Chapter 54: A Battle of Wits with the Air
When Luo Han released his burst of Conqueror's Haki, both Whitebeard and Golden Lion snapped to attention. They immediately realized the danger of Rocks finding out about Cole 's Devil Fruit ability.
It would be… disastrous. The two exchanged glances—then suddenly burst out in loud laughter.
Sister Shao, however, remained calm throughout. Her eyes only sparkled briefly when Luo Han first explained the ability.
Luo Han glared darkly at the laughing duo, looking ready to throw down if they didn't stop.
Sensing his mood, they quickly cut their laughter short.
Seeing Luo Han anxious and blaming himself over Cole made Whitebeard feel that this was what true family should be like.
It also strengthened Whitebeard's resolve to recruit Luo Han and Cole into his pirate crew.
Whitebeard cleared his throat.
"Calm down, Luo Han! You're overestimating the impact of a Devil Fruit ability," he said, his tone serious now. "There are countless overpowered Devil Fruit users in this world—but do you think they can do anything in front of Rocks' Haki?"
Uh… Luo Han froze. He suddenly remembered the swirling, fluid-like Haki around Rocks' body back at Ring Tree Island. A kind of Haki that disintegrated his psychokinesis on contact.
It seemed no Devil Fruit ability could even get close to Rocks' body. That was a completely different tier of power. Even with Cole 's enhanced physique, it would be hard to resist Rocks' Haki.
With that thought, Luo Han's tense expression eased slightly. But still, he knew he had to be cautious in the future—one slip of the tongue and it could be the end.
So, the saying was true: villains die from talking too much. Run your mouth and you might reveal your weaknesses and get countered.
Golden Lion shifted his gaze from Cole to Luo Han. Seeing him calm down, he said, "Cole 's fruit ability must have limitations too, right?"
"Yeah, it only works when he eats Sea Kings with strong physical potential," Luo Han replied, not surprised.
If there were no limits, Cole would've been invincible by now.
Sigh. Thinking about it more carefully, there really wasn't much to worry about. The more powerful a Devil Fruit, the greater its limitations—like the Op-Op Fruit that could grant immortality but required surgical expertise and the user's own life.
Cole 's fruit, though incredible, was limited by the innate potential of the meat he consumed. With Rocks' arrogance, he probably wouldn't even see Cole 's power as a threat—he might even encourage him to get stronger.
Golden Lion exhaled in relief too. Good thing there were limits; otherwise, that ability really would be heaven-defying.
"Alright! Let's not dwell on this," Whitebeard said. "It's already afternoon."
Golden Lion's eyes lit up—he remembered the pirate crew mentioned in the intel. Time to teach them the price of offending him, the Golden Lion.
Just then—Boom! Another hole appeared in the ship.
Luo Han clenched his teeth and growled, "It's that damn pirate crew that ruined my day with all this stress. When they get here, I'm going to teach them a lesson… A lesson… wait… what were they called again?"
He looked at Whitebeard, feeling a bit awkward.
"Um… what was the name of the crew again, Whitebeard?"
Whitebeard didn't answer. His eyes wandered awkwardly. Should he tell Luo Han that he didn't know either? He'd only heard they were supposed to handle some pirates coming to challenge the Rocks Pirates at White Island—then hung up the Den Den Mushi.
Whew! At that moment, Cole opened his eyes. Seeing the chefs and others frozen in place, he looked around, confused.
Luo Han noticed that Cole had finished evolving and immediately asked, "How is it, Cole ?"
"Not bad. I think all that buildup paid off—this time I feel a huge improvement," Cole replied. "Brother Han, what were you doing just now? I think I heard you call me."
Uh… we were just discussing your Devil Fruit ability—nothing big. That's what Luo Han told him.
Cole didn't think much of it and stood up, clenching his fists.
"Brother Han, I want to go up and test out this new strength in the air," he said.
"Sure! Want me to come with you?" Luo Han offered.
"No need!" Cole waved his hand and soared high into the sky.
As he flew, he felt how much smoother his movement had become. His evolved physical potential even enhanced his flight ability from the fruit.
Maybe now he could finally dodge Brother Han's psychokinesis attacks! He remembered how he kept getting hit during morning training and felt a surge of determination.
Clang! Clang! Cole activated Armament Haki, coating his hands and clashing them together a few times.
Yep! His control over Haki had definitely improved.
…
Back on the ship, as everyone watched Cole adjusting to his newfound power in the sky—
Sister Shao suddenly said, "Luo Han, from the way you sparred with Cole last night, your body's not bad either." Her gaze twinkled suggestively.
Uh… Sister Shao, can you not flirt? Ever since Luo Han saw how much you eat, he swore never to be tempted by you again.
Still, her words made him uneasy. Compared to Cole 's power, his own "mind-guided" training was basically a cheat—no physical limits. It was the real reason Luo Han believed he could surpass Rocks someday.
But he couldn't reveal that. Luo Han already suspected the World Government was watching him and Cole .
After their battle with Zephyr, there's no way the Navy didn't see them as threats. Yet, neither of them had bounties. There wasn't even a mention in the newspaper about them joining the Rocks Pirates.
Luo Han figured the World Government had probably deduced something based on the timing of the Rocks Pirates' pursuit of Roger to Ring Tree Island. But he couldn't be sure.
It was just too strange. Even Whitebeard and Golden Lion had their bounties increased, which meant the fight with Zephyr had definitely been reported. But Luo Han and Cole ? Ignored completely.
Maybe the World Government was still investigating. But once he slipped up, it could all come crashing down.
So he couldn't let others think his physical talent was too high.
Seeing the curious looks from Sister Shao and Whitebeard, Luo Han decided—maybe it was better to give a misleading explanation now and let the rumors spread to the World Government.
He explained, "To be honest, I'm not entirely sure what my fruit power is. I think it lets me control some kind of invisible force."
"By coating my body in it, I can fly. And by integrating that force into myself, I can enhance my strength and speed. That's why I can clash fists with Cole . But this fusion puts a lot of strain on my body, so I rarely use it in normal combat."
"Huh, that's a rare one! But very well-rounded," Whitebeard remarked, thinking back to Luo Han's fight with Zephyr. "Seems your body isn't as tough as Cole 's, but the way you two coordinate is pretty seamless."
"Eh, I do my best," Luo Han replied.
Sigh. Golden Lion sighed with regret. What a great fruit power—if only the user had stronger natural talent. The combination would've been terrifying.
Luo Han wasn't bothered, but one particular gaze kept making him nervous.
"Uh… Sister Shao, could you not look at me like that? It's making me feel weak!"
"Hehe," she chuckled and finally looked away.
She recalled how, during the latter half of last night's sparring, Luo Han and Cole went all out on the ground. That definitely wasn't the body of someone "physically weak." He probably didn't know her Observation Haki could sense from afar, huh? The thought made her giggle again.
Ugh! That laugh made Luo Han feel like a kid caught lying by his teacher. Absolutely miserable.
(END CHAPTER)
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