The following day, the sun shone brightly as Mosen finally woke up.
This was his first time getting drunk since arriving in this world and the only day in three years that he hadn’t trained. His body and nerves had been too tense for the past three years. Drinking yesterday had let him drop all his defences, allowing him to rest completely.
For someone who had never relaxed before, Mosen stretched lazily upon waking, feeling no discomfort from a hangover but somewhat entirely refreshed.
After his body relaxed, Mosen felt the whole world come alive.
Sometimes, the body needs to relax, like a spring that can’t return to its original shape if stretched for too long.
So, after this relaxation, Mosen felt that his control over his body had improved, and he even had a deeper understanding of the Smooth-Smooth Fruit’s abilities.
“Indeed, staying in one place leads nowhere. Only by wandering can one find oneself. Oh, my damned restless soul.”
When Mosen washed up and left the room, Shanks and his crew were already on deck.
“Hey, Mosen, you’re up. Quite a lad, you drank a lot yesterday.”
“Of course, my alcohol tolerance is great. I won’t lose to you in drinking.”
After drinking, Mosen became familiar with Shanks and his crew. This big shot was not the exact formidable figure who, a decade later, could deter the Navy with just his presence. Now, Shanks was a young adventurer with his companions, making him more approachable.
So, Shanks now was a solemn yet funny guy.
“Stop bragging. You were the first to pass out under the table yesterday, carried off to rest. Ha-ha-ha.”
“That’s because you cheated, all of you ganging up on me alone. You’re all a bunch of bad guys. I’ll find a chance to get even. Hmph!”
“Calm down in the morning, Lieutenant Mosen. Come have breakfast, everyone!”
Breakfast was served in the main hall on the first floor of the ship. Though called a hall, it couldn’t seat everyone on the boat. So, the table in the middle of the hall had only Mosen and Shanks’ officers.
Others had to eat afterwards.
Despite the food, Mosen ate as quickly as the future big eater, Luffy. This habit developed over three years, always saving every second to spend more time training.
After downing a belly full of beer yesterday, Mosen felt no difference after breakfast and noticed Yasopp beside him, seemingly lost in thought with his plate untouched.
So, Mosen reached for Yasopp’s plate.
Damn it, Yasopp was the one who pushed him the hardest to drink yesterday. He couldn’t beat him now, but his son Usopp wouldn’t be a match for him.
He would find a chance to beat up Usopp, claiming it was for his father’s debts. What a genius idea, ha-ha.
“Got it, let’s eat your breakfast first, Yasopp.”
Bang!!
Yasopp, in a daze, suddenly drew a table knife and smacked the back of Mosen’s smooth, white hand with the blunt side.
The speed was so fast that Mosen couldn’t react before the knife reached his hand. However, without Haki, the knife slid off Mosen’s hand and onto the table.
The people who planned to watch Mosen’s reaction were taken aback.
Mosen had already polished off Yasopp’s fried rice, finally feeling warmth in his stomach.
He glanced at Shanks’ bread plate but noticed everyone watching him, so he gave up the idea. Ah, no chance.
“Was that a Devil Fruit ability just now?”
“Exactly, I ate the Smooth-Smooth Fruit, which made me this handsome and charming.”
“……”
Did you misunderstand our question? Who asked if you were handsome? We admit you’re attractive, but did you eat the fruit just to be good-looking?
“I see. No wonder my attack slid off. If I had used Haki, it wouldn’t have missed.” Yasopp, looking thoughtful, seemed a bit regretful.
Mosen looked at Yasopp in surprise.
Are you a devil? I just stole your breakfast, and you wanted to use Haki on me? Are you trying to kill me? I want to get off this ship; it’s too dangerous. I can’t afford to be injured by someone who knows Haki.
“Uncle Yasopp, was that Kenbunshoku Haki just now?”
Mosen recalled almost being hit earlier. He was sure Yasopp had been distracted but still noticed, and Mosen couldn’t react in time. Yasopp’s speed was incredible.
At this point, the Red-Haired Pirates hadn’t reached their peak strength, yet Mosen couldn’t handle them.
“Kid, now you see how amazing it is. Yasopp’s Kenbunshoku Haki is even better than mine.” Seeing Mosen’s frustrated expression, Shanks felt pleased, finding joy in others’ misfortune.
“He’s our best sniper and one of the world’s top snipers.”
“Big deal. I’ll awaken my Haki soon too. Within two years, I’ll definitely awaken it.”
Mosen was unhappy. Haki, as if it’s a big deal… okay, I don’t have it yet.
But he felt he was close to understanding Kenbunshoku Haki and might soon push that door open.
This genuinely shocked Shanks and his crew. Devil Fruits depended on luck, and the Red-Haired Pirates didn’t value them highly.
But a fifteen-year-old boy with decent martial arts, swordsmanship at the cutting iron level, and now close to awakening Kenbunshoku Haki was astonishing.
Haki is the ultimate power hidden in the human body, different from the abilities granted by Devil Fruits.
Although Haki seemed familiar in the New World, which was full of monsters, any pirate crew could dominate the four seas.
This was the weakest East Blue, and no one expected such a talented young monster to join the Navy.
Maybe soon, Mosen’s name would be known worldwide.
The straightforward Lucky Roux directly drew his gun, firing a bullet at Mosen’s shoulder.
Danger!
Mosen’s hair stood on end. If this bullet hit, he’d be seriously injured.
When Roux prepared to draw his gun, Mosen felt a vague suspicion. When the gun fired, the sensation intensified.
This was an Armament Haki-infused bullet, and Mosen didn’t dare be careless. As the gun pointed at him, his body moved. He braced his feet on the floor leaned back, using the chair for support, and his upper body became parallel to the floor.
A bullet grazed Mosen’s left shoulder, piercing through the cabin’s wooden wall and disappearing.
“Indeed, you’re close to awakening Kenbunshoku Haki. Quite an impressive kid.” Ben Beckman exhaled smoke, holding his breath for a long time.
Shanks nodded in agreement.
“This trip to the East Blue has shown us a remarkable person.”
Mosen sat up, looking frustrated. Why were they acting so indifferent?
“Damn it, don’t act like nothing happened. I got shot! You’re calmly chatting. Compensate for my mental distress, youth, medical, and beauty expenses!”
Yasopp sighed. Why are you looking at me? Ask the shooter for those fees. Don’t look at me; you just envy my skills.
“Then let me teach you how to awaken Kenbunshoku Haki as compensation.”
I only offer this to those I find pleasing. Anyone else wouldn’t get my attention.
“Well, seeing your sincerity, I reluctantly agree.”
“Reluctantly?!!”
“Get some self-respect, kid!!”
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