In Shanks' eyes, Higuma wasn't even worthy of being killed.
That realization was more humiliating than death itself.
Higuma clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms.
But he didn't dare lash out.
He could only watch helplessly as Shanks led Luffy away.
—
On the path down the mountain.
Luffy walked beside Shanks in silence.
Shanks glanced at him.
"Scared?"
"No."
Luffy shook his head.
"I was just thinking… I'm too weak."
Shanks slowed slightly.
"Weak?"
"Yeah."
Luffy lowered his head.
"If I were strong enough, I wouldn't have been captured."
"If I were strong enough, I could've handled it myself."
"If I were strong enough…"
He clenched his fists.
"You wouldn't have had to come back to save me."
Shanks fell silent.
He hadn't expected that answer.
Most kids would feel relieved. Grateful.
But Luffy felt frustrated.
Frustrated at himself for not being strong enough.
"Luffy."
Shanks stopped and turned to face him.
"Getting stronger takes time."
"You're still young. There's no need to rush."
"I know."
Luffy lifted his head, eyes firm.
"But I don't have time to waste."
"Every day. Every hour. Every minute—I have to get stronger."
"Because I don't ever want to stand there again, waiting for someone to save me."
Shanks studied his eyes.
There was determination there. Stubbornness.
And a trace of unwillingness to accept defeat.
For a moment, Shanks saw his younger self.
Back when he had also burned with the need to grow stronger… to prove something to the world.
"Luffy."
Shanks reached out and patted his shoulder.
"No one becomes strong overnight."
"All strength is built piece by piece."
"You couldn't beat Higuma today. That doesn't mean you won't beat him tomorrow."
"As long as you don't give up, one day you'll surpass everyone."
Luffy nodded firmly.
"I will!"
Shanks smiled.
"Let's head back to the village."
—
As they walked, Luffy spoke with the system in his mind.
"System, that pressure earlier—that was Conqueror's Haki, right?"
[Yes.]
"How do I awaken it?"
[Current Haki aptitude: Observation seed (20% growth after update), Armament not activated, Conqueror's not activated.]
[Recommendation: Continue improving physical condition and willpower. Awakening requires a trigger.]
"A trigger?"
[Life-and-death crisis. Intense emotional surge. Or breakthrough past a critical limit.]
Luffy pondered.
Life-and-death crisis…
Did today count?
He was almost killed.
Was that not enough?
"System, since I was kidnapped today, is there any reward or penalty?"
[Event triggered: Kidnapping crisis.]
[Outcome: Successfully escaped (with external assistance).]
[Evaluation: Performance acceptable. However, relied on outside support.]
[Reward: Observation seed growth +5% (current 20%).]
[Additional reward: Electric resistance training upgraded to LV2 (pain sensitivity reduced by 30%).]
Luffy's eyes lit up.
His Observation Haki had grown again!
And his electric resistance training had leveled up too—that was great news.
He nearly died today.
But at least he gained something from it.
Worth it.
—
By the time they returned to the village, dusk was settling in.
When the villagers saw Luffy safe and sound, they let out collective sighs of relief.
Makino rushed forward and hugged him tightly, tears streaming down her face.
"Luffy! Are you okay? You scared me to death…"