"Mr. Rayleigh, have you forgotten my ability?" Xiang En said noncommittally, his voice slightly raised.
"Do you have other partners besides Kagura?" Rayleigh suddenly realized. He remembered the scene where Xiang En summoned Kagura at the Human Auction House; that incredible Devil Fruit ability was still vivid in his mind.
"Yes." Xiang En nodded. There was no need to hide anything from Rayleigh, who had personally witnessed him use his cheat ability, and he trusted Rayleigh's character not to spread word of his power.
"The number of people won't be an issue. Now, the only thing lacking... is time," Xiang En said thoughtfully, but his mind had already wandered elsewhere.
Character Panel.
[Name: Xiang En] [Age: 24] [Race: Human (95%), Yato (5%)] [Ability: Haoshoku Haki (Awakened) (%)] [Time until next summon: 3 days (Summoning Cost: 30,000,000 Beli)]
The summoning condition had changed, rising from 10 million Beli to 30 million Beli. The good news was that the cooldown for the second summon was only three days, but judging by the increase in cost, the cooldown period would likely lengthen as his summoning frequency increased.
This meant he needed a considerable amount of stable time for development.
And the Sabaody Archipelago might be the best choice at this stage. It was near Marine Headquarters, housed a large Marine force, the pirates were being cleaned out by Admiral Kizaru, and since the Celestial Dragons had been attacked by Luffy's group, they probably wouldn't show up again for a while.
Therefore, on this island right now, with his and Kagura's strength (mainly Kagura's), they could pretty much walk wherever they pleased.
Hmm, next, he should first go to the shipyard to place a big order, and then book a large villa, preferably one by the sea with sun, sand, and ice drinks with Kagura under a beach umbrella...
Wait a minute... did I miss something?
Haoshoku Haki? (Conqueror's Haki?)
Nani? When did I get this ability? Is this really suitable for someone like me who has decided to live a life of leisure?
Xiang En was completely dumbfounded, his expression turning into a mix of shock, excitement, and confusion.
Rayleigh was puzzled by this series of changes, thinking the young man was just getting impatient and worried that the time needed for shipbuilding would affect their departure.
"Little brother Xiang En, no need to worry too much. Based on my past experience, building a ship capable of diving to Fish-Man Island takes about a month. That includes the design, purchasing materials... and the final coating process."
"One month? That's fast. Is every shipyard that quick?" Hearing this, Xiang En snapped out of his shocked thoughts, collected himself, and quickly asked again.
"Hmm... not necessarily. Every shipyard has its own methods, and the speed varies greatly. But if you're in a hurry, you can try the shipyard on Island 53. I've spent time with the shipwrights there at the casino; they're very good people."
"Okay, thank you for your help, Mr. Rayleigh."
Rayleigh spoke and then hurried out the door. He had to carry out the plan he had just discussed with Luffy and the others.
To be honest, with Marines all over the island, Xiang En could hardly imagine how Rayleigh would manage to secretly move a pirate ship and complete the coating process right under the Marines' noses.
Perhaps that was the charm of the Dark King.
With a slight sigh, Xiang En had no intention of following to watch the show, because he and Kagura had a more important task to attend to.
—Rent a place to stay.
"Little Xiang En, you're leaving with little Kagura just like that? Are you perhaps finding me too old and don't want to stay here?"
Before they left, Shakky stopped them. She smoked a cigarette while watching Xiang En with a half-smile.
"Uh..." Hearing that, Xiang En instantly became nervous. Age was not something to be carelessly mentioned in front of women, especially an older woman like Shakky, who was beautiful in her youth and still captivating now.
"Haha, how could I dislike you? The drink you mixed for me was simply the best I've ever had! I'm still savoring the taste now!" Quickly organizing his thoughts, he hurried to say.
"Oh? Then why are you in such a hurry to leave?" Shakky raised an eyebrow, asking in confusion.
"That's because of the name of your bar..." Xiang En silently pointed to the sign above the door.
Shakky's Rip-Off Bar.
"I'm afraid that when I wake up and pay for the lodging, I'll not only have to hand over every penny I own but also have to pawn Kagura here," Xiang En said with exaggerated flair.
"What? You're going to sell me!"
"If anyone is getting pawned, it should be you!"
Kagura clawed her way forward, but Xiang En held her back with a hand on her forehead, keeping a distance so her small hands and short legs couldn't reach him.
"Hahaha!" Shakky was amused.
"Rayleigh was right, you two really are interesting young people. It seems I'm not only a fan of little Monkey but also a fan of little Xiang En and little Kagura now!"
The sun set in the west, and the sky turned a dim yellow, gradually being shrouded in black.
Xiang En and Kagura hurried to Island 53 before nightfall.
Kagura yawned, glanced at Xiang En walking ahead, and suddenly reached out her small hand, grabbed his coat, and stopped moving.
Besides her enormous appetite, the little girl's strength was also ridiculously huge. A casual tug nearly yanked Xiang En to the ground, and it took him a while to regain his balance.
"Why did you suddenly stop?" Xiang En asked irritably.
"Xia-chan, I'm so sleepy, I can't walk anymore…" Kagura swayed as she spoke, her tone low, like a sleepwalker's murmur.
"So... you don't mean you want me to give you a piggyback ride, do you?" Xiang En asked, slightly disbelieving.
Kagura didn't answer. After hearing his question, uncontrollable joy spilled into her eyes, and her small head immediately nodded, as if she had been looking forward to this for a long time.
"You little sneak... you're going too far. Don't think I don't know about the stamina of your Yato clan. And don't you people get more energetic the later it gets!" Xiang En gritted his teeth.
Just as he was about to deliver another flick to the lazy girl's forehead, the door of a residential house beside them opened.
"Who are you?"
A middle-aged man with half-white hair walked out of the door. He was tall and muscular, appearing to be over two meters in height. With his thick, poorly groomed, scattered long hair and messy beard, he looked like a vagrant.
He was holding a wine glass and had a slightly drunken look on his face. It seemed he had been drinking alone at home and came out to check after hearing the commotion caused by Xiang En and Kagura.
"Sorry for disturbing you. My name is Xiang En, and this is Kagura. We are travelers who just arrived on this island and are currently looking for a place to stay."
Xiang En said with a slight apology.