Yun Lie and Dorag sat opposite each other, their conversation having lasted for a long time.
Dorag crossed his arms, his sharp gaze fixed on Yun Lie. Whenever the latter mentioned the concept of 'a single spark can start a prairie fire' or elaborated on the strategic vision of 'rising from small towns, with Sea Islands encircling the nation,' the leader of the Revolutionary Army would unconsciously lean forward slightly, his eyes gleaming with an irrepressible excitement, as if he had finally found a guiding light in a long, dark night.
Yun Lie gently rotated the teacup in his hand, his tone calm yet every word carried immense weight.
The wisdom from another dimension flowed smoothly from his lips, each sentence seemingly imbued with the power to change the world.
Dorag listened intently, the cigar between his fingers long extinguished, ashes silently falling to the ground, yet he remained completely oblivious.
"Let's stop here for today," Yun Lie said, putting down his teacup and stretching his body after sitting for so long.
"I stand by what I said, I don't want to get too deeply involved with the revolution."
As a transmigrator, he knew the course of history too well and understood what it meant to be swept into the revolutionary tide.
Even so, seeing the disappointment in Dorag's eyes, he couldn't help but add, "However, if it doesn't go against my principles, I will try to consider helping."
Dorag abruptly stood up, his chair scraping against the wooden floor with a harsh sound.
The next second, this 'World's Most Dangerous Criminal,' who struck fear into the World Government, formally bowed to Yun Lie with a standard Revolutionary Army salute, expressing his gratitude: "Mr. Yun Lie, what you said today has enlightened me. Dorag will remember this kindness!"
Yun Lie hastily stood up to defer, but saw that Dorag had already pulled a leather-bound manual from his embrace.
On the yellowed cover, the words "Haoshoku Haki Coiling Secret" were faded but still exuded an indescribable majesty.
"I presume Mr. Yun Lie still has some confusion regarding the use of Haoshoku. Please accept this collection of insights."
Yun Lie's breathing quickened abruptly. In the recent past, he had suffered greatly in clashes with powerhouses like Red-Haired Shanks.
Despite possessing powerful Haoshoku, he could only use its most basic release. When facing true masters, such crude application was simply no match.
And this secret manual, which contained Dorag's half-lifetime of experience, was undoubtedly the key to breaking through his bottleneck.
"Such a generous gift, I would be rude to refuse it," Yun Lie said, taking the manual with both hands. The rough texture of the leather cover seemed to speak of countless fierce battles. "If you ever need anything in the future, as long as it doesn't go against my principles, feel free to contact me."
Dorag laughed heartily: "Mr. Yun Lie is indeed straightforward!" They exchanged Den Den Mushi, the crisp sound of metal shells clashing, as if witnessing the conclusion of some secret pact.
It wasn't until Dorag's figure completely disappeared into the night that Yun Lie noticed the constantly flashing Den Den Mushi in the room.
Vivi's pink Den Den Mushi had accumulated over a dozen missed calls, and Kaya's golden receiver still carried a faint warmth, indicating that the young girl must have waited anxiously for a long time.
Even the usually serious Smoker's black Den Den Mushi stubbornly displayed five call records.
He first dialed Vivi and Kaya's numbers, patiently reassuring the two girls' worried emotions.
As for Smoker, after a moment of thought, he decided not to call back for now—the relationship between the Marine and him was delicate and complex, coupled with the Marine's attitude towards him, he would let him wait for a while.
After dealing with these trivial matters, Yun Lie eagerly opened the secret manual.
Between the yellowed pages, there were detailed theoretical explanations interspersed with Dorag's handwritten combat insights.
As he delved deeper into the reading, the cultivation problems that had plagued him for so long gradually found answers.
It turned out that the essence of Haoshoku Haki Coiling lay in perfectly integrating spiritual power with physical strength to form a powerful, destructive double strike.
Unbeknownst to him, it was already late. When a startling bolt of lightning struck beside him, Yun Lie realized with a jolt that it had turned dark at some point.
Such precise lightning strikes could only mean Nami was calling him home for dinner.
....
Alabasta.
After finishing the call with Yun Lie, Princess Vivi completely relaxed and got up to leave the room.
Passing through several corridors, she pushed open the heavy iron door of the secret chamber, and warm yellow light immediately spilled out.
Inside the secret chamber, three figures were engaged in an intense battle.
Gal wielded his Armament Haki-covered bear paws, each strike accompanied by a powerful snowstorm;
Mite, in his Honey Pot Dog form, agilely dodged attacks;
Jis manipulated thorny vines, continuously launching offensives, with the clang of metal and the whoosh of Devil Fruit abilities intertwining and echoing in the confined space.
Sensing someone enter, the three simultaneously stopped and knelt on one knee in unison, saluting in chorus: "Your Highness, Princess!"
Gal, with his nearly three-meter tall muscular physique, leaned slightly forward. Mite shook off the debris from his body, and Jis also straightened up, their eyes filled with respect.
Vivi, wearing pearl-inlaid high heels, slowly walked down the steps. Her gaze swept over the three in turn, her voice calm but with an undeniable authority: "Have you all mastered Armament Haki?"
"Reporting to Your Highness, Mite and I have already mastered Armament Haki," Gal replied in a booming voice, the black Haki wrapped around his arms faintly glowing. He continued, "Although Jis hasn't mastered Armament Haki, he has mastered Observation Haki."
"Good," Vivi nodded in satisfaction, "Continue to work hard and strive to master both Armament Haki and Observation Haki as soon as possible to serve the kingdom."
These three were carefully selected from the 600,000 Royal Army and possessed absolute loyalty to the Nafeltari Royal Family.
Gal is an Ancient Zoan: Snowstorm Bear Devil Fruit ability user.
Mite ate the Zoan: Dog-Dog Fruit, Honey Pot form Devil Fruit.
And Jis ate the Paramecia: Thorn Devil Fruit.
Following Yun Lie's advice, Vivi used these three Devil Fruits, along with the support of her father, Cobra, to cultivate three powerful subordinates.
After specialized brainwashing training, their loyalty belonged solely to the Nafeltari family, making them the kingdom's most reliable fighting force.