16. I'm Batman

I laid on a comfy bed in the guest room I was brought to. The banquet was being prepared and would be ready in a few hours.

So I had some time to kill and think some things though regarding my future plans.

My next wish is tonight and I've been wondering what I could get that could directly enhance my combat power, particularly some kind of ranged ability.

Several things crossed my mind but were not great ideas.

I'll admit I'm not very imaginative...

I summoned my hook and stared at it.

I was a little inspired to enhance its function. The hook is my main weapon and an extension of my divine power.

The wishing ability is great and certainly helpful but my shapeshifting ability is a well of untapped potential.

If I transform into a specific spider, I can secrete it's venom. When I become a gyarados, I can feel I can use its powers, I just didn't know how.

So my shapeshifting ability is not limited to just changing my form. But I can use the innate abilities of the creature I change into.

I began to think of strategies I could use with my hook when combined with different transformations.

Then it hit me. An accessory that can boost my fish hook's versatility. A ranged option for my weapon.

[A/N: Yes it's probably similiar to what you are thinking. Get Over Here!]

With my wish for tonight decided, I also started thinking on how to enhance my training.

I have made some good progress on observation haki. The battle with Arlong and some other experiences has given me insight to a good training method.

The manual I received gave me some of the best advice for training it, but I still need to put many things into practice which isnt as easy as it sounds.

I found an easy way from me to train it though, and it also involves my shapeshifting.

Since I had time to kill, I decided to leave for awhile to test my theory and come back in time for the banquet.

I opened my window and transformed into a bat.

The sun was beginning to set on the horizon which was perfect for my training as it was starting to get darker.

I flew outside the city to the outskirts where there was a forest.

My new idea for a training method revolves around using my bat form since bats are basically blind.

I fly through the trees without using echolocation and only rely on my feelings.

The idea is as I fly at high speeds through the trees, I would train my other senses to help dodge the incoming trees and develop my observation haki.

My several first attempts ended in my crashing into a tree and falling to the ground feeling dizzy.

After about an hour of attempts, I began sensing and dodging more and more trees.

I felt the rhythm of the things around me and I started having a mental visual of what was coming at me.

My improvised training seemed to be effective and I was quite happy. I still needed to use my haki in live combat to refine and polish the skill but I've at least unlocked a basic level through this training.

It only took me a month of meditation, a few battles and an hour and a half of this special training I cooked up to touch upon it.

My haki is still at a basic level but I can at least be proud to have gotten this far so quickly.

I returned to my room, once enough time had passed.

I would continue my haki training until I can use observation in battle and begin to truly master it. But now I think I can start learning armament, but I'll have to ramp up my physical training for that.

My battle with Arlong taught me my strength in this One Piece world was still lacking.

I thought I was stronger than I was, even though I was holding back during that fight, he still gave me an injury.

A knock sounded on my door and I heard Cassandra's voice.

"Sir Maui... the banquet will begin shortly. Are you ready?"

.-.-.-.-.-.-.

I did get some curious looks as well as more disdainful ones but I didn't care.

I was only wearing shorts and a tie so it made sense I drew attention.

I ate and drank my fill as the noble guests mingled around me. Soft classical music was played by a band a few people to dancing along.

I had been to parties like this in my last life due to my wealthy clients and I made plenty of connections this way.

But I always hated parties like this as I didn't want to mingle with people like these that much.

As I devoured another drumstick, someone approached and sat next to me.

"You seem to be enjoying yourself." The queen looked amused by my ravenous appetite.

"Um, yeah. This food is great! Thanks for inviting me." Of course what I actually said didn't sound coherent since I spoke while chewing food, but she understood and chuckled.

"No, inviting you was one of the ways to thank you. Franco had been a thorn in my side for ages. I always knew he was lurking around plotting against me, but he was good at keeping himself concealed from us. Can I ask how you got involved?"

I answered the Queen's curiosity and she seemed to have a good sense of humor because she started laughing.

"Really? Just because he sent a few guys after you, you thoroughly crush him in such a manner? Remind me not to get on your bad side."

I smirked, "A beauty like you could never get on my bad side."

"Quite the charmer. I bet you say sweet words like that to all the ladies you meet."

"No way! You're the first, I swear!" The queen chuckled again.

"Like I'd believe that... So Mr. Maui, is there anything I can do to repay you, other than just inviting you to a baquet? It would be against our morals to not repay a debt."

I thought for a moment. There was something I had thought about but wasn't sure how to do just yet.

"Well, Your Majesty... If you could..."

Dedessinée listened to my request and said it would be no problem and what I asked for could be ready for me in the morning.

I asked for something to help me try to gather faith easier. This was a problem that I needed to address.

I used a statue in Cocoyashi Village to gather faith, and I can still feel a trickling amount of faith coming from the villagers.

But I didn't want to built a giant statue of me everywhere I went. I wanted to create something that could bring me faith without having to use a wish.

Something affordable and easy to make.

The rest of the banquet was fun, I kept eating and drinking to my hearts content and I even made Cassadra get mad and storm out.

The Queen joined me on my teasing of her and she ran away in embarrassment.

It seems Cassandra is like a little sister to the Queen as they grew up together.

After the fun ended I retired to my room for the night, before flying out the window to make my wish somewhere secluded.