Examining the primeval forest before him, Meiser raised an eyebrow and said, "So this is Rusukaina Island?"
"Correct."
Hancock nodded and said, "This is Rusukaina Island, known as the 'Island of 48 Seasons'!"
"48 seasons..."
After recalling Granny Nyon's previous description of the island, Meiser raised an eyebrow and said, "I'd like to see that for myself."
An island where the seasons change weekly must be quite fascinating. At this thought, a glimmer of interest appeared in Meiser's eyes.
Then, Meiser said, "Let's go find Uncle Rayleigh and the others."
"No need, they're almost here."
"Oh?"
Meiser looked surprised and asked, "Did your Observation Haki detect them?"
"Yes."
Hancock, who was using Observation Haki to sense the situation ahead, nodded and said, "They're heading toward us and will arrive soon."
"It seems Uncle Rayleigh has already noticed the situation at the shore," Meiser remarked.
Probably those birds that flew off earlier gave Uncle Rayleigh the hint.
A moment later, Rayleigh emerged from the distant forest with Luffy.
The moment he saw Meiser, Luffy's face lit up with joy.
"Meiser!!" Luffy shouted loudly.
Then, the man rushed over at incredible speed, kicking up a cloud of dust.
"Cough cough..."
Rayleigh, standing behind Luffy, was directly choked by the dust and coughed repeatedly, his expression turning somewhat helpless.
Why is this kid always in such a hurry?
"Luffy."
Looking at Luffy who had reached him, Meiser smiled and said, "I'm back."
"Yeah!"
"How about it? Did you send out the newspaper?"
"Don't worry." Meiser nodded. "I sent it out long ago."
As long as our crewmates have the habit of reading newspapers, they'll definitely get the hint I sent!!
"That's good." Luffy sighed in relief.
Now he could completely focus on his training without worries.
Meiser nodded, then turned and tossed a bottle of alcohol to Uncle Rayleigh.
"Try this, Uncle Rayleigh."
"Oh?"
Catching the bottle Meiser threw, Rayleigh examined it and said in surprise, "Isn't this Violet from District 30?"
"Exactly, it's Violet." Meiser grinned. "I heard from Sister Shakky that you quite like this, so I bought some."
As he spoke, Meiser patted his Ninja Tool Pouch and continued, "The rest is in my Sealing Scroll. I'll give it to you later."
Hearing Meiser's words, Rayleigh smiled and said, "Hey, you kid..."
"Alright, I'll accept it then."
It had to be said, Meiser certainly knew how to handle things well.
Then, he turned his attention to Hancock and the others.
Seeing this, they immediately greeted Rayleigh.
"Hmm."
Rayleigh nodded, then walked over to a nearby rock and sat down, saying, "Tell me, what brings you here?"
He was curious whether Meiser had come to train with him or to inform them about the incident at Mary Geoise.
"Of course, I'm here to train," Meiser replied. "And by the way, to fill you in on what happened at Mary Geoise.""
Hearing this, a clear smile appeared on Rayleigh's face.
It seems this kid still recognizes my teaching skills, Rayleigh thought with an inward laugh.
Meanwhile, Luffy looked at Meiser with surprise and exclaimed, "Meiser, are you planning to stay here and train with me?"
If that were really the case, it would be fantastic!
"Yeah, I plan to stay for a while and train seriously in Haki with Uncle Rayleigh," Meiser confirmed with a nod.
"Awesome!"
Seeing Luffy's excitement, a smile also spread across Meiser's face.
He then took out a Sealing Scroll from his Ninja Tool Pouch and retrieved all the food he had prepared earlier for Luffy.
"Here, Luffy, this is some food I bought earlier at Sabaody Archipelago," Meiser said. "Consider it a gift for you."
"Really?!" Luffy's eyes sparkled. "Thanks, Meiser!"
With that, the glutton immediately dove into the pile of food, stuffing his mouth frantically.
After shifting his gaze away from Luffy, Meiser turned his attention to Rayleigh and said, "Uncle Rayleigh, you mentioned before that you know Conqueror's Haki Infusion, right?"
"Conqueror's Haki Infusion?"
Luffy paused, confused. What was Conqueror's Haki Infusion?
"It's a technique for using Haki," Rayleigh explained to Luffy first, then looked back at Meiser and said, "Yes, I do know it."
"Can you help both of us master this power?"
Seeing Meiser's expectant expression, Rayleigh was taken aback for a moment, then asked in surprise, "You've Awakened Conqueror's Haki?"
"Yes."
"When did it happen?"
"During the chaos at Mary Geoise," Meiser replied.
"So that's how it was..."
Hearing this, Rayleigh fell into deep thought.
Awakening Conqueror's Haki in a place like that... What was going through Meiser's mind at the time?
Could it be that he wanted to take down all the Celestial Dragons?
If that were truly the case, wouldn't the World Government be chasing after him like rabid dogs?
"Meiser!" Luffy, his mouth full of food, looked up at Meiser and exclaimed, "You have Conqueror's Haki too?!"
"Yes, I do."
"As expected of my partner!"
Seeing Luffy grinning widely with a toothy smile, Meiser's face also broke into a grin.
He then turned back to Rayleigh, waiting for an answer.
Rayleigh ended his contemplation at that moment and looked up at Meiser and Hancock.
"Mastering this isn't an easy task," Rayleigh stated.
"I know it's not easy, but we have to give it a try, don't we?" Meiser responded.
After pondering for a moment, Rayleigh said, "In that case... I'll tell you the method to master this power."
"What is it?"
"Fighting!" Rayleigh extended a finger and said, "This technique of using Haki isn't something that can be mastered through training alone. You must engage in constant battles to potentially grasp this power in life-or-death situations!"
Hancock frowned upon hearing this. "It can't be mastered through training...?"
If that was the case, wouldn't she be unable to train together with Meiser?
"If even Conqueror's Haki can't be improved through training, then Conqueror's Haki Infusion is even more out of the question," Rayleigh stated.
To master this power, one must fight!
Only through continuous combat can one enhance their own spirit, making it possible to grasp that power.
"This displeases me greatly."
Rayleigh: "..."
Being displeased is useless because this is the reality.
Shaking his head helplessly, Rayleigh said, "Hancock, if you want to master Conqueror's Haki Infusion, you must engage in battles to have any chance of grasping this power."
Of course, it's merely a possibility—whether you can actually achieve it depends on Hancock's innate talent.
"Life-or-death battles..."
"Yes," Rayleigh nodded. "But there's one prerequisite!"
"What prerequisite?"
"You need your own Conqueror's Haki to be sufficiently powerful," Rayleigh explained. "Otherwise, it's impossible to master Conqueror's Haki Infusion."
Conqueror's Haki is the foundation. If you can't meet that standard, then mastering this is even more impossible.
"Sufficiently powerful Haki..." Hancock thought with a furrowed brow. It seemed mastering this technique wouldn't be easy for her.
"As for Meiser..."
Rayleigh glanced at Meiser and said, "Although I can't help you master Conqueror's Haki Infusion, I can teach you how to control your Conqueror's Haki."
"Besides that, I can also help you improve your two basic types of Haki."
This kid Meiser had extraordinary talent for Haki. If Rayleigh trained him... he would surely grow to an astonishing level!
Thinking this, Rayleigh felt a faint excitement stirring within him.
"Is that so..."
Meiser pondered for a moment before nodding. "Then I'll leave it to you, Uncle Rayleigh!"
"Good!"
Rayleigh laughed heartily. "I'll train both of you rigorously!"
Hearing Rayleigh's laughter, Luffy looked up from his pile of food. "But Uncle Rayleigh, there's only one of you."
"How can you train both of us at the same time?"
"I have my methods," Rayleigh replied. "Besides, doesn't Meiser have Clones?"
If necessary, Meiser's Clones could spar with him, which would also train his ability to sense aura.
"Clones..."
Recalling Meiser's abilities, Luffy nodded. "That makes sense."
Ignoring their conversation, Meiser turned to Hancock. "Hancock, it seems we won't be able to train together after all."
Hancock's main purpose in coming here was to train her Conqueror's Haki.
But since Uncle Rayleigh said it wasn't possible, there was no need for her to stay.
"How can this be..." Hancock looked at Meiser with tearful eyes. "I don't want to be separated from you."
Looking at Hancock's expression, Meiser sighed helplessly before saying, "It won't be for too long, Hancock."
"Once I've mastered the Three Colors Haki, I'll return to Kuja Island to find you."
"I'm also proficient in the Three Colors Haki," Hancock declared. "I could teach you to master them myself!"
If Meiser couldn't learn the advanced technique of Conqueror's Haki Infusion here, there would be no point in him staying.
Nearby, Rayleigh set down his bottle of alcohol upon hearing this and interjected, "I think it's better if you let Meiser stay with me."
"Why?" Hancock frowned.
"Your Haki is indeed powerful, but your technical skills still need refinement," Rayleigh explained seriously. "So it's better for Meiser to train with me for a while."
Hancock's Haki was strong, but it paled in comparison to his own.
Though Hancock knew Rayleigh spoke the truth, she still didn't want to be separated from Meiser. Sensing her reluctance, Rayleigh calmly added, "If you don't want anything unfortunate to happen to Meiser two years from now, it's best he trains with me for a period."
Hancock: ...
His words instantly silenced her.
After all... she too wanted Meiser to remain safe in the future.
Seeing Hancock's expression, Meiser reached out and patted her hand, saying, "I'll come back to you as soon as I've mastered the Three Colors Haki. It won't take long."
As Hancock seemed about to protest further, Meiser said gently, "Be good and listen, alright~"
"Fine..."
With Meiser having spoken like that, Hancock could only nod reluctantly, her expression pitiful as she accepted the situation.
Then, as if struck by a sudden thought, she asked, "Then... could I come here every day to bring you food?"
As she spoke, her eyes began to sparkle.
The idea of a devoted wife delivering lovingly prepared meals to her beloved husband... it was just perfect!
"No!"
"~"
At the sound of Rayleigh's voice, veins bulged on Hancock's forehead.
In a flash, she darted over to Rayleigh, snatched the violet liquor from his hand, and snapped, "Damn it, why not again?!"
"Are you deliberately picking on me?!"
Rayleigh: : :
Why take his drink when they were just talking?
Shaking his head in resignation, Rayleigh explained, "This island has everything we need. There's no reason for you to bring food."
For sustenance, they could hunt wild animals.
For water, there was river water they could drink directly.
So they lacked nothing in terms of food and drink!
"But I want Meiser to eat well!" Hancock argued, frowning.
She knew full well the island had plenty of edible things, but the problem was... they weren't necessarily tasty!!
That's why it was best for her to bring meals to Meiser, ensuring he ate well.
"Still not allowed!" Rayleigh insisted. "During our training, no women are allowed on this island!!"
He didn't want Meiser to lose himself in comfort and indulgence, which could easily dull his spirit!
Therefore... absolutely no proximity to women during Meiser's training.
Without giving Hancock a chance to continue, Rayleigh interrupted directly, "All of this is for Meiser."
A simple sentence that immediately cut off Hancock's words.
After a moment of silence, Hancock said, "Since it's for Meiser, then I..."
Perhaps thinking about the upcoming days of separation, Hancock's eyes grew slightly red again.
After casually returning the drink to Rayleigh, Hancock returned to Meiser's side, hugged him and said, "Meiser... I will miss you."
"Endure it for now, Hancock." Meiser patted Hancock and said, "I'll try to return as soon as possible."
Once he could proficiently use the Three Colors Haki, he would return to Kuja Island to practice Ninjutsu and strive to develop techniques like Wood Release!
"Okay..." Hancock said, "I understand..."
For Meiser's sake, she would try hard to endure her longing.
Rayleigh:
Watching the two embracing, Rayleigh helplessly took a swig of his drink.
At this moment, he became even more convinced of his earlier thought.
He definitely couldn't let Hancock stay here, otherwise this kid Meiser would absolutely never learn Haki!
After all... Hancock was the world's most beautiful woman of this generation!
He knew all too well how terrifying the power of the world's most beautiful woman could be!!
Recalling his days living with Shakky back then, Rayleigh rubbed his lower back with a pained expression.
A moment later, Hancock turned to Rayleigh and said, "Rayleigh!"
"You must teach Meiser with all your effort, understand!"
Hearing this, Rayleigh rolled his eyes and said, "Do you even need to tell me that?"
Since this kid had come to him, he would naturally teach him Haki with all his heart.
As for how much he could learn, that would depend on Meiser himself.