"Tsk, tsk..." Ace was a bit wistful, but it didn't matter. Gold was the greatest art.
Whether it was the Golden Bell or golden pieces, as long as it was gold, it was a superb work of art.
"Huh? What's with this stone covered in weird writing?" Cavendish finally noticed the Poneglyph, tapping the black stone with his sword tip. "It took Captain's full-power punch and didn't even crack?"
Setsuna explained, "It's called a Poneglyph. I plan to use it for fist training."
After talking martial arts with Garp, he'd decided to try the Marine Hero's training method.
And the 'world's hardest substance', the Poneglyph can be said to be the best training dummy.
Ace had no strong reaction to the Poneglyph, just stroking his chin. "Captain, this rock is definitely tough, taking your punch. But if our ship took one, even just the force from it, it'd probably break into pieces like that bell."
Setsuna had clearly thought of this. "Simple. I'll take the Poneglyph to the bottom of the sea to train. It might work even better."
With the Golden Bell and Poneglyph secured, Setsuna finally remembered his main goal. He looked at Enel. "How did you and your priests learn Observation Haki... I mean, Mantra?"
"Oh? Mantra is also Haki?" Enel said proudly. "I knew a god as mighty as me wouldn't be without Haki!"
"This ability? I was born with it. As for my men? I used my Goro Goro no Mi's power to make our brainwaves resonate, forcing them to learn Mantra."
Hearing this, Cavendish was thrilled, 'Finally, a shortcut to mastering a type of Haki!'
"Born with it?" Setsuna was a little surprised but soon understood.
Though Enel's Mantra was boosted by his Devil Fruit, that superhuman sensing range covering a whole Skypiea and near-prophetic sharpness went far beyond normal Observation Haki.
"A good ability." Setsuna nodded, ordering directly, "Do it for us too."
Enel nodded, raising a hand. Lightning gathered, small bolts at his fingertips carrying Mantra's vibration, which he guided them to feel.
Setsuna had long trained in [Ki] and [Food Honor], so his mind was far stronger than normal, and his five senses extremely sharp.
After feeling Enel's Mantra, his built-up foundation burst forth. He grasped its secrets almost at once, going even further-
The wind's whisper, the clouds' drift, plants growing, the gold's hum... The whole Skypiea's 'voices' were clear to him, as if everything was speaking.
'This is what Master Jiro called hearing the voice of all things...' A small smile appeared on Setsuna's lips. He wasn't sure if this was the same as Roger's power, but he truly heard these sounds.
To him, these voices weren't vague wills but the basic 'life energy' of all things.
Setsuna felt a thrill. If this ability to hear all things' voices grew stronger, to the point of talking to all things, he might be able to borrow 'energy' from plants, trees, fish, bugs, even mountains and the earth.
He'd never really learned to make a [Spirit Bomb], but he believed its core was just two things: connecting with everything, and using that power.
When his Observation Haki improved further, it might push this hearing to the next level. Then, he could try to form a [Spirit Bomb].
While Setsuna was deep in his expanded senses, Cavendish opened his eyes, confused. "Does this... mean I've awakened Observation Haki?"
Enel snorted a laugh. "Hah. What do you think?"
Cavendish was upset. "I failed again?"
For once, Enel didn't mock him. "This is just help, not a sure thing. Otherwise, more of my men would have Mantra. And they got zapped lots of times before barely getting it."
Cavendish sighed in relief, 'So it was normal.'
Then, Setsuna slowly opened his eyes. "Enel, use your Mantra to guess my moves and attack. I'll keep my speed the same as yours."
Enel didn't ask, just obeyed. He raised a hand, letting loose a storm of lightning.
Setsuna, hands behind his back, moved calmly between the lightning bolts. Every step dodged a strike perfectly.
"Guessing attacks? Advanced Mantra like mine?" Enel was only briefly shocked before praising sincerely. "As expected of the God King. Getting in one try what took me years."
Cavendish's eyes were blank, 'Was this even fair?'
"So that's it! I get it now! This is Observation Haki!" Ace suddenly hit his palm, eyes blazing under his hat.
Cavendish stared blankly, holding his sword. His green eyes shook hard. "Wait... Am I the only one-"
He grabbed his fancy curls, looking at the burn marks from the lightning, and wailed in despair. "I really don't get it! It's too hard!"
Seeing Cavendish break down, Setsuna shook his head slightly, 'Why compare yourself to us?'
'I had the piled-up skill of three worlds. Ace was a temporary main character. We both had advantages.'
Then Setsuna remembered. Cavendish had a small advantage too, but it was too scared to come out.
"Alright. Let your other self out. In that state, you might get Observation Haki."
Cavendish said sadly, "But he's too scared to come out."
"It's fine. He can hear me." Setsuna said calmly. "If you don't come out now, I'll eat you."
As soon as he finished, a shocking force burst from Cavendish. His handsome face turned fierce.
Though he looked angry, Hakuba somehow saw a hint of trying to please on his face.
"Captain! Your loyal Cavendish Number Two is here!"
Setsuna smiled. "Enel, try with him again."
"Understood." Enel looked at Hakuba with interest. He'd thought this guy was the only normal one.
But now, he seemed not so ordinary after all.
To be honest, Cavendish's own talent was quite strong. He just seemed average next to monsters.
His other self doubled his already-smart talent. With Enel's help and the threat of death, he finally managed to wake up Observation Haki.
When Cavendish woke up, feeling the new power inside, tears filled his eyes. He'd finally, just barely, caught up with the others.