Following Bogard onto the deck, Yoriichi still felt a bit dazed.
He hadn't expected that he'd be starting Haki training so soon. After nearly a month at Marine Headquarters, not only had he not begun training in the Navy Six Styles or Haki—he hadn't even seen them demonstrated.
Zephyr had indeed treated him well, but when it ca to teaching combat techniques, the admiral strictly followed Kong's orders, refraining from imparting too much.
Kong likely held lingering doubts about Yoriichi's origins. Before allowing him access to real combat skills, he seed intent on nurturing Yoriichi's sense of belonging within the Marines, using that ti to observe and assess his character. Only once convinced of his loyalty would Kong permit further instruction.
But Garp, Garp was not the kind of man to tiptoe around concerns or hesitate over protocol. To him, the orders of the Fleet Admiral ranked only slightly higher than garbage.
Seeing how quickly Yoriichi had picked up the Navy Six Styles and even begun integrating so of them into actual combat, Garp had made a snap decision: Bogard would start teaching the boy Haki.
Garp simply didn't care about Yoriichi's past. He had no fear of "spoiling the seedling."
If the kid could learn, then let him learn it all.
By now, the ship had officially set sail. Only a few scattered Marines stood along the railings, keeping watch over the ocean. The deck was broad, open, and quiet.
High above in the crow's nest, Kuzan had also located Garp. After offering a brief greeting, he silently stood behind the Vice Admiral, lowering his head to watch Yoriichi and Bogard down below.
"Heh, you're here," Garp chuckled.
"So? What do you think of that kid?"
Garp crossed his arms, gaze locked on Yoriichi. A sudden grin tugged at his lips.
"He's sothing else," Kuzan replied, adjusting the cap on his head. "I've never t anyone like him. If it's true he'd never even encountered the Navy Six Styles before…"
"To master those techniques in such a short span of ti, that kind of talent is exceptional."
Garp's grin only widened at the praise. "That brat's still got a long way to go."
"Yoriichi," Bogard said, "I'm going to teach you a power called Haki."
"Simply put, Haki is an innate ability that lies dormant within every human being."
"There's Kenbunshoku Haki, or Observation Haki, which lets you sense an opponent's presence and predict their movents... Busoshoku Haki, Armant Haki, which strengthens attacks and defense and allows you to hit Logia-type Devil Fruit users… and then there's Haoshoku Haki, Conqueror's Haki, an overwhelming force of will that only one in a million can awaken."
"Haki can be categorized into these three types, each based on its unique functions."
"Observation and Armant Haki can be cultivated through training. But Conqueror's Haki... that's sothing you're born with. No amount of effort can awaken it if the seed isn't there."
At this, Bogard gave Yoriichi a long, penetrating look before continuing.
"For you, we'll start with Observation Haki."
As he spoke, he reached into his suit pocket and tossed a strip of black cloth toward Yoriichi.
Yoriichi caught it with a flick of his hand.
"Use that to blindfold yourself."
"Observation Haki is, at its core, the result of awakening the latent potential of the five senses."
"Scent, sound, the flow of air, so say even the ability to read one's opponent's intentions—these are all manifestations of Observation Haki."
"Put simply, it's about perception, the ability to sense everything around you."
"Humans rely on their five senses to interpret the world, and vision makes up 90% of that input."
"If you can shut off your sight and still perceive your surroundings accurately, then congratulations—you've taken your first step into the world of Observation Haki."
"I've heard that so masters can even glimpse a few seconds into the future during battle. If you reach that point, your Observation Haki will be considered accomplished."
As Bogard spoke, he unfastened the sword at his waist and set it aside. He then picked up a wooden training sword and stepped in front of Yoriichi.
Without needing instruction, Yoriichi laid down his own blade and switched to a wooden one as well. Under Bogard's watchful gaze, he tied the black cloth tightly around his eyes.
"I've done this kind of training before…" Yoriichi murmured inwardly. "Will it really help awaken my Observation Haki?"
In the world of demons, he'd gone through similar exercises—but they hadn't helped him much.
The reason was simple: he had always possessed an innate sense of the "Transparent World." His perception of his surroundings had been terrifyingly acute since childhood.
In combat, he didn't rely heavily on vision.
Still, since Bogard had suggested it, Yoriichi didn't mind giving it a try. This was a different world, after all—maybe similar training would yield different results.
"I'm going to start attacking you now," Bogard said calmly. "Focus."
"Feel my presence. Dodge my strikes."
He explained thoroughly, unaware that Yoriichi already had so understanding of Haki. Nevertheless, Yoriichi listened with great attentiveness, worried there might be subtle differences from what he already knew.
Hearing Bogard's final warning, he gave a slight nod, signaling he was ready.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh!
The mont Yoriichi nodded, Bogard launched into motion. With a sharp gust of air, his wooden sword ca slicing toward Yoriichi's shoulder—a probing strike.
Clack!
The sound of bamboo eting bamboo rang out as Yoriichi raised his sword horizontally, effortlessly blocking the blow.
"Hm?!" Bogard's eyes flickered with surprise.
He withdrew and launched another attack, this ti aiming for Yoriichi's abdon. This strike was different—silent, stealthy, almost impossible to hear.
Clack! Once again, Yoriichi parried cleanly.
Just a mont ago, his sword had been guarding his head. Now, in an instant, it swept down to et Bogard's thrust with pinpoint precision.
Two consecutive strikes blocked—Bogard froze, stunned.
He turned his head slightly toward the watchtower, eyes wide in confusion.
High above, Garp had also caught the exchange. One eyebrow twitched upward.
"It felt like he knew my next move," Kuzan muttered. "When I sparred with him before… I had that sa feeling."
"Almost like he could predict my attacks."
Garp didn't reply. But he leaned in unconsciously, both hands pressing against the windowsill, as if trying to see more clearly.
Back on the deck, Yoriichi tilted his head. "Colonel? Why did you stop? Are you looking at the watchtower?"
Bogard turned, at a loss for words. The boy's eyes were clearly covered, yet he was sohow tracking his every movent.
"…Are you sure that blindfold's on properly?" Bogard waved a hand in front of Yoriichi's face.
Yoriichi's head followed his hand perfectly.
"Yeah," the boy replied, utterly serious. "I can't see a thing."
Bogard blinked.
Is this kid ssing with ?! he thought in disbelief.
*********
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