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Jason smiled at Zoro's request.
"Didn't I already tell you that I would teach you when I have time? Why are you so urgent? Is it for your own ambition or for something else?"
Jason's words caught the attention of everyone in the room. Despite the numerous eyes on him, Zoro remained calm and spoke his mind openly.
"All of them! If I hadn't discovered this new power, I wouldn't have been able to defeat the guy who could turn into steel! If I can't control that power at will, I won't be able to get stronger! How could I be worthy of the title? This is the crew of the Pirate King!"
"Alright then! Very ambitious! As I said, I will teach you when I have time! But be prepared mentally! Training Haki is incredibly hard! It might even be life-threatening!"
"That's exactly what I want! How can anyone gain powerful strength without paying a price!"
Zoro grinned. No matter how intense the training, he could handle it. His only fear was that the training wouldn't be rigorous enough! Luffy also expressed his desire to learn alongside him! After all, anything dangerous piqued his interest.
The others, who had been watching Zoro and Jason's cryptic conversation, finally caught on—they were talking about Haki! Upon realizing that their lives could be in danger, Usopp and Chopper immediately showed frightened expressions.
"Eh? Could we die!? That's terrifying! Maybe we don't need to learn it after all! As long as Luffy, Zoro, and the others know it, they can protect us!"
"Exactly!"
The two of them echoed each other, clearly not interested in learning.
"Robin! Is it true?" Nami asked Robin with a worried look. In her mind, Robin, who had known Jason since childhood, must be well-informed!
"Yeah~ It's true! I nearly died countless times while learning!"
Robin's reply was half-truth, half-exaggeration. Initially, she had no interest in learning, but later couldn't stand Jason practicing every day and decided to join in!
Mastering Observation Haki was relatively easier, but Armament Haki was a different challenge. Everything in the world has its own unique aura, and any object will create a shift in that aura before it makes a move. Aside from natural intuition, mastering the basics of Observation Haki required careful observation of these aura changes to predict and anticipate attacks. This process cannot be observed with sight; in fact, relying on sight would only serve as a distraction!
For beginners, this meant covering their eyes and allowing another person to launch sneak attacks from different directions until they could sense the changes in aura and predict the attacks.
When Robin mentioned sneak attacks, it was clear that Jason had been reluctant to hit her and would always stop just before impact. Of course, it would have been more dangerous if Jason hadn't stopped, so Robin wasn't wrong in claiming she almost died countless times, but her words only served to frighten Nami, Usopp, and Chopper.
Jason, knowing Robin's mischievous nature all too well, played along with her to scare the others!
"How can you gain powerful strength without paying a price? You all have to learn! You can't always rely on others to save you! But don't worry, I won't let you die easily!"
"No! Don't! I'm still young and cute! I don't want to die yet!"
"Me too!"
"Same here!"
The three who had fallen to the floor looked utterly defeated, as if they were already on death's door.
"Hahaha! This is hilarious!"
Luffy laughed heartily at the sight of the three of them, earning a chorus of disapproval from them in return.
At that moment, the door suddenly swung open, and a man resembling Igaram entered, pushing a cart full of fruit.
"I heard that Mr. Captain is awake, and the banquet is still being prepared. We'll need to wait a little longer!"
"Yo! Curly-Haired Uncle, you're still alive!"
Luffy greeted him enthusiastically, while Zoro wore an expression of disbelief.
"You really have some unusual tastes!"
"Not at all. This is Miss Diracoda, Igaram's wife, and also the head chef of the palace!"
Vivi quickly clarified the misunderstanding for them.
"Princess Vivi and my husband have spoken so highly of you all. Thank you for everything!"
"Are you serious? How could a husband and wife look so identical? Are you sure they're not the same person?"
Zoro turned away, exasperated, while the guard pushing the fruit cart brought it over to Luffy. Jason quickly grabbed a few pieces and handed them to Robin.
"The princess mentioned that you all have impressive appetites, so please have some fruit to tide you over!"
As soon as Diracoda finished speaking, Luffy's eyes lit up.
"Alright, I got it!"
Luffy then opened his mouth wide and swallowed the entire cart of fruit in one gulp, his stomach remaining unchanged. Jason was dumbfounded! Could someone really eat so much in one bite? Even though he had a large appetite, he couldn't digest food that quickly! It almost seemed impossible unless it came with a steep price.
Zoro and Sanji both reacted in disbelief: "Hey! Are you pulling some kind of trick?"
Luffy paid no mind to their complaints and instead directed his attention back to Diracoda.
"Auntie, when will dinner be ready? I need to eat for three days straight!"
Zoro promptly smacked Luffy on the back of the neck with his sword hilt: "You just ate an entire cart!"
"Hahaha! It's really delicious! But don't hold back—eat to your heart's content! I've been the palace's chef for 30 years, and I won't lose to anyone!"
...
The banquet commenced swiftly, and everyone ate in a hurry due to Luffy's insatiable appetite; otherwise, he would have devoured everything in seconds.
Luffy sat in the middle, eating so much that his cheeks puffed out like balloons. He kept stealing food from his friends' plates, grabbing Zoro's meat one moment and Usopp's lobster the next. Only Jason and Robin's plates remained untouched by his antics.
When caught in the act, Luffy refused to admit it, which earned him a punch from Nami after he sprayed rice particles while laughing.
Of course, Luffy's friends weren't entirely defenseless against his antics. Usopp's chili sauce was so fiery that Luffy's mouth burst into flames, causing everyone to burst into laughter.
Even Princess Vivi joined in the hearty laughter. The group's shameless table manners left the guards in shock, especially seeing their princess joining in. Eventually, the guards couldn't hold back their laughter either.
Robin was the most refined at the table, maintaining an air of elegance throughout. Jason, on the other hand, was nearly as chaotic as Luffy in his eating habits.
...
After dinner, everyone took a break before heading to the bathhouse to relax together. Chopper and the others didn't stop horsing around in the bathhouse, but for once, Luffy had a serious moment.
"Hey, Jason! Come join my crew!"
"Well, that's not possible. What about Robin? I don't want to be separated from her!"
"Of course she's coming too! Are you an idiot?"
Jason: ???
How do you even have the confidence to say something like that? But honestly, I'm kind of happy! Luffy's got a strong personality.
"How about this? We'll travel with you, but we won't stay on the Going Merry. In return, I'll teach you Haki!"
"Emmm, I'm not sure what that is, but sailing together sounds great. I'm in! Hahahaha!"
At this moment, Sanji discreetly approached Igaram and whispered,
"Hey, where's the women's bath?"
Hearing this, Igaram's face instantly turned fierce.
"Are you out of your mind? How could I tell you? The princess is still in there!"
"Right next to this wall!"
King Cobra pointed to the wall beside them!
"Your Majesty the King?? You bastard!"
Sanji, Usopp, and the others, thrilled by Cobra's response, hurried over to the wall, eager to press their ears against it. Even Cobra joined them—what a sight!
Zoro was the only one quietly enjoying his bath.
Jason's eyes widened! Forget the others—Robin is still next door!
"Bang-bang-bang-bang!"
"Ouch! That hurts!"
"Who's there? Who?"
"So many stars!"
One by one, Jason knocked them out with swift blows!
"Peeping is ungentlemanly!"
Jason declared as he stood by the wall, addressing the group. Then, he leaned on it himself!
"Damn it! You wouldn't let us peek, but you're doing it yourself! How is that gentlemanly?!"
Sanji, already fuming over being denied a glimpse of the women, was even more enraged at Jason's audacity!
"I never said I was a gentleman. My wife is over there; I just want to make sure everything's okay!"
"Damn it! Do you want to fight?"
"Calm down, Sanji! You can't beat him! Besides, you don't want to get on his bad side when we start Haki training later!"
Usopp and Chopper quickly intervened, trying to soothe him with sweet talk, and eventually managed to calm him down.
In the women's bath, Robin sat by the sink wrapped in a towel. Vivi and Nami were washing each other's backs when they heard the commotion next door and glanced over, only to see Jason peeking over the wall.
"Mr. Jason? What are you doing?"
Vivi's face flushed red, Nami's fist tightened, and Robin gave a sweet yet dangerous smile.
"Well, don't get the wrong idea! Those guys tried to peek earlier, so I knocked them back!"
Wrapped in a towel, Nami gritted her teeth and said to Jason,
"And then you decided to peek yourself? Robin, please deal with him!"
"Okay!"
Robin, resting her chin on one hand, waved her other hand, and multiple arms sprouted from Jason's shoulders, grabbing his ears!
"Ouch! That hurts! Robin, baby, I'm sorry!"
Robin showed no mercy this time. Peeking at other girls in front of her? There was no way she would let him off easily!
With a loud "bang," Jason fell back, rubbing his ears with a pained expression. Sanji and the others were delighted to see Jason get his comeuppance!
"Ah hahaha, serves you right! That was satisfying!"
"Absolutely!"
Sanji's face twisted in rage as Jason's teasing words rang out, sending him into a fit of fury. He was ready to tear Jason apart.
"You bastard! You're talking like that after everything?" Sanji fumed, his voice dripping with anger. "I don't care what you say! I'm going to kick you until you forget your name!"
But before Sanji could act, Usopp and Chopper hurried to restrain him, both nearly in tears from the effort.
"Sanji, no! Please, don't do it!" Usopp pleaded. "Jason will wipe the floor with us all if you start something!"
Chopper, equally desperate, added, "Yeah, let's just keep the peace!"
Jason, standing there with a smirk, teased, "Oh, baby, can't I tease you just a little?"
In reality, Jason hadn't seen anything inappropriate; the women had their backs to him and were all wrapped in towels. But his playful words were enough to rile up Sanji, who was already sensitive about the situation.
In the midst of the ruckus, King Cobra, who had been observing the Straw Hats, felt compelled to express his gratitude. With a serious expression, he bowed deeply before them, an act that left everyone startled.
"Your Majesty, there's no need for such a grand gesture," Zoro said, surprised by the king's humility.
Cobra shook his head, his voice sincere. "In this bathhouse, I am not a king. I am merely a man of Alabasta, deeply thankful for what you have done for my country."
Luffy grinned widely, appreciating the king's heartfelt thanks.
Later that night, as the crew gathered in their room, they made a decision: they would leave Alabasta that very night and set sail once more. However, despite the group's excitement, Vivi was visibly unhappy.
Meanwhile, Igaram had come across the new wanted posters for the Straw Hats. He rushed to show them to Vivi, his face pale with concern.
"Roronoa Zoro's bounty has been raised to 60 million beli, and Monkey D. Luffy's bounty is now 100 million beli! This increase is too rapid—it's not normal!"
Vivi, sitting by the window with her legs hugged to her chest, looked out at the night sky, her expression sad and distant. "They're pirates, Igaram," she replied quietly. "They can't stay in one place for long. They've already left."
True enough, Luffy and the others were riding through the desert under the moonlight, heading toward the coast. Despite the excitement of setting off on a new adventure, Nami seemed unusually quiet.
Chopper, noticing her mood, asked gently, "Nami, are you feeling okay? Do you want some meat? It always makes me feel better."
Luffy, always eager to help in his simple way, offered her a piece of meat, his face full of concern.
Sanji, ever perceptive when it came to the emotions of women, guessed the real reason for Nami's silence. "You're thinking about Vivi, aren't you?" he said softly. "I understand how you feel, but there's nothing we can do. We have to keep moving forward."
The others echoed his sentiments, trying to lift Nami's spirits. Finally, Nami sighed and spoke.
"I was hoping…maybe if Vivi came with us, we could have shared that billion beli reward together," she admitted with a wry smile.
Everyone else fell over in shock, exasperated by her confession. "Of course, it's about money!" they exclaimed.
But despite the playful bickering, the crew understood that Nami's words were just a cover for the real sadness she felt at leaving Vivi behind.
The next morning, the Straw Hats finally made it back to the Going Merry, thanks to Bon Clay, who had saved the ship from being seized by the Marines. Despite his earlier antics, Bon Clay's loyalty to his friends was unwavering.
Jason watched the unfolding scene with mixed feelings. "Good thing I didn't kill him back then," he thought to himself. "Turns out, he's a good person."
However, as the Merry prepared to depart, the ship came under attack by the Marine fleet led by Captain Tina. Usopp managed to land a shot on one of the warships, creating a gap in their formation, but he immediately started bragging about his "amazing" aim, much to the others' irritation.
Bon Clay, realizing the danger they were in, urged the Straw Hats to escape through the gap. But Luffy and the others refused, determined to keep their promise to Vivi. They had agreed to meet her at the East Port at noon, and they wouldn't leave until then, no matter the risk.
Moved by their loyalty, Bon Clay made the ultimate sacrifice. Using his Devil Fruit powers, he disguised himself as Luffy to create a diversion, drawing the Marines away and allowing the Straw Hats to make their escape.
As the ship sailed away, Luffy and the crew looked back one last time, their hearts heavy with the knowledge that they might never see Vivi again. But they sailed on, carrying with them the memories of their adventures in Alabasta and the friends they had made along the way.
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