Just as Meiser had expected, he truly hadn't been able to rest during this period...
Half a month later, on Kuja Island.
"Haa~"
Standing by the window, Meiser let out a long sigh and said, "It's time to depart."
The few people chatting at the table immediately turned their attention to him upon hearing his words.
Subsequently, Granny Nyon asked, "Are you setting off to find Rayleigh now?"
"Yes."
Meiser nodded and said, "We've rested for half a month already. It's time to go."
While the comforts of home were indeed tempting, to prepare for what might happen two years later, he needed to grow stronger as quickly as possible.
Only by becoming stronger would he have the ability to protect those he cared about.
"Then set off," Granny Nyon said. "Strive to master that power as soon as possible."
Once Meiser mastered Conqueror's Haki Infusion... he would grow into an incredibly formidable presence!
By that time, even the World Government would have to consider whether they could handle Meiser before taking action.
After all... he was a peak expert with an Undying Body!
"Alright." Meiser smiled and nodded.
Seeing the smile on Meiser's face, Little Merry fell silent for a moment before saying, "Then... we won't see each other again until a year later?"
Wasn't that a bit too long...
To be honest, she really couldn't bear to part with Meiser.
"It might not necessarily be a year," Meiser said. "If I learn fast enough, I might return in just a few months."
Recalling his own talent with Haki, Meiser nodded with certainty.
"Okay, I understand..."
Meiser smiled, then walked over to Merry and ruffled her little head, saying, "While I'm away, you need to work hard too, Merry~"
"Strive to master your power as quickly as possible!"
The power of wind was actually quite formidable. If Merry could fully master this power, her future strength would be remarkably powerful!
She might even... leap to become one of the main combatants in the Pirate Crew!!
"I will!" Little Merry clenched her fists and said, "I'll definitely work hard!"
To keep up with her companions' pace, she would definitely strive to make herself stronger!
"Good~"
Seeing Merry's determination, a hint of satisfaction appeared in Meiser's eyes.
Then, he turned to Hancock and said, "Hancock, let's go."
Since Merry was willing to work hard, he couldn't fall behind either.
He needed to master Haki quickly and make himself stronger!
"Alright."
Hancock, who had just changed into casual clothes, nodded, then turned to Sandersonia and said, "Sandersonia, notify the members of the Kuja Pirates . We're setting off for Rusukaina Island immediately!"
"Yes, Sister!"
Upon receiving the order, Sandersonia immediately stood up and left with Marigold.
After watching the two depart, Meiser turned to Hancock and asked, "How far is that island from here?"
Hancock thought for a moment before replying, "It should take about half a day to get there."
Last time when they sent Rayleigh and the others, it had taken half a day as well.
"Half a day, huh." Meiser stroked his chin. "That's not too far."
If a pirate ship could reach it in half a day, then... using the Water Release Technique would probably only take a few hours.
But since Hancock intended to go together, there was no need for him to travel using the Water Release Technique.
Then, Meiser looked at Hancock and said, "Are you really planning to learn Haki with me there?"
"If Rayleigh can truly teach me Conqueror's Haki Infusion, then I'll learn it," Hancock replied.
If not, there would be no need for her to study Haki with him.
Hmm, maybe she could bring Meiser back later—as if struck by a thought, a smile instantly appeared in Hancock's eyes.
"Alright, let's go then," Meiser nodded.
Although he didn't know how difficult this Haki technique was, if possible, he hoped Hancock could master this power.
After all... the road ahead for them was still long!
With that, Meiser turned and walked outside.
"Enishida," Hancock glanced at Enishida, who was standing respectfully to the side, and said, "I leave the village in your hands while I'm away."
"Leave it to me, Serpent Princess!" Enishida said with utmost seriousness.
Just like before, she would handle all the village affairs!
"Good."
Hancock smiled and nodded, then turned and walked out, quickly catching up to Meiser.
After seeing the two off, Granny Nyon stood up and said, "Merry, let's begin our training."
"Huh?"
Merry was taken aback, then stood up and asked, "Start now?"
Her snake egg hadn't hatched yet.
"Resting for half a month is enough already," Granny Nyon said.
"But Little Green..."
"It's fine if the snake egg hasn't hatched; we'll train your physical strength and abilities first," Granny Nyon insisted.
To become strong, it's best to start training from a young age.
So... she had to be strict!
"This..."
Merry hesitated, instinctively wanting to rest for another day or two, but remembering the words she had spoken earlier, her gaze grew resolute.
Then, she said, "Alright, let's begin."
To be able to help her companions, she too must become strong!
"Good!"
Granny Nyon smiled and nodded, then turned to walk outside, saying, "Come on, little one, follow me to the training ground."
"I'll help you get familiar with your power as soon as possible."
"Yes, Granny Nyon!" Merry said earnestly.
Overhearing their conversation, Enishida turned her gaze to them and asked, "Granny Nyon, do you need me to prepare anything?"
Granny Nyon thought for a moment, then shook her head. "Not for now."
"Alright, I understand."
"Alright, Enishida, I'll leave this to you," Granny Nyon said.
"Yes, Granny Nyon!"
Granny Nyon nodded, then took Merry's small hand and turned to leave, heading toward Kuja Island's training ground.
"Same as usual today."
Rayleigh, holding a wooden stick, stared at Luffy and said, "If you can't dodge a hundred attacks, no dinner for you!"
"Again..."
Hearing Rayleigh's words, Luffy immediately made a pained face.
But to keep getting stronger, he couldn't complain and had no choice but to reluctantly accept Rayleigh's condition.
"Ready?" Rayleigh asked.
"Ready!"
Luffy, with a black cloth tied over his eyes, grinned and said, "Bring it on—"
Thwack!
"Ouch!!"
Luffy cried out as the Haki-infused stick struck his head.
"Just yelling in pain won't help, Luffy," Rayleigh said with a smirk. "I won't stop attacking because of that."
As soon as he finished speaking, he swung the stick at Luffy again!
But this time, Luffy wasn't hit—he successfully dodged the attack.
"Did you sense the aura?" Rayleigh laughed.
"A little bit."
Luffy thought for a moment and said, "It's like 'seeing' a strange light in the darkness."
It was a peculiar feeling, but it was precisely that feeling that allowed him to evade Rayleigh's strike.
"Exactly, that's it," Rayleigh nodded. "The light you 'saw' is the aura of the stick in my hand."
"Remember this feeling well, until you've completely mastered it!"
"I understand, please continue!" Luffy said.
"Alright."
Rayleigh nodded and launched another attack at Luffy.
This time, however, Luffy failed to dodge and was knocked to the ground by Rayleigh's stick.
Thwack!
"Ouch!"
"Again!"
Thwack!
"Again!"
Thwack!
"Again!"
"Again!"
Watching Luffy dodge more and more attacks, the satisfaction in Rayleigh's eyes grew increasingly evident.
This kid's talent is truly remarkable. In just half a month, he's improved to this extent...
Given time, he'll undoubtedly reach a level that even I will find astonishing!
Thinking this, Rayleigh's lips curled into an unconscious smile.
"Huh?"
"Uncle Rayleigh, were you smiling again just now?"
Hearing Luffy's words, Rayleigh instinctively halted his attack and chuckled, "It seems you really are good at sensing others' emotions."
Perhaps... this is why the kid can so directly perceive people's feelings.
"Hehe, so I—"
Thwack!
Luffy: ???
"Hey, Uncle Rayleigh!"
Rubbing the lump on his head, Luffy stared in disbelief. "Why'd you hit me again?"
Weren't we just talking? Why suddenly attack?
"I never said we were stopping," Rayleigh said innocently. "Training is still ongoing."
From start to finish, he'd never mentioned halting the session, so of course he wouldn't hold back.
Luffy: ...
Luffy fell silent for a moment, then declared, "Then bring it on!"
He would master Observation Haki as quickly as possible!
This time, Rayleigh didn't speak but responded to Luffy with his club wrapped in Haki.
Thud!
Watching Luffy successfully dodge his attack, Rayleigh nodded with satisfaction before preparing to continue his assault.
Just then, a large flock of birds flew in from the direction of the sea, heading deep into the forest.
Rustle!
"Hmm?"
Seeing this, Rayleigh immediately halted his attack and said, "Could it be that someone has arrived?"
"Someone's here?"
Luffy was momentarily stunned before exclaiming joyfully, "Is it Meiser?!"
Has Meiser returned from that Mary Geoise place?
Rayleigh didn't answer the question but closed his eyes and extended his Observation Haki.
After a moment, he opened his eyes and smiled. "Yes, it's indeed Meiser arriving on this island."
"It seems he has finished his business there."
To charge into Mary Geoise and return unscathed... This kid is truly far more capable than I imagined.
'I wonder if he came here to tell us about what happened there or to learn Haki from me?' Rayleigh thought to himself.
If it's the latter, he's going to be quite busy.
"Old man Rayleigh, can I go find Meiser first?" Luffy asked.
"Of course," Rayleigh nodded.
Although training was important, it wasn't so urgent that they couldn't spare a day to communicate with Meiser.
After receiving confirmation, Luffy decisively removed the blindfold from his face.
Then, looking toward the sea, he asked, "Is it over there?"
"Correct."
Rayleigh placed his club on a nearby rock and began walking into the distance, saying, "Let's go find Meiser so they don't get lost looking for us here."
"Don't worry, Meiser would never get lost," Luffy grinned, baring his teeth.
The only one in the Straw Hat Pirates who gets lost is that idiot Zoro!
"But it wouldn't be good if they encounter those animals."
Luffy paused, then asked in confusion, "Can they even defeat Meiser?"
He knew Meiser's capabilities well—this was someone who could even handle Sea Kings.
Would someone like that be bullied by the animals here?
Highly unlikely...
"You think I'm worried about that kid?" Rayleigh rolled his eyes. "I'm worried about the animals."
"If he kills all the wild beasts, how are you going to train?"
With Meiser's strength, he has absolutely nothing to fear from the animals on this island!
Luffy thought for a moment before nodding. "That's true..."
Given Meiser's power, wiping out all the animals on this island would be no challenge at all.
"Alright, hurry up and follow!" Rayleigh urged.
"Okay!"
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