Reflections on Power and a Chance Encounter

After finally escaping the frenzied crowd on the excuse that he was too exhausted, Wright was at last able to enjoy some peace and quiet.

At first, Wright did not understand why everyone was so fanatical over something as simple as detoxification. But thinking it over carefully, with the entire ship poisoned and even the ship's doctor affected, if nothing unexpected had happened, everyone aboard would have been left drifting at sea, waiting to die.

Whether civilians, Marines, or pirates, most people in this world valued loyalty and bonds, aside from a select few. Saving an entire ship's worth of lives so cleanly and decisively deserved such praise.

Once he understood that, Wright realized that ever since he had gained Holy Light Power, he seemed to have stopped caring much about life and death. Unless he was killed in a single blow, he was very difficult to kill, and no matter how serious his injuries were, Holy Light Power could heal them instantly—it merely consumed different amounts of energy.

It was like being reduced to a sliver of health in a game, activating invincibility, getting fully healed in one gulp, then continuing to chase down the enemy. Wright could do that now too.

This attitude of disregarding life and death was clearly detrimental to controlling Holy Light Power.

Wright suddenly snapped awake and felt a chill run down his spine. If this bizarre incident had not made him realize it, would he have gradually become cold and emotionless? Would he have come to disregard life and death, becoming a Holy Light server rather than a controller of Holy Light, acting only according to basic logic, like... that so-called "Holy Light Mother"?

If I became like that, I'd probably get smashed into a corpse and used to enhance weapons...

To control power rather than be controlled by it is a universal principle in any power system.

Then in the next stage, cultivating my state of mind will be my highest priority. Maybe I should experience more things...

Having quietly made up his mind, Wright began his routine meditation and adjusted himself to peak condition. "Let's test that previous idea."

Sitting cross-legged, he drew his long sword and laid it across his knees. Wright activated his Observation Haki and began focusing on sensing the long sword Ashes.

As his Observation Haki concentrated on the sword, Wright gradually seemed able to see its structure. He could sense that there was indeed a faint connection between the blade and himself.

"Is this the 'Mark' Master spoke of?"

A dense layer of Holy Light covered Wright's hands as he gently brushed them over the blade, sensing its condition through Observation Haki—

Though it was very faint, a portion of the Holy Light Power truly did not disperse. Instead, it was absorbed by the blade. It was simply quite difficult to slow the rate at which the Holy Light Power dissipated.

Wright was greatly encouraged. It worked! Then he would spend the next stretch of time training his control over Holy Light Power.

"Doctor Wright, we've reached Orange Town!"

Wright emerged from the cabin carrying his luggage and Ashes. The people on deck hurriedly bowed in thanks, making him somewhat embarrassed.

"You don't need to be so polite. And I'm not a doctor—I'm a swordsman... What are those looks for? Can't you see I'm carrying a sword?!"

After going through considerable trouble to escape the enthusiastic people, Wright set foot on the third stop he had encountered since coming to this world—Orange Town.

Yes, the place where, twenty years later, Monkey D. Luffy would fight for the first time against that man whose name absolutely could not be read backward... no, that great god.

After leaving Shimotsuki Village to travel, Wright had not had a clear destination in mind. He simply had not expected his first stop to be such a special place as Orange Town.

Orange Town had only been built recently and was not yet very large. Many of its facilities were incomplete, so it relied heavily on merchant ships. The townspeople were quite familiar with the merchant ships that frequently traveled to Orange Town. Thus, before long, everyone in town knew: an incredibly, incredibly skilled miracle doctor had arrived!

Monkey D. Luffy picked up such an amazing navigator here. I wonder what I might pick up... Holy shit!

While Wright was thinking pleasant thoughts, he spread his Observation Haki to its maximum range to train it at the same time. The result was that he spotted an utterly unexpected figure.

"That straw hat! Am I seeing things?"

"Even if my eyes are playing tricks on me, my Observation Haki wouldn't be!"

Perhaps due to the influence of Holy Light Power, Wright's Observation Haki not only showed signs of one of the legendary advanced derivative abilities—sensing living beings' emotions—but also had an impressive range. Not long after awakening it, he could cover almost an entire town, and its range was continuously expanding with training.

"Red Hair Shanks!"

The other party had not noticed him, and Wright's curiosity—and death wish—immediately flared up. Only a few days ago, news had arrived that Golden Lion Shiki had escaped from Impel Down. At this point in time, Shanks should be...

How the hell would I know?! Even a veteran One Piece fan can only clearly remember a few major events. Who could remember details this specific?!

So he should just eavesdrop after all... Observation Haki could sense living creatures' emotions and thoughts. It obviously felt far cooler than listening to voices—you could "hear" them without them even speaking.

Shanks was happily drinking in a bar. Had he come out to relax? Had he formed his pirate crew yet at this point?

Shanks: "Ah, what a pity about that sharpshooter. I didn't expect to make a special trip there only to be rejected."

"But it's fine. I can tell he's someone who longs for the sea. One day, he'll board my ship. Hahaha!"

Wright: Oh?... Even Red-Haired Shanks, famed for the 'Face-Face Fruit,' gets rejected? Other than that man whose name can't be read backward...

A sniper? Syrup Village doesn't seem too far from here. Could it have been Yasopp? Hahaha, Shanks must be feeling pretty miserable, huh?

Shanks: "I heard a miracle doctor came to town, and he's just a child. How interesting. I really want to meet him... My sniper just rejected me. Think I can recruit a ship's doctor instead?"

Wright: "..."

What was going on? That train of thought was completely wrong, wasn't it? What was with the people on that ship? Did they have to be this devious?!

But...

Shanks looked only seventeen or eighteen now, and he did not yet have the three scars Blackbeard would leave over his left eye...

Maybe? Could he? Would it work?

Shanks had been a formidable fighter who boarded the Pirate King's ship at the age of nine. He was surely far from his peak right now, but as an official Pirate King crew member who had participated in the Edd War, and the future Great Swordsman who would fight Hawkeye to a draw, he should at least be a high-level swordsman already...

He could take a chance. With his Holy Light Power, as long as he was not killed instantly, his life would not be in danger. Shanks had a good temper, so he probably would not hit too hard... probably.

In the East Blue, the Weakest Sea, it was rare to encounter someone as strong as Shanks. Missing this chance would be such a waste.

Inside Orange Town's only tavern, Shanks had already competed with several tables of drinkers and downed several barrels of beer. What a terrifying constitution.

"Creak~"

The tavern door was pushed open. Wright poked his head inside and stared, black lines filling his face, at the drinkers swaying on the verge of collapse. The overpowering smell of alcohol nearly knocked him flat.

"Um..."

"Wow! Doctor! Are you here at the tavern to have some fun too? Drink as much as you like—your drinks are all on me today!"

A booming voice shouted in boundless delight.

Wright: "Sorry to disturb you. Goodbye."