Chapter 202: The Navy Surrounds the Island, Generals Arrive Together
_____
Neither of them wanted to teach or learn, and in this, they found common ground.
Aoki said, "Alright, let's forget about this matter! Let's head back to Amazon Lily."
His original plan was to ask Rayleigh to guide Hancock, hoping to lay a better foundation for her. However, if this guidance would hurt her spirit, then there was no need.
Just then, Shakky interjected, "I can teach Haki too!"
Aoki was stunned.
Yes, as a former Empress of Amazon Lily, it would be impossible for Shakky not to know Haki. Not only did she know how to use it, but she must be very proficient. After all, the throne of Amazon Lily was not passed down by bloodline but by strength; the most powerful among them was crowned Empress. Shakky not only had the strength, but her fighting style and techniques would likely match Hancock's needs, making her an ideal teacher for Hancock!
However, Aoki quickly found himself with another question.
"Ms. Shakky, could you tell me how to use Conqueror's Haki?"
Shakky immediately understood what he was implying and asked in surprise, "Does Hancock know how to use Conqueror's Haki?"
Hancock looked confused and shook her head.
Aoki quickly realized that her Conqueror's Haki hadn't awakened yet. This was understandable.
There are three types of Haki: Armament Haki, Observation Haki, and Conqueror's Haki. Armament and Observation Haki are innate abilities that everyone has within them, regardless of whether or not they learn to master them. However, Conqueror's Haki is different.
Conqueror's Haki represents the qualities of a king, and only a select few are born with it. Until it awakens, no one can know if they possess Conqueror's Haki.
"I believe Hancock has the qualifications for it," Aoki said.
Shakky looked at both Aoki and Hancock and then asked, "Why are you so intent on Hancock learning Haki?"
Aoki replied, "Because Hancock is my partner."
Shakky didn't seem overly surprised, but she looked at Hancock with a serious expression. "Do you understand what it means to stand beside him?"
"I do," Hancock said with unwavering resolve.
She understood very well. Being with Aoki meant becoming an enemy of the Celestial Dragons and being hunted down by the World Government. The thought terrified her. However, thinking of Aoki being by her side helped her regain her courage.
The memory of Aoki effortlessly decapitating a Celestial Dragon was deeply imprinted in her mind. She was willing to follow him not only to repay a favor but also to pursue vengeance. If she left Aoki, she might never summon the courage to exact her revenge on the Celestial Dragons, and the horrors of the past three years would become an eternal nightmare haunting her.
"I see," Shakky said, noting the determination in Hancock's expression. "Perhaps this is the fate of us women of Amazon Lily"
Amazon Lily was a nation of women that strictly excluded men, banning all men from stepping foot on its island. Yet, ironically, many of the most powerful and exceptional women who became Empress would eventually leave Amazon Lily—and most of them left for a man, driven by love.
It was deeply ironic.
Shakky herself had walked this path, her predecessor had done the same, and now her successor seemed to be following suit.
If Hancock truly possessed the potential for Conqueror's Haki, then she would undoubtedly be the strongest contender to become the next Amazon Lily Empress. Yet here she was, preparing to leave Amazon Lily before even ascending the throne.
And though she wasn't leaving for love, it was, once again, because of a man.
A thousand thoughts turned into a sigh in her mind. Shakky felt she had no right to judge Hancock, nor did she intend to.
"I don't know how to use Conqueror's Haki myself," Shakky admitted. "But Conqueror's Haki can't be strengthened through practice, so it doesn't really offer any benefit in that regard."
Aoki replied, "I understand Conqueror's Haki can't be strengthened by training alone. But what about Conqueror's Haki Entanglement?"
Conqueror's Haki Entanglement?
Shakky looked over at Rayleigh.
Rayleigh explained, "Entangling Conqueror's Haki is a rare ability that only a few can master. In truth, not only Conqueror's Haki but also advanced Armament and Observation Haki can't be learned just through practice. Training only helps you with the basics—higher-level techniques are things you understand and refine through combat."
Aoki nodded thoughtfully.
That makes sense. Otherwise, Rayleigh wouldn't have struggled to teach Luffy.
"In addition," Rayleigh added, "while Shakky is teaching, I can lend a hand as well."
Aoki turned to Hancock, who nodded slightly. She simply didn't want to interact with any man other than Aoki. Learning from the former Amazon Lily Empress herself was something she wouldn't refuse.
"Thank you for your help, Ms. Shakky," Aoki said.
Shakky lit a cigarette and smiled. "You're welcome. Besides, I was just going to say that you're really polite, Aoki-kun. You don't seem like the type to cause a scene in Mary Geoise or take down a Celestial Dragon."
"I guess this is what they mean by not judging a book by its cover," Aoki replied with a self-deprecating laugh. "To avoid further trouble, let's send Sandasonia and Marigold back to Amazon Lily first."
"Alright! I'll prepare the ship right away!" Shakky turned and left without another word.
Aoki took a bottle of wine from his storage dimension and tossed it to Rayleigh. "Give this a try!"
"What kind of wine is this?" Rayleigh looked at the bottle, then back at Aoki, his curiosity piqued not just by the wine but by where Aoki had gotten it.
"Only the finest!" Aoki said. With the empire's wealth gathered over a thousand years now at his disposal, he had no shortage of treasures.
"Alright, let's see if it lives up to the hype." Rayleigh was about to open it when—
Bang.
The door burst open, and Shakky entered with a serious expression.
"Is the ship ready?" Aoki asked.
Shakky shook her head. "It's too soon for that. I came back for something else. A large number of navy forces have arrived outside; the Sabaody Archipelago is surrounded. They say all three admirals—Akainu, Aokiji, and Kizaru—are here."
The expressions of Hancock and her sisters shifted, and Rayleigh's eyes turned to Aoki.
"You move fast," Aoki said calmly.
He had anticipated this when he saw the news and his wanted poster. He hadn't bothered hiding when he arrived onshore yesterday and had even taken a leisurely stroll around town. With a little effort, anyone could track him down.
If this were an island in the New World, the World Government and the Navy might not have reacted so quickly. But this was the Sabaody Archipelago, practically at the Navy Headquarters' doorstep.
"But to go as far as surrounding the island—are they not concerned about provoking public anger?"
The Sabaody Archipelago harbored a large number of outlaws. Even if the navy claimed to be here only to apprehend Aoki, these criminals would never feel comfortable with the navy's presence.
"Public outrage?" Shakky shook her head. "With the three admirals here, who would dare to protest? Besides, this kind of move surely carries the will of the Celestial Dragons and the World Government."
_________
T/N: There is a patreon for this work, and any new work I add will be dropped there first. check it out for an early access of 40+ chapters.
Patreon link:- patreon.com/ANelite