"Haki!?"
"Just a name for a type of power. Besides being awakened innately, it can also be obtained and strengthened through training."
Bellemere, cigarette dangling from her lips, watched Dillon's right hand, covered in black Armament Haki.
"Haki is divided into three types: Armament, Observation, and Conqueror's. Armament is the most common and most practical. Observation can be trained, but it requires some talent. As for Conqueror's..."
Dillon shrugged. "Only a small fraction of people possess it."
"The use of Armament Haki is also divided into many types. The first thing you need to master is Hardening!"
Dillon grabbed a large rock and tossed it into the air, then extended his arm.
The rock crashed down, slamming into Dillon's arm.
Crack!
Not only his arm, but even the muscles on his arm didn't even twitch.
"Th-This...!!!" Bellemere's eyes widened.
"This is the most basic application Armament Hardening. Of course, basic doesn't mean weakest. It can still be extremely powerful if honed to the extreme. As long as you can achieve initial Hardening, you can ignore ordinary firearms and swords."
"Moreover, Armament Hardening can negate many Devil Fruit damages, and can also have a direct counter effect on Devil Fruits."
Bellemere was eager to try. "Really? That's great. Devil Fruits... rumored to be power from demons, can actually be countered..."
This was the difference between East Blue and the Grand Line.
East Blue, as the "Weakest Sea," not only lacked people who knew Haki, but even Devil Fruit users were very rare. The few who possessed fruits were from the Grand Line.
In West Blue and "Paradise," Devil Fruit users were very common. By the time you reached the "New World," even small fry would use Armament Haki.
Every slightly important person would be able to manipulate fire.
In short, no one wanted the Mera Mera no Mi.
Due to the gap in regional strength, even those who failed in the Grand Line could return to West Blue and throw their weight around.
Like Krieg or Arlong.
Buzz~
"Oh?"
While lost in thought, Dillon sensed a change in the surrounding aura and focused on Bellemere.
"This power really exists!?" Bellemere was shocked, looking at her hands covered in black. "Looks like I'm quite talented." She laughed.
"Of course, your talent must be good. There's also a more important reason—this power has always existed within you, but due to the limits of your Cognitive Threshold, you were unaware of its existence, so you didn't discover, master, or use it."
Watching Bellemere moving her fists around, Dillon pondered for a moment and said, "In future battles, try to move away from using firearms. Although both pirates and Marines have sniper positions, that requires very unique talent and strong Observation Haki support."
"Of course." Bellemere dismissed the Haki on her arm. "With this power, ordinary firearms can be abandoned."
"Next, you need to think carefully about what combat style you want or are suited to. Close combat? Swordsmanship? Or whether you're confident in controlling the power of a Devil Fruit."
"Fruit?"
Bellemere had heard of this to some extent, but shook her head. "It's rumored that after eating a Devil Fruit, you become a drowning weakness. As for swordsmanship, I'm afraid I don't have that talent. So I still hope to fight with my fists."
"Good! Then settle your children and prepare to go to Marine Headquarters to receive systematic training."
Marine Headquarters had specialized explanations and training methods for the use of Rokushiki and Haki, which would be more systematic and professional than Dillon's own instruction.
The top players, except for "Blackbeard" Teach, had already emerged. Red Hair would officially become a "Yonko" in a few years.
Although the Marines had overwhelming strength when facing a single force, they would be at a disadvantage or even on the losing side if they faced two or more forces at the same time.
And the responsibilities of the Marines also limited them, unable to launch large-scale attacks, more often passively defending.
Admirals... truly had too many restrictions. No wonder Garp never wanted a promotion.
Before coming here, Dillon's understanding of this world was very limited. After all, the "God's-eye view" mostly followed the Straw Hats.
As a teenager, he had greatly liked the optimistic and fearless youth, but as he reached adulthood, Dillon gradually became somewhat tired and began to have some doubts about that protagonist.
Hopefully, that day won't come...
Dillon took a cigarette from Bellemere's cigarette case and took a deep breath.
After all, he was someone I greatly admired in my youth, but listening to him shout "Pirate King" all day long also gets a bit annoying. Joy Boy? Pinning hopes on these ethereal legends?
When everyone in this world has the opportunity to obtain godlike power, why beg for fate to bestow it?
Truly... I can't understand.
"Ah, the commander seems to have a lot on his mind." Bellemere stood nearby, hands in her pockets.
"Arranged things?"
Dillon didn't explain, but stood up and looked behind her. The village guard Genzo and the Nami sisters looked at him with some trepidation.
Although this man looked very handsome and lazy, the coldness and decisiveness he showed when executing Arlong and his crew was not something ordinary people could bear.
Dillon waved at Nami, signaling her to come to him.
Nami nervously grabbed Nojiko's clothes, her body slightly stiff.
"Go on, Nami. The Marine is a good person. He's the one protecting us, right?"
The older Nojiko encouraged Nami, and Bellemere and Genzo also looked at her with encouraging eyes.
Nami bit her lip tightly and walked up to Dillon, restrainedly calling out, "Mr. Marine."
"I heard you want to draw the most complete and detailed maps in the world?"
Everyone else thought it was Bellemere who told Dillon, but Bellemere's eyes showed incomprehension.
She hadn't talked about her children's situation. How did this man know?
"Yes!" At the mention of her dream, Nami's eyes lit up, and she took out a half-finished map from behind her and handed it to Dillon.
Dillon looked at it.
She was indeed very talented. Although it wasn't as professional and detailed as the maps inside the Marines, it was remarkable for a self-taught learner.
Dillon carefully folded the map and returned it to Nami, then said to the village guard Genzo, "I'll have HQ prepare some professional books for her to study. I'll leave the sisters in your care for the time being. Not many strong guys will appear in East Blue. If any dangerous people invade..."
Dillon took out his spare Transponder Snail and placed it in Nami's hands. "This is my Transponder Snail; it can directly dial my number. If you encounter a deadly danger, I can arrive within two hours."
"Mr. Marine, will I be able to sail on a warship to draw the maps of the world in the future?"
"Of course!" Dillon stroked Nami's head. "Not only can you, but we'll also turn the addresses you draw into atlases, print your name on them, and let the world share your joy."
"Mm!" Nami grinned and took out an orange from her pocket. "Mr. Marine, this is my treat."
...
"I'm in Cocoyasi Village in East Blue. Yes, send a warship to pick me up."
"Arara, can't you fly?"
"Are you picking me up or not?"
"..."
Aokiji stared at the Transponder Snail, once again feeling suspicious.
"Also, bring some drawing-related books along with you, the more detailed the better."
"Underst—"
"Also, designate Cocoyasi Village as a protected area. Also, Chief Elder Captain Nezumi of the local branch base has some problems. Have the Inspector General Division verify it."
"Okay..."
Click!
"..."
"???"
At Marineford, Aokiji looked at the Transponder Snail that had closed its eyes, feeling a little confused.
Even Sengoku wouldn't hang up on me like that, right?
Whatever, such a hassle.
After relaying Dillon's request, Aokiji pulled down his eye mask again.
Nico Robin had already entered the Grand Line. Should I go and see her? What kind of life would she have?
······