"Shanks! Stop acting all high and mighty! I won't lose to you!"
Buggy jabbed a finger at Shanks, bellowing furiously.
"Enough. Both of you, step aside and keep quiet."
Rayleigh's pupils flickered faintly.
Shanks and Buggy staggered backward, their footsteps clattering against the ground.
"Was that... Conqueror's Haki?!"
Shanks was stunned, his face filled with disbelief.
"So this is the power of a true master's Haki? I, the future Pirate King Buggy, must learn Conqueror's Haki!"
Buggy's jaw dropped, his expression a mix of awe and greed. Just moments ago, he'd been talking about learning Observation Haki for survival, but now he was completely entranced by Rayleigh's display of Conqueror's Haki.
Incredible. Rayleigh must have only released a sliver of his Conqueror's Haki just now. Otherwise, even I could have knocked out Shanks and Buggy—let alone Rayleigh.
Reid was equally amazed. The sheer dominance of that kingly aura was exhilarating to witness, even from the sidelines.
Rayleigh smiled faintly and turned to him.
"Reid, let's begin."
"Got it."
"Be careful."
Rayleigh flashed in front of Reid and swung his iron rod in a simple, straightforward strike.
I see it... that faint white aura!
Reid sidestepped to the right. "Ah... damn, that hurts."
"Oh? You predicted it?"
Rayleigh's eyes narrowed. As a top-tier fighter, he immediately recognized that Reid had anticipated his attack and dodged accordingly.
Too bad my speed still isn't fast enough. But it's fine—most of today's training goal is already achieved. Next, Rayleigh will probably have us train blindfolded.
Reid mused silently.
"Hey, Rayleigh! Why'd you stop attacking? This is favoritism!"
Buggy couldn't help but complain. When Rayleigh trained them, his strikes were relentless and brutal. But now, with Reid, he had only struck once... and then paused.
"Did Reid really predict where Rayleigh would attack?"
Unlike Buggy, Shanks wasn't so reckless. Seeing Rayleigh stop and ponder, he could guess that something unusual was happening.
"Reid, again. This time, I'll increase my speed slightly."
"Understood."
Reid focused completely, not daring to let his guard down for even a second.
Whoosh! Rayleigh's figure vanished.
So fast!
Reid's eyes darted rapidly, scanning his surroundings.
Above!
He rolled forward, trying to evade.
"ARGH—!"
Rayleigh's iron rod slammed into Reid's leg.
Reid's face twisted in agony, his expression one of extreme pain.
Reid really can perceive my movements. How is that possible? I just used 20% of my speed. For someone learning Haki for the first time, dodging should be nearly impossible. Unless... Reid also 'smelled the biscuit'?
Rayleigh was impressed. With talent like this, Reid's chances of mastering Observation Haki had significantly increased.
"Reid, you can use your ability to heal yourself. No need to endure the pain."
"Rayleigh... I... can hold on a little longer."
Reid didn't want to rely on his system's healing too easily. His goal was to learn Haki in an ordinary human state.
"Fine. Then it's up to you. Heal yourself when it becomes unbearable—we're not doctors, after all."
Rayleigh grinned.
"I... got it. Don't... worry, Rayleigh... I'll manage."
Reid replied with difficulty, sweat pouring down his face as his clothes clung to his drenched body.
"In that case, I won't hold back."
The moment he finished speaking, Rayleigh disappeared again.
I see it—he's aiming for my back again.
Suppressing the pain, Reid mustered all his strength and lunged forward the instant he saw the white aura gathering behind him.
Thwack!
Rayleigh's rod struck empty air.
"He dodged it?"
Rayleigh was surprised. This time, he hadn't even touched Reid—meaning Reid had moved before the attack landed.
"Reid avoided Rayleigh's hit? How...?"
Shanks' eyes widened, his mind reeling. He knew all too well how difficult it was to evade Rayleigh's strikes. Yet Reid had done it—completely.
"It's gotta be luck! Yeah, just luck. Reid's got some serious luck going for him! Hahahaha!"
Buggy's words were more for self-comfort than anything, but even his expression betrayed his astonishment.
Huff… huff… huff…
Reid gasped for breath, not daring to relax as he kept his eyes locked on Rayleigh.
"Rayleigh, why'd you stop again? Keep going!"
Buggy urged impatiently, waving his arms.
"Reid, heal yourself first. I'll speed up a bit more next time. In your current state, you won't be able to dodge."
Huff… huff… huff…
"Rayleigh… I want to try."
"Oh?"
Rayleigh studied Reid's determined gaze, a flicker of admiration crossing his mind.
"In that case, I'll use 50% speed this time."
Rayleigh made his decision.
"Alright, Reid, be careful."
"Bring it on."
Reid's eyes burned with resolve, a surge of fighting spirit welling up inside him. He was thoroughly enjoying this raw, masculine challenge.
Whoosh!
This time, Rayleigh appeared directly in front of Reid.
So fast! The white aura—his speed has increased dramatically!
Reid dodged sideways.
"ARGH—!"
Unsurprisingly, Reid cried out as Rayleigh's rod sent him flying.
Huff... That was close. I thought Reid might dodge again. At least now I can relax.
Buggy let out a relieved sigh. If Reid had kept evading Rayleigh's attacks, he would have started questioning his own existence.
No... Even though Reid got hit, he still made the right judgment. The only reason he was struck was because his reaction speed wasn't fast enough.
Shanks silently analyzed the situation.
Hmm, my assessment seems correct. Reid must truly be perceiving my movements. Could he really have grasped the basics of Mantra (Observation Haki) this quickly? That's... unbelievable.
Rayleigh was astonished. What kind of monstrous talent was this?
Cough! Cough! Cough!
Reid lay on the ground, hacking violently, bloodshot eyes bulging as he fought back the urge to vomit.
"In that case, I'll use 50% speed this time."
Rayleigh made his decision.
"Alright, Reid, be careful."
"Bring it on."
Reid's eyes burned with determination, a surge of masculine pride swelling in his chest. He was thoroughly enjoying this raw test of strength.
Whoosh!
This time, Rayleigh appeared directly in front of Reid.
Too fast! The white aura—his speed has increased dramatically!
Reid twisted sideways to evade—
"AAAGH—!"
As expected, Reid's scream tore through the air as Rayleigh's staff sent him flying.
Whew... That was close. For a second I thought he might dodge again. At least now I can relax.
Buggy wiped imaginary sweat from his brow. If Reid kept evading Rayleigh's attacks, he'd have to seriously reconsider his own self-worth.
No... Reid still predicted the attack. He only got hit because his body couldn't keep up with his perception.
Shanks analyzed silently, his brow furrowed in thought.
Just as I suspected. Reid is definitely tracking my movements. Has he really begun grasping the fundamentals of Mantra (Observation Haki) already? This is... extraordinary.
Rayleigh's mind reeled at the implications. What kind of monstrous talent was this?
Cough! Hack! Wheeze!
Reid convulsed on the ground, violent coughs wracking his body as blood vessels bulge in his eyes. The metallic taste of bile rose in his throat.