Chapter 134: End of Class
The night air hung heavy with salt spray as the calm waters outside Sabaody Archipelago reflected the star-scattered sky above. Alexander drifted silently on the ocean's surface, his massive form creating gentle ripples that caught the moonlight. The familiar weight of his passengers had become as natural as the rhythm of the tides themselves.
On his broad back, Brett and Rayleigh faced each other in the makeshift training ground that had become their nightly ritual. The Dark King's legendary presence seemed to make even the Grand Line's unpredictable currents settle into respectful stillness.
"Let's get started, Rayleigh."
Brett raised the corners of his mouth with an expectant smile spreading across his weathered features, anticipation crackling in his voice like static before a storm.
"You are so impatient, kid."
Rayleigh held a wine bottle in his weathered hand, the glass catching starlight as he smiled at Brett with the easy confidence of a man who had sailed with the Pirate King himself. He took a leisurely sip, savoring both the alcohol and the moment. The familiar burn of cheap liquor was a small comfort in his retirement.
Of course, Brett didn't give him any tuition in the traditional sense, but the young man had made sure his teacher would have a bottle of wine every single day. It was a simple arrangement that spoke volumes about Brett's character.
Rayleigh had long since lost interest in money – berries meant nothing to someone who had seen Roger's legendary treasure. He had also passed the age of chasing after beautiful women, though he could still appreciate Shakky's sharp wit. The only earthly pleasure that still brought him genuine joy was this daily drink, this simple ritual of shared knowledge and aged sake.
But it so happened that the former right hand of the Pirate King was now quite poor, a irony that would have amused Roger to no end. Shakky would never show mercy to Rayleigh when it came to his tab – every drink had to be paid for, every bottle accounted for with ruthless precision.
So of course Brett wouldn't let his conscientious teacher go without even a single drink. It was the least he could do for someone sharing decades of hard-earned wisdom.
"Because I have to go to the New World next,"
Brett said, his tone growing more serious as he gazed toward the horizon where dangerous waters waited beyond the Red Line. "Time is running out, so we'd better hurry up."
Strictly speaking, Tesoro could handle the brewing situation in the New World by himself. The former slave had not been idle during this past year of preparation. Not only had the power under his command developed greatly, with his entertainment empire spreading its golden influence across multiple islands, but his own personal strength had also improved dramatically through relentless training.
But after suddenly remembering the devastating potential of the Fist of the King technique, Brett had decided he needed to be there personally. The memory of that particular combat style had struck him like lightning during his meditation.
Because he had realized that move seemed perfectly suited to his own unique abilities and fighting style.
"Oh?" Rayleigh raised his eyebrows with the practiced interest of someone who had seen countless ambitious pirates set sail for glory and destruction. "Is someone going to be unlucky?"
"It's hard to tell," Brett smiled with the quiet confidence of a predator who knew his own strength. "It depends on whether that guy is asking for trouble."
Since Doflamingo had chosen not to start an open war, instead preferring to fan the flames from the shadows like the puppet master he was, there was a high probability the Heavenly Demon would not make a direct appearance. His style had always favored manipulation over confrontation.
But Brett couldn't say for certain – what if that guy decided to play the tiger by relying on Kaido's fearsome reputation to make bold moves? With the Joker's twisted sense of humor and reckless ambition, it was entirely possible.
"You have everything you need, Brett."
Brett simply smiled in response, a confident expression that spoke of countless hours of training and an unshakeable belief in his own capabilities.
Rayleigh laughed warmly, the sound carrying across the calm waters. He knew very well that with this boy's current strength – this unofficial disciple whom he had never formally acknowledged but had grown genuinely fond of – Brett was already powerful enough to walk sideways through the New World. The only real threats would come from those true monsters who decided to take action personally: the Emperors themselves, admirals, or the legendary fighters who had shaped the current age.
Those foolish enough to seek trouble with Brett would naturally become the unlucky ones in any confrontation.
"Since you are in a hurry, let's start the lesson now."
Rayleigh stretched his arms above his head, working out the kinks in muscles that had seen decades of legendary battles. Then his eyes suddenly became completely serious, the casual demeanor dropping away to reveal the focused intensity that had once made him the most feared first mate on the seas. "Have you already learned about advanced Armament Haki techniques, Brett?"
"Certainly."
Brett nodded with the confidence of someone who had studied these concepts extensively. "What is more advanced than simple hardening is letting the Haki flow like water, and the most advanced technique is the ability to penetrate into objects to achieve internal destruction from within."
"That's exactly right."
Rayleigh nodded approvingly, pleased with his student's theoretical understanding. "You have accumulated more than enough foundation in Haki control. The seeds of power have fully matured within you. The next step is allowing them to gradually blossom and bear fruit through proper application."
"It's going to be surprisingly straightforward."
"Simple?"
Brett raised an eyebrow, surprised by the assessment. He had expected these legendary techniques to require years of additional training.
"In the final analysis, it's just two related techniques,"
Rayleigh took another contemplative sip of wine and spoke with casual authority, as if discussing the weather rather than combat skills that could reshape battles. "It's completely different from the massive leap in quality that can be achieved when Observation Haki develops the ability to predict the future. Advanced Armament is a set of moves that can be learned through dedicated practice and real combat experience."
"The only significant difference between practitioners is their individual level of proficiency and natural talent."
Brett nodded with growing understanding. The concept reminded him of cultivation novels he had read – once you possessed sufficient foundation, learning the techniques themselves wouldn't be impossibly difficult.
"Although it is commonly described as two separate techniques, in essence, internal destruction is simply taking the flow concept one crucial step further."
Rayleigh began the formal lesson, his voice taking on the authoritative tone of a master craftsman explaining his art. "Let's start with making your Haki flow like a living thing."
He raised his right hand, which immediately turned completely black with Armament Haki, but Brett could sense something more – invisible waves of power wrapped around the darkened flesh like serpents of pure energy.
Brett observed with intense focus, his analytical mind cataloging every detail. Rayleigh's Haki was incredibly flexible, moving with such fluid grace that it appeared almost alive, flowing around his palm in complex patterns that defied conventional understanding.
"The key focus is precise manipulation – letting the Haki flow surge forward in a concentrated moment, then explode outward with devastating force."
Rayleigh demonstrated as he spoke, his voice calm and instructional. "This isn't simply about gathering your Haki somewhere and striking like a crude hammer. Instead, you must let your Haki transform into a raging torrent capable of shattering mountains!"
Whoosh!!
An actual torrent of invisible force shot forward from his outstretched palm, the concentrated Haki creating a visible disturbance in the air itself.
The invisible rapids made the very atmosphere seem to explode around them, producing an astonishing thunderclap that echoed across the peaceful waters like divine judgment.
"I completely understand when you explain it that way."
Brett nodded, pieces of a larger puzzle clicking into place in his mind.
This revelation explained why fighters like the red-haired Shanks, who possessed only the physique of an ordinary human, could stand toe-to-toe with absolute monsters like Kaido, Big Mom, and the late Whitebeard himself.
As Rayleigh had so perfectly described it, ordinary Armament Haki was like swinging primitive hammers in combat, but advanced Armament techniques were comparable to wielding modern firearms. The difference in destructive potential was absolutely staggering.
Not to mention the legendary power of Conqueror's Haki infusion techniques.
As long as someone achieved sufficient proficiency in these advanced skills, it became possible to completely compensate for physical weaknesses through pure technique and will.
"The crucial emphasis here is developing superior control capabilities,"
Rayleigh grinned with the satisfaction of someone sharing hard-won wisdom. "But as I mentioned earlier, it's not impossibly difficult to master. As long as you maintain proper awareness and understand the fundamental tricks, you will learn these techniques naturally through experiencing enough fierce battles."
'So Rayleigh,' Brett thought with mild amusement, 'why didn't you teach my future junior brother any of these advanced techniques in the original timeline?'
In the end, poor Luffy had been forced to venture into the dangerous New World and find alternative teachers for proper advanced tutoring.
Over the next portion of their lesson, Rayleigh explained to Brett in comprehensive detail various tips and techniques for mastering advanced Haki applications.
His instruction covered how to make Haki flow like water through focused meditation, and methods for dramatically increasing the technique's destructive power to make the spiritual torrent even more turbulent and overwhelming.
Then came penetration techniques – the precise methods for allowing Haki to penetrate deep into the interior structure of objects, bypassing external defenses entirely.
Rayleigh emphasized that once someone could make their Haki flow properly, internal destruction techniques were definitely within reach. Like the relationship between basic infusion and hardening, flow and internal destruction were naturally complementary skills that developed together.
The formal lesson was unexpectedly brief. In less than thirty minutes of focused instruction, Rayleigh's teaching session had concluded.
"The next crucial step is dedicated practice and real combat experience."
Rayleigh spoke with a knowing smile, confidence radiating from every word. "With your solid foundation, kid, you can definitely master these techniques through casual practice and just a couple of serious fights."
"Is it really that simple?"
Brett waved his fist experimentally, testing his current understanding.
But there was absolutely no sensation of Haki flow occurring. He could gather concentrated Haki in every corner of his body at any time through sheer will, but he couldn't make the energy flow like a river as Rayleigh had demonstrated.
"It's remarkably simple once you grasp the fundamental concept."
Rayleigh said casually, then yawned as the late hour finally caught up with him. "Anyway, I've taught you essentially everything I can through direct instruction. You already understand the cultivation method for Conqueror's Haki infusion. From this point forward, it's entirely up to your own hard work and dedication, kid."
Brett had learned the theoretical basis for Conqueror's Haki infusion during his memorable encounter with Whitebeard the previous year. In exchange for that invaluable knowledge, he had endured being punched twice by the World's Strongest Man – an experience he preferred not to dwell on.
The memory of that overwhelming pain still made him unconsciously wince.
It could only be said that Conqueror's Haki infusion was in a completely different league from even advanced Armament techniques. The intensity and difficulty were simply not comparable.
"Understood completely."
Brett nodded with solemn respect, genuine gratitude evident in his voice. "Anyway, Rayleigh, I'm incredibly grateful for everything over this past year."
Without Rayleigh's patient guidance and expert instruction, his personal Haki development would never have progressed with such remarkable speed and precision.
Although Brett occasionally complained internally that Rayleigh wasn't quite as hands-on as the direct teaching style of someone like Kaido, he understood perfectly well that Rayleigh hadn't focused on teaching Luffy advanced combat techniques either. Instead, the Dark King had helped the future Pirate King lay an unshakeable foundation, creating the perfect conditions for explosive growth during crucial moments.
The approach with Brett had probably been identical – building the groundwork for future breakthroughs.
"No need for excessive words of gratitude,"
Rayleigh waved his hand dismissively, speaking with characteristic casualness. "Simply do what you believe needs to be done, Brett."
The legendary teacher's expression grew more serious as he continued. "I am genuinely looking forward to the time when my unofficial disciple changes this world for the better."
"I will not disappoint your expectations."
Brett took a deep, steadying breath, feeling the weight of inherited responsibility. "Just wait and see what happens, Rayleigh."
"But having said all that, don't make this conversation sound like we'll never see each other again." He added with returning lightness.
Both men laughed simultaneously, the sound carrying warmth across the peaceful waters.
Fishman Island's location made it remarkably close to the Sabaody Archipelago. Brett's nightly routine involved coming here after completing his daily responsibilities, training intensively with Rayleigh, then returning at exactly the right time for sleep.
"Anyway, please make sure to bring me some quality wine after you return from the New World. Bring me enough drinks all at once and save us both the trouble?"
"Absolutely not. Shakky specifically said that if I indulge you too much, you'll definitely spend entire days completely drunk."
"What a troublesome woman she can be."
"Rayleigh, women only worry about men they genuinely care about."
"What kind of sentimental nonsense are you spouting now?"
"By the way, Rayleigh, am I allowed to teach these advanced techniques to other people?"
"Do whatever you think is best – it's not that significant a secret anyway."
Rayleigh's comprehensive lesson was now basically finished for the evening, marking another step in Brett's journey toward true mastery.
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