Chapter 163 - 21

Chapter 21Fishmen are known as existences more ferocious than beasts; however, when facing an apex predator, they still feel fear.Luffy is currently that apex predator.Despite having the chance to knock Arlong down first, shrill screams rang out from around Arlong. For those Fishmen, those with tattoos on their arms were lucky—they merely lost an arm. But for an executive like the one named Kuroobi, his chest was pierced straight through.Arlong was nearly driven mad."You bastard, if you have the guts, duel me head-on!"The Arlong Park that had been filled with laughter and joy just a moment ago was now deathly silent.Why would an opponent with such an oppressive presence appear in the East Blue?!Shouldn't pirates who have developed their Devil Fruit abilities to this extent have headed to the New World long ago?!"What's the rush?" Luffy suddenly grinned. "It'll be your turn last."For the first time, Luffy experienced the beauty of overwhelming stats.A few days ago, the battle to deal with Kuro was nowhere near this easy.If he had maintained the same mindset he had when he first set out to sea, Luffy felt the battle with Arlong would have lasted quite a while."That kind of training really does have its benefits."In his heart, Luffy gradually began to accept this training that was even more demonic than his Grandpa's.Sleeping for one hour, eating for one minute.His single-processor brain had been forcibly stuffed with all sorts of miscellaneous knowledge, which served as the foundation for continuously developing his Devil Fruit abilities.This was the reward!"Your turn."The only movement left on the field was Arlongahead, frantically slashing with his Kiribachi."Gum-Gum Jet... Gatling!"Arlong's massive body was smashed through the air and into the wall of the giant building."Die!" A flash of crimson flickered in Luffy's pupils as the mark on Arlong's chest—the so-called symbol of the Arlongs Crew—was pierced right through.How could this be happening?!Arlong's eyes widened, unable to believe any of this.The Fishman race was supposed to be the most noble.[Bonus reward period obtained.][Armament Haki proficiency gain will be significantly increased for the next three minutes.]"Haki proficiency increase?" Luffy began to distinguish between the proficiency gains for Armament Haki and Observation Haki.Simply put, things like physical training and sparring with Zoro would occasionally grant Armament Haki proficiency.Learning navigation from Nami or having Usoppteach him some theoretical knowledge related to shooting would devastate his mental energy, but in turn, his Observation Haki would improve.He didn't quite know what kind of power Haki was yet.But since it was reward time, he might as well reward himself thoroughly."Nami! I never agreed to let you leave the ship.""Set out to sea with me!"Luffy grinned at Nami.Then, facing the building before him, he threw a barrage of punches. "Gum-Gum Gatling!"Since there was a so-called symbol, he would destroy it completely!Chapter 24: Armament Haki, Imbuement and HardeningThe top floor of Arlong Park.Sea charts, walls, books...Everything was being destroyed.Breaking the cage, destroying the shackles.Since this place was Nami's nightmare, he would smash it to pieces!For someone with Luffy's carefree personality, his only childhood nightmare was his Grandpa Garp.One day, he would also land a punch on Garp to shatter that nightmare![Physical energy has been compressed and tempered; your physical strength has increased, Armament Haki proficiency +1][Physical energy has been compressed and tempered; your physical strength has increased, Armament Haki proficiency +1][Congratulations! Through compressed tempering, your Armament Haki level has increased to Lv1]Armament Haki Proficiency: 0/10000 (Lv1)[You have obtained Armament Haki usage technique: Imbuement and Hardening]..."The reward time leveled it up directly?"Luffy was stunned for a moment, understanding why it was called reward time.Reward time should indeed be a heavy reward.Before he could even react, the proficiency was skyrocketing."This power..."Luffy looked down.It hardened.His fist hardened!He soon realized the nature of this power.But this power came with a massive drain on physical stamina!Using this power for the first time without proper stamina management, combined with the fact that Gear Second was already quite exhausting, caused a sudden wave of weakness to wash over his body.The smile on Luffy's face quickly vanished.Hungry, so hungry, incredibly hungry.The steam on Luffy's body dissipated, and having no desire to move, he fell backward.While in mid-air, he felt himself caught by a soft body, with arms wrapping around his waist.Luffy turned his head and saw Nami's face."You idiot.""I'm not an idiot!" Luffy responded with dissatisfaction after a brief pause.The horizon was ablaze with twilight, the crimson sunset clouds lighting up half the world, while scattered sea charts drifted like falling leaves.As Nami watched these things gradually vanish, a shackle deep within her heart seemed to unlock.The remaining images in her mind finally settled on the figure constantly swinging his fists in front of Arlong Park."How are you so heavy?"Nami held the exhausted Luffy, her arms clearly straining, her voice carrying a hint of complaint.She simply sat down, letting Luffy's head rest on her lap.The light of the setting sun reflected on her face, and her orange hair seemed to be dyed with a layer of golden red."It's just that you're too weak, Nami."Luffy's voice was lazy; he felt like he had no strength left in his entire body—unless a giant pot of meat appeared before him!"I just finished a fight and I'm starving. I need enough roast meat for twenty people—no, fifty people—to recover.""There will be meat. We'll have a banquet tonight once Zoro and the others get here."Nami said softly."Let me treat your wounds first.""I think we can go straight to the banquet." Luffysuddenly perked up, his originally limp body regaining some strength."Injured people should just stay still and accept treatment.""It's just exhaustion. Those stupid Fishmen were too weak.""Your hands are bleeding," Nami said, her expression turning serious."On the sea, any injury can be fatal. Until we have a doctor on our ship, you have to listen to me on this."Hearing this, Luffy couldn't find a reason to argue.In his eyes, Nami had no flaws other than her minor obsession with money.She was kind, meticulous, and valued relationships; though occasionally a bit violent, she seemed like a very gentle girl.That was why Luffy had firmly chosen her as his companion. Thinking of this, Luffy didn't push the issue."Thank you, Luffy," Nami said suddenly."Are you still Nami? To think you'd say something like that. You're not planning to withhold my meat later, are you?""Give you an inch and you take a mile, huh?" Namiwas somewhat speechless and pinched his cheek.The stretchy texture of his flesh was almost addictive to her.She recalled his reckless appearance just now, turning Arlong Park into a pile of ruins."Are you some kind of idiot?"Nami pulled Luffy's hand over; it looked like a bloody mess.A strange ripple of emotion welled up again in her turbulent heart."Where did you get the idea that I wasn't an idiot?" Luffy asked in return. Since he was a child, those were the words he had heard the most.Shanks and the others said it.A certain brat from his childhood said it too—that girl Uta!"Can you stand up?" Nami asked suddenly."Can I lie here a bit longer?" Luffy blurted out.He didn't know why, but this position was very comfortable.And without that voice urging him on, this was practically heaven."Is it very comfortable?""A little.""You pervert."Nami put on a stern face, leaned down, and grabbed Luffy's face with both hands.The two of them were even closer now; Nami could feel his warm breath brushing against the side of her neck."Hey, Nami, why are your eyes so red?" Luffyquickly stood up and said to Nami with a grin:"See, I told you I'm fine."Nami looked at Luffy, her nose wrinkling as she felt a pang of sadness.The tears she had been suppressing suddenly burst through the dam."Are you some kind of idiot?"Suppressed sobs could no longer be controlled and spilled out from deep within her throat."Eh?"Luffy's collar was grabbed, and he was pulled forward by this sudden tug."Let me lean on you for a bit. Just pretend you didn't see anything, didn't hear anything..."