Chapter 197: Hmm! Let's Try Kicks This Time!
Despite just recently gaining a humanoid form, Ellis's physical strength was already impressive—how had Aishi not noticed?
"Haha!"
Luo Han explained, "You forgot Ellis's body is different from ours. That's why she was able to awaken Armament Haki so quickly."
"Oh, I see… never mind then."
After thinking about it, Aishi decided not to overthink. Luo Han will protect me anyway.
She gripped his hand a little tighter, and before long, the two returned to the others.
As soon as they did, Aishi let go of Luo Han's hand, her cheeks flushing. When others were around, the bold big sister still got shy.
"I'm going to see Big Sis Spoon!" she said, running toward her.
Heh. Luo Han chuckled and shook his head. She's pretty cute, actually. Earlier she was hugging me like crazy and had my heart racing, and now she's blushing like a little girl. Too late to be shy now.
Hmm… should I ask her to meet in the woods tonight? Worth researching…
"What are you daydreaming about so intently?" Ellis teased from the side.
Luo Han's smile froze slightly. He let out a dry laugh but didn't explain.
Ellis giggled and walked up to him. "Want to go again?"
Uh—
Luo Han paused, suddenly remembering how he had kept saying "again, again," only to be sent flying with one punch. Sure, he hadn't used telekinesis, but still… a little embarrassing.
"Ellis, impressive! I didn't expect your willpower to be that strong."
Luo Han gave her a thumbs-up and then thought silently: With that kind of mental strength, it'd be a waste not to make her my training dummy.
"Cole, you'll be sparring with Ellis from now on. You need to improve your Haki."
"Got it, Brother Han!"
From afar, Cole called back excitedly. His Haki had been stagnant for a while now. Over the last half-year, he hadn't fought much—aside from his Devil Fruit awakening and one battle against Zephyr. After that, Luo Han and the others had taken the stage.
Now he had a chance to catch up again—and he was thrilled, grinning like a fool.
"Ugh…"
Cole's joy wasn't shared by Ellis, who clearly didn't want to spar. She had only done it today to awaken her Haki.
She'd much rather meditate, commune with nature, and listen to the grass whispering.
"Isn't Cole usually your training partner? Why me? I don't even know any techniques—it's pointless to train with me!"
In other words: I can't, I won't, I don't want to.
Luo Han understood perfectly—but Ellis's mental resilience made her perfect for refining Armament Haki. It would be a waste not to use her. Otherwise, it could take ages for Cole to catch up.
So, he had to "kindly" ask again.
"Ellis, please. You have no idea how terrifying your mental strength is for Haki development."
"If you train Cole for just a few days, it'll be like years of progress for him."
Ellis didn't buy it. She just gave him a deadpan look.
"I swear, if I didn't have stuff to research, I'd train with you myself."
"What are you researching?"
That actually piqued Ellis's curiosity.
"Uh…"
Luo Han froze. How did the conversation turn into him being interrogated?
He mumbled, "It's related to my Devil Fruit. I just discovered a new ability I want to test out."
"You've developed a new move again?!"
Ellis's voice rose, drawing everyone's attention.
"Luo Han! You've got a new ability?"
"Show us!"
Aishi was practically sparkling with excitement, staring at him like she was waiting for a show.
Sigh… Not the right time. Luo Han thought helplessly.
"Forget it, Brother Han. I'll train with you once you're done researching."
Cole walked over, trying not to make things difficult.
That made Ellis pause. She realized—Cole and Luo Han were like family to her. Why was she resisting training with him?
If Cole grew stronger, it would help in their future battle with the World Government. She shouldn't be selfish.
"Ellis will train with you, Cole! Just for a few days."
"Won't that be a bother?"
"Nope!" she said firmly. "I was wrong before. If I can help you, I'm happy to."
"Thanks, Sister Ellis!" Cole grinned.
The exchange resolved perfectly. Luo Han, watching, was dumbfounded. Should've just let Cole ask in the first place.
Shaking his head, he noticed Akatsuki sitting alone. He walked over.
"What are you thinking about?"
"Sigh… Lord Luo Han, you know about my father's situation, don't you?"
Akatsuki looked at him with hopeful eyes. Her face remained unreadable, but her voice betrayed her wish for answers.
"I know a bit," Luo Han smiled. "But it's still speculation. Even though I'm mostly sure, I lack proof. If you want something you can believe in, we'll have to find it together."
Akatsuki's hopeful gaze steadied, a flicker of determination flashing across her otherwise calm face.
"I'll find the truth and fix whatever is wrong with my father and the others."
"I believe in you."
Luo Han nodded, then looked curious. "You seem unaffected by Otohime's power. That mind-altering ability didn't linger on you at all."
Akatsuki pointed at her upper body. "Maybe because of my condition. My body's been stiff since birth—but my mind has always been active. That might be why."
"I see."
Luo Han nodded thoughtfully but smirked inwardly. So your answer is: I'm sick, so I'm immune. Really now?
"She clearly hasn't accepted she's part of the Blue Demon crew yet."
Still, Luo Han didn't press her.
"Alright, everyone, do what you want. I'm heading back into the forest."
He didn't wait for a response. Turning away, he returned to the Poneglyph and sat down again.
"Now to master that special force field. Once Cole improves and Sister Spoon's returned, this trip's complete."
After that, it's back to the New World—to find the Lantern Fish.
...
Meanwhile, Cole and Ellis's training had begun.
"Sister Ellis, just aim for my arms!"
Cole braced himself, planting his stance and raising his forearms like twin shields. They gleamed with dense Armament Haki.
"Alright then—here I come!"
Ellis smiled, tightened her fists, and focused her willpower into her Haki. Her legs bent slightly—
BOOM! With a powerful hop, she appeared in front of Cole and launched a double punch.
CLANG, CLANG, CLANG! The echo of blows rang out, shockwaves spreading across the field like a storm.
"So strong! Both of them!" Akatsuki watched from a distance, awed once again by human potential.
Even her father, a candidate for admiral rank, seemed weaker than these two.
"If even Father can't compare… then…"
She shook her head in disbelief. Traveling with this team of monsters—what had she gotten herself into?
But oddly, she felt a strange sense of safety.
Following people like this out to sea… felt secure.
Back on the field, Ellis lowered her fists.
"How was it?" she asked eagerly. "Did it work, Cole?"
"Yes!" Cole said confidently. His Haki was more refined now—he could feel it.
"Let's keep going!"
Ellis was genuinely enjoying this. For some reason, pummeling someone like this felt… therapeutic. Her body and soul felt at ease.
She was having fun. Cole… not so much.
Looking at his reddened arms—sore from the punches—he winced. Ellis had broken through even Luo Han's Haki. Cole's didn't stand a chance.
"What's wrong?"
Ellis noticed his arms and apologized, "Sorry! I should've gone easier!"
"No need! Hit me with everything you've got—that's the only way to improve!"
Cole lifted his right leg and coated it in Haki.
"Let's use legs this time. I've only been training my arms—gotta balance things out!"
He was serious—and kind of right. But his voice cracked a little.
From there on out, the sparring wasn't even worth watching.
It was just Ellis beating Cole up—changing styles as she pleased.
...
At dinner, Luo Han returned.
Everyone sat in a circle, enjoying a spread of delicious dishes—courtesy of the Ryugu King. He seemed too afraid to show his face again. Otohime, too.
Actually, she didn't even know why she feared Luo Han—it felt like a primal instinct.
Luo Han finished quickly. He still had work to do.
"How's it going?" Sister Spoon asked. "With your new ability, I mean."
Everyone paused, looking at him with anticipation.
They were always curious about Luo Han's Devil Fruit—especially since he had developed so many strange, field-based abilities that didn't seem to relate.
No one had ever figured out what fruit he actually ate.
"Uh…"
All eyes on him, Luo Han felt awkward. He hadn't developed anything new—he was studying the Poneglyph.
But he couldn't say that.
"Heh. Still working on it. A few more days."
"Tch."
Hearing that, everyone lost interest and returned to devouring their food.
(END CHAPTER)
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