"Satan, starting now you'll learn Armament Haki with me."
Jozu came to find Satan, his face stern.
Behind him were First Division Commander Marco and Fifth Division Commander Vista.
Each man carried a keg, and a crowd of pirates followed behind. They all sized Satan up with open curiosity.
Was Satan's talent really that terrifying?
"To teach me Armament Haki, you don't need a grand parade like this," Satan said. "I may shine like the sun and draw every eye, but don't worship me—I'm just a legend."
Satan looked utterly arrogant.
"Kid, you're far too full of yourself," Vista said, stroking his curled mustache with a smile. "I only heard you were a genius at Observation Haki. I'm curious what your aptitude for Armament Haki looks like."
"So you came to worship while I learn Armament Haki? Then worship over there. As for learning Armament Haki, I'll take it in hand with ease," Satan laughed.
"Arrogant brat," Marco chuckled. "I only knew you were lazy, not this conceited. Careful or you'll get slapped in the face in a minute."
After a month of knowing him, Marco's impression of Satan had been mostly sloth and laxness. He could be proud at times, but not this brazen. Yet this brand of arrogance somehow felt natural coming from him—never grating, even vigorous like the morning sun, as if everything he said and did was justified.
Ding, Arrogance acknowledged. Arrogance +1. Random Strength +0.1.
Ding, Arrogance acknowledged. Arrogance +1. Random Strength +0.1.
Ding, Arrogance acknowledged. Arrogance +1. Random Strength +0.1.
"If you're hoping to watch me get humbled, you'll be disappointed," Satan grinned. The Seven Sins—Arrogance had seeped into his bones. Once he started posturing, he couldn't stop.
Jozu began his lecture on Armament Haki.
"Armament Haki is entirely different from Observation. Observation focuses on evasion and foresight. Armament is synonymous with power. Used to attack, it becomes unstoppable. Used to defend, nothing can breach it. To survive on this sea, Haki is indispensable."
As he spoke, Jozu's body turned black, as if clad in a suit of iron armor. A crushing pressure rolled out from him.
"Every time I see Jozu's Armament, it's astonishing," the pirates murmured. "Paired with his Devil Fruit, he's truly the strongest man in defense."
If not for teaching Satan today, they might not have seen Jozu unleash himself like this.
"Full-body armament—most won't use this state. The consumption is enormous," Jozu explained. "Besides full coating, Armament can be applied to any single part of the body, making it unbreakable."
"Any part?" Satan teased. "Truly any part? Wouldn't that make a man invincible?"
Marco couldn't help it—he sprayed the wine in his mouth, right onto Vista's face. Vista's expression darkened as he glared at him. Around them, pirates stared, faces turning strange. Satan was a prodigy indeed—putting Armament to use in that sort of place.
"Don't be mad, Vista. I couldn't hold it in," Marco said quickly. "Why don't you teach him Armament Haki instead." He hurried to change the subject and lifted his cup as if to drink.
Ding, Lust acknowledged. Lust +1. Random Endurance +0.1.
Ding, Lust acknowledged. Lust +1. Random Endurance +0.1.
"This works too?" Satan blinked. A casual line had triggered Lust? Were the Whitebeard Pirates all a bunch of pure-hearted fledglings?
"Jozu—the hardest man in the world," Satan said. "Hmm, blushing? A bashful virgin? A quick shooter?"
Satan eyed Jozu oddly. Weren't pirates supposed to be synonymous with sin? Blushing? Was the whole crew gay?
He thought back over more than a month on the ship—there sure was a lot of bro-love aboard.
"Gay?"
Satan involuntarily took a few steps back.
Marco sprayed wine again. When he came to his senses, he found Vista staring at him with wounded eyes—he'd doused him a second time.
"I didn't mean it, really. Do you believe me?" Marco said, aggrieved. "It's all Satan's fault."
"I didn't mean it either," Vista said, and rapped Marco on the head with a fist.
"Hands up," Marco roared, and the two of them brawled on the spot.
— Seeking flowers, comments, monthly tickets, and tips —
A note on Whitebeard: the protagonist isn't a Whitebeard zealot and won't join the Whitebeard Pirates. Starting with Whitebeard just makes it easier to open the plot.