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"How do we get stronger?"
That was the question. And it wasn't just a random thought it was a critical topic that would determine how they would survive and move forward.
So the crew found themselves deep in discussion while seated around a table in the tavern, food barely touched.
Aero had always been well-informed far more so than Eddie, who had once worked in intelligence. Whether it was secret knowledge, the Arlong Pirates' stronghold, or ancient rumors, Aero seemed to know it all.
Eddie had once even done a background check on him. According to the records, Aero had never left Rubber Island in his life.
If that were true, he should've been just as clueless about the outside world as Gin, who had only recently joined. He wouldn't have known about major figures like the Seven Warlords, let alone forbidden techniques.
And yet, Aero knew everything.
Eventually, Eddie formed a theory: Aero must've learned it all from the old pirate who raised him.
It sounded far-fetched, sure but not impossible. And Eddie had come to believe it.
As for Dylan, he never doubted Aero. He was sure Aero had real methods to help them grow stronger. After all, they'd never even heard of the [Six Powers] until Aero showed them and now look how far they'd come.
Gin didn't care about the reasoning. He joined for the Hurricane Pirates' name, but stayed because Aero valued him. That was enough.
So the three officers stopped eating, all turning their attention to Aero.
Aero set his cup down and started, "You noticed how that Navy officer we fought last time was different, right?"
Eddie and Gin exchanged a glance. Gin answered first.
"He was strong."
Then, realizing that didn't sound convincing enough, he added: "Really strong."
Aero nearly choked on his food. After gulping down some water, he shook his head and then nodded. "Yes. He was strong. But more than that, he could hit me. His slashes were sharper than most swordsmen."
Dylan, calm as ever, added, "Normally, a Logia user like you is immune to physical attacks. But that guy left a scar on your arm."
Aero nodded again. "Exactly. His power could hurt Logia users. In the Grand Line, that's called Haki."
Even Eddie leaned in with full focus now. He'd heard of Haki before but never truly understood what it was.
Now he did.
Haki wasn't just some fancy elite power.
It was the key to fighting Devil Fruit users and dramatically increasing one's attack and defense.
Eddie had been feeling stuck lately. His gunmanship had plateaued. Sure, he could improve his accuracy and firing speed… maybe even curve bullets around obstacles with advanced tricks.
But the problem was: damage.
His lead bullets could dent a wall or punch through regular humans. But against real monsters?
That wasn't enough.
Their captain aimed to be the best of the best.
As a crew member, Eddie wanted to be the best of the rest.
So he'd once considered getting a Devil Fruit but that would limit his skills with firearms.
He remembered Aero asking him about Haki once, and how he'd shared what little he knew: that it came in three forms, and most elites could use it.
Back then, Haki felt like something far away, a power only monsters possessed.
Now, Aero was recommending it seriously.
That changed everything.
"I'll be honest," Aero said, "I don't know everything about Haki… but I thought Eddie might know more than I do."
Eddie had been eagerly listening but now that Aero had put him on the spot, he waved his hands in awkward defeat.
"I only know the basics… like, that there are three types."
Aero gave him a strange look. He'd really expected more from Eddie.
Still, with no one else chiming in, Aero continued.
"The Navy officer I fought was probably using [Armament Haki]."
He turned to Gin, who looked confused, and explained, "Haki comes in three types. [Armament Haki] boosts your offense and defense. It lets you hit Logia users like me."
"Then there's [Observation Haki]. It sharpens your senses, lets you predict attacks—and if you train it hard enough… You can even see into the future."
"See the… future?" the others echoed.
At first, their faces showed disbelief, then awe… and finally, something even deeper:
Resolve.
They wanted it.
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~Support with 200 PowerStones = 1 Bonus Chapter
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