Chapter 3: Teaching Acedes Haki
"Captain, the sea is frozen!!!"
"Did we run into Admiral Aokiji from Marine Headquarters?"
The pirates on deck were frozen in fear, staring at the two figures Moran and Acedes landing on the deck!
"Yo… We're not Marine Admirals."
"Who the hell are you?"
"Captain, that's the former Marine Colonel, Alphad. Moran—he's got a bounty of 50 million Baileys!"
"And the one next to him is the Ice Queen a Logia user with a 100 million bounty!"
Pirate bounty info sets were still being introduced…
Acedes dashed forward, without even drawing her weapon.
"White Ice Shards!"
She surged into the crowd, flanked by exploding ice spikes—dozens of pirates collapsed instantly as the cold consumed them.
"Oi oi… Acedes, leave a few for me!"
With that, Moran drew his blade, activated Soru, infused it with Armament Haki, and vanished from sight reappearing before the enemy captain, Brute Force, and slashing from the ground up. Brute Force barely registered the movement before he was flung back like a broken puppet.
"Got it, Lord Moran."
As a former student of Zephyr, Moran had solid fundamentals, his physical combat, swordsmanship, and Haki use were sharp and well-trained.
Hmm… this pirate's a bit too weak. I'd hoped to warm up a bit—after all, I haven't really stretched my skills since arriving in this world. Still, this body his predecessor had Rear Admiral-level capability. I was afraid I wouldn't measure up, but once the fight started, it felt like instinct. Haki, swordplay, even Soru came as naturally as breathing.
After just a few brief exchanges, Brute Force had already taken multiple slashes Moran had avoided vitals, but Brute Force was pale, bloodied, and barely standing.
One clean blow would end it.
"One-Sword Style: Eight-Pole Shadow Slash!"
This was a sword technique created by the body's former owner using Soru to deliver eight high-speed sword strikes from different directions. The rapid movement blurred the attacks so much they looked simultaneous. Brute Force couldn't respond—his defeat was sealed.
"Too weak!"
"Acedes, come toss the rest of these guys overboard. This ship's ours now."
(This was a modest, old schooner similar in size to the Going Merry with four rooms and a small galley.)
Once we've got money, I'll have a proper ship built but for now, this'll do. It's just the two of us anyway.
They flung all the pirates into the sea but one of them, Brute Force, had a bounty worth collecting.
Moran dragged the battered captain over to the merchant ship.
"Ou Paris. Captain Tomson, I've got a pirate here—23 million Baileys bounty. I'll sell him to you for 20 million. Interested?" (I can't turn in the bounty myself, so having someone else claim it for me is genius.)
"Lord Moran, don't insult me we owe you our lives. I'll take him in for you and give you the full 23 million Baileys."
"Then thank you, Ou Paris. Captain Tomson I'll accept it happily." (Nice—easy profit.)
With the money in hand, Moran returned to the newly claimed pirate ship. Acedes was already waiting on deck.
"This ship will be our home from now on, Acedes."
Acedes blinked for a moment. Home? So… this is what it feels like to have a home. This… doesn't feel bad at all.
They set sail toward Water 7, the schooner slowly gliding toward the City of Shipwrights.
"Acedes, come over I'm going to teach you about Haki in this world."
"Coming, Lord Moran."
"What is Haki?"
"Haki's divided into three major types: Armament Haki, Observation Haki, and Conqueror's Haki."
"Armament Haki enhances defense, like invisible armor but it also boosts offensive power, allowing users to bypass Devil Fruit defenses, especially Logia types. Armament can coat parts of the body or weapons making them harder than steel. When active, the area turns black with a hardened gloss."
As he spoke, Moran activated Armament Haki, coating his arm in black steel sheen, letting Acedes observe it firsthand.
"Like this?"
Acedes focused and instantly, her arm became covered in shimmering Armament Haki.
(…Moran was stunned into silence.)
Ugh. People like her are infuriating he'd trained for months and still hadn't gone beyond basic Armament Haki.
Once awakened, Armament Haki grows with repeated use but still… that was ridiculous.
"Let's move on to Observation Haki. Observation allows you to sense incoming attacks, predict your opponent's next moves, feel their presence, emotions even gauge strength. Its range and sensitivity vary per user. With mastery, it can even glimpse the future."
As expected she picked it up quickly. There's no doubt our Ice Queen has the potential for Conqueror's Haki as well.
She may have just awakened it but with her raw talent, she'll surpass this moody Moran soon enough.
"System… you got anything that can help me keep up?"
"The host's lottery function includes various swordsmanship and Haki skills."
"What sort of prizes can I pull?"
"You may receive Devil Fruits, legendary blades, or rare artifacts through the draw."
I remember that there's a famous blade rumored to be in possession of Gekko Moria hidden somewhere on Thriller Bark, his ghost ship island. But never mind, we're almost at Water 7, the City of Water if I ever swing back that way, I'll go for it then!
Well, once again, Mou Lan, broke and without resources, returns to brooding.
Acedes walked over and saw Moran squatting down, quietly drawing circles on the deck with his finger what a strangely adorable man.
"Lord Moran, we've arrived at Water 7."
"Are we going ashore?"
"Yes—let's explore the city, check for supplies, and restock food and fresh water."
Moran walked down the bustling stone streets of Water 7 beside Acedes.
People around glanced nervously at them and stepped aside, whispering as they passed.
Civilian (whispering): "That's definitely him... the former Marine Colonel... with a bounty of 50 million berries!"
"And that woman The Ice Queen! They say she's worth 100 million!!"
Am I really that infamous? Moran mused, catching the fearful stares from the locals.
At that moment, a sharp flash of red glinted in Moran's pupils—his Observation Haki had detected it. Without a pause, he drew his blade and slashed diagonally left—CLANG! a sniper bullet was split clean in two in midair.
Moran's Haki was always active. It was the best way to sharpen his perception constantly.
Meanwhile, perched atop a rooftop almost a kilometer away...
"Tch. He deflected it?" A cloaked figure holding a long sniper rifle grunted.
"Guess it's fate..."
The man leapt off the rooftop and began sprinting away through the alleys of Water 7.
"Acedes, you're faster—intercept that sniper."
"Leave it to me, Lord Moran."
With a few light-footed bounds, Acedes vanished bounding across rooftops like a blur. Moran followed, more steadily.
"There you are, little rat."
"Let me deliver your rightful end."
"Ice Fury: Hailstorm Drop!"
"Crap... she's fast!" the sniper muttered.
Van Augur—better known as Van Oka glanced up and saw a massive sphere of jagged ice descending from the sky. He flung himself into a sloppy roll to the side, narrowly avoiding being frozen into a statue.
Impressive. So he dodged?
But Acedes was already there appearing in front of him in a flash and launching a vicious roundhouse that sent him crashing through a wooden cart nearby.
"What's the matter?"
"Is that really all?"
"If you're that weak... don't bother stepping in front of me again."
She approached slowly, heel clicking and then stomped down hard on his chest.
Van Oka coughed up blood, groaning.
By the time Moran caught up, the "battle" was already over. If it could even be called a battle it looked more like target practice.
This guy… he looks familiar. Wait that's Van Oka, sniper of the Blackbeard Pirates. But that's supposed to be years from now...
And now he's getting squashed under Acedes' heel like a fly.
"Acedes, ease up. Let's talk. You Van Oka, right?"
"You know who I am?"
Van Oka staggered upright, rubbing his jaw, and looked at Moran curiously.
"I've heard rumors. Why don't you tag along with us?"
"Hm. Fate guides this moment. If we met, it must be destiny!"
"I shall look after your ship, captain!"
"I thought you'd resist, but you folded fast."
"It's not weakness it's fate. I serve destiny, not ego."
"Alright, Van Oka. I haven't formed a formal pirate crew yet, so you don't have to follow me directly. For now, I'm giving you a task."
"Become a bounty hunter. Earn money. Train. Strengthen yourself. Running a pirate crew costs a fortune—we need funds."
"Watch for my signal when I return to Water 7, it'll mean I'm heading into the New World. That's your cue to find me."
Moran tossed him a small Den Den Mushi.
"Only contact me if it's truly important."
"Yes, captain."
With that, the two left him behind, Van Oka watching them disappear down the canal path of Water 7.
He stood still for a long while, staring at the water as the waves rippled.
Yes… this is fate!
(Note: A 100 million bounty in the Grand Line is already a serious threat.)
(Location: A quiet restaurant tucked into the alleys of Water 7)
Moran and Acedes sat across from each other, enjoying their meal.
"After we're done eating, let's stock up on food and fresh water," Moran said. "We'll also need to buy a Log Pose tuned to Gaya Island."
(Next stop: Gaya Island home of pirates, buried treasure… and perhaps a path to the sky.)
"Yes, Master Moran."
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