The Times Have Changed? They Haven't!

"That kick used nothing but physical strength. Next..."

This time, Zephyr coated his right foot in Armament Haki, staining his boot pitch-black.

He stomped down, and boom!

In an instant, the ground shattered, cracks spreading in every direction until they covered nearly the entire courtyard.

"The same amount of force, simply coated in Armament Haki, can become ten or even dozens of times more powerful. Are you sure about this?"

"Please teach me!"

Mammon remained calm.

"Good lad, I'll take you as my disciple!"

Zephyr smiled. The next moment, he spun around and drove a kick into Mammon's abdomen.

Mammon did as instructed and put up no defense, keeping every muscle in his body completely relaxed.

The kick was practically true damage!

Mammon spat out a mouthful of blood and was sent flying backward in the blink of an eye.

Zephyr's Armament Haki entered his body and directly injured his internal organs.

"Hey, Zephyr, is this method of yours reliable?"

Garp rose from his chair, staring in shock. "I thought the way I trained my grandsons was already cruel, but someone could die doing it your way."

"Look."

Zephyr pointed.

Garp looked where he was pointing.

After being kicked away, Mammon lay on the ground for several seconds. Then, all of a sudden, a powerful spirit surged from within him.

That spirit clashed with Zephyr's Armament Haki, and the struggle between the two waves of Haki stirred up powerful gusts around them.

"I see..."

Mammon slowly got to his feet and wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. Then he clenched his fist.

In an instant, his spirit and vitality combined, transforming his spirit into true Haki. An intangible energy enveloped his fist.

"So this is Haki? It's simple!"

Chapter 47: The Times Have Changed? They Haven't!

Simple?

Looking at Mammon's current state, Zephyr couldn't help marveling.

Ordinary people couldn't withstand this shortcut to Awakening at all. Only those blessed with a Mythical Zoan had a chance of succeeding.

The main reason was that Mythical Zoan users didn't have to worry about being killed in one blow. Even if they were beaten half to death, they would be back on their feet before long.

So if one attempt failed, they could try a few more times. There was always a chance of success.

"He awakened it just like that?"

Garp's mouth fell open. He suddenly turned to Zephyr. "You had a method like this, and you never told me?"

"This only helped him awaken his Haki initially. After this, he'll still have to train through his own efforts."

Zephyr found his tone a little strange and had a bad feeling. "Hey, Garp, don't do anything reckless. Normal people can't withstand it!"

"Don't worry, hahaha! That grandson of mine isn't exactly normal either."

Garp laughed and stuffed a rice cracker into his mouth. He was already thinking about finding a chance to return to the East Blue.

If those two boys, Luffy and Ace, knew their beloved grandpa could help them awaken their Haki on his next visit, who knew how happy they'd be?

The more Garp thought about it, the happier he became. He called out to Mammon,

"Hey, kid, train under Zephyr from now on. I'm leaving."

"Thank you, Mr. Garp."

Mammon nodded and saw Garp off.

He really was grateful and had to praise Garp. Without his help today, Mammon had no idea how much longer it would have taken him to complete the mission.

Garp, oblivious to all this, merely waved. As he walked out of the courtyard, he suddenly paused and turned back to Zephyr.

"In three days, a research ship will be heading to Punk Hazard. Go there aboard it."

"Thanks, Garp."

Zephyr nodded.

Only after Garp had gone far away did he turn to Mammon and say sternly, "Since you've accepted me as your teacher, I'll train you properly. Mammon, can you endure it? This won't be ordinary training!

"I use different training methods for different people.

"And as a Mythical Zoan user, the special training for ordinary recruits would be utterly meaningless to you. What you'll face will be hell-level difficulty!"

"I'll endure it, teacher."

Mammon remembered that Zephyr would be leaving for Punk Hazard in three days and was anxious to report to his master.

But under the circumstances, Zephyr clearly wasn't planning to let him leave. He could only hope that Ain would see what had happened here and quickly notify his master.

"Come with me. I'll take you somewhere for special training."

Zephyr grinned, thoroughly satisfied with his new disciple.

Meanwhile.

While Mammon underwent his special training, Dimon had also gotten up early, ready to explore the Sabaody Archipelago and see if he could buy a Black Blade or two along the way.

All right, a Black Blade was out of the question, but he could still see if any other Famous Swords were for sale.

As the endpoint of the first half of the Grand Line, the island was home to a complicated mix of powers. He might just find a bargain.

For now, Shusui was the only sword he had available, so he needed to add a little more fighting power.

He didn't choose an area numbered above 30. If he really wanted to buy something good, he had to go to the lawless areas below 30.

He wandered all the way to area 30, a shopping district where the streets were lined with all sorts of shops.

Dimon soon entered the largest weapons shop. There were more than a dozen customers inside, and judging by their clothing and the dark blue pirate bandannas tied around their heads, they were undoubtedly pirates.

The marines had only withdrawn last night, yet today the pirates had already sprung up like mushrooms after rain.

Dimon merely glanced at them before walking straight to the counter.

The owner was a fat man, the flesh on his face bunched up in a smile.

"What can I get you, sir?"

"Do you have any treasures in the shop, like a Great Grade Sword?"

Dimon got straight to the point.

The fat owner's smile froze. He suspected Dimon had come to make fun of him.

There were only twenty-one Great Grade Swords in the entire world. How could a shop like his possibly have one?

Even if he did, could Dimon afford it? They started at ten million Beli, with no upper limit!

The fat owner grumbled inwardly, his face full of exasperation. "Sir, this is a small business. We don't have any Great Grade Swords for sale. If you'd like a weapon that suits you, you could first... w-wait!"

He suddenly noticed the sword at Dimon's waist, and his expression changed drastically.

He adjusted the glasses on his nose and said in disbelief,

"Th-th-th-that couldn't be... the legendary Famous Sword Shusui, could it!? I've only ever seen it in the Famous Sword catalog!"

The owner let out a strange cry, instantly attracting the attention of the pirates in the shop.

"What Famous Sword Shusui?"

"Who knows? Sounds like some amazing sword."

"It's just a sword. That damn fatty's making such a fuss he gave me a fright."

The pirates whispered among themselves, watching the commotion.

Dimon hadn't expected the owner to recognize Shusui. The sword had vanished from sight for so many years, and it had been hundreds of years since Ryuma's time.

After Shimotsuki Ryuma's death, the sword had never appeared again.

"You've mistaken it for another sword."

"Impossible! I could never mistake a sword I've seen before!"

The fat owner swallowed, looked up nervously, and held out three fingers.

"Sir, would you sell me that sword? I'm willing to offer thirty million!"

Before Dimon could say anything, Shusui had already had enough. The sword nearly drew itself to cut the idiot down.

Dimon held Shusui in place and shook his head. "I'm here to buy a sword. If you don't have any Great Grade Swords, what about a Skillful Grade Sword?"

The fat owner looked deeply regretful as he reluctantly tore his gaze away from Shusui.

"I don't have any Skillful Grade Swords either, but I do have a Grade Sword. Please wait a moment."

The fat owner crouched down and lifted a sword stand from beneath the counter. A sword rested on it.

Dimon had never seen the Famous Sword catalog, so naturally he didn't recognize it.

The fat owner introduced it warmly.

"This sword is called Pearl and Precious Jade. Its former owner was a famous bounty hunter, but she lost her dominant hand while capturing pirates. She was so disheartened that she sold the sword to me.

"If you want it, it's one million Beli."

Dimon picked up Pearl and Precious Jade and examined it.

It was a relatively slender uchigatana, with a matte gray-brown sheath carved with fine, intricate patterns.

When he drew the blade, its base color had a faint bluish-white sheen, and it carried small currents of air with it when swung.

"Not a bad sword."

Even as a layman, Dimon could tell that it was different from the ordinary swords sold by weight nearby.

Of course, it fell short of Shusui. It was only a fourth-grade sword, after all. Although it was counted among the Famous Swords, there were many like it.

"I'll take it."

He took out a stack of Beli and tossed it onto the counter, then picked up Pearl and Precious Jade and turned to leave.

The owner took the money and stared longingly at Shusui. When he saw Dimon walk out the door, he couldn't resist calling after him.

"Sir, if you ever want to sell Shusui, you must come to me! I'll pay a high price! It'll definitely be a fair offer!"

Dimon ignored him. How could he possibly sell Shusui?

The pirates in the shop, however, all showed keen interest. Their leader leaned toward the fat owner and chuckled.

"Boss, that sword is worth thirty million?"

"That's the buying price!"

The fat owner said irritably, "A bunch of pauper pirates like you couldn't afford it in your lifetimes. There, the swords that suit you are over there. Pick one from the barrel yourselves. One hundred thousand each, with a discount for bulk purchases."

The blue-bandanna pirate grinned. "I'm not interested in swords, but if it's worth that much... everyone who sees something good deserves a share."

Hearing this, the fat owner couldn't help sneering. "You paupers must be driven mad by poverty. Do you think you can rob a swordsman who carries a Famous Sword like that? What a joke. Get lost, you bunch of idiots!"

The blue-bandanna pirate wasn't angry. He took the pistol from his waist and spun it between his fingers.

"Times have changed, fatty. Have the money ready!"

With that, he beckoned and led his men away.

Meanwhile.

Dimon left the weapons shop, ready to try his luck and see if he could buy a few more swords.

Just then, Ain's voice suddenly rang out in his mind.