Once home, I decided to skip my workout since it was already too late. Instead, I sat down and thought:
Fujitora… from what I remember, the author said he was once the leader of a kingdom in the Grand Line. So how did he end up here? Does he already have his fruit? How strong is his Haki? Did he notice anything strange about me?
These were all questions I'd buried back at the casino, too afraid of discovery to dwell on them. But one word from our conversation stuck in my head—senses. That was the key. He had been hinting at Observation Haki.
But how do I acquire it? I don't have anyone to train me like Luffy had. No one to smack me around until I awaken it…
I sighed. Forget it. Let's just sleep on it.
The next morning, I woke early, made breakfast, and headed into the forest. Once there, I closed my eyes and tried to walk toward the clearing without sight.
Three steps later, I tripped over a root. Again.
Still, I didn't stop. I dropped onto all fours, crawling forward along the familiar path, using only touch and memory. It took far longer than it should have, but eventually, I reached the clearing. Only then did I open my eyes and stand.
"Is this even efficient? Can I really improve by doing this? …Let's try."
I checked carefully to make sure no one was nearby, then closed my eyes again. This time, I attempted to climb a tree I'd scaled countless times before. Once. Twice. Both times, I slipped and fell. My back ached, but I didn't give up. On the third attempt, I finally made it up the trunk.
From there, I pushed myself harder—pushups, squats, sprints, jumps—everything I usually did, but with my eyes closed. When I tried climbing another tree, exhaustion caught up to me. I gave up after the first fall.
I decided to stop the physical training there and pulled out a new knife I'd recently purchased. Using a book as my reference, I practiced basic moves. Clumsy, yes—but at least I was fast.
I had already decided knives suited me better than swords. Not to honor Fred, my first kill, but because they fit my style: closer range, more options for sneak attacks. I wanted to incorporate my Devil Fruit into my combat style, and I had. With each slash, I shifted my arm's length to confuse an opponent. Sometimes I grew taller or shorter mid-swing. It drained my stamina quickly, but if mastered… it could be deadly.
After some time, I stripped down and waded into the pond near the clearing, letting the water cool me off.
I still feel uncomfortable using my Devil Fruit openly… too risky if I'm seen. In the future, I'll need a suit. A mask. Something to hide my identity.
"Anyway," I muttered aloud, "let's continue working on my senses. If this doesn't work, I'll ask the doctor to get Isho to teach me."
Then it hit me. "Crap—the doctor!"
I hurried back to prepare his lunch. He berated me a little for being late, but he didn't seem too angry.
In the days that followed, I came up with new methods to train Observation Haki. I spent nearly all my savings at the market, buying ropes, knives, bats, and even some old tires—though there wasn't a single car in sight.
I changed my routine. Body training would now be done at night, quietly in my room. The forest became my training ground for senses alone. Eyes closed, I ran, jumped, climbed, and threw knives. Even with my eyes open, my aim was pathetic, but that wasn't the point.
I tied bats and tires to trees, shaking them to swing like unpredictable attackers. Then I tried weaving between them blindfolded. I got hit. A lot. But I persevered.
And so another month passed.
Now, once again, I was heading to the casino—to meet Isho.