Chapter 16: Three Colors of Haki

Here it comes!

Gao Wen’s eyes lit up.

The power of Shao Si need not be explained—especially since he already possesses the neural reaction speed to keep up with Shao Si’s hyper-speed.

Once he masters this ability, Gao Wen’s combat power will undergo a true qualitative leap.

His original rating was already at the Black Iron limit; breaking through would carry him into Bronze.

Bronze rank is considered a notable force in the first half of the Grand Line, and in the East Blue, it’s outright dominant.

But.

Currently, this skill is at Level 0—just awakened, not yet mastered, and unusable in actual combat.

Gao Wen wasn’t in a hurry.

After all, Keluo was already a top-tier workaholic, and now that he’d found his goal, he was even more so.

He did crave a peaceful, comfortable life, but to achieve his goal, he was ruthless not just toward others, but even more so toward himself.

Just seeing the bruises all over Keluo’s body after daily training made Gao Wen wince—and yet feel increasingly satisfied.

A good Jiucai should train like this—unlike the one cutting them, who has too many things to worry about.

Gao Wen smiled knowingly, then stood and walked toward the ship’s training room.

…

At this moment.

Deep into the night.

Cold winds occasionally blew in through the windows.

Aside from the pirates on night watch and navigation, nearly everyone else had retreated into the cabins to sleep.

Only the training room echoed with violent thuds—Keluo was still training.

Bronze-level potential meant not only a higher ceiling, but also a body capable of far exceeding normal endurance.

Due to Shao Si’s uncontrollability, this room had essentially become Keluo’s solo training ground.

Thud!

Thud!

Thud!

…

In Shao Si’s high-speed state, Keluo repeatedly slammed into the walls; even with padding, bruises inevitably formed on his body.

Yet he showed no sign of stopping—instead, he pushed his body’s potential even harder.

His speed increased further, but with it came greater difficulty controlling the technique; his neural reaction speed was severely limiting his progress.

At the same time, he grew increasingly curious about how Gao Wen perceived Shao Si’s speed.

Thoughts churned in his mind; Keluo’s movements slowed. He placed both hands on his knees, gasping for breath, sweat pouring off him as if he’d just been pulled from water.

“Captain?!”

Only now did Keluo notice the training room door had been open—Gao Wen stood at the threshold, gazing at him calmly.

Without hesitation,

Keluo blurted out his question:

“How did you do it?”

“You actually saw through Shao Si’s speed!”

If the uncontrollability of Shao Si could be solved, Keluo’s combat power would surge—even now, he might stand a chance against Gao Wen.

Who would be whose subordinate then? And once we enter the Grand Line, why couldn’t I be the one to claim the Warlord title?

Keluo thought this, yet showed no sign on his face—only an earnest, humble expression.

Gao Wen didn’t see through Keluo’s hidden thoughts—even if he had, he wouldn’t care.

After all, for every one step you advance, I take ten. If I still lose under those conditions, you should be the captain.

If overthrowing me as captain would make his subordinates train harder, Gao Wen would happily paste his own photo on the training dummy.

Gao Wen looked at Keluo and said:

“It’s innate. But there are ways to improve Shao Si’s controllability.”

“Physical modification to boost neural reaction speed—or a special Devil Fruit—could yield immediate results.”

Keluo shook his head, looking disappointed:

“I’ve considered all these methods.”

“Physical modification has a high failure rate, and I’ve never heard of anywhere that performs neural modifications. Devil Fruits are rare enough; ones that enhance neural reaction speed are even rarer.”

“Is this technique truly impossible to complete?”

“Not necessarily.”

Seeing the moment was right, Gao Wen no longer teased Keluo:

“Everyone carries within them a latent power—called Haki.”

“Armament Haki, which enhances attack and defense by coating the body or weapon; Conqueror’s Haki, a king’s quality found in one in a million, capable of terrifying opponents mentally; and…”

“Observation Haki—the sixth sense beyond the five senses, able to perceive enemies behind or outside your field of vision, reading their movements before they act.”

“Observation Haki can perfectly solve Shao Si’s problem!”

“Haki?”

Keluo’s eyes brightened:

“That’s why you’re able to…?”

“No, I’m just naturally fast in neural reflexes.”

Gao Wen shrugged, as if exasperated.

Keluo’s lip twitched—he now wanted even more to overthrow this man and take the captain’s seat himself.

Gao Wen continued:

“In the Grand Line—especially the second half, known as the New World—strongmen who wield Haki are everywhere. In fact, you simply cannot survive there without it.”

“Try to awaken Observation Haki.”

“Shut off your five senses. Rely on instinct—try to perceive your surroundings.”

“Instinct…?”

Keluo’s expression turned thoughtful.

After a moment of silence,

he fetched a strip of cloth, tied it over his eyes, and began trying to sense his surroundings through that elusive instinct.

Whoosh!

Keluo activated Shao Si—his body shot out of control, slamming into the wall and nearly smashing the padding, followed by a rapid series of impacts.

“Ssshh~!”

Gao Wen sucked in a breath—it looked painful just watching.

He turned and walked away.

…

Time slipped into deep night; the sounds from the training room gradually faded. Keluo, having removed the cloth, gritted his teeth and cursed loudly:

“Are you messing with me?!”

“What sixth sense beyond the five senses? Are you trying to fool a ghost?!”

Gao Wen, already asleep, rolled over and slept even more soundly.

The next day.

Keluo did not train as usual.

Gao Wen considered going to ask why.

But seeing Keluo’s bandaged body and murderous glare, he could only awkwardly offer a polite smile:

“You know, this sort of thing can’t be rushed.”

“Get lost!”

Keluo’s face flushed red—he would’ve attacked if not for his injuries and the fact he couldn’t win.

Still, he didn’t give up.

Though he harbored resentment, he knew Gao Wen wouldn’t lie to him about this.

First, he’d soon be sailing with Gao Wen into the Grand Line—if it were a lie, it would collapse on its own.

Second, with Gao Wen’s demeanor, he wouldn’t lie about something like this.

So, barely recovered by the third day, Keluo resumed training Observation Haki—and unsurprisingly, ended up back in the infirmary.

Fractured hands, multiple soft-tissue contusions.

Even with his constitution, he wouldn’t be able to enter the training room again for half a month.

Gao Wen, watching the system panel where Shao Si had just reached LV-1, grinned broadly.

(End of chapter)