The next day, Gray woke up with a headache and a slight pain all over his body. He was lying on a bed with a maid on his side, taking care of him and waiting for him to wake up.
Gray was wearing a simple white robe that went all the way to his knees. Beneath the robe is a body fully wrapped tightly with bandages, a testament to how strong Ace's punches are.
"You're already awake, sir."
The maid was surprised. She greeted Gray, seeing that he was awake.
"How are you feeling, sir?"
The nurse asked and handed him a cup of water.
Gray received the cup and said thanks. He took a sip and answered.
"I'm okay. How's Ace?"
He asked, remembering that both of them took each other's punch and were both thrown away.
"The young master is still asleep. He has no evident injury on his body, but he seemed to be very tired, his legs especially."
The maid eyed Gray curiously and was about to say something but stopped herself.
Gray could remember what happened the day before. His spar with Ace resulted in a draw. However, it was clear the Ace dominated the whole fight. Gray was forced into a passive situation.
He squinted his eyes.
The state he was in before. It was amazing. I can barely see and react to his movements. However, it seems that he can't stay in that state for very long. If not for that, I would not have the chance to counterattack.
"By the way, I thought we were alone that time. Who took us?"
Gray asked, remembering that Ace cleared the training ground before the spar.
"Elder Haff found you too and took you, sir."
The maid answered with fear and reverence in her tone.
"Elder Haff?"
Confused, Gray asked.
"Yes, Elder Haff. Actually, he told me to tell him if you wake up. I'll go now, sir."
The maid bowed. Gray was about to say his gratitudes, but the maid had already made her way to the door. He could only watch helplessly.
Gray looked at his fist, clenched it, and opened it again. He was already feeling a lot better than he did when he just woke up. This is the basic effect of his power. Faster healing, greater strength, a stronger immune system, and more.
Each type of Power Fruit gave a different passive effect. For example, a flame-related power fruit may give immunity to fire. The Weight Power Fruit seemed to give the ability to move with ease regardless of the weight of the user. However, they would still feel a bit of weight if they increased it by a few tons. That's why Ace cannot increase his weight during that state he was in before, whatever it is called, since a small difference in weight would still slow him down.
After a few seconds of thinking about his spar with Ace, the door to his room opened and a man that was about as old as Ace's father walked in.
The man was wearing a long black robe, covering his whole body and arms, with a sword hanging on his back. With black hair and a long white beard, he looked like a kind grandpa.
Even though the man looked kind and harmless, Gray knew that he wasn't. In fact, he gave off the vibe of a wolf ready to pounce at any moment.
Fighting with beasts in the Graas Island for a few years gave Gray a strong sense of danger, and his senses told him not to provoke this man.
"Hello, Gray. I'm Haff."
Elder Haff said smilingly.
Gray remembered the words of the maid and realized that this must be the Elder Haff she was talking about.
"Hello, Elder Haff."
Elder Haff made his way to Gray's side and looked at him curiously.
"You look almost healed now. When I found you, you were full of wounds and bruises. How amazing."
Elder Haff continued looking at Gray with amazement in his eyes.
"You must have a Physique Type Power to heal that fast. Hmmm."
He stroked his beard.
"Physique Type Power? What's that?"
Elder Haff was surprised.
"You don't know? Where did you get your power, boy? Did someone not tell you this?"
Gray looked confused. He remembered his grandfather, but he only told Gray the name of his Power Fruit and nothing else.
Seeing this, Elder Haff gave a slight smile and explained.
"Power Fruits have three types: Physique, Psychic, and Morphic. Physique-type fruits give their user an enhancement to their body or an additional ability, but it is purely restricted to their body. Weight is a physique-type power."
Elder Haff paused, and seeing that Gray looked interested, he continued.
"Psychic, on the other hand, gave its user the ability to conjure or manipulate something using their minds. Fire Manipulation, the ability to conjure flames and control them, is a Psychic Type Power. Lastly, the Morphic gave its user the ability to turn into something, mostly an animal. Leopard Power, the ability to turn into a leopard, is a Morphic Type Power."
Gray was amazed. He clenched his fist.
So there was something like that. Physique Type Power, Body Amplification. I like it.
Gray smiled and looked at Elder Haff.
"Thank you, Elder Haff, for explaining these things to me."
Elder Haff gave a smile of his own.
"No worries, young boy."
He fell silent for a few seconds and just looked at Gray. Just when Gray was feeling uncomfortable, he spoke again.
"You looked like someone I knew, boy. What's your family name, and where are you from?"
Gray raised his eyebrows.
"Liffin. Liffin's my family name, and I'm from Graas Island."
Elder Haff's eyes went wide for a second but then returned to normal quickly. It was obvious that he was shocked.
"A Liffin, huh? Do you perhaps know someone that goes by the name Gary Liffin?"
This time, it was Gray's turn to be surprised.
"You know my dad, Elder Haff?"
"He's your dad, huh? No wonder, HAHAHA!"
Elder Haff suddenly burst out laughing, leaving Gray clueless.
"I once fought with your dad when I was still roaming the seas. I lost though, miserably. He was strong, very strong."
Eder looked at the window and said.
"Even though he's only a single Power Holder, he still managed to defeat our whole crew, alone."
Gray squinted his eyes.
Crew?
"What do you mean 'crew,' Elder Haff? Are you perhaps..."
"Yes, I was a pirate before. In fact, I was the vice captain."