Armament Haki

"...Today, I'll first explain Armament Haki to everyone. Let's start with its classifications.

"One type can cover your body, enhancing both attack power and defense. In this case, you need to control how much Haki you cover yourself with. Generally, the more you cover, the more Haki it consumes, so it is usually only applied to fists or legs. Luffy and Sanji can learn this to increase their damage."

As he spoke, Zero covered his fist with a layer of black Armament Haki, making Luffy, who was watching intently nearby, recall the terror of once being ruled by the fist of love.

"The second type of Armament Haki can be wrapped around the weapons you use. It can increase both damage and the weapon's own defensive strength. If Zoro had covered his swords with Armament Haki during the last battle, he might have been able to try blocking Mihawk's attacks. Of course, he still wouldn't have won. After all, the Armament Haki of powerful people has been tempered through countless battles and is far stronger than that of a beginner!"

Seeing Zero look at him, Zoro nodded, thoroughly agreeing with that.

"As for the third type of Armament Haki—"

Zero hesitated, then shook his head. "I won't talk about that yet. It's still far too distant for you. Building a solid foundation is what matters most!"

"Got it, Teacher Zero!"

"Roger that!"

"Mm!"

"I'm Iron Fist Fullbody! You pirates, just wait to die! Hahahaha!"

Had something strange just slipped in there?

Everyone followed the voice and looked to the side. A battered pirate ship had somehow approached the Going Merry, and a somewhat familiar-looking Marine was standing aboard it with more than a dozen Marine soldiers, laughing wildly at them!

"Men, don't let them get away! Fire the cannons and sink that ship!"

"Roger!"

"..."

Wasn't this the useless Marine they had met at Baratie?

Zero inwardly sighed that enemies were destined to meet. Seeing Luffy and the others eagerly step forward, his eyes shifted, and he simply moved ahead of them to the front.

"Alright, since enemies have come knocking for once, I'll demonstrate the second use of Armament Haki for you!"

As he spoke, Zero drew Startled Dragon from behind his waist. As he aimed it at the ship before them, a pitch-black color covered the blade.

Boom!

That was the sound of a cannon firing.

Facing the cannonball screaming toward him, Zero merely slashed forward.

In the next instant, a massive azure slash flashed through the air. It not only annihilated the cannonball in midair, but also struck the Marine ship opposite them, cleaving it cleanly in two!

"Did you see that? That's how Armament Haki is used!"

Zero turned back with a relaxed expression and spoke to the others.

Looking at the slowly sinking ship behind Zero and the Marines floundering in the sea, Luffy and the others could not help swallowing. Their understanding of Haki seemed to have risen another level.

"So, if we want to enter the Grand Line, we have to pass through this Loguetown."

Nami pointed at the map as she explained the Going Merry's next course to everyone.

Zoro, who was still sensing Armament Haki, said, "I've heard of it—the town that represents the beginning and the end, Loguetown!"

"If we have to pass through that place, then let's go ashore and enter the Grand Line head-on!"

Luffy said this with his fists clenched. Everyone felt his resolve and could only nod, setting Loguetown as their next landing point!

"Loguetown, huh?"

Standing at the bow, Zero recalled that in the original story, the Straw Hat Pirates had encountered Smoker, a Marine who could turn into smoke, there. They had barely escaped, only to be pursued by Smoker afterward. He was quite a formidable enemy.

The only difference from the original story was that Zero was on the ship now, and Luffy and the others had begun to gain some insight into Haki. But that was all. It would still take them a long time before they truly learned how to use Haki!

He just wondered whether he would get the chance to meet the leader of the Revolutionary Army, Luffy's father—Dragon!

As Zero thought this, the Going Merry had already changed course and sped toward Loguetown!

They finally arrived at Loguetown.

At this moment, Zero was walking alone, taking in Loguetown's unique streetscape while considering his next objective.

As for his companions, Luffy had gone to the execution platform, supposedly the place where the Pirate King had died. Zoro had gone to buy new weapons, while Nami was buying new clothes. Usopp and Sanji had gone somewhere unknown, though they were probably wandering around like him.

As he walked, he noticed that compared to the towns they had landed in before, Loguetown was much closer to modern civilization. The Marines visible everywhere on the streets also showed just how much importance the government placed on this town.

"As expected of a town every route to the Grand Line has to pass through!"

Zero sighed.

"Huh, this is...?"

Suddenly, the scenery before him became familiar. He had somehow arrived at the local harbor, where ships docked, and he spotted Luffy in his straw hat, along with—

"Smoker?"

Zero's expression suddenly turned grave.

He walked over, and Luffy noticed him as well, grinning as he greeted him. "Zero, did you get lost too?"

Zero looked up at Smoker, who had a cigar clenched between his teeth. His expression did not change upon hearing Zero's name.

Could it be that Smoker had not yet received the wanted posters for the two of them?

Zero thought that was highly possible. As he confirmed it inwardly, he also raised a hand in response to Luffy.

"You two are heading to the execution site, right? Just follow the direction of this smoke."

Smoker narrowed his eyes and pointed them in the right direction. As he spoke, the smoke rising from the end of his cigar unnaturally pointed toward an alley beside them.

Was this the power of the Smoke-Smoke Fruit?

Zero thought to himself.

Then Luffy thanked him and headed off first. Since Zero had no other goal for the moment, he simply followed Luffy toward the Pirate King's execution site.

"Luffy!"

Hearing Zero call his name, Luffy turned around and asked curiously what was wrong.

Zero continued, "That man earlier was Smoker, the Marine colonel stationed in Loguetown. Like you, he's a Devil Fruit user. You'd better watch out if you run into him next time!"

"That smoking old guy? He's actually a Marine?"

Only then did Luffy realize it.

"Yeah. His power lets him turn into smoke. He's a troublesome enemy for you while you haven't properly learned Armament Haki yet!"

"Turning into smoke, huh? Forget it, let's go to the Pirate King's execution site first!"

"..."

Zero stopped speaking.

He knew that without seeing Smoker's ability for himself, Luffy probably had no real understanding of it. Once he truly encountered him, he would surely take that enemy seriously.

"Eh, Gol D. Roger?"

"?"