At night:
Steam slowly rose from the surface of the hot water, wrapping Luca's naked body in a soft mist as he relaxed in the stone bath inside his luxurious suite atop Skypiea. He leaned his head back against the edge and closed his eyes, but his mind, as always, remained alert. This peace was only a temporary veil...
"One day, I'll leave this White Sea... and return to the Blue."
He pondered deeply, contemplating the obstacles separating him from his goal: being the ruler of the sky wasn't enough—if he wanted to make a name for himself in the pirate world, he had to be more than just the wielder of a powerful fruit.
"I need a stronger body... complete mastery of my fruit... and to learn all types of Haki."
The good thing was: he was full of potential now.
First, telekinesis—if he could develop it well, it would rival the power of Golden Lion Shiki's Devil Fruit.
Second, the Thunder Fruit—the strongest Logia in the world.
As for physical strength, he knew of an opportunity from the anime that could make his body incredibly strong. The downside? It wouldn't appear until the original story began... but he could wait.
For now, he needed to organize his daily life to grow stronger. First, he had to make sure he ate the best food to strengthen his body. Second, he needed to tell Gan Fall to teach him Observation Haki—they called it Mantra here. If he could learn it, especially with his fruit aiding him, he might reach a level where he could see the future.
He was just about to dive deeper into his planning when he heard the bathroom door open softly, followed by the delicate sound of footsteps on the marble floor. He slowly opened his eyes—and there she was, entering without a word, as if she knew exactly the effect her presence had on him.
She wore a loose, colorful dress with vivid greens intertwined with orange and red patterns. The low-cut chest revealed her curves shamelessly, while a side slit exposed her leg with every step. Her glowing skin and playful smile made her look like a goddess descended from the sky—not a married woman.
She smiled as she approached, eyes half-lidded, and said teasingly: "You look deep in thought... as if you're planning a war, not a bath."
He raised an eyebrow slightly, replying without moving: "Maybe I'm planning a conquest... of a different kind."
She chuckled softly, then began untying her dress slowly, revealing her intentions even more than her body. The silk slid off her shoulders and dropped silently to her feet, revealing a toned figure that did not shy away from his gaze—instead, it thrived under it.
She stepped into the bath confidently, stirring the water gently as she moved closer to him, until her skin felt the warmth of his. She sat in front of him, closer than she should be, studying his eyes while the water covered her up to the shoulders.
Softly, she asked, watching him: "Were you thinking of me?"
He smiled, gently lifting his hand to touch her cheek, his thumb tracing her lips slowly. "I do think of you... but you always interrupt me when I start thinking seriously."
She whispered, kissing his fingers: "Because I don't want you serious with me... I want you burning."
Steam rose higher around them, as if their heat had begun to steal warmth from the bath itself. Luca placed his hand behind her neck and slowly pulled her closer, feeling the weight of the moment—the silent desire that had been brewing since the first touch, the first whisper.
Her lips met his, tasting his caution first, then igniting a soft fire that turned into a spark he could no longer suppress. He kissed her with passion.
His hand slipped to her waist under the water, grabbing her full behind, caressing it as his mouth found her rosy nipple between his teeth.
Inara let out a soft moan that made Luca's shaft twitch.
She moved her hand underwater, wrapped her fingers around his shaft, gently stroked it, then guided it to her entrance and lowered herself onto him.
"Aaaaah... Luca, I love you," she moaned as she kissed him and continued riding him.
---
At dawn:
The golden light of dawn quietly slipped through the silk curtains, brushing their faces with gentle warmth. Luca opened his eyes to the feel of a woman's warmth wrapped around him, her soft arm across his chest, and calm breaths brushing his skin like the morning breeze.
Inara lay beside him, her hair messy on the pillow, her lips slightly parted as if still whispering his name in sleep. He smiled, running his fingers softly down her bare back, waking her without words.
She stirred gently, blinking with lazy delight, and smiled when she saw him staring at her with that mix of possessiveness and fascination.
"You're up before me..." she whispered.
"How could I sleep with you this close?" he replied, pulling her closer until their bodies touched completely under the blanket.
She laughed softly, whispering as her fingers traced his chest: "You know... just when I think I've had enough of you, you surprise me again."
He took her chin gently, leaned in so close she could barely breathe, and whispered in a deep voice: "No one ever gets enough of me... not even me."
Then he kissed her deeply, a long kiss that blended the stillness of morning with undying heat.
---
The suite doors creaked open quietly.
Yan entered, carrying a carefully arranged wooden tray with exotic Sky Island fruits, fresh bread, and glasses of juice. His footsteps were silent, deliberate, like someone who had learned how not to wake the sleeping lion.
But the lion wasn't sleeping.
Luca lay on the lavish bed, half-covered, eyes locked on Yan the moment he walked in. Inara clung to him like a piece of his body, her hair scattered on his chest, her breast exposed without a hint of shame. Her dazed smile hinted at a sleepless, passion-filled night.
Yan paused for a moment, staring as if stabbed through the eyes, yet his face remained expressionless. He stepped forward and placed the tray on the side table, then bowed slightly with artificial respect.
"I've brought your breakfast, sir... I'll bring the lady's next."
Luca replied as his hand lazily caressed Inara's waist: "Good. You may go."
Yan stared into Luca's eyes for a moment. There was something in his gaze... a blend of submission, bitterness, and maybe a grain of buried hatred. But he said nothing.
He turned quietly and left the room.
---
After finishing breakfast, Luca rose lazily, put on his loose robe, and moved to the wide window. He opened it, letting the crisp Skypiean air flood the room, then said calmly:
"Summon Priest Soro for me."
Within minutes, Soro entered with a respectful bow, trying to hide the tension in his limbs.
Luca didn't look at him at first. He kept gazing from the balcony, then said in a soft but commanding tone:
"Yan will no longer be assigned any task that allows him into my suite. Keep him occupied—far from me."
Soro immediately replied, head bowed: "As you wish, sir."
But his eyes couldn't help but drift toward the bed, where Inara lay half-awake, covering herself with the edges of the silk blanket. One shoulder was bare, gleaming in the morning light, and her tousled hair spilled across the pillow.
The blanket couldn't hide the shape of her full behind.
She showed no shame. Instead, something like pride flickered in her eyes—pride in being with him.
Soro felt something twist inside him.
It was Luca—the outsider—who now ruled Skypiea... and its women too. Soro's feelings weren't jealousy—they were envy, pure and silent... but he showed nothing.
Suddenly, Luca turned and looked at him.
He smiled faintly, as if reading his thoughts... or maybe ignoring them entirely.
"You may leave."
Soro bowed quickly, murmuring: "Thank you, sir."
He left in silence, heart burning with questions he'd never dare ask.
A little while later, Inara dressed and left the room, leaving Luca alone.
---
Luca stood on his balcony, the breeze playing with his hair while Skypiea sparkled under the morning sun. His silence didn't last long—he turned to the guard at the door and said:
"Send for Gan Fall... I want him here within half an hour."
The guard nodded quickly and left without question. Luca's orders were never debated.
He sat on a soft cushion near the tea table, watching his teacup slowly release its steam, as if preparing for a crucial lesson. He knew Mantra—Observation Haki—was a weapon as deadly as his fruit... and sailing without Haki was dangerous.
Minutes passed before a soft knock was heard, followed by Gan Fall entering. He seemed reserved but bowed respectfully and said:
"I answered your call, Luca."
Luca gestured for him to sit, then looked at him steadily and said in a calm, clear tone:
"I want to learn Mantra. I want to hear the voices of hearts, to feel movements before they happen... and you're the only one I see fit to teach me."
Gan Fall stared at him silently for a moment, then sighed deeply and said:
"Mantra is not just a technique—it's the voice of the world... But if you're serious, know that the first thing you'll need is patience. Are you ready for that, Luca?"
Luca smiled, his eyes burning with unwavering determination: "Don't worry—I have all the patience in the world for something important to me."
---
Gan Fall stood in the training garden, where the air was at its purest, and the sounds of birds were woven with the stillness of the sky into a faint melody, almost like the first breeze of Mantra itself. In front of him stood Luca, barefoot, wearing only light trousers, his eyes fixed on his new mentor.
Gan Fall said in a calm voice, as he stepped forward slowly:
"Observation Haki begins from within you. You must be silent… not with your mouth, but with your mind."
He closed his eyes and continued:
"Be silent until you hear your heart, then listen to what's around you."
Luca didn't reply. He only closed his eyes as well, trying to pull every internal sound into the background, to silence his restless mind.
"Imagine the world around you as a calm sea, and every movement in it leaves a small ripple... those ripples are what you'll learn to see with your mind."
Gan Fall got closer, and whispered in a voice barely audible:
"Now, I will walk around you. Try to tell me when I get close… without looking."
He began walking gently, deliberately, with almost invisible steps.
Luca, despite his focus, felt nothing at first.
"Don't use only your ears… use your heart. Feel the change in the air, the vibration of the ground, my presence."
Then suddenly, Luca felt something. It wasn't a sound, but like a small warm breeze passed beside him, despite the still air.
He suddenly opened his eyes and said:
"Now… you're behind me."
Gan Fall stopped and smiled.
"A good start… but we're still at the first step. Tomorrow, you'll start listening to scattered thoughts."
Gan Fall smiled lightly, watching Luca close his eyes again, but this time he looked different… calmer, quieter. As if something inside him broke, and a hidden window opened to the world.
Minutes passed before Luca said in a low voice, without moving:
"You're circling me clockwise."
Gan Fall stopped in his place, his eyebrows rising in real surprise. He said slowly, as if he couldn't believe it:
"That's right… how did you know?"
Luca opened his eyes, but his gaze was distant, as if he was still seeing something else, something invisible.
"I don't know… it's like a soft vision, like my mind is touching the air."
Gan Fall approached him, the usual calm in his tone replaced with pure admiration:
"This is not just a talent… you were born for this Haki. I've never seen anyone sense it this quickly… even my followers didn't reach this level except after months of training."
Luca said calmly, looking back up at the sky:
"I think my ability gives me an advantage here."
Gan Fall laughed, for the first time since meeting him, and said:
"Alright then, tomorrow we start the real training… but from now on, you must learn how to open your eyes… and still see."
---
Day two of training...
Luca stood in the dirt arena before Gan Fall, his eyes closed, breathing slowly.
Gan Fall suddenly shouted:
"Get ready!"
Not a moment passed before Luca felt something coming at him fast… but he didn't know from where.
A strong blow hit his left side.
He groaned and fell to his knees. He clenched his lips and bit down on the pain.
Gan Fall said sternly, without mercy:
"You're thinking too much. Don't think… just feel."
Normally he wouldn't dare strike Luca, but Luca had given him permission to attack with full force.
Luca stood up with difficulty, dusted off his clothes.
"Again."
Day three...
Three hits—two on the shoulder, and one on the back of the head.
All came from different directions, and he didn't predict any of them.
He fell to the ground, gasping, punching the earth with his fist.
But Gan Fall stayed silent… watching. As if he was waiting for something to break inside Luca… or maybe something to be born.
Day five...
Luca started to notice something strange. Before the blow landed, there was a small moment… an unseen void, but it could be felt.
One time, he felt that void, but instead of moving, he hesitated… he was hit in the chest and fell backward.
Gan Fall said in a low voice this time:
"You're getting closer… don't stop."
Day six...
The air was heavy… the silence, frightening.
Luca stood firm, eyes closed. Gan Fall was moving behind him, silently.
A moment of stillness.
Then…
He felt something burst behind his right ear… a sharp intent.
Without thinking, he leaned his body to the left, and Gan Fall's staff passed right where his head had been a split second earlier.
A perfect dodge.
Luca slowly opened his eyes… his breath trembling, heart pounding.
Gan Fall stepped back, nodded with admiration:
"A first… real dodge. You've started to hear."
Luca smiled, but his expression remained cautious.
He said calmly:
"It felt… like an annoying tone in my head… then suddenly I knew where it would come from."
Gan Fall laughed lightly:
"That's the first sound of a world heard only by those who choose to listen… now, get ready. I won't spare you after today."
Luca clenched his fists and said with a tense smile:
"Neither will I."
-