Chapter 121: A Seasoned Pro at This, Rayleigh
Ian understood that even without his reminder, Ace would likely have declined the invitation in the end. Becoming one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea meant accepting a degree of control from the World Government and the Marines. How could someone like Ace, who pursued freedom, ever accept such constraints?
The reason Ace had come to him now was simply that the opinions of his crew members, like Jimmy, had caused him some trouble. It wasn't that Jimmy and the others were egging him on, but since they had boarded Ace's ship, they naturally wanted to gain fame alongside him. What could be more impressive than being a crew member of a Warlord?
Of course, the inside story behind this invitation was just Ian's speculation. He couldn't be certain if it was accurate, but regardless, it was better to be cautious.
Ace stayed with Ian for two more days. After the coating was completed, he and his Spade Pirates prepared to set sail. Ian went to see him off and noticed that his ship had been replaced with a larger vessel, and he had gained many more crew members. It seemed that during these past few months, Ace had encountered quite a lot on his journey here.
"Goodbye, Ian! I'm heading off to explore the New World!" Ace said, standing at the bow, holding his hat and grinning at Ian. "When you come to the New World someday, I'll treat you to some good food!"
Ian himself didn't know how long he would stay on Sabaody Archipelago. At the very least, he wouldn't leave until he finished his training with Rayleigh. Who knew when Ace's promised treat would actually come to pass?
After seeing Ace off, Ian returned to his usual routine, visiting Rayleigh every day for training.
According to Rayleigh, Ian's physical combat training was almost complete. What remained was for Ian to practice on his own. After that, Rayleigh would officially begin teaching Ian Haki.
Thus, about a month later, in the 34th Grove, Ian sat face-to-face with Rayleigh, listening to his explanation.
"Haki is an innate power that everyone possesses," Rayleigh said. "However, most people are either unaware of this power or never manage to unleash it in their lifetime. Based on its uses, Haki can be divided into three types: Armament Haki, Observation Haki, and Conqueror's Haki. Except for Conqueror's Haki, the other two can be enhanced through training."
Ian was already familiar with this content, but he listened carefully nonetheless.
"To awaken this latent power, you must first achieve awakening," Rayleigh continued. "Awakening means finding the sense of energy. Haki is called 'Haki' because it is a kind of aura, a form of energy. Now, calm your mind and carefully sense your body to find this energy."
Ian closed his eyes and focused on his body as Rayleigh instructed.
However, to Ian's disappointment, Rayleigh's description of the "sense of energy" was too vague. He sat with his eyes closed for a long time but couldn't detect anything inside his body.
"This is really hard," Ian sighed, opening his eyes.
Rayleigh burst out laughing. "Of course it is. If it were that easy to awaken Haki, everyone on the streets would be using it!"
"Don't rush. Take it slow," Rayleigh added. "You won't grasp this feeling in one go."
Ian didn't get impatient and tried again.
After several more failures, Ian realized he couldn't continue like this. He felt his main issue was a lack of understanding of what the "sense of energy" meant. After thinking it over, he decided to take a different approach.
He had experience using Psychic Power, so he was familiar with that sensation. Since Haki and Psychic Power were essentially the same, he could try to sense something similar to Psychic Power within his body.
This time, Ian's approach was correct. When he closed his eyes and focused on his body again, he finally detected a faint, familiar sensation.
Ian immediately understood that this might be the energy of Haki.
Concentrating fully, Ian directed all his attention to this energy, trying to perceive its flow.
According to Rayleigh, intense physical training would amplify this Haki energy, making it detectable. Over the past three months, Ian had been training under Rayleigh's guidance, which allowed him to sense this energy. Now, the next step was to control it and make it burst forth—this was what awakening meant.
Once the energy burst forth for the first time, the body would remember the sensation, and he could gradually learn to use and train it at will.
This was the entire process of Haki training, as Rayleigh had described.
Ian had found the energy, but he was stuck on how to make it burst forth. He tried several times but couldn't manage it.
Seeing Ian open his eyes, Rayleigh asked in surprise, "What, still no luck?"
"I found the energy, but I can't make it burst out," Ian said, shaking his head. "Is it because the energy isn't strong enough?"
Rayleigh stroked his beard and said, "Not at all. The burst of energy doesn't depend on its strength. Since you can't make it burst under normal conditions, let's try a different method."
"What method?" Ian asked.
"Recall something that makes you angry," Rayleigh said. "Intense emotions can help trigger this power."
Ian was momentarily stunned. Something that made him angry? So far, he hadn't encountered many things that truly provoked his anger.
Before setting sail, he had mostly stayed in Shimotsuki Village, a peaceful little place where nothing anger-inducing happened.
Even after going to sea and encountering pirates, Ian had enough strength to handle them, so he never felt anger.
If anything, the closest he came to being upset recently was when he saw the scars on Lorin and Elena's bodies. But even that was more irritation than genuine anger.
Seeing Ian's strange expression, Rayleigh was taken aback. "What? Can't think of anything that makes you angry?"
Ian honestly nodded.
Rayleigh squinted, not entirely surprised. Anger was an emotion that required "empathy" to trigger. Without truly experiencing it, one couldn't understand it.
"Alright, follow me," Rayleigh said, standing up and leading Ian to his tent. He told Ian to take off his hat, mess up his hair, and put on one of Rayleigh's old, unwashed shirts.
In an instant, Ian transformed from a handsome young man into a scruffy vagrant.
"Leave your weapon here. Don't bring any money. Come with me," Rayleigh said.
"Oh, okay," Ian replied, startled. He placed his Enma sword in the tent, knowing that if it got too far away, it would disappear. After stepping out of the tent, he unequipped the Enma sword from his system interface.
Catching up to Rayleigh, Ian asked, "Where are you taking me?"
"Since you can't feel anger," Rayleigh said with a smile, "I'll take you to witness the ultimate evil of this world."
"What... what do you mean?"
"I'm taking you to the Human Auction House," Rayleigh said, shocking Ian.
Ian understood going to the Human Auction House, but why dress like this?
When Ian asked, Rayleigh laughed heartily. "What, did you think I was taking you to watch others being auctioned? No! I'm taking you to auction ourselves!"
Ian's jaw dropped. "As slaves!?"
"Of course," Rayleigh nodded. "Otherwise, how can you call it empathy?"
Ian was speechless. He never expected Rayleigh to come up with such a plan.
Well, fine. Ian didn't mind. With Rayleigh's strength, following him would be perfectly safe.
"Remember, do everything I say," Rayleigh instructed. "And don't resist, no matter what happens."
Ian nodded, indicating he understood.
Under Rayleigh's lead, they arrived at the amusement park area. Rayleigh looked around for a moment, then led Ian into a small alley.
Once there, Rayleigh said, "Alright, curl up on the ground and act like you're starving to death."
"Will this work?" Ian asked as he lay down.
"Of course. Don't you know? On Sabaody Archipelago, many people end up as homeless vagrants after being robbed of all their money," Rayleigh said. "These vagrants are the favorite targets of slave traders. Haha, when I'm out of money, I often sell myself. I've done this plenty of times!"
Ian stared at Rayleigh in disbelief. No wonder he seemed so experienced at this...
"Remember, put up a little resistance later," Rayleigh told Ian. Then, he lay down with his hands behind his head and closed his eyes to sleep.
Ian thought it over. Fine, he'd play along. He rubbed some dirt on his face to mask his complexion, curled up, and pretended to be weak and lifeless.
Time passed slowly as they lay in the alley. Occasionally, passersby would glance at them but quickly hurry away.
These people have no sympathy, Ian muttered to himself. Then he realized that Rayleigh's shirt smelled terrible. Maybe that's what scared them off...
After who knows how long, their vagrant disguises finally caught the attention of some slave traders. A few figures began peeking into the alley from the other end.
"Here they come," Rayleigh suddenly whispered, warning Ian.
Though his eyes were closed, Rayleigh's Observation Haki was constantly sensing the surroundings...