[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-if-you-don-t-try-hard-how-can-i-become-pirate-ki":3,"chapter-if-you-don-t-try-hard-how-can-i-become-pirate-ki-if-you-don-t-try-hard-how-can-i-become-pirate-ki-chapter-28":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","If You Don't Try Hard, How Can I Become Pirate King?",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2340012,4574,"Chapter 28: Awakening the True Heart","if-you-don-t-try-hard-how-can-i-become-pirate-ki-chapter-28",28,"\u003Cp>Lord’s Mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Wen took the Kensei from Gasha’s hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though it was his first time holding the hilt, the sensation coursing through the blade made his arms tremble with excitement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was a wondrous feeling of bloodline connection, profoundly mysterious and beyond words.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clang!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Gao Wen tightened his grip, the silver blade slowly slid from its sheath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just the blade alone exceeded one point two meters; with the hilt, the total length reached about one point five meters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In form, it resembled a nodachi—unwieldy for most—but perfectly suited to Gao Wen’s height of over two meters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Kensei differed markedly from the famed swords of Wano in Gao Wen’s memory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its blade bore no intricate patterns; only the tsuba bore an engraved mark resembling a chrysanthemum. Yet the simpler its form, the sharper the keenness radiating from its edge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine sword!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Wen uttered an honest compliment, and beside him, Jasmine slightly lifted her chin, wearing an expression of proud satisfaction:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Of course—this is the famed blade the Lord spent over half a year and countless Beli to obtain from the master of Isshin Dojo.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even in the Grand Line, it’s an absolute masterpiece!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmph!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Wen smiled faintly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether by fate or because the blade possessed spirit, he now truly felt a bond of mutual understanding with the Kensei in his hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re eager too, aren’t you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To drink the blood of your enemies!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Wen’s voice was firm; he raised the blade and slashed—without even exerting force—and released a silver arc of air-cutting energy that pierced a distant small building.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the two women’s terrified eyes, the upper half of the building slowly slid down, revealing a smooth, mirror-like cut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Boom!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dust swirled; the blade hummed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Wen suppressed his excitement and spoke to the two women:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Find somewhere to hide. The fighting is my duty.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, Gao Wen vanished in a flash from the Lord’s Mansion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing this, Gasha suddenly felt a surge of confidence. She had placed all her hopes on Gao Wen—she could only win, not lose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After escorting Jasmine into the cellar, Gasha clenched her teeth, locked the cellar door from the outside, ignored Jasmine’s frantic calls, and walked out of the governor’s mansion with resolute eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was her land. These were her people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had enjoyed power and wealth; now, in crisis, she must protect those who once revered her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Captain of the Guard, come with me—organize rescue efforts!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After leaving the Lord’s Mansion, Gao Wen accelerated, heading straight for the port—the epicenter of the fiercest battle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Visible to the naked eye.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Far out on the sea, an entire line of heavily armed pirate ships drew nearer; with Gao Wen’s vision, he could even make out Krieg’s bizarre flag.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A skull flag with hourglasses on either side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Wen vaguely recalled its meaning: no matter where you run, I will find you!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A formidable enemy loomed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Gao Wen, gripping the Kensei, felt no fear—only a strange unease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unease that his opponents were too few, that he hadn’t even warmed up before they fell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unease that the enemies were too weak, that the Kensei hadn’t tasted blood yet, and he’d have to wait indefinitely for its next meal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hold on just a little longer!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Wen’s lips curled into a cruel grin—then his steps halted abruptly, shattering the ground beneath his feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For a familiar system alert echoed in his mind:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Crewmember Kelo has awakened his true heart.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Potential upgraded: Bronze → Silver!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Awakened Observation Haki! Current level—LV-0!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This is!!!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Potential breakthrough? And he awakened Observation Haki?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Wen’s face showed shock:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What the hell did Kelo go through?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This sudden change wasn’t a surprise—it was a shock.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He still remembered he’d only mentioned it in passing to Kelo—he never expected him to awaken Observation Haki.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But how many days had passed?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Already awakened Observation Haki?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Awakening Observation Haki before entering the Grand Line was indeed an unexpected boon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if the level was low, Gao Wen had the system—every bit of progress Kelo made, Gao Wen gained tenfold. In a few months, he’d reach combat-ready levels!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The stronger my crew, the stronger I am. When they awaken abilities, I awaken too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The system’s power is even more insane than I thought.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, awakening Observation Haki was secondary—the real revelation was that awakening one’s true heart could elevate potential?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even enable a leap from Bronze to Silver?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the system’s classification, Silver encompassed Marine Vice Admirals to Admirals, and some of the Seven Warlords.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such power would be notable even in the New World.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once Kelo fully realized his potential, he’d be considered a core fighter in any faction.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Wen had assumed potential could only be raised through Devil Fruits or body modification—but now, mindset change must be added to the list.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Wen now realized:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Haki, the other path alongside Devil Fruits in this world, was fundamentally a profoundly subjective power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The stronger the belief, the stronger the Haki; if belief shattered, Haki would decay to terrifying levels in mere moments.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crocodile was the clearest example.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In his youth, he surged forward, stormed into the New World, matched Baratie in strength—then was crushed by Whitebeard. His power plummeted—his core issue was Haki decay.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Again, Crocodile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Twenty years later, after escaping Impel Down and reclaiming his belief in becoming Pirate King, he could still trade blows with Mihawk.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But such a leap in power? With his personality, he won’t stay still.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Wen’s lips curled into a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His gaze was haughty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ten times your growth rate—you’ll bleed yourself dry and still call me Captain!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Shaking off distractions, Gao Wen gripped the Kensei tighter, accelerated his steps, and covered nearly a kilometer in seconds, arriving at the port.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scene within made him pause.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The setting sun’s last rays painted the sky crimson—but the blood on the ground outshone it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kelo stood in the port, drenched in blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One arm twisted like a rope, one leg grotesquely deformed—he was clearly near death’s edge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet his spirit, his aura, had never been higher—so high that Gao Wen frowned at the sight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Kelo:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Akin lay in a pool of blood, his flesh torn and lacerated everywhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had his chest not risen and fallen intermittently, Gao Wen would have thought him dead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gao Wen, you’re too slow.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kelo raised a trembling hand, instinctively trying to push up his glasses—after several attempts, he succeeded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His finger claws had shattered from countless impacts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His fingers were bruised purple.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite his wounds, Kelo’s voice was calm:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A comfortable life?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t want it anymore.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When I recover, I’ll take over as captain.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll claim the Warlord position. I’ll fulfill our pact.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Wen wore an expression of “I knew it”:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine. But first, you have to get past me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I will!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1146,"2026-06-20T23:03:52.332Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","11013ab0e3caf977922ceda57f8857595ca99dbd10bf3125605af82c718264c6","if-you-don-t-try-hard-how-can-i-become-pirate-ki-chapter-29","if-you-don-t-try-hard-how-can-i-become-pirate-ki-chapter-27",469,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fif-you-don-t-try-hard-how-can-i-become-pirate-ki-cover.jpg"]