The Old Lady Amazon watched in astonishment as Yasa, with his back turned, somehow evaded the shockwave from her Impact Dial with supernatural precision.
On Sky Island, no one had ever witnessed anyone dodge attacks without seeing them!
Regaining her composure, she steadied herself from the Impact Dial's massive recoil and aimed another shockwave at Yasa's body.
Boom!
A fierce wind surged from behind.
This time, Yasa didn't even consider facing the attack head-on. Instead, he tested his newly awakened Observation Haki. Without glancing back at the Old Lady Amazon's movements, a white silhouette materialized in his mind.
This was the Amazon's figure manifested through his Observation Haki.
He tilted his head left, and the shockwave brushed past his ear, missing its mark.
Yasa's heart raced with elation. His first awakening of Observation Haki hadn't merely allowed him to perceive through wind currents and air movement. Instead, it created a complete white silhouette in his mind—a figure holding a weapon, every motion and attack fully "seen" through the flow of air!
How remarkably similar this was to the future Marine Admiral Fujitora Issho's Haki!
I remember Rayleigh once said that Haki—the world's hidden power—is innate to all humans.
This force exists from birth, akin to abstract concepts like presence and intimidation, existing as instinct.
However, most people never recognize this power, nor can they manifest it throughout their lives.
Unlike Conqueror's Haki, both Armament Haki and Observation Haki can be awakened through training, and their strength can be continuously enhanced.
Conqueror's Haki is a king's innate quality. Those possessing it can attack without physical action, making it a form of mental assault.
Those struck by it will foam at the mouth and collapse.
Unlike Armament Haki and Observation Haki, Conqueror's Haki is innate and cannot be learned later in life. It's not hereditary and can only be determined by one's life essence.
It requires developing a natural aura from birth!
Every person with Conqueror's Haki is a lawless individual, living freely on the great seas. This is why most people who awaken Conqueror's Haki become Pirates.
Marines must obey orders and follow commands. How can they cultivate their own spirit in such circumstances?
Let's set aside Conqueror's Haki for now.
Observation Haki can make one's five senses extraordinarily keen. It allows one to detect the life force and emotional changes of surrounding creatures, and can be used to predict and avoid danger.
As long as a creature is alive, their body will emit a special sound. By listening to these sounds, one can predict an opponent's next move and position. With cultivation, the range of this ability can be expanded.
Yasa's five senses were naturally exceptionally strong. He would immediately detect when someone was watching him. It seemed awakening Observation Haki wasn't unreasonable.
"Bet my life on this Upward Current and harvested this ability early? Hahaha, that's truly... perfect."
Yasa laughed wildly without restraint, his body swaying like willow catkins in the wind as he dodged the shock waves from the Impact Dial again and again.
Old Lady Amazon's wizened face was full of shock. Her arms trembled slightly, clearly unable to withstand that powerful recoil.
"I originally wanted to enter Sky Island without offending anyone, but you clearly won't let me have my way. Since I've offended you, I might as well offend you to death!"
Murderous intent flickered in Yasa's obsidian eyes as he rapidly stamped his feet in place. The powerful recoil propelled him forward, materializing beside Amazon in an instant. His tightly clenched fist shot out with lethal force.
He would silence her permanently.
It wasn't that he lacked respect for elders or compassion for the young. If he left witnesses after offending the Sky Islanders, he'd have nowhere to hide once he reached Sky Island.
Amazon would inevitably inform Gan Fall—the God entrusted with guarding the Gate of Heaven—of his arrival.
With Yasa's current frail strength, facing the endless Sky Island Guardian Army was suicidal.
Gan Fall in his prime, along with his Priest subordinates, undoubtedly surpassed Yasa's capabilities.
Capture, imprisonment, and execution would be inevitable consequences.
The best course was to eliminate Amazon—the witness to his arrival—leaving no means for her to report him.
Only the dead keep secrets forever.
Though killing her might buy temporary concealment, the Sky Island Guardian Army would inevitably discover her corpse.
Before that, Yasa had to obtain the Rumble-Rumble Fruit. If he failed, the consequences would be severe...
Two thoughts flashed through his mind as he considered all possible escape routes. Planning ahead and being prepared for any situation had always been Yasa's preferred approach.
When the Sky Island Guardian Army came searching for him, Yasa would either hide among the Sky Islanders under a new identity or flee to uninhabited areas.
Alternatively, he could join the Shandia and fight against the Sky Islanders.
The Shandia were originally natives of God's Island Apayado. They had been forced to abandon their homeland by the Angel Islanders, who craved more land, and were driven away by force.
For centuries, they had been planning a counterattack but never succeeded. If Yasa joined them to fight against the Sky Islanders, unless they were completely mad, they would never refuse a powerful ally.
Before obtaining the strength to suppress all conspiracies, it was crucial to think carefully about escape routes. But once you had the power, you could simply crush everything in your path—why would you need to think then?
Yasa understood this principle deeply.
In a flash, Yasa moved with such speed that it seemed like teleportation. His footsteps blurred as he vanished and reappeared beside Amazon. His steel-like fist shot out with terrifying velocity, aiming straight for her skull.
"You despicable Blue Sea man! The God will not spare you..."
As her final words hung in the air, Yasa's iron fist struck her head. Her body flew backward like a broken sack, landing with a sickening thud.
CRASH!
The violent impact against the Gate of Heaven's structure sent blood spraying from her eyes, ears, and nose. Her bones shattered into dust, and she died instantly.
After the kill, Yasa felt no remorse. Instead, a faint thrill stirred in his chest.
This world where brute strength reigned supreme, where laws meant nothing and freedom flowed like wine—how intoxicating! Only through overwhelming force could one achieve their dreams, satisfy their ambitions, and taste the sweet nectar of unbridled freedom!
"I never imagined how exhilarating it would be to shed all restraint and kill without hesitation! Being slain by my hand will be your eternal bragging right in hell..." Yasa laughed coldly.
A sudden gust of wind lifted his black hair, revealing his restored vision. The crimson pool reflected his twisted smile, making him look every bit like a demonic fiend.