"By the way, we haven't tested the wand's real power yet. Let's go somewhere else and try."
Soon, they arrived at the shore.
At Amon's request, Nami raised the wand and began bombarding the sea with attacks.
Compared to the illusory mode, the real attacks were visibly weaker in spectacle.
But judging from the destructive force, Amon estimated it was around Arlong's level.
The real problem was the mental strain.
After only three or four uses, Nami was exhausted, her little face pale and her head wobbling.
Amon recognized the symptoms immediately. That was what happened when spiritual energy was overused.
He quickly told her to stop.
As long as she did not overdo it, a good night's sleep would restore her.
Another thing he noticed was that the wand's attack power scaled with the user's strength.
The stronger the wielder, the stronger the spell.
When Amon tried it himself, the output was far greater than Nami's.
Strangely though, it seemed that only he and Nami could use the wand.
When Nojiko or Bell-mère held it, nothing happened at all.
That puzzled Amon greatly.
After asking the system, he learned that it was a protective contract mechanism.
Only the Jar opener and anyone authorized by Amon could use it.
Everyone else was locked out.
That was actually a very solid setting.
As they walked back, with Nami still a little dizzy, Amon suddenly frowned.
"Hm?"
He turned toward the harbor.
At some unknown moment, a large ship had entered Cocoyasi Village's waters. It was slowly approaching the dock.
The ship flew no flag, and no figures stood openly on the deck.
But Amon immediately sensed a faint trace of danger.
"Pirates?"
"Could it be other members of Arlong's crew coming back for revenge?"
His eyes narrowed as he watched the vessel.
But that did not seem right.
Arlong himself had already been crushed here. Even if there were remaining subordinates, they would not dare return.
Besides, the ship did not look like a fish-man vessel.
The large ship glided into the harbor silently and docked.
Then, figures began appearing on the once-empty deck.
"This…"
Amon blinked.
"Marines?"
He was not mistaken.
Every person now standing on the deck wore Marine uniforms.
"Well."
Amon shook his head and smiled faintly.
"Looks like I overthought it."
Most likely, the Marines had received word from Cocoyasi Village and came to investigate and arrest Arlong's crew.
Once he confirmed it was Marines, he relaxed.
"Mr. Amon, what's wrong?"
Bell-mère and Nojiko noticed his sudden reaction and grew curious.
They did not have Observation Haki, so they had no idea a ship had arrived.
"It's nothing."
Amon replied casually.
"A large ship just arrived at the island. Looks like Marines came to investigate."
"Mr. Amon, how did you know Marines arrived?"
Nojiko looked confused.
They were some distance from the shore, and Amon had not even turned around.
How could he possibly know a ship had come?
"Hahaha. That's a secret."
Amon ruffled Nojiko's hair and did not elaborate.
After all, even if he explained Observation Haki, she probably would not fully grasp it.
"You must be using Observation Haki, right?"
Bell-mère spoke thoughtfully.
"But that range is way too far…"
She had once seen Observation Haki users when she served in the Grand Line.
The strongest she had witnessed was a Marine Vice Admiral, and even his sensing range was only around a hundred meters.
The harbor from here was easily two hundred meters away.
No wonder he was the highest bounty man in the East Blue.
She was starting to realize just how unfathomable Amon truly was.
"Mm."
Amon nodded openly. There was no need to hide the fact that he possessed Observation Haki.
"Bell-mère, what is Observation Haki?"
Nojiko tilted her head, curious about the unfamiliar term.
"It's…"
Bell-mère gave a simple explanation.
After listening, Nojiko nodded as if she half-understood.
"Mr. Amon is amazing. I want to learn it too!"
"Hahaha, I can't teach you that."
Amon grinned.
"But if you open a Jar, you might get it."
"You can open Observation Haki from a Jar?"
Nojiko's eyes lit up.
She thought that ability would be incredibly useful.
"Of course. Not just Observation Haki."
"You can also get Armament Haki, and even Conqueror's Haki."
"By the way, Nojiko, do you want to open a Jar too?"
Seeing the interest on her face, Amon seized the chance to pitch.
"I want to…"
Nojiko hesitated.
She truly wanted to try.
But their family only had a little over a hundred thousand Beli left.
And she was far too sensible to ask Bell-mère to spend their last savings on something so uncertain.
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