Bogart could hardly believe his eyes. Yoriichi had just reacted as if he were using Observation Haki.
"Take off the blindfold," Bogart demanded.
Yoriichi complied, and Bogart tested the cloth himself, confirming it was completely opaque. His lips pressed into a thin line. He slipped the blindfold back over Yoriichi's eyes.
"Again," Bogart ordered, gripping his bamboo sword. "Be ready this time."
A strange competitiveness flared inside him. He would prove the boy wasn't invincible.
"Shave!"
In a flash, Bogart vanished from Yoriichi's perception and reappeared at his side, the bamboo sword slicing silently toward his shoulder. He deliberately avoided attacking from behind—many warriors had sharp instincts about threats from the front and back. A strike from the side could break through.
"Da!"
But Yoriichi reacted instantly. His bamboo sword blocked Bogart's strike with a crisp crack, and before Bogart could blink, Yoriichi's foot lashed out.
Bang!
The kick slammed into Bogart's waist, sending him skidding several meters across the deck.
Yoriichi frowned. His kick had landed, but it felt like striking iron. Bogart had hardened his body at the last second—Tekkai had absorbed the blow.
Bogart pushed himself upright, shock rippling across his features.
He can sense it… he actually sensed my attack!
"Have you studied Observation Haki before?" Bogart demanded.
Yoriichi shook his head calmly. "No. I sensed your ki."
Bogart's brows furrowed. He didn't understand the word, but Yoriichi explained no further. In the Demon Slayer world, every living being carried fighting spirit. The stronger the person, the brighter the flame. Yoriichi's Transparent World allowed him to read this aura as naturally as breathing. Only those who had reached a state of complete selflessness could hide their spirit.
It was how he had once deceived Muzan. The Demon King had dismissed him as an ordinary man—right until the moment Yoriichi's blade cut him down.
Some truths crossed worlds. Men still breathed. Power still left traces. And before Yoriichi, Bogart blazed like a star in the night sky.
Bogart exhaled heavily. This wasn't ordinary training anymore. If Yoriichi could already perceive aura, Observation Haki drills were useless. But then… should he jump straight into Armament Haki? He hadn't even decided how to teach it.
"Hahahaha!"
A booming laugh shattered his dilemma. Vice Admiral Garp strode forward, grinning ear to ear.
"You're full of surprises, brat," Garp roared, clapping Yoriichi's shoulder.
The boy shyly pulled the blindfold down.
"Don't take it off!" Garp barked, still laughing. "The training's not done yet."
Aokiji, watching from a distance, narrowed his eyes. Dark memories stirred. He muttered a silent prayer for Yoriichi.
"Boy," Garp said, flexing his fist, "I'll be your opponent now. You'd better dodge!"
His presence shifted—and in Yoriichi's senses, his aura simply vanished.
"—!!"
A violent gust struck Yoriichi a heartbeat before Garp's fist hammered into his head. The blow sent him stumbling, nearly crashing to the deck.
Garp grinned. "As I thought. You're not predicting attacks with Observation Haki… you're just reading aura. A swordsman's instinct!"
Across the seas, certain masters could read killing intent, sense the direction of an opponent's strike. But true Observation Haki was far greater. It could cover an island, glimpse seconds into the future.
What Yoriichi had was powerful—but it wasn't Haki.
"Hehehe… so that's your trick, huh? But it's useless against me."
Garp's grin widened. "If you don't master Observation Haki soon, you're in for a world of pain!"
He launched forward. The whistling wind gave Yoriichi a clue—he swung his bamboo sword to block.
Snap!
The weapon shattered, and Garp's fist plowed into his chest.
Bang!
Yoriichi flew across the deck and crashed hard, gasping. Pain burned through his ribs with every breath. Still, he forced himself up.
"Oh, right," Garp said casually, as if he hadn't just broken the boy's chest. "While you're at it, practice Armament Haki too. Strengthen your body. Use my aura as a guide—feel it, copy it, unleash it. Then…"
He grinned wickedly. "…take another punch!"
Clenching his fists, Garp advanced again.
Yoriichi knew he was holding back, but the pain was still excruciating. He hadn't felt agony like this in years. If Garp had simply knocked him out cold, it would have been merciful. Instead, he was forced to endure every ounce of punishment.
He's the strongest man on the seas for a reason. He's reached selflessness—his aura vanishes completely. To evade him, I must go beyond instinct. I need true Haki. Observation. Armament. I'll master them both!
Yoriichi let the broken bamboo sword fall to the deck. He no longer needed it. Sword or not, this was training. He raised his fists and braced himself.
Bang!
Dong!
"Hahahaha! Mada mada, brat! You think that scratch could hurt me?!"
Garp's laughter shook the deck as his fists hammered Yoriichi again and again. Marines stopped to stare, whispering in awe, but Garp looked as delighted as a child with a new toy.
Aokiji finally shook his head and slipped away, already fetching the ship's doctor for medicine. Bogart, sighing, took command duties himself—better to let Garp "train" the boy undisturbed.
By afternoon, Yoriichi had begun to adapt. Bruised, battered, blindfolded, he managed to dodge a few strikes. More importantly, he caught fleeting glimpses of something new—the faint spark of Armament Haki stirring within him.
It wasn't strong, but it was there. Real. His body hardened instinctively as he tried to defend.
He still couldn't land a hit, not against Garp. But progress was progress.
The Vice Admiral's grin widened, his laughter ringing like thunder across the sea.
"Monstrous talent…! Absolutely monstrous!"
"Hahahaha!"
Read 2 Weeks chapters ahead at
patreon.com/Horizons685
(End of Chapter)