One Piece: With Sign-in System

On the way back to the Sabaody Archipelago, as Rayleigh rowed the small boat, he looked at Ron and asked, "What do you plan to do next? Since you're not aiming to become a Marine, are you thinking of becoming a pirate?"

"I think I'll probably be more like a traveler, wandering across the seas," Ron replied casually, lying on the small boat with his hands behind his head, eyes closed, enjoying the ocean breeze.

"A traveler, huh…" Rayleigh looked at the relaxed Ron, and a distant memory appeared in his eyes. Back when he first set sail with that guy Roger, wasn't it also a bit like being a traveler?

Returning to the present, Rayleigh smiled at Ron and said, "Whether it's as a pirate, an adventurer, or a traveler, it all comes down to pursuing freedom on this vast ocean."

"But right now, these seas are not truly free," Rayleigh continued. "If you want freedom, you'll have to break the things that bind this ocean."

Ron's heart stirred as he opened his eyes to look at Rayleigh.

"If you truly wish to be a traveler, sooner or later, you'll find yourself opposing those who create these chains. This era doesn't let everyone who longs for freedom be just a traveler; those who resist the chains and defy the rules get branded as pirates!"

Rowing the boat, Rayleigh laughed heartily and said, "If your goal is to travel freely across this sea, I'll be waiting on Sabaody Island for the day your name resonates throughout the ocean."

Back on the Sabaody Archipelago, Ron and Rayleigh shared a drink at a tavern. Ron used the opportunity to ask him some questions about Haki.

While sipping the Sabaody Brew that Ron had treated him to, Rayleigh answered him cheerfully.

"When it comes to Haki, whether it's Armament Haki, Observation Haki, or Conqueror's Haki, I believe there are roughly four levels."

"Right now, your Armament Haki is likely at the second stage, while your Observation Haki is still at the first stage."

"For Armament Haki, the first stage is basic enhancement, and the second stage is hardening. To reach the third stage, you need to be able to let the Haki flow freely within your body. I once heard a comrade from Wano Country on our ship refer to this technique as Ryuo."

"Although calling Haki 'Ryuo' doesn't quite capture its essence, it's a fitting name for the third stage," Rayleigh explained while sipping his drink. "There aren't many people across the seas who have achieved the level of Ryuo. As for the fourth stage… there are only a handful who have ever reached it."

"Rayleigh, did you reach the fourth stage?" Ron asked curiously.

Rayleigh shook his head. "No, but I know of one person who did."

"Who?"

"The one who taught you how to train in Haki."

"Garp?"

Rayleigh nodded. "Yes. At his peak, he most likely reached that level."

"Not even the Pirate King, Roger, reached it?"

Ron was surprised.

Rayleigh shook his head. "Roger and Garp clashed many times. Roger excelled in Observation Haki, but Garp was stronger in Armament Haki."

"I see," Ron nodded slightly and downed his drink, then turned to Rayleigh with curiosity. "Has anyone reached the fourth level of Observation Haki?"

"I don't know," Rayleigh replied as he poured more Sabaody Brew into his glass. "I've never heard of it, nor have I witnessed it. Even reaching the third level, where you can glimpse a fragment of the future, is rare. A fourth level… I can't even imagine it."

"But if Roger were still alive, he might have had the potential to reach that stage," Rayleigh said softly, gazing at the bubbles in his drink with a faint smile. "After all, his Observation Haki was truly exceptional."

Ron understood the meaning behind Rayleigh's words.

The Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, possessed the highest level of Observation Haki, with the unique ability to hear the voice of all things.

Most people's Observation Haki leans toward either depth, like the Grand Fleet Commander Katakuri's ability to foresee the future, or breadth, like Enel's ability on Sky Island to monitor the entire island.

For nearly everyone who awakens Observation Haki, it manifests with either of these specific attributes.

For Ron, his Observation Haki had also awakened with a focus on depth, but he was still far from reaching Katakuri's level.

The highest level of Observation Haki, however, combines these two traits and grants the ability to hear the Voice of All Things.

Only a rare few in the entire world possess this skill—far rarer than those who master Conqueror's Haki.

Ron couldn't help but wonder.

How did his Transparent World compare to the Voice of All Things in strength?

After parting ways with Rayleigh, Ron boarded a merchant ship leaving the Sabaody Archipelago.

Standing by the railing, his olive-green coat billowing around him, Ron watched the seabirds in flight and couldn't help but recall Rayleigh's words.

"Those who long for freedom and resist constraints… in this era, they're labeled as pirates…"

He pondered this.

Until now, his plan was simply to grow stronger within this chaotic world of pirates, avoid getting entangled in conflicts, and enjoy a free and beautiful life in this marvelous pirate world.

But now, this goal seemed a bit too simple.

Resting his chin on his arms on the railing, Ron gazed thoughtfully out at the vast sea, the slightly salty breeze lifting his soft black hair.

"It seems I really need to understand this world better…"

Suddenly, he felt someone watching him.

Turning his head, he saw a noblewoman wearing a hat nearby, accompanied by two girls with short orange hair, dressed in lovely princess dresses. The adorable twin girls were shyly peeking at him.

When Ron looked at them, they quickly averted their gaze, their cheeks flushed, and they shyly hid behind the noblewoman's skirt.

Ron smiled gently at them.

This pirate world truly has many wonderful things…

…

In Shakky's Bar…

Rayleigh picked up his glass, listening to the clear clink of ice cubes against the glass.

Shakky, smoking a cigarette, looked at him and asked, "What did you say to him before he left?"

"Oh, nothing much. Just asked if he'd given it his all when he challenged me."

"And?"

Shakky's curiosity was piqued.

"He just shook his head."

Rayleigh looked at the bubbles in his drink, his expression filled with admiration.

Shakky exhaled smoke. "He's a tough one to read. Haven't seen a young man like him in a long time…"

Rayleigh laughed heartily, downing his Sabaody rum.

"This sea is about to get lively again. That kid will stir up quite the storm out there."

"Shakky, the next time we see him, his name will be known across the seas. He might even become a legendary pirate, haha."

Shakky gave Rayleigh a sidelong glance. "You seem eager for him to become a pirate."

Rayleigh poured another drink, gently shaking his head.

"It's not that I want him to. It's just that in this era, there's no room left for pure adventurers who seek freedom…"

Shakky took a drag on her cigarette, falling silent.

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T/N:

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