"Haha~ Come catch me, Luffy~"
On the big ship, Nami used Soru to ambush Luffy, giggling as she kept disappearing and reappearing. Soru required stamina, and Nami, as a female thief, didn't lack stamina. So using it for two or three minutes continuously was no problem.
But very quickly, she paid the price! She thought that by mastering the introductory technique of Soru, she could temporarily protect herself from Luffy's attacks. But she didn't expect that she was still too naive! Alas, to be honest, how could the most basic 'Soru' technique compare to 'Hundred-Meter Instant Movement'?
Nami was just about to tease Luffy, making him envious but unable to catch her. Suddenly, a giant hand had silently pulled her into his embrace.
Nami was a little flustered. "Oh no, I can't escape now."
"Then… now that I've caught you?"
Feeling the hand on her waist tighten, Nami hurriedly pushed against Luffy's chest, biting her lower lip and pushing him hard. "No, not yet, Luffy~ I'm not mentally prepared."
What more mental preparation do you need? Didn't you tell 'the King' to catch you?
Luffy grinned, a beaming smile, wanting Nami to see the serious consequences her actions would bring. Seeing that she couldn't escape, Nami became flustered and finally had to put her hands down. Immediately after, just like when she lost her first kiss, her lips were passionately kissed by Luffy. Scared, she quickly closed her eyes, her body as stiff as a rock, and then it slowly softened…
Luffy and Nami were currently discussing "import and export trade," something that had never happened in the Pirate World!
At first, Nami was completely confused by it, clearly not understanding what it was all about. But under Luffy's patient guidance, she gradually understood. She even started actively discussing it with him. The two went back and forth, and Nami learned more and more. In just ten minutes, she had fully mastered this skill, progressing even faster than with 'Soru', instantly reaching proficiency.
Nami swore that the next time Luffy talked to her about this, she would definitely make him speechless!
After this round of teaching, their relationship deepened even more.
After lunch, Luffy happily went up to the deck and looked at Zoro, who was sleeping soundly diagonally behind him. This guy had found a thick rope at some point and actually tied his small boat to the big ship. This way, he wouldn't get lost and would save the effort of paddling.
When did this guy get so smart?
Luffy thought for a moment, then directly moved to Zoro's small boat. He brought some leftover meat from lunch and a bottle of sake.
"Luffy?" Zoro opened his eyes at the sound and saw the man in the red vest squatting in front of him.
"You've probably finished your rice balls, I brought you some lunch." Luffy handed over the sake and meat, and casually twisted the cap open for him.
"Thanks, Luffy." Zoro sat up straight, took the sake, and took a big gulp. The food wasn't important, he just liked to drink.
"A few days ago you said you wanted to challenge Hawk-Eyes?" Luffy simply sat down next to him and asked.
Zoro had half the bottle of sake down and let out a loud burp. "Yeah, what about it?"
"To be serious, you really can't beat Hawk-Eyes right now."
"I know, but I still have to challenge him. Even if I can't win now, I need to know where the gap is between us, and then use it as a benchmark to catch up desperately!"
Luffy heard Zoro say this, first nodding in satisfaction and smiling, but then shaking his head again.
"If you only want to test your strength, then I should be able to see how big the gap is between you and him."
"You are barely considered a master among swordsmen right now, but Hawk-Eyes, he's a top-tier great swordsman."
"The gap between you and him is like a star and a moon. To be honest, he could easily defeat you with a small knife."
Luffy understood Zoro's anger, so he spoke frankly. The East Blue was, after all, the weakest sea, and Zoro's knowledge was still too limited. If he were to rashly challenge Hawk-Eyes once more like this, he might truly be defeated just like before. Then he would yell to the heavens, "I'll never lose again from now on, Pirate King, do you have any objections?" Luffy couldn't help but laugh and cry when he thought of that scene.
"He could defeat me with a small knife… that's too much, isn't it?" Zoro was struck, staring wide-eyed at Luffy.
"You may not believe it, but what I said is true. He doesn't even need to use his full power when he uses a small knife."
Luffy took the remaining half-bottle of sake from Zoro, took two gulps, and then began to talk about Hawk-Eyes. He only spoke about Hawk-Eyes's early story. As for the top-tier swordsman later with a 3.59 billion Berry bounty, he didn't tell Zoro, for fear that the current Zoro couldn't handle the blow.
"I've given you an example of the gap in swordsmanship, and what you still need to improve now… It's not just this… but also 'Haki'!"
"Haki?" Zoro looked at Luffy with a puzzled expression, seemingly not having reacted yet.
"Yes, that's the feeling. Try to cut me with your sword."
After speaking, Luffy's arm was covered in Armament Haki, his skin becoming dark and gleaming with a cold light.
Zoro hesitated at these words, how could he attack his Captain? But seeing Luffy's 'go ahead,' he still drew his sword and attacked.
With a 'clang'!
The sword bounced to the stern, but Luffy's arm was unharmed, without even a scratch.
"This, this is Haki? Can you teach me?" Zoro's eyes widened, staring intently at Luffy.
"Of course. I've already taught you the Six Styles before, so just take your time…"
"There are three types of Haki: Armament Haki, Observation Haki, and Conqueror's Haki. Ordinary people only have Armament Haki and Observation Haki, but you and I, like me, were born with Conqueror's Haki…"
Luffy smiled as he explained the meaning of the three types of Haki; since Zoro was his Vice-Captain, his strength had to keep up. After more than three hours of explanation, Zoro finally gained some understanding.
Cultivating Haki required a long time, and Luffy had already taught him everything he could. Just as he was about to let the excited Zoro practice on his own, Nami's shout suddenly came from the big ship in front, "Luffy, Zoro, Orange Town is here!"
The two looked up and forward. On the horizon, the silhouette of an island was slowly appearing before their eyes.
At the port of Orange Town. A few pirate guards also saw the approaching ship. The leading pirate put down his telescope and said to the person next to him, "Hurry up and tell Captain Buggy, a big fat sheep is coming!"
"Alright!"
…
There was a tall building in the center of Orange Town. A pirate was standing on the roof, holding a long sword and cursing an old man wearing glasses below. "You damned old man, get back to where you came from!"
"You old geezer, why are you protecting this town?"
"Before our great Captain Buggy gets mad, hurry up and get lost!"
The people above were arrogantly cursing, while the old man below, holding a cane, was trembling with anger.
"Buggy, get out here!!"