Chapter 7: Questions at Green Cliff
With memories from his previous life to reference, Luo Han was sure of it—what Uncle Kate used today was none other than the legendary secret technique known as "Hakoku ," supposedly only mastered by the giants of Elbaf. The only comparable move was "Ikoku," which was used by Big Mom.
But how could Uncle Kate possibly know "Hakoku "?
Where did he learn it from…?
Wait—that's it. Uncle Kate must have gone out to sea.
No—he definitely had! Otherwise, there was no way he could've learned such a secret technique.
...
Sigh! What's the point of overthinking?
Even if Uncle Kate was willing to teach him, Luo Han wouldn't be able to use it now anyway.
Just look at today—even Uncle Kate could only unleash a single blow with that kind of power.
Hmm… Luo Han had noticed him swaying at the end, picked up by his Observation Haki.
Enough thinking! The path must be walked step by step. His foundation was already solid.
He had a Devil Fruit suited for him, and he'd strengthened his body with the fish scale fruit. The foundation for becoming strong was in place.
Now it all came down to effort. For beautiful women—no! To make up for the regrets of his past life.
Regaining his resolve, Luo Han got up from bed and began preparing dinner.
After some busy work, he steamed the fish cakes and cleaned the fish meat.
Once Granny Mo returned, they could begin dinner.
"Xiao Han! Come help Grandma carry some fish cake flour!"
"There's more than usual today—enough for us to eat for several days," came Granny Mo's gentle voice from outside the cave.
She had a large sack on her back and a smaller one in her hands.
Luo Han quickly ran over to help carry the smaller bag.
He supported Granny Mo as they returned to the stone table, set the bag down beside it, and then sat.
He gently patted Granny Mo's back to ease her breathing.
Then poured her a bowl of water.
"Grandma, rest a bit. I'm cooking the fish—dinner's almost ready!"
"Alright. Grandma will watch you cook," she replied.
Watching Luo Han's busy little figure, Granny Mo's thoughts drifted.
She had cared for him since the day he was born. She knew Luo Han was like a little adult—always well-behaved, yet still a child in many ways. Quiet and reserved, never rowdy or demanding.
Cole was the only one he was close to. It wasn't that he didn't get along with other kids—just that his relationships were more surface-level.
He never asked about his parents either, but he always showed care for others.
That was what made Granny Mo feel such heartache for him.
Thinking about this, her eyes softened even more as she looked at Luo Han.
"Dinner's ready, Grandma."
Luo Han brought the fish pot to the stone table, scooped some fish cakes into a bowl, and handed it to her.
"Ah… alright, let's eat," Granny Mo said as she came back to her senses and accepted the bowl.
The fish oil lamp glowed softly. Night had fallen.
The fragrance of fish filled the home, and this meal was one of simple warmth and joy.
After dinner, Luo Han said a few words to Granny Mo, then headed to Cole's house. Uncle Witt and Cole had just finished eating. Cole's mother, Lilian, was tidying up.
"Xiao Luo Han, here to take Cole to the island again?" Lilian said gently.
She was a peaceful, warm woman—one who brought calm just by being there.
"Let's go. To the island," Uncle Witt said firmly before Luo Han could reply, already heading out.
Luo Han gave Lilian a helpless smile, then followed Witt with Cole.
On the way, Luo Han's gaze kept falling on Witt's right arm.
It was gone. Since the day he met him, Witt had always been missing that arm.
He didn't know how he'd lost it.
Tall and broad, Witt looked like a mountain in the moonlight.
Luo Han could feel the same powerful presence from Uncle Witt as he did from Uncle Kate.
Was there some deeper connection between them?
Tonight was definitely going to be different.
Luo Han was deep in thought.
The three of them sat in a triangle formation on Green Cliff.
Even the usually chatty Cole was silent, gazing at the grass. Luo Han looked at Uncle Witt.
"Luo Han, have you felt any changes in your body?" Witt asked seriously.
Luo Han was surprised—was he referring to the effects of the fish scale fruit? He wasn't sure.
Still, he replied, "Not much, really. Maybe I have poor physical talent."
"No way. Paramecia-type Devil Fruits are rare, but not to the extent of causing no change at all!" Witt's probing gaze swept up and down Luo Han.
Cole tilted his head in confusion, not understanding what his dad was talking about—some kind of devil… what?
But Luo Han's heart was also stirring. Uncle Witt… knows I ate a Devil Fruit?
That's right! Witt and Uncle Kate must've gone to sea together. They'd seen Devil Fruits before.
That explained why Luo Han could sense the same aura from both of them.
Which meant… Uncle Kate must've known too—that what Luo Han ate wasn't a fish scale fruit.
Heh… I, Luo Han, have something to say…
Why did he tell me it was a mutated fish scale fruit then? Luo Han didn't understand.
Witt looked Luo Han straight in the eyes and said seriously, "Luo Han, you have to be honest with me—have you felt anything different in your body?"
Luo Han replied, "No. Nothing different physically…"
Witt's expression dimmed, and he stared silently out at the sea.
"But… I think something may have changed mentally," Luo Han added, and Witt's eyes lit up again.
"What kind of change?!"
A trace of his aura leaked out. Luo Han and Cole both felt like a mountain had pressed down on their shoulders. The pressure vanished as quickly as it came.
"…Take your time," Witt said softly.
Luo Han continued, "It's like… I can see sounds. It's like those sounds turn into people, and their presence becomes points of light."
Hmm!! That sounds like Observation Haki.
Could this Devil Fruit be one that awakens Observation Haki? But no, there's never been such a power… Witt was puzzled but asked,
"Anything else?"
Luo Han thought, There will definitely be more powers to develop later. I should tell him.
After all, I'll need to train with Uncle Witt and Uncle Kate to learn 'Hakoku ' in the future!
Hehe…
Luo Han grinned inwardly.
"I feel like… there's something else, some kind of power building up in my mind. I don't know what it is yet."
Witt burst into laughter—loud, heartfelt laughter!
It was rare to see him laugh at all, let alone like this!
Was it because he had confirmed that Luo Han had indeed eaten a real Devil Fruit?
Chubby Cole was still confused by the conversation. What devil? What light? Is this why Dad brought us here to Green Cliff tonight?
Forget it! he thought, going back to wrestling weeds on the ground.
(END CHAPTER)
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