Chapter 12

• Thoughts

{Ninth Year of the Great Age of Pirates}

"Well, I'm glad you're motivated. Now get out. I'm going to teach you how to use and train it."

Enzo stood up and walked out of the house, the door already open. Cain followed behind, his expression a mix of curiosity and delight.

{A Few Hours Later}

Cain sat on a small rocking chair, his expression contemplative. On the other side, his father was nowhere to be seen; it seemed Enzo had already gone back home after teaching him the basics of Haki.

'I already have [Observation Haki], but I can improve it by using a blindfold to walk, run, and fight until it becomes second nature. Now that I think about it, hasn't Silver been doing that all his life? Does that mean his [Observation Haki] is better than mine? Interesting.'

Haki, as it turned out, was surprisingly simple and easy to understand. It was based on spiritual strength and mental fortitude.

In the case of [Observation Haki], it could either be innate from birth or awakened through trauma. Among the three types, this one was the easiest to train and improve.

According to Enzo, training it involved blindfolding oneself and focusing on sensing the presence of others. It wasn't an otherworldly skill—it was more akin to sharpening natural instincts, like the feeling you get when someone is about to touch your back, and you instinctively react. [Observation Haki] simply enhanced and refined that instinct, increasing one's sensitivity to their surroundings.

It was also incredibly versatile. Some users could sense emotions or detect lies, while others could even predict the future. There were even those who could see through walls, shells, or even bodies—something Cain could already do thanks to his innate Haki ability.

As for [Armament Haki], it could only be obtained through training and sheer willpower.

Enzo had explained that this Haki was complex, requiring both monstrous endurance and strength. What made it truly difficult, however, was the focus and continuous boosting of one's fighting spirit.

Apparently, [Armament Haki] wasn't always visible, but skilled users could manifest it physically, coating their weapons or bodies in a phenomenon known as [Hardening]. People unable to achieve this visible manifestation were often considered weak in [Armament Haki].

Enzo hadn't been able to provide a strict method to train it, as the process differed for everyone. However, he did suggest fighting powerful creatures or opponents to push his limits, as struggling against stronger foes would accelerate his progress.

As for [Conqueror's Haki], Enzo had been tight-lipped, teasing Cain by withholding much of the information. Luckily, he did offer one important detail that made Cain hesitant about wanting it.

[Conqueror's Haki] could only be awakened through deep trauma, intense stress, or life-threatening struggles. It was a power gifted to those who had endured great hardship.

When Enzo shared his own story, it shocked Cain.

He explained that he had awakened [Conqueror's Haki] as a child after being kidnapped by slave traders. He had knocked them unconscious in an act of desperation and ran home. However, the slavers pursued him, knowing they had found a gifted child with immense potential.

When they attacked his home, his parents fought valiantly to protect him. The ordeal left Enzo with a hatred for his weakness at the time and a deep-seated resolve to never feel powerless again.

'What a mess,' Cain thought. '[Conqueror's Haki] sounds like a hassle. You only get it after going through something traumatic. The ability must be worth it if it's considered special.'

Processing all of this information, Cain resolved to use it to his advantage. [Armament Haki] in particular became a priority, as it was the key to defeating Logia users.

At the moment, though, Cain simply rocked in his chair, his thoughts shifting to his future. He knew survival in this world would be challenging, and there was a real possibility he could die—especially with ninety-eight other reincarnated individuals out there.

What abilities or powers might they have? Now that he knew about [Haki] and [Devil Fruits], particularly the latter, the dangers seemed even more real.

'I won't be overpowered if I rely on my body and [Haki] alone. Should I really get a [Devil Fruit]? But the inability to swim is a major downside. I like swimming, and in a world with more sea than land, that's a big sacrifice. Still, if I were to get one, what should I choose? [Logia, Paramecia, or Zoan]?'

He immediately dismissed [Zoan Devil Fruits], reasoning that their animal transformations wouldn't suit someone like him, a hybrid of human and mink.

[Logia Fruits] were tempting for their elemental powers, though he dreaded the thought of becoming something sticky or gross. He chuckled at the idea.

[Paramecia Fruits], however, intrigued him the most. They offered sovereignty over specific objects, bodily alterations, or even environmental changes.

'How awesome would that be? Controlling others or teleporting… [Paramecia Fruits] have some amazing abilities.'

Out of all the types, he decided he'd favor [Paramecia Fruits] if he ever sought one. However, what ability he'd want was a question for another day.

Suddenly, a noise behind him broke his train of thought. Cain turned to see Silver approaching, his body wrapped in bandages, leaving only his eyes and nose exposed.

"That must suck. I know you're uncomfortable," Cain said, his amusement evident.

"Shut up. You went through this last year. Who are you to talk?"

Cain felt his irritation spike, a vein popping in his forehead. Despite Silver's condition, Cain still felt the urge to smack him.

"Don't make me hurt you. You're vulnerable right now, so you can't use your [Devil Fruit] to escape my attacks," Cain said with a grin, convinced he'd won this exchange.

"Then I'll tell the nurse you inflicted more injuries on me after she treated me. No food for you before you leave."

Cain scowled and spat on the ground in frustration, like a child who'd lost miserably in a video game.

"Whatever. Why are you here? Shouldn't you be resting in bed?"

Silver didn't answer immediately. Instead, he walked over to a nearby rocking chair and sat down with a sigh.

"Nah, it's boring. I've had enough of that. Staying in bed is unhealthy as hell. For some reason, it just makes me lazier than usual."

"Yeah, I can't lie—that's true," Cain replied, relating to the sentiment.

They shared a brief, reflective moment. Cain recalled his teenage years in his past life when staying in bed made him procrastinate endlessly, leaving him unmotivated until he forced himself to change.

"Still," Cain added, "I'm surprised by your maturity. I thought you'd be stuck in bed like a sloth."

"What do you think I am? I'm not a sloth," Silver retorted, annoyed, as he turned to gaze at the beautiful blue sky.

"I don't know," Cain teased.

Silver snapped his head back toward Cain, confused.

"What do you mean you don't know? We've been together for six years, and you don't know what you think of me?"

"Nope. I guess you're just not that important," Cain said with a grin, shrugging dramatically.

Annoyed, Silver reached out and shoved Cain's chair, causing him to fall to the ground.

"You deserved that, you ungrateful mutt!" Silver shouted, grinning widely.

Cain's expression turned cold as the atmosphere darkened, an ominous aura surrounding him. Silver immediately regretted his actions as Cain stood and approached, claws extended.

"Oh no, you don't," Silver warned, wagging a finger. "Remember my warning: no food from the nurse if you hurt me."

"I. Don't. Care. I'm heading into the jungle after I'm done with you anyway," Cain growled, his claws gleaming.

'Why do I always end up in these situations? He's just like his father,' Silver thought, groaning internally as Cain grabbed him by the neck and lifted him off the ground.

Struggling to breathe, Silver winced as Cain's claws slashed across his torso. Laughter filled the air, a sadistic grin spreading across Cain's face.