Chapter 73: Joyful Days of Training
A gentle breeze blew through the mountaintop, carrying the mouthwatering aroma of grilled meat.
Everyone had woken up and gathered in small groups, waiting for the chefs to finish preparing breakfast.
"So? Found anything interesting in the forest, kid?" Whitebeard asked with a grin.
Luo Han, seated across from him, shrugged dramatically. "Just a bunch of giant chickens with Armament Haki, that's all."
Whitebeard chuckled but didn't say more.
Sister Shao, however, was nowhere to be seen. Luo Han scanned the area—probably off doing something only women do, he figured.
"Coming through, my lords!" came the cheerful voice of the head chef.
He personally pushed a food cart over and began placing large grilled chicken fillets onto the serving platters in front of Luo Han, Cole , and Whitebeard.
Once the chef left, the three dug in immediately. The mountaintop filled with the scent of sizzling meat and laughter.
Sometime during the meal, Sister Shao returned and joined them. The breakfast went on for a whole hour—until the sun began to heat up and everyone had their fill.
After eating, Whitebeard announced to everyone that they would rest and train on Ark Island for two months before setting out to pursue the Roger Pirates again.
No one objected. In fact, the crew quickly suggested exploring the island more thoroughly since they'd be living there for a while.
The crew divided into four teams. Luo Han, Cole , Whitebeard, and Sister Shao each led a group to scout the area surrounding their mountaintop base.
As they went down, they cut a path through the forest by chopping down trees, clearing a trail.
At the mountain's base, the exploration began—and turned into a ridiculous adventure.
"Boss Luo Han, help!!" Tuck shouted as he and his group came sprinting toward Luo Han in panic.
Cluck cluck! Cluck cluck!
Behind them, a horde of giant chickens was in hot pursuit. Luo Han had expected this—Tuck and his men had no Haki, and clearly, all they were good for was getting chased.
As they stumbled behind him, Luo Han's eyes narrowed. A wave of invisible force burst from his body, sweeping toward the charging chickens.
Boom!
In an instant, the chickens' eyes rolled back and they all collapsed unconscious.
"What… was that?!" the crew gasped in awe.
"Boss, what kind of move was that?" Tuck asked, slack-jawed.
"You guys haven't seen it before?" Luo Han blinked. Right… they barely even understand Haki, so of course not.
"This is a type of Haki," he explained. "It's called Conqueror's Haki. Only those with the spirit of a king can awaken it. It's said to be something you're born with."
Conqueror's Haki… only kings possess it… That's me, Tuck thought, eyes glowing.
"Boss Luo Han! How do I awaken Conqueror's Haki?" he asked eagerly.
Ugh… Luo Han gave him a look. Where do you get the confidence that you're king material? And why do you think there's a "how-to" guide for this?!
"There's no method. You just awaken it naturally," Luo Han said honestly.
"I see… Well, I'll awaken it eventually anyway," Tuck replied with a confident grin.
Luo Han gave him a silent thumbs-up. With that kind of blind confidence, maybe he actually will…
"You all stay around this area, near the mountains," Luo Han instructed. "Those chickens have Haki. If you wander too far, you might not make it back."
Everyone gulped. Looking from the unconscious chickens to themselves, they suddenly felt… very weak.
Especially Tuck, who'd been all confidence a second ago. He now wanted to bury his head in the dirt.
Luo Han chuckled and added, "Tuck, you guys should spend this time sparring with the chickens. Maybe you'll unlock Armament Haki."
"What?! Boss, nooo! Those chickens are monsters! We'll get eaten!" the crew wailed.
"You'll be fine. I've seen it—they don't chase anyone into the mountain," Luo Han said with a reassuring smile.
It was true. Just like the sea serpents, these chickens refused to approach the mountain range. No one knew why.
"Really?" they asked doubtfully.
"Really. Try it out later. Just don't stray too far."
Leaving them to it, Luo Han activated his Psychokinesis Armor Mode and flew off toward Whitebeard.
Time to test it for real.
He found Whitebeard a short while later. Like Luo Han, he'd told his group to explore on their own. He wasn't anyone's babysitter. The members of the Rocks Pirates knew the dangers well—and still didn't ask for protection.
"What brings you here?" Whitebeard asked, surprised. He had just started making his way into the forest when Luo Han flew in.
Also… what was this blue, water-like aura covering Luo Han?
Luo Han smiled and raised his arm. The shimmering blue energy rippled across his body.
"This is my new technique, developed just this morning. I call it Psychokinesis Armor Mode."
"Oh? A new move?" Whitebeard narrowed his eyes. So that's why he came flying over—he wants to test it on me.
His aura flared, pressure rolling off him like a wave.
The nearby pirates suddenly felt a weight press down on their chests. Without a word, they backed away. They knew what it meant when Whitebeard got serious—collateral damage was guaranteed.
"Ha! Haha! Brother Newgate, no, no! I'm just here to share my joy with you. That's all. Totally harmless!" Luo Han said, laughing nervously.
"Sure you are." Whitebeard wasn't buying it, but he relaxed his aura anyway.
Luo Han wiped his imaginary sweat.
"Alright, follow me," Whitebeard said.
They walked for some time, putting a good distance between them and the mountain.
"Here's good. So, what are you planning?" Whitebeard asked, curious.
Luo Han's eyes gleamed.
"I was wondering… how fast are you?"
Speed? Whitebeard frowned. That wasn't his specialty.
"Here I come, Brother Newgate!"
Before Whitebeard could react, Luo Han appeared right in front of him and threw a punch at his gut.
Boom!
The blow was stopped—Whitebeard had raised his defenses in time. The force of Luo Han's strike rippled across his body.
Whoosh! Luo Han retreated, putting distance between them.
"What terrifying speed…" Whitebeard muttered. He had to admit, it startled him. Luo Han was the second person he'd seen move like that.
The first? That wild man with Haki flowing around his body at all times.
Whitebeard shook his head, looking at Luo Han with pride—like a father watching his son grow up.
If Luo Han knew what Whitebeard was thinking, his expression would probably be anything but happy…
"Impressive speed, kid," Whitebeard said sincerely—then his tone turned sharp. "But speed alone won't save you."
With that, he charged forward and threw a punch.
(END CHAPTER)
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