Armament Haki isn't just about hardening your body or layering it over weapons. There's a whole range of techniques beneath the surface. I won't bore you with every detail—some are trickier to master than others—but at the end of the day, none are inherently superior in battle. What matters most is one thing.
"Increase the intensity." Garp's voice cut through the air like a drawn blade. "Doesn't matter what form it takes. Intensity is the core of Armament Haki. That's the path you've got to walk."
Xiano had understood that truth for a long time now.
Raw power, when honed enough, could tear through the most elaborate technique. It reminded him of those old sparring matches with Kuina and Zoro—blades clashing, the rhythm of training echoing in his mind.
Swish—
A sharp rustle from the treetops broke his reverie, sending birds scattering into the sky. His eyes flicked up. A figure descended from the clouds, using Moon Walk like it was second nature. Wide-brimmed coffee-colored hat, crisp movements—yeah, no doubt.
Bogart.
Still looked young, maybe early thirties at most, but Xiano knew better. He'd been following Garp since before the God Valley incident. That made him at least Akainu's age, if not older.
"Mr. Garp," Bogart called, landing with a thud, brows furrowed. "Vice Admiral Momonga just sent word. The Buggy Pirates have been expelled from the East Blue. He's docked at the nearest naval port. Departure is tomorrow morning—we've got to move."
"Tch. Why the rush?" Garp complained, scratching his ear. "I've barely had a couple days of peace. Can't I enjoy some downtime?"
Bogart remained stone-faced. "Your leave's almost up. And don't forget, we bummed a ride this time—your flagship's still in the shop back at HQ."
Garp grunted, already annoyed.
"If we don't catch this ride," Bogart added flatly, "we'll be swimming the Calm Belt tomorrow."
"…Ugh."
That did it. Sure, Garp could swim it if push came to shove. But let's be honest—sunning himself on a deck beat fighting off sea kings any day of the week.
"Fine," he muttered, defeated.
Just then, Luffy and Ace came trotting over. Garp ruffled both their heads with a big hand, that familiar half-annoyed, half-proud smirk on his face.
"I'm off. Be good. Listen to Dadan. And if I come back and you still don't look like Marine material, I'll whip you both into shape myself!"
Luffy puffed up to protest—Who wants to be a Marine?!—but Ace gave him a nudge and a knowing glare. Let it go, idiot. He's leaving.
Before Garp could turn away completely, Xiano stepped forward.
"Mr. Garp," he said firmly.
Garp stopped.
Xiano clenched his fist, sensing the faint flicker of Armament Haki. "You're not going to explain, are you?"
"Explain what?" Garp asked, tilting his head.
"I'm not a kid you can distract with a few kind words," Xiano said with a half-smile. "You barely know me, yet you're teaching me something most Marines train years to grasp. Why?"
"You saved Luffy last year. I'm just settling the score on my grandson's behalf," Garp replied, raising an eyebrow.
Xiano shook his head. "Luffy must've explained it was a misunderstanding. That wasn't me doing him a favor."
Garp sighed. "Guess I can't brush it off, huh…"
He scratched his head, his demeanor suddenly weighed down.
"Alright. Truth is, when there was a vacancy among the Warlords, I was the one who suggested Jinbei to Fleet Admiral Sengoku. I thought he was the best choice—honorable, principled. Better than letting some other pirate use that title to pillage freely."
He looked off toward the forest, his voice heavy.
"But I didn't expect the fallout. The Sun Pirates split, Arlong went rogue, and next thing you know—he's in the East Blue. Conomi Islands suffered. Villages were devastated."
He sighed again. "Cocoyasi would've met the same fate… if not for a little monster like you. When I saw your face in the paper, something twisted in my gut. I felt responsible. Meeting you in person only made it worse."
"You shouldn't blame yourself," Xiano replied quietly. "Arlong's vendetta lies with Jinbei, not with you."
"Still… guilt doesn't always listen to logic," Garp admitted, then slapped Xiano's shoulder with a grin. "Think of the Haki lesson as a debt repaid. Keep training. Get so strong that just hearing your name makes enemies run for the hills."
Xiano smiled faintly but said nothing. His thoughts wandered back—Higuma, the so-called Mountain Bandit King, had still walked into Windmill Village unafraid…
But he didn't voice it. Instead, he stood beside Luffy and Ace, watching as Garp and Bogart disappeared into the trees.
"Finally! The old man's gone!" Luffy flopped into the grass with a sigh of relief, stretching out like a cat in the sun. Then he perked up. "Hey, big bro Xiano! We're heading back to Dadan's. C'mon! We'll throw a feast!"
"It'll be midnight by the time we arrive. I brought Man-Scar and the others. There's a whole crew—we'll crowd the place."
"No problem! There are empty rooms! You can sleep in Sabo's old room!"
Sabo's room…
Xiano paused, then gave a genuine nod. "Alright. Sounds good."
---
Later That Night…
The dock was quiet, save for the occasional creak of rope and wood.
Bogart stood near the ticket booth, stretching a little. "Mr. Garp," he said, turning, "where's your Dog-head hat?"
"Huh?" Garp blinked, then started patting his pockets. "That's weird… I could've sworn I picked it up…"
He checked all four pockets. Nothing.
"You really can't change your sloppy habits," Bogart muttered, shaking his head.
"Oh? And you're so perfect?" Garp shot back. "Where's your hat, huh?"
"Right here—" Bogart reached up instinctively.
His hand touched air.
"…Wait, what?!"
Did it fly off with the wind? When?
---
Meanwhile…
Leaning back against Sabo's bedpost, face flushed with food and drink, Xiano let out a satisfied belch. The celebration had been lively, and now the room was still.
He stared at the system panel flickering before him, the rewards ticking up like a slot machine.
> [You sacrificed Garp's Dog-head hat and gained 4000 Points.]
[You sacrificed Bogart's wide-brimmed hat and gained 200 Points.]
[You sacrificed Sabo's old coat and gained 150 Points.]
[You sacrificed the adult magazines Ace hid under the bed and gained 250 Points.]
[You sacrificed Dadan's treasured wine and gained 50 Points.]
[You sacrificed Luffy's knockoff straw hat and gained 3000 Points.]
"All quality loot," Xiano murmured, eyes twinkling with mischief.
(End of Chapter)
[You sacrificed Luffy's knockoff straw hat and gained 3000 Points.]
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