After returning to the snack bar and enjoying a hearty meal, Nami couldn't hold back any longer. "Lynn, you said something about haki earlier. Now's the time to explain, right?"
"Haki?" Zoro and Usopp exchanged confused glances. "What's that?"
"Ahem…" Lynn coquettishly smoothed his hair, then grinned. "Everyone, sit tight. This haki actually divides into three types…"
As Lynn began explaining, everyone except Luffy looked horrified. Such power really exists?
Lynn smiled proudly. "If you don't believe me, I'll show you."
With that, he unleashed his Conqueror's Haki, pressing down on everyone present like a mental weight.
Nami, Usopp, and Zoro looked at him in disbelief. This… this is mental suppression?
Seeing their expressions, Lynn chuckled, "I only used a little strength. If I turned it up, you'd all be out cold by now. Honestly, I'm just too talented—it's annoying."
He started showing off even more, prompting several grimaces.
Zoro frowned. "Big deal. I'll master this someday."
Lynn sneered, "Yeah, yeah, three sword styles, right?"
"Hey! You wanna fight?" Zoro snapped.
"Bring it on," Lynn replied. "With this aura, come chop me. And while you're at it, I'll show you what Observation Haki looks like."
Luffy clapped excitedly. "Let's see it, let's see it!"
Lynn smirked. "Outside, then. I don't want to break someone's stuff inside. Some greedy folks are stingy and carry treasures everywhere…"
Nami's eyes narrowed. "What did you just say?!"
Lynn dashed out before she could say more. Best not to argue or he'd get a beating.
Outside, Zoro tried to strike Lynn—but no matter what he did, he couldn't land a hit.
Usopp gawked. "Sugoi, this power's not normal!"
Nami smiled slyly. "You might not know this—back at the coast slope, Lynn split that entire cliff in half!"
Usopp shrugged. "Split a cliff? Big deal, probably just a rock breaking…"
He didn't know what Lynn had really done—because by then, Usopp and Zoro had gone off hunting Jango.
Zoro was sweating bullets, feeling utterly overwhelmed.
Ignoring Zoro's heavy breathing, Lynn walked to a nearby boulder.
"Watch this. This is Armament Haki in action."
Bang!
Lynn's arm, suddenly coated in a black sheen, smashed the rock into pieces.
"Nani!?" everyone gasped in shock.
Luffy pouted, muttering, "Big deal. I can do that too."
Zoro's eyes lit up. "That's the power Hawkeye should have! The world's strongest… This fits my expectations perfectly!"
Soon, back at the snack bar, Kaya arrived.
With her brown hair and sleek suit, she looked elegant and refined—a true goddess.
Lynn glanced at the group, then back at Kaya's stunning outfit, silently judging.
Kaya smiled gently. "Thank you all for saving us. Are you short on a boat? To show my gratitude, I'll gift you one…"
Luffy's eyes gleamed. "Really? Arigato! You're amazing!"
Kaya smiled slightly, and Usopp's world collapsed.
"Kaya…" Usopp stammered, unsure how to respond.
Kaya chuckled knowingly. "Don't tell me, Usopp—I understand. I misunderstood you before…"
"Don't, don't say it!" Usopp begged.
Luffy and the others exchanged confused looks, but Lynn's face darkened. All this PDA was making him unbearably uncomfortable.
After a while, Kaya left. The boat would take a few days to complete, needing some custom modifications.
Usopp looked dazed, caught up in his feelings.
Lynn smirked. "Hey, if you like her so much, then go chase her, you miscellaneous Usopp."
Blushing fiercely, Usopp snapped, "What did you say?! Kaya and I are not what you think! And my name's Usopp, not some pushover!"
Everyone burst out laughing.
Lynn patted Usopp's shoulder. "If you don't have the guts, then stop dreaming. It's not dark yet—you shouldn't be daydreaming in broad daylight."
"Asshole!" Usopp shot back. "Next time you eat out, you pay for it yourself!"
After some time, Nami stepped outside for a walk.
Noticing her hesitation, Lynn asked, "Nami, is there something you want to say? You look off since coming back from the coast. Got a stomachache? Is your period coming?"
Nami punched him in the arm. "What nonsense are you talking about?!"
Lynn grinned. "You don't want me to pay you back, huh? Well, no way—not even a berry!"
Nami rolled her eyes but finally took a breath and asked quietly, "If there was a pirate with a bounty of 20 million Bellies—or even stronger—could you defeat him?"
Nami didn't want to say it, but the shadow Arlong had cast over her since childhood weighed on her. Arlong was unbeatable in her mind.
But after witnessing Lynn's power on the coast, she dared to ask.
She didn't want to lose anyone else. Too many had been lost before, despite promises they'd be fine.
They all said it was no problem, but in the end, none returned—and that crushed her confidence…
-End Chapter-
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