The air still hummed faintly with residual pressure in the living room. Drake remained rooted to the spot, his mind reeling from the raw power of the Haoshoku Haki that Xiang En had momentarily unleashed.
"You have the potential to stand above the emperors," Drake stated, his voice a low rumble.
The Sighting at Dawn
The next morning (Day 6), Xiang En woke naturally.
He quickly showered, put on fresh clothes, and mentally reviewed his grocery list. He needed to restock quickly before Kagura and Klee—who were still upstairs recovering from their explosive outing—woke up and burned down the house looking for breakfast.
He stepped out the front door, closing it softly behind him. The morning light was still weak, casting long shadows across the empty coastal road.
Meanwhile, a few hundred meters offshore, aboard a distinct yellow submarine, a man feigning sleep suddenly jolted awake.
The man was Trafalgar D. Water Law, and the bear currently snoring softly on his shoulder was Bepo.
Law's eyes, hidden under his spotted cap, were wide with immediate alarm. The residual feeling he had detected moments before was faint, almost imperceptible, but unmistakable. It was the same overwhelming signature he had felt days ago at the auction house, though far less focused.
That presence... the scent of a king.
Law silently adjusted his binoculars, following the faint Haki residue to a young man stepping onto the coastal road. Law had been tracking this area for days, searching for information on the chaotic youth he'd encountered.
He's leaving the house. Now's the chance.
Law signaled Bepo, ready to execute a silent, discreet scouting mission. He needed to know who this mysterious, Haoshoku-wielding figure was, and what his purpose on the island could possibly be.
After a full day of Rayleigh's Haki training, Xiang En had a rudimentary grasp of Observation Haki.
he could sense someone following him
He concentrated the fierce, kingly pressure deep in his core and released a single, targeted pulse of Haki, aimed precisely at the submerged submarine.
The pressure wasn't intended to knock anyone out. It was a spiritual thunderclap: I see you.
He lowered his head and spoke clearly, his voice carrying the calm authority of the powerful spiritual wave he had just sent out, easily cutting through the night air.
I know you're there come out
A drop of cold sweat slid down Law's forehead. The pupils hidden beneath his spotted white hat were filled with deep wariness.
He couldn't help but be nervous. The man he and Bepo were currently tracking was, in all likelihood, the mysterious powerhouse who had released the Haoshoku Haki the previous night. It was impossible to overestimate this man's strength.
After spotting someone leave the cottage early this morning, he had secretly followed them, bringing Bepo, who had the keenest hearing.
He never expected to be discovered by the man in such a theatrical manner.
It's fine, Law thought, relieved. At least judging by his expression, he only knows who I am; he hasn't realized Bepo and I were tracking him.
"What do we do, Captain! We've been spotted!"
However, just as Law breathed a sigh of relief, Bepo, who had been lagging, suddenly cried out in sheer panic.
"…"
Law helplessly covered his face. Well, that settles it. We're officially exposed.
"Huh? Were you guys tracking me?" Naturally, the intellectually unclouded Xiang En quickly realized the truth and asked, bewildered.
Logically, I have no connections with Law's pirate crew.
Could this guy know I'm going after Doflamingo and specifically came to join?
Thinking this, a hint of excitement surfaced on Xiang En's face. The Ope Ope no Mi (Op-Op Fruit) was practically an all-purpose ability—perfect for offense and defense—and the guy was also primarily a doctor.
His gaze toward Law became fervent, like looking at a sizzling piece of choice meat.
This unnerved Law, sending a shiver down his spine. Does this man, who possibly wields Haoshoku Haki, want my bounty?
No, I must escape immediately.
A thought flashed through Law's mind. He didn't hesitate; his ability instantly activated, condensing a transparent dome in his palm.
"Room!"
The transparent dome left his palm and instantly expanded tenfold, enveloping half the marketplace.
"Orange-hair Boss, we've intruded today. Perhaps we'll meet again if fate allows!"
Law fixed his eyes on Xiang En one last time. Leaving the statement hanging in the air, one man and one bear vanished from the alley with the sound of two small stones clattering to the ground.
By the time Xiang En realized Law was activating his power, it was too late.
"Eh? No, wait a minute..."
A gentle breeze blew through the empty alley. The man and the bear had vanished without a trace, leaving nothing but two small stones on the ground. Xiang En felt an acute sense of congestion and frustration from words left unsaid.