"Exactly. Blindfold training is the most effective. When people can't see, they're filled with uncertainty and fear. That's when you must rely on your senses—emotions, temperature, air currents, breathing, sound."
Rayleigh spoke confidently, observing Reid's youthful face with a hint of nostalgia. The world truly changed too fast, each wave overtaking the last.
"Everything Rayleigh just said—Fujitora must have mastered it all."
Thinking of Fujitora, Reid nodded. "I understand what you mean. I was just thinking… blind people might be naturally suited to learning Observation Haki."
He recalled Fujitora, the gravity-wielding admiral who, despite being blind, could still pinpoint his targets through other means.
"Oh? Hahaha! That's an interesting thought, Reid. How'd you come up with that?"
Rayleigh was intrigued. After all, they'd rarely encountered blind people in their lives.
"Well, since you mentioned blindfolds, blind people don't need them—they already can't see."
Rayleigh picked up a piece of konjac with his chopsticks, blew on it, and popped it into his mouth.
"You're not wrong, but blindness doesn't automatically make someone better at Observation Haki. Unless they have a natural talent for it, of course—then they'd have an advantage in learning speed. But under the same conditions, a sighted person would still progress faster."
"But if a blind person mastered Observation Haki, it'd be like giving them eyes." Reid took a bite of daikon radish.
"True." Rayleigh quickly fished out more ingredients. "Ah—found the fried tofu! My favorite."
Watching Rayleigh's almost childish enthusiasm for food, Reid couldn't help but chuckle.
"Rorororororo!"
Nearby, the two Whirlwind Jumping Crabs waved their massive claws.
"Ah, my bad. Almost forgot about you two." Rayleigh placed a few skewers into their claws.
"Rorororororo!"
"Rayleigh, aren't you going to save any for Buggy and Shanks?"
Rayleigh stuffed several pieces of fried tofu into his mouth, chewing voraciously before giving Reid a look of mock disbelief.
"Brother Reid, you're really too kind-hearted. It's almost a shame you became a pirate—hahahaha!"
He threw his head back laughing.
"Uh… really?" Reid scratched his head awkwardly, chopsticks still in hand.
"Hahaha, just teasing. Here, try this fish cake and taro strips. Oden loved these—they're delicious."
Rayleigh piled more food into Reid's bowl.
"By the way, Reid, you call 'Red-Taro' 'Red-Hair' so naturally. Does that mean he'll go by that name in the future?"
Rayleigh remembered Reid's ability to glimpse the future.
"Oh, not necessarily. I just saw that Shanks has red hair, so the nickname came to mind."
"I see. It does suit him." Rayleigh studied Reid's eyes, smiling.
"He's hiding something." Rayleigh mused. His Observation Haki was top-tier—he could always sense the slightest hesitation.
"Damn Rayleigh and Reid, eating oden like it's nothing! Why do I have to be chased by these stupid crabs?!"
Buggy's floating head gnashed his teeth, his disembodied hands shaking fists in fury.
The crabs glared at him, claws snapping. If not for Buggy's sheer incompetence, they'd have joined the feast long ago.
"Dammit! Why can't I dodge these crabs?! Am I really this useless?! How am I supposed to protect Ace like this?!"
Shanks stood battered and bleeding, covered in claw marks.
"I'll never give up!"
He stopped running, locking eyes with the crabs—and an invisible ripple pulsed outward.
"Hahaha! See, Reid? Told you it was delicious. Hm?" Rayleigh's head snapped toward Shanks.
"Red-Taro just released Haki again! It's weak, but… that was Haki. Could it be… Conqueror's?!"
For the first time, Rayleigh stood up, unable to stay seated.
Noticing this, Reid also rose. "Did something happen? Rayleigh seems tense."
"Brother Rayleigh, is something going on with Shanks?"
"Yes. That boy… he might have an extraordinary talent for Haki."
"Ah." Reid wasn't surprised—he'd known all along.
"You don't seem shocked, Reid. Unless…"
"I already knew." Reid nodded. "But don't worry, Rayleigh. I'd never recklessly reveal the future—unless it's critical, like with Rouge or Oden. Otherwise, I might alter history."
"Good. That's a relief. But Reid… just what are you? Your abilities defy all logic." Rayleigh scrutinized him until Reid grew uncomfortable.
"Uh… just think of me as…"
"Just call me the Child of Destiny, haha…" Reid rubbed his head, a hint of pride in his voice.
"Child of Destiny? You've mentioned that before." Rayleigh chuckled. "With you joining us this time, many things just got a lot easier."
"Rayleigh, are you talking about One Piece? Building a paradise, connecting the world, overthrowing the Celestial Dragons?"
Rayleigh's eyes lit up, gleaming with excitement as he stared at Reid.
"Brother Reid! You know? Then that means… we can succeed, right?"
"I haven't been to a Laugh Tale, but I believe Joy Boy was right. And I believe evil will never triumph—happiness and freedom belong to the people of this world. No one can take that away. Rayleigh, let's work toward it together. The outcome doesn't matter—knowing it in advance might even spoil the journey."
Reid spoke with a smile, confident that Rayleigh would understand.
"Ah… you're right. I got a little too carried away just now."
Rayleigh nodded in agreement.
"Those Celestial Dragons call themselves gods, but to me, they're just clowns. If we had to pick someone to be a god, I'd rather it be you, Reid. Hahahaha!"
"Uh… Brother Rayleigh, you're joking…"