," Xi Yan nodded.

Why?

"Because he's the Pirate King, because he has the Great Secret Treasure."

Regardless of Pirate King Roger's motives for doing this, it is generally accepted that he possesses a treasure.

As a result, the other party died, and the treasure became ownerless, meaning whoever found it could claim it... Who wouldn't be tempted?

It can be said that the other party has perfectly grasped the weaknesses of human nature!

It's likely that Roger capitalized on this to usher in the Great Pirate Era.

After thinking for a moment, Xi Yan said, "I have a feeling that he has a ulterior motive for doing this."

Either they're trying to make someone discover something, or... this is just a prank.

Xi Yan thought about it carefully, and he felt that the latter was quite likely.

After all... a dying person is capable of anything.

"Maybe..."

Rayleigh nodded and didn't bring it up again.

"No matter what it is, I will become the Pirate King," Luffy said.

Seeing Luffy, Rayleigh smiled.

"Your straw Straw Hat ... suits you very well," Rayleigh said. "It's Straw Hat only a real man deserves!"

"Shanks has good taste."

"Huh?"

"Does this guy know Shanks?!"

Luffy looked at Rayleigh with surprise, clearly not expecting to run into someone who knew Shanks here.

"Of course I know him," Rayleigh chuckled. "He's an apprentice on our ship."

"So Shanks was once on the Pirate King's ship?!" Luffy exclaimed in shock, looking at Rayleigh.

The man who led him down the path of piracy... was actually a member of the Pirate King's crew?!

This surprised him greatly.

"Yes," Rayleigh said.

"Shanks..."

"We met here once, about ten years ago," Rayleigh said. "That kid was very excited to tell me about you."

At that moment, Shanks ' words resurfaced in Rayleigh's mind.

(Mr. Rayleigh, there's a kid in the East Blue who said the exact same thing as the captain, that... thing about becoming the Pirate King.)

Rayleigh even asked Shanks why his arm had disappeared, and the answer was... Shanks said he had gambled his arm on the New Era.

' New Era...'

Seeing Shanks's obvious joy at learning about Luffy, Rayleigh smiled as well.

"Uncle, where's Shanks?"

"Of course, in the New World," Rayleigh chuckled. "I imagine he's also very much looking forward to meeting you."

"Haha, I will definitely go to the New World to find him!" Luffy laughed loudly.

As they spoke, Luffy took off his hat and looked at it with a smile, noting the special meaning it held.

Once he finds Shanks, he will return the hat to him; it was their agreement!

"By the way, have you seen Buggy in the East Blue?" Rayleigh asked. "He's also an apprentice on our ship."

"Buggy?"

Who is that?

Chopper and Merry looked at each other, completely bewildered; they had never heard of this person before.

"Clown Buggy, don't you know him?" Rayleigh asked in surprise. "I thought he was quite famous in the East Blue."

"Ah, that clown."

Luffy put his hat back on and nodded, saying, "We've met before; we've fought a few times."

"Really? That's quite a coincidence, hahaha."

Rayleigh burst into laughter. He never expected Buggy to Luffy into Luffy. He wondered if Buggy had figured out the meaning behind the Straw Hat.

"Oh, right, Ninja Bro..."

"Just call me Xi Yan, Uncle Rayleigh," Xi Yan said.

"Alright, Xi Yan." Rayleigh looked at Xi Yan and said, "Are you from Wano Country?"

Hearing Rayleigh's words, Xi Yan gave a helpless look and said, "Why is it this question again..."

"Oh?"

Have many people asked this question?

"There are quite a few indeed."

Kokoro asked him, Marine Admiral Aokiji asked him, Luffy's grandfather asked him, Moria asked him... all of them were very curious about whether he was from Wano Country.

But he had absolutely no idea where Wano Country was!

"Looks like a lot of people are curious about your identity, hahahaha." Rayleigh laughed loudly.

He figured those people probably thought similarly to him.

"But unfortunately, I'm not from Wano Country at all," Xi Yan said, shrugging. "I'm just an ordinary Ninja, and I have absolutely no connection to Wano Country."

"I see..." Rayleigh nodded.

Now that we have the correct answer, there's no need to dwell on it anymore.

"So you're Devil Fruit User?" Shakky asked curiously.

"No," Xi Yan shook his head and said.

"Isn't that right...?"

"You're not Devil Fruit User?" Rayleigh looked at Xi Yan in surprise and said, "Then how did you use your Water Release Technique?"

"Water Release Technique?"

"Yes, on my way back, I ran into some bounty hunters who had been badly beaten up," Rayleigh explained. "From what they said, they were attacked by the Straw Hat Crew's Ninja Water Release Ninjutsu. I think that must have been you."

Rayleigh said the last sentence while looking at Xi Yan.

"Ah, if I'm not mistaken, it's me." Xi Yan nodded and said, "We have indeed encountered quite a few bounty hunters along the way."

"He even knows Water Release Technique?"

Shakky looked at Xi Yan in surprise and said, "You can manipulate seawater?"

"Yes."

Shakky:...

After receiving an affirmative answer, Shakky fell into deep thought.

This ability to manipulate the sea is terrifying; no wonder Xi Yan received such a high bounty the first time he was put on a wanted list.

"Aren't you an information broker?" Xi Yan asked Shakky with suspicion. "Don't you know about this kind of thing?"

He hadn't hidden the fact that he knew Water Release Technique the whole way, so could it be that the other party hadn't received any information about it?

"It's only been a few days since you became famous?" Shakky said helplessly, "I am an information broker, that's true, but I'm not omniscient or omnipotent."

The other party has only been famous for a short time; even if she wanted to buy information, it would take her some time to get it.

Of course, there is another possibility.

That is, the World Government and the Navy intentionally blocked some of each other's intelligence, which is one of the reasons why she couldn't get the inside information.

"Yes, that's true."

Xi Yan nodded in understanding. Thinking about it carefully, it had indeed only been a few days since they received the Wanted Order.

"In short, my ability doesn't rely on Devil Fruit," Xi Yan said to Rayleigh, "But on my own power."

"The inheritance of bloodlines...?"

The well-informed Rayleigh immediately recognized the key point.

"More or less."

"Bloodline...?"

Shakky thought for a moment and said, "Little Xi Yan, I think you should pay more attention to the World Government. Those guys will definitely be very interested in you."

As someone who survived from the previous era, Shakky knew very well how corrupt the World Government was.

Once the World Government learns of this kid's special abilities, they will definitely send people to capture him.

After all... the power to manipulate the sea without relying on Devil Fruit is extremely strong, and its allure to the World Government is definitely not small!

"Oh, you mean this? They've already contacted me."

"Have you looked for it?"

Shakky was taken aback; the World Government was indeed moving faster than she had imagined.

"Right when we encountered Gecko Moria, the World Government sent Kuma to find me," Xi Yan said.

Upon hearing this, Rayleigh and Shakky exchanged a glance, their thoughts being quite similar.

'I actually ran into that guy...'

So, does that mean the Straw Hat Pirates have already defeated the Shichibukai?

As expected of them...

But how did they manage to escape from Kuma, one of the Shichibukai?

"That wretched bear! How dare he steal my crewmate!" Luffy exclaimed angrily. "Next time we meet, I'll definitely beat him to a pulp!"

"Next time?"

"Yes, Luffy didn't get to fight Kuma," Xi Yan said.

"That guy probably just asked you a few questions and then left, right?" Shakky said.

Kuma is the Shichibukai who listens to the World Government the most, so why didn't he just take action and take the person away?

Is this an order from the World Government?

When did the World Government become so easy to talk to?

"It's not that simple," Xi Yan shook his head and said, "After Luffy defeated Moria, that guy suddenly appeared on the battlefield and asked me if I wanted to become Shichibukai."

"After I refused, they attacked us. That battle... was extremely dangerous."

Recalling that battle, Xi Yan felt a pang of sadness.

If Moria hadn't intervened, it's hard to say whether they would have been able to escape that time.

After all... he didn't have much Chakra left at that point.

"You rejected the Shichibukai...?" Shakky smiled. "It seems you understand the World Government's purpose in doing this."

"Of course, I'm not stupid." Xi Yan waved his hand and said, "Besides, I'm not interested in anything like the Shichibukai."

He's supposed to be adventuring alongside Luffy, how could he possibly become a lackey of the World Government?

What's more, they're after my abilities!

If you go with them, you'll be used as Guinea pig 100% of the time.

"So this is how you escaped?"

"Ah, Moria's awake now, and he seems much more energetic," Xi Yan said. "It's thanks to him that we were able to successfully leave the Thriller Bark."

"Someone you defeated would actually help you?"

"Yes."

Shakky frowned upon hearing this. Why was that?

Could it be that after Xiao Mengqi beat up the other person, he suddenly became more perceptive?

That's why I chose to help the Straw Hat Pirates...

Or perhaps, because of Moria's defeat, the World Government issued a kill order against Moria, leading to his fight with Kuma, which allowed the Straw Hat Pirates to escape?

"That guy seems to have resolved his inner conflict, which is why he chose to help us," Xi Yan said. "Speaking of which, do you know Kaido?"

"Of course I know, who doesn't know Kaido?" Shakky said helplessly, "He's Four Emperors of the New World."

"The Four Emperors?"

"You don't know?" Shakky was somewhat surprised. This kid didn't even know about the Four Emperors?

"Have no idea."

Shakky:...

For a moment, she didn't know what to say.

"Moria said he was defeated by Kaido," Xi Yan said, stroking his chin. "So, he was defeated by that so-called Four Emperors?"

"Yes, I've heard about that," Shakky nodded. "That's probably why he was able to become one of the Shichibukai."

"And what you mean by 'resolving inner conflicts'... that's probably what you mean by this, isn't it?"

Moria's manipulation of zombies in the Devil's Triangle was no secret to someone like her.

In summary: This is a person who has lost their will to live.

Such a person probably can't even muster Haki.

And now... this man has actually resolved his inner conflict... that's truly unexpected.

"Maybe," Xi Yan said. "Anyway, after the other party woke up, they started fighting with the bear, and we seized the opportunity to leave."

"I wonder how that guy is doing."

Who won between the two of them?

Usopp and Chopper were curious; they wanted to know the outcome of the battle between the two Shichibukai.

"I haven't received any information about Moria," Shakky said after a moment's thought. "Perhaps... he died in that battle."

At least for now, she has not received any intelligence from Moria.

Hearing Shakky's words, Xi Yan's expression was somewhat complicated.

Is that guy... dead?

"Of course, this is just speculation," Shakky added. "We'll have to wait and see to know for sure."

Xi Yan nodded without saying anything.

"If he were alive... you would have one more competitor."

"If Luffy could defeat him the first time, he can defeat him the second time," Xi Yan waved his hand and said, "He's not ready to compete with us for One Piece."

"That's right, we can just beat him up again!" Luffy laughed loudly.

Although that person is alright, he won't hold back if they try to compete with him for the title of Pirate King.

Shakky nodded upon hearing this and said nothing more.

"Onepiece..."

Usopp suddenly said, as if he had just remembered something, "Oh right, Uncle Rayleigh, you know about One Piece, right?"

Yes, I know.

"What exactly is One Piece...?"

"Usopp!"

Usopp was interrupted by an angry Luffy before he could finish speaking.

"Luffy?"

"I don't want to know where One Piece is, nor do I want to know what's inside it!" Luffy roared. "Even though none of us know, we've all risked our lives to set sail!"

"If I hear anything from this old man, I'll quit being a pirate!"

"I don't want to go through boring adventures!!"

Usopp was stunned to see Luffy so angry; he hadn't expected that his words would Luffy so agitated.

However, he quickly realized that he had indeed asked a question he shouldn't have.

"Sorry, sorry, I was too talkative," Usopp quickly said. "Uncle, please don't tell anyone, I have a disease that makes me die whenever I hear the word 'One Piece'."

Luffy glanced at Rayleigh and a smile appeared on his face. This kid is indeed not bad.

"Can you do it?" Rayleigh said. "The Grand Line is far beyond your imagination, and the enemies are far more powerful than you can imagine. Can you rule this sea?"

Looking at Rayleigh, who was smiling at him, Luffy suddenly laughed and said, "I never thought about ruling anything..."

"The freest person on this vast ocean is the Pirate King!"

Rayleigh froze for a moment; in that instant, he seemed to see the shadow of his own captain.

"Is that so...?"

"Hehe, I understand."

Maybe this kid really can do things that they can't.

Rayleigh glanced at the reactions of the Straw Hat Pirates and smiled happily.

Shakky watched this scene with a smile, clearly happy for Rayleigh.

"Here, drink some more."

Seeing Shakky thoughtfully bring him a bottle of good wine, Rayleigh nodded, picked it up, and took a big gulp.

Today... I really received some very good news!

After putting down the empty bottle, Rayleigh stood up and said, "Alright, I'm going to get the coating applied now."

"The sooner we get your boat ready, the sooner you can get to Fish-Man Island."

How much money do you need?

"You're Hatchan's friends, so of course I won't take your money," Rayleigh said, waving his hand.

How long will it take?

"The coating process will take at least three days."

"Three days?!" Luffy exclaimed in surprise, "Why does it take so long?"

Three days is too long...

"This is the shortest possible time," Rayleigh explained. "It's also for your safety; we can't afford to be careless."

"All right."

Where is your ship?

"Number 41 Tree."

"Okay, I understand." Rayleigh nodded and said, "However, I am a wanted criminal after all, so to avoid some unnecessary trouble, we need to move the ship to another location."

"Enjoy your time on the island, and come find me in three days."

After saying that, Rayleigh glanced at Shakky and said, "Shakky, do you still have that stuff? Give them some."

Yes, there are.

"What is that?" Usopp asked curiously.

"Vivre Card."

Shakky took out Rayleigh's Vivre Card, gave half of it to Xi Yan, and said, "With this Vivre Card, you can find Rayleigh."

As they spoke, Shakky demonstrated the uses of the Vivre Card to the group, explaining to them what it was.

"Vivre Card...?"

Xi Yan picked it up curiously and then said, "This is really interesting."

As he spoke, Xi Yan tore off a piece for each of Luffy and the others, and told them to keep it safe.

"Alright, I have to get to work." Rayleigh said as he walked to the back, "See you in three days."

"Profound!"

"Let's go to the amusement park then."

"OK!"

"Can... can I do it too?" Camie asked expectantly.

"Of course!"

Upon receiving an affirmative answer, Camie immediately broke into a happy smile. Seeing this, Pappagu sighed; it seemed he couldn't stop Camie.

Watching the group excitedly run off, Xi Yan said irritably, "Idiots, aren't you going to take care of Nami and the others?!"

"Huh?!"

The group froze, almost forgetting about that.

"Alright, you guys go ahead. I'll go back with Uncle Rayleigh to find them," Xi Yan said, waving his hand.

"Xi Yan, aren't you going to the amusement park?" Merry asked.

I'm not interested in that.

Amusement parks and the like are only of interest to guys like Luffy; he has no interest in them at all.

"Alright, then it's up to you!" Luffy shouted.

"Understood," Xi Yan said. "But you guys need to be careful, you know? Remember what's here?"

"If anything goes wrong, remember to call me."

Don't worry!

Watching his companions leave without looking back, Xi Yan felt somewhat helpless; these guys really had a wild streak.

"You really are reliable, Little Xi Yan ~" Shakky said with a smile.

"Some things just have to be done by someone."

After putting the Vivre Card in his pocket, Xi Yan seemed to remember something and said, "Oh, right, when I encountered the bear, it used a very special kind of energy."

Do you know what that is?

As he spoke, Xi Yan gestured with his hand and said, "It's something that can be used for defense. It can be attached to the surface of the body. Both Xiong and Moria have used it."

"Moria has one too...?" Shakky murmured.

So, it seems the other party's morale has indeed recovered.

"Is that what you mean?" Rayleigh glanced at Xi Yan and raised his hand.

As he spoke, he enveloped his palms in Haki.

Upon activating his Sharinggan, Xi Yan immediately detected the special energy in his opponent's hand.

"That's right, that's it!" Xi Yan said, "What exactly is this?"

"This thing is called Haki!"

"Haki?"

"That's right, Haki!" Rayleigh said, "This is a kind of energy that the strong in the New World must master, specifically used to deal with Devil Fruit users."

This ocean is vast, and you'll encounter all sorts of powerful individuals. Without overwhelming Haki, there's simply no way to deal with them.

"It can actually deal with ability users?!" Xi Yan immediately showed interest and asked, "Can I learn it?"

"Able!"