Chapter 168: A First Look into Rocks' Haki Secret
While Luo Han was fully immersed in his training, someone was out looking for him.
"Where did Luo Han go?" Aishi muttered angrily, holding a large bowl of millet porridge as she searched around. "Disappears first thing in the morning!"
"Hehe."
A gentle laugh came from behind her. Aishi didn't even need to turn to know it was Ellis.
"Do you know where Luo Han went?" she asked without turning around.
Ellis, just returning from a distant flight, smiled softly and gestured toward the mountains on the other side of the island. "He called Tack and the others over there early this morning. Probably something important." Then, glancing at the huge bowl of porridge in Aishi 's hands, she chuckled. "Maybe you could take it to him yourself. I bet he'd be happy."
"Pfft, as if! And this isn't even for him—it's for you, Ellis. Hehe!" Aishi stuck out her tongue, handing the oversized bowl toward the floating Ellis.
Ellis looked at the bowl—which was big enough for her to swim in—then at Aishi , giving her a look that clearly said, You serious?
"Ha! Hahaha!"
Sister Shao and the others, already seated and eating, burst into laughter at the scene.
"Ah! Sorry, Ellis! I'll go get you a smaller bowl!" Aishi yelped, realizing her blunder and turning to run back.
"No need, Aishi . I've already had breakfast," Ellis quickly called out, rubbing her little belly. She had just absorbed a big dose of oxygen and was still quite full.
"Huh? When did you eat?" Aishi blinked, confused. She hadn't seen Ellis come by the food station at all.
Ellis smiled warmly. "Don't forget—I don't actually need to eat things like porridge."
"Oh, right!" Aishi smacked her forehead, then sighed enviously. "Must be nice… not needing food, never getting hungry…"
Ellis just smiled faintly. Was Aishi genuinely envious, or poking fun at the fact she used to be a tree? Either way, she didn't reply and simply flew toward the forest.
"…" Aishi stood there awkwardly, still holding the big bowl of porridge. She had the feeling she'd said something wrong.
The group burst out laughing again. Flustered, Aishi plopped down, took the big bowl, and started drinking from it aggressively. "It's all Luo Han 's fault! Big dumb jerk!"
Sister Shao watched her with a smile of relief. Aishi had found her place—someone to lean on—and she'd blended right in.
"But I wonder what Sora is thinking?" she mused, sneaking a glance at the girl.
As soon as Sister Shao looked away, Sora's eyes flickered. She glanced toward the mountain where Luo Han was training, her expression unreadable.
…
By midday, Luo Han was soaked in sweat, lying on the ground, breathing deeply and smelling the fresh scent of earth. He finally felt alive again.
"It was rough, but the gains were worth it." He raised a fist—crackle crackle—his knuckles popped with force, and the power surging inside thrilled him.
No wonder some people are addicted to brutal training, he thought. The pain, followed by the surge of strength—it was euphoric, like rain after a drought. Even someone as powerful as Luo Han felt addicted to the high of rapid physical improvement.
"But now that I've fully recovered, I might as well try replicating Rocks' unique Haki and see how strong it really is."
Boom! He flipped up and stood tall, mind flashing back to the moment he broke through Rocks' Haki defense. He'd sensed something through his spiritual awareness—a way Rocks used Haki that Kaido had been chasing for years. Had Kaido ever figured it out?
He closed his eyes, letting his consciousness guide the process. He attempted to merge his willpower, Armament Haki, and spiritual awareness in a 1:2:1 ratio.
…
"…Huh?" Nothing.
"Why isn't it working? That's exactly how Rocks did it!"
When Luo Han pierced Rocks' defense, his spiritual senses had clearly picked up on the method. The concept was simple: combine Armament Haki, Observation Haki, and willpower (or Conqueror's Haki) into one.
Think of it like a racecar—Armament Haki is the vehicle, Observation Haki is the fuel, and willpower is the driver. All three together let you control the Haki like telekinesis, and even fly at terrifying speeds—just like Rocks.
"But why doesn't it work for me? Maybe the ratio is different for each person…" Luo Han considered. That made sense. Willpower varies by individual, and even changes over time.
"Let's try again."
He experimented:
1:1:1
…
1:2:2
…
2:1:1
…
...
After countless attempts, Luo Han realized something important: This is why no one else in the Rocks Pirates could use it.
This power wasn't something you could teach. It was like winning the lottery—pure luck and personal compatibility. Luo Han sighed. Seems my luck and compatibility are terrible.
"Hange! You done yet? The banquet's ready!" a booming voice echoed from afar—it was Cole, flying toward him.
"I'm done. Let's go," Luo Han replied, rising into the air to meet him before he could land.
"Oh right, this is for you," he added, summoning a rainbow-colored flame—just like the ones he gave to Tack and the others.
Cole eyed it curiously. "What's this, Hange?"
"A gift," Luo Han said with a smile. "It'll make you stronger." He casually merged the flame into Cole's arm.
Cole didn't resist. Once it fully fused, he exclaimed, "Whoa! That felt better than eating a hundred Sea Kings!"
Luo Han sweatdropped. Only Cole would use that comparison…
But thanks to his Kun-Kun Fruit, Cole already had outstanding physical potential. Now, with the addition of Big Mom's and the giant Sea King's physical traits, who knew what level he'd reach?
He might be able to challenge Kaido for the title of strongest creature, Luo Han mused. I've gotta make those two fight someday. I want to see who's tougher.
(END CHAPTER)
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