“Yay!
Blue light!”
“It must be a very powerful Ability!” Nami was even more excited than Nojiko, who was in the middle of opening the jars, and she could not hold back her cheer.
After the blue light gradually dissipated, a black, metallic-looking scale lay quietly at the bottom of the shattered jar.
[Emperor’s Will: A high-risk spell from a certain Dragon Race world, sequence number 89, representing extreme high temperature and explosive power!
After system optimization, no special chant is required, there are no bloodline restrictions, and it consumes only stamina!
However, a 1–3 second charge-up is still required before release, and movement is impossible during the charging process!]
He actually drew a spell.
Xia Wen’s eyebrows twitched slightly as the realization settled in.
However, the positioning of Emperor’s Will was somewhat awkward; compared to higher-sequence abilities, it lacked overwhelming dominance, while compared to lower ones, it was only moderately useful.
In most situations, it could only function as a human-shaped high-explosive projectile.
But in the East Blue, where Devil Fruit users were exceptionally rare, and where the vast majority of pirates could not withstand even standard gunfire or cannon bombardment, the threat level of Emperor’s Will was undeniably high.
Xia Wen calmly explained, “This scale originates from a dragon, and it carries within it an imprinted power known as ‘Emperor’s Will.'”
“Emperor’s Will, sequence number 89.
After charging, it can release an explosive attack roughly comparable in power to a standard naval cannon shot.”
“The temperature it generates is extremely high, enough to melt steel, making it a reliable offensive method.
To inherit it, simply place the scale against your forehead.”
“Melt steel… power comparable to a cannonball!”
Nami’s eyes immediately lit up upon hearing this, and she excitedly grabbed Nojiko’s hand.
“Sister!
This Ability suits you perfectly!
If you have it, I’ll feel much safer when I go out to sea!”
“Hmm… I’ll do my best.”
This time, Nojiko did not suggest giving it to Nami.
Instead, she followed the Shop Owner’s instructions and carefully placed the scale against her forehead.
In an instant, a vast amount of information regarding Emperor’s Will, along with its application methods, surged into her mind, forcing her to close her eyes and focus completely on absorbing it.
Watching her sister receive the inheritance, Nami turned to Xia Wen with curiosity.
“Shop Owner, you mentioned a Dragon Race just now… are there really dragons in this world?”
In her understanding, dragons were creatures from fairy tales massive beasts that abducted princesses, breathed fire, and hoarded treasure but she had never seen one, nor heard of any confirmed sightings.
It felt as though such beings only existed in imagination.
There may not be a true Dragon Race in this world, but dragons do exist.
Xia Wen could not help but think of Kaido of the Beasts, who possessed the Mythical Zoan Fish-Fish Fruit, Model: Azure Dragon, as well as the name “Dragon” carried by Monkey D.
Dragon, the leader of the Revolutionary Army, and a faint smile appeared on his lips.
“Of course they exist.
Not only dragons, but there are also ‘devils’ and ‘angels’ of a sort.”
“These are beings who stand at the very top of the Grand Line.
Whether through Haki or Devil Fruit abilities, they have trained their power to an extremely high level.”
Not only dragons, but devils and angels as well?
Nami felt her thoughts spinning as her understanding of the world expanded all at once.
However, one familiar term from Xia Wen’s explanation immediately caught her attention.
Haki.
Yesterday, before opening the jars for the first time, the Shop Owner had already placed Haki on equal footing with the legendary Devil Fruits.
That meant that to become a true powerhouse recognized across the Grand Line, mastering Haki was essential.
Unable to suppress her curiosity, Nami asked, “Shop Owner, what exactly is Haki?”
Xia Wen, who had already intended to provide her with some fundamental knowledge, answered in a measured tone.
“Haki is broadly divided into three types: Observation Haki and Armament Haki…”
“And Conqueror’s Haki, a rare power that only those with the disposition of a king can awaken.”
“The reason Haki stands alongside Devil Fruits is because it can counter, resist, and even suppress Devil Fruit abilities.”
“Even Logia-type users, who can transform their bodies into elements, are not immune to attacks infused with Armament Haki.”
“In the latter half of the Grand Line, if you cannot use Haki, you cannot be considered truly strong.”
To put it simply, in the New World, Haki is a basic requirement.
As for more advanced applications such as coating attacks with Conqueror’s Haki, there was no need to overwhelm Nami with that information yet.
“So Devil Fruits aren’t the ultimate power…” Nami murmured, her voice carrying a trace of discouragement.
Three forms of Haki, the ability to counter Devil Fruits, and even bypass elemental invulnerability each revelation shattered her previous understanding and made her feel painfully insignificant.
At that moment, Nojiko, having successfully assimilated Emperor’s Will, opened her eyes and looked toward Nami with slight confusion.
Before she could say anything or continue opening the remaining jars
The shop door suddenly creaked open.
A figure stepped inside, causing both sisters’ expressions to instantly darken.
It was Nezumi, the Marine captain who had long colluded with Arlong to exploit Cocoyasi Village.
“Guest, I… I’ve come today…” Nezumi rubbed his hands together, his face filled with nervous anticipation.
He had just received urgent news from Marine Headquarters: a Marine officer from the Grand Line, Captain Smoker of Loguetown, had already been dispatched to escort the captured Arlong Pirates and investigate the mysterious shop.
The thought alone terrified him.
His dealings with Arlong were far from secret.
If Headquarters uncovered everything, his career and possibly his life would be over.
The only person he could rely on now was the enigmatic Shop Owner before him.
“Nezumi, you actually dare to show your face here?”
Nami’s voice turned ice-cold, and faint arcs of electricity began to flicker around her.
The moment Nezumi noticed her presence, his face turned pale as he stumbled backward.
“W-wait!
I’m here to”
But Nami had no interest in hearing excuses.
She closed the distance in an instant, sending him flying with a powerful kick before following up with a relentless barrage of punches and strikes.
Nami’s anger toward Nezumi was genuine, born from years of oppression and humiliation, but she still maintained control.
She understood that killing or crippling a Marine officer would turn her into a wanted criminal, dragging her sister and the entire village into disaster.
As a result, she refrained from using her Devil Fruit abilities and relied solely on straightforward physical blows, treating Nezumi like nothing more than a punching bag.
“Bang!
Bang!
Thud!”
For a time, Nezumi’s shrill cries echoed throughout the shop.
When Nami finally stopped, Nezumi lay battered and swollen on the floor, trembling as he forced out a pitiful smile.
“I’m sorry, Miss Nami… it’s all my fault.
I’ll go back and donate… one million Berries to Cocoyasi Village!”
At those words, his heart felt as though it were being carved apart.
Money was everything to him, but compared to survival, some losses were tolerable.
If he used the money to repair the village, he might even ease tensions and reduce suspicion when Headquarters arrived.
If necessary, he could always prepare an even larger bribe for Captain Smoker.
Nami let out a cold laugh.
“One hundred million Berries.
One less, and I’ll cut off one of your fingers.”
“W-what?!
One hundred million?!
You might as well rob me outright!”
Nezumi’s voice rose in shock, but the moment he saw the crackling blue electricity dancing at Nami’s fingertips, his protest died in his throat.
That power… it resembled the Shop Owner’s ability.
In the end, Nezumi could only swallow his fear and nod frantically.
“I’ll… I’ll find a way to gather the money as quickly as possible!”
Xia Wen, who had silently observed the entire farce, suddenly spoke as though remembering something.
“I should mention that fighting between guests is prohibited inside this shop.”
“This time will be treated as an exception, but remember this rule.
Those who violate it may be blacklisted.”
“Ah… I promise it won’t happen again!” Nami quickly responded without hesitation.
Only then did Xia Wen shift his gaze toward Nezumi, who was still sprawled on the ground in pain.
“Now, tell me what news did you receive?”
Feeling as though he had been granted a reprieve, Nezumi struggled to his feet and spoke through gritted teeth.
“Shop Owner, word from Marine Headquarters says that a Marine officer will arrive at Cocoyasi Village within two days!”
So, he’s finally coming.
A glint of interest appeared in Xia Wen’s eyes.
“Which officer?”
“It should be Captain Smoker from Loguetown.
He has been assigned to escort the Arlong Pirates and conduct a full investigation!”
Smoker.
A familiar figure from the original storyline, a Marine known for his sense of justice and his Smoke-Smoke Fruit abilities.
Xia Wen’s lips curved slightly.
If it had been some obscure officer, he would have proceeded cautiously, selling jars while observing the Marines’ reaction.
But since it was Smoker…
This development might just accelerate his progress toward unlocking higher-tier jars.