Although Liam Ross had already trained his Observation Haki to the system's set pinnacle level, comparable to the high ranks in the world of pirates, each person's awakening of this ability was unique. Consider Fujitora, Kaku, Enel, Usopp, or even King Luffy. Each had their own style, strengths, and preferences.
The system's version of Observation Haki, granted as a reward, was a more generalized form. It heightened his senses to detect the presence of nearby living beings and perceive subtle shifts in emotion. For instance, if someone harbored murderous intent, Liam would instantly sense it and enter a state of heightened alertness, ready to anticipate and evade attacks at the very moment they were launched.
Smog, however, held no lethal intent toward him. He was merely lying in wait on Liam's usual path, a predator by habit rather than design. Liam sensed him the instant he appeared.
"Wasn't yesterday supposed to be the last time?" Liam groaned, staring at Smog with a mixture of exasperation and disbelief.
"You're still coming?"
Smog's silence carried a weight of pride and embarrassment. Three consecutive days of harassment had dented his own sense of honor, yet each time he had tested Liam, a small voice whispered that he shouldn't trust appearances.
Annoyed, restless, and tossing and turning through the night, Smog had once again camped out early in the grove, determined to confront Liam.
Seeing Smog's unreadable expression, Liam's mind immediately jumped to the worst-case scenario. "You… you wouldn't happen to ?" His words trailed off as he stumbled backward, eyes wide in panic.
Smog paused, surprised at Liam's reaction, then scowled, anger flaring. "Nonsense! I don't! Come with me into the grove!"
Liam could only gape.
Five minutes later, they emerged one after the other, Liam leading slightly, Smog deep in thought, eyes narrowed as he studied Liam's back. "Seems like this time, he lasted longer than before," Smog muttered to himself.
"Smog, I'm telling you, this is the last time, got it?" Liam warned, a trace of irritability in his voice. After enduring repeated humiliation, he vowed internally that if this happened again, he wouldn't hold back.
Today, Zephyr personally arrived to teach the students about Armament Haki. The news electrified the academy.
The naval school curriculum began with three months of basic physical training, followed by instruction in the six combat forms, and finally, the mastery and application of Haki.
Zephyr's piercing, tiger-like eyes scanned the hundreds of neatly arranged students.
"Haki is a latent power that can awaken the body's potential," he began. "Some are born with it. Others achieve it through rigorous training."
"There is the Conqueror's Haki, possessed by those with the kingly aptitude, capable of stunning or intimidating foes merely with their presence."
"Then there is Armament Haki, which strengthens both defense and offense, even allowing one to touch the abilities of Logia-type Devil Fruit users."
"Finally, Observation Haki allows one to anticipate the actions and movements of opponents."
As he mentioned Observation Haki, several students instinctively glanced at Liam. Even the instructors, including Tom, looked his way. Among hundreds of students, Liam was the first to awaken Haki, naturally drawing attention.
Zephyr noticed but continued his lecture on Haki with unwavering focus.
Two hours passed quickly. Each student began practicing Armament Haki under his guidance, though the other two types of Haki required a combination of innate talent and effort to master.
Liam followed along, pretending to concentrate while secretly asking the system, "Three days have passed. Why hasn't the Friendship-Feud Card responded?"
The system replied curtly, "Please remain patient, host."
Liam's lips twitched. This answer was frustratingly vague.
He pressed further. "There's no way to check it?"
"It is randomized and cannot be queried. Please continue to wait."
Liam couldn't resist mocking, "That's it? And you claim omnipotence? Hah… what use are you, really?"
The system remained silent after that.
After a day of slow-paced practice, Liam watched the sun dip below the horizon. Following dinner in the mess hall, he returned to the dorm under the cloak of night.
He signed in for his routine evening check-in.
"Congratulations, host. Check-in successful. You have obtained one Basic Experience Card."
He then retrieved his sword, "Crimson Edge," from the system storage and practiced his sword-drawing technique relentlessly. Three hours passed, during which he averaged eighty-five draws per minute.
Every time he visualized the mental image the blade leaving its scabbard almost instantaneously he was reminded how far he was from true mastery. Reaching that level without the system's aid would be harder than climbing Mount Everest, he thought.
Yet strangely, the rigorous sweat-drenched practice gave him a thrill, almost an enjoyment of the struggle. Perhaps he secretly had a masochistic streak.
The next morning, the salty tang of sea breeze drifted through the window. Liam rose early, washed up, and left the dorm. He planned to grab breakfast, then head to the library for some reading, and finally train at the arena.
As he neared the grove a hundred meters away, he paused, hesitating. After enduring three consecutive rounds of Smog's torment, he had learned to be cautious. Closing his eyes, he activated Observation Haki, subtly sensing every nearby living creature, just like Kaku's unique Observation abilities.
Moments later, a faint smile tugged at his lips. He turned and bypassed the grove entirely, taking a different path.
Inside the grove, Smog appeared once more, as if by habit, unable to rest without confronting Liam. Left waiting and scanning, he muttered, "Has he not gotten up yet?"
An hour later, frustrated and puzzled, he finally left only to spot Liam at the training arena moments later.
"Liam! When did you leave the dorm?"
Liam, engrossed in practicing the remaining five combat forms, stifled a laugh. "This morning, I guess."
"Wait, I thought you were in the…," Smog started, but quickly swallowed the words "grove," realizing students nearby might overhear. He shot Liam a sharp glance before turning away.
Night fell.
Liam returned to the bathhouse. Just as he stepped out, he spotted Smog leaning against a tree not far off. The moment he noticed Liam, his eyes lit up with excitement as he hurried over.
"Liam, I've been looking for you. Let's go."
"For what?" Liam asked warily.
"Of course, to the grove," Smog replied matter-of-factly.
At that moment, Liam's patience snapped.
Then, the system pinged in his mind.
"Ding! Specific check-in task triggered: Confront a youth repeatedly seeking trouble. Host is to thoroughly punish this young person lacking experience in the school of hard knocks."
"Task reward: Mysterious Treasure Chest."
Liam's eyes gleamed. Finally, the system had given him the perfect justification and opportunity to deal with Smog once and for all.