At two islands, we collected several materials and finally arrived at the third island, seemingly uninhabited. Walking alongside Lilith toward the designated location, I maintained vigilance using Observation Haki, but there were no major issues except for a few wild beasts.
"Is there anything dangerous here?"
"Nah, there are some lion-like creatures about 10 meters away, but no significant threats. They sensed my presence and fled deeper into the island, so the surroundings are safe."
"...I keep hearing about formidable beasts, but I don't feel any danger when I think of you as my escort. Besides, going around three islands takes just half a day... Experiencing this makes boat travel seem absurd."
Well, I'm still moving at a speed that won't crush Lilith due to wind pressure, and I could be even faster if I were alone...
"However, we still have some distance to the destination. How about taking a break here?"
"Since you're the one leading this mission, feel free to decide."
"Alright then, let's take a break. Come on, Panda, have a seat. I've prepared some coffee, so go ahead and drink it."
When I agreed, Lilith brought out a thermos from nowhere with a suspicious smile... Well, I suppose she has no intention of hiding it...
I received the thermos and asked Lilith, "What's in it?"
"It's a super potent and fast-acting sleeping potion that could put even a Sea King to sleep. Moreover, it's tasteless and odorless, so you won't even notice."
"I see... I have to admit, I can't taste anything unusual."
As I drank the coffee from the thermos while listening to Lilith boasting, she seemed rather dissatisfied with my response.
"..."
"What's wrong? Just so you know, sleep-inducing, paralyzing agents, or poisons won't affect me. I even had Vice-Admiral Magellan help with verification, so I'm immune to all existing poisons."
"Well, I didn't expect it to work that easily, but I hoped it would have some effect... as a person."
"Even if your body is incredibly strong, it's pointless if you die from poison. I've taken thorough precautions in that regard."
Of course, I reinforced my resistance to poisons and chemicals during my body modification. Even if I obtained the ultimate body, it would be pointless if I had vulnerabilities in that aspect.
"Sigh, it's not going as planned..."
"I knew from the start that chemicals won't affect me... You, on the other hand, seem quite willing to try them on me."
"Yeah, I suppose I'm also joking around... In any case, if you had any requests, you should have told me beforehand. I could have given you a lap pillow or something."
"..."
"Oh... so you wanted to take samples while I was asleep? If that were the case, you'd cross a line. While I might let it slide if you were to make me sleep using the sleeping potion and claim that you found a future project during that time, going beyond that boundary would be a different story."
She really does understand my limits quite accurately. Even her explanation about the sleeping potion beforehand shows that she intended to inform me before I drank it.
Still, taking samples without permission while I'm asleep is an extremely unpleasant act for me. Lilith fully comprehends that aspect as well.
"However, I had anticipated that chemicals wouldn't work... You never change, always being so frivolous."
"And you never hesitate to try such things on me... both of us are quite reckless."
Setting up a foldable chair in front of Lilith, I took another sip of coffee from the thermos and murmured. Nevertheless, if this sleeping potion is effective enough to work on Sea Kings, it could be useful for missions or other purposes. I'll remember it and ask Lilith for it if the need arises.
As we continued with some light chitchat during the break, the conversation eventually turned to Haki.
"...It was another cat satellite, not me, that researched Haki. They found that Haki has subtle wavelength differences unique to each individual, much like fingerprints. While Observation Haki is hard to measure due to its reliance on individual perception, Conqueror's Haki lacks enough data since there are too few users. Although we're talking about Armament Haki, it's still a challenge."
"Hmm, quite interesting... Speaking of Haki, mine seems to have been slightly stagnant lately. Haki doesn't improve much through training; it's honed in actual combat. The stronger the opponent's Haki, the easier it is to grow."
"So there are few users skilled enough to improve your Haki... Have you tried clashing your Haki against itself? Like wrapping Armament Haki around your right hand and left hand and colliding them..."
"I've tried it, but it didn't seem to make any difference. It doesn't feel like my Haki grows when I clash them together."
My Haki has grown significantly, to the point where even Pochi, who has the second-largest Haki nearby, is having a hard time making progress. However, I can't go back to training like I used to, and there are only a handful of people in the world who could help my Haki grow at this point.
After listening to my explanation, Lilith furrows her brows and taps her forehead twice with her right middle finger, a habit she does when contemplating. After a moment, she opens her mouth to speak.
"Do you remember our previous conversation? Haki has wavelengths. Although this is just a rough guess, if the slight differences or shifts in wavelengths collide, it's like sharpening Haki with a whetstone. If we assume that's the mechanism behind Haki's growth... what if we intentionally shift the wavelengths of your right hand and left hand? Wouldn't that enable you to increase your Haki using just your own Haki?"
"That's an intriguing hypothesis. If that were possible... In theory, it would mean I can train with equivalent Haki all the time."
Lilith's hypothesis is fascinating. Although Haki might appear the same, it has individual wavelengths that differ from person to person, and they are honed through clashes. Even if I were to clash my Haki between my right and left hands, they have the same wavelength, so there wouldn't be any growth.
But if I could intentionally shift those wavelengths, I might be able to sharpen my Haki through clashes between my own Haki...
"I could create a tool for you to test it out. We don't need anything too complex. A shape like a ring that won't hinder your movements, and you can wear it on your wrists to intentionally shift the wavelengths between your right and left hands."
"Can it be done?"
"I have access to data about Haki research, and simply disturbing the wavelengths won't require much effort. I've already come up with the design and a rough prototype in my head. The issue would be its durability, but fortunately, I can reuse the materials I used to make your clothing... It's relatively easy to create. I can't use Haki myself and can't verify it, but I'll make a prototype for you to test. If your Haki shows growth with it, I can make a more robust version. If it doesn't, we'll find out that wavelength differences are not the key to Haki growth and explore other possibilities."
If Lilith's hypothesis is correct and using the tool allows me to sharpen my Haki by clashing my own Haki, it means that training in Armament Haki, other than during actual combat, becomes more realistic.
If that happens, I'll be able to deliberately train every aspect of my Haki except Observation Haki... That would be amazing.
"Can I count on you?"
"Leave it to me... In return, you'll accompany me in another experiment next time."
"Depends on the experiment, but sure."
"Great! It's a promise then!"
Having a relationship with this person was the right decision. In a way, I should also thank my father for this...
***
After collecting the materials Lilith sought, which were in a cave deep within the island, we finished the collection. Just as I thought it was over, Lilith looked at the cave wall and tilted her head, starting to examine it by tapping it with her hand.
"Hmm, it's not thin enough to detect by sound..."
"What's wrong?"
"There seems to be some reinforced part here. I thought there might be a hidden room beyond, but I'm not sure. We didn't bring any equipment with us either..."
"Wait a moment."
Hearing Lilith's words, I focused my Observation Haki. I could now perceive the surroundings so clearly that I could even grasp the shape of the walls and the small stones around. I could even understand what lay beyond the wall.
"There seems to be some kind of hollow space, and there are multiple boxes."
"It's like having a radar; very convenient... Hmmm, I'm intrigued. Panda, do it!"
"Sigh... Curiosity killed the cat, you know?"
"But we are 'satellites,' right? Hahaha, it's a good saying, but the interpretations vary. Will curiosity lead to death, or will averting one's eyes from curiosity result in death... I think scientists would choose the former."
"Haha... You have a point."
I chuckled while looking at Lilith's smug face and lightly tapped the wall. With a loud noise, the wall cracked open, revealing what was inside.
"Wow, treasures! There's quite a lot of them... Could they be something left behind by ancient pirates or something? Hehehe, this could be a significant addition to my research funds. I'm lucky... Panda, how about a share?"
"I don't need it. Do whatever you want with it."
"As expected of Panda! I knew you'd say that!"
"...That's fine, but how do you plan to carry that much?"
"We have Super Transport Panda, so no worries—yadadadadada?! Hey, stop attacking my head! What if I become an idiot... Ouch, ouch?! Quit it, it hurts!"
Since Lilith's smug face annoyed me, I used Iron Claw again to lift and carry the treasure.
***
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