NOVEL WEB Chapter 153: Request
In just a few days, Gin found a suitable fighting method, but it just took time to hone it.
They will have another fight to know who is stronger and who is weaker.
"Number one will be mine sooner or later."
Gin's tone was calm, filled with unspeakable confidence.
Kuro's eyes were sharp, and he refused to give in: "I want to see how much progress you have made now!"
Ever since he felt the Armament Haki in the battle with Gin a few days ago, Kuro has devoted all his energy to it.
His perception of the Armament Haki is becoming more and more obvious, but it is always a step short of it.
But now…
Kuro fixed his eyes on Gawain, and for a moment, he became eager to try.
After all, that's all he knew.
Gawain had already realized that power.
Zoro, who was standing by, was also looking at the three cards in his hand thoughtfully, then he looked back at Sanji and said teasingly.
"Number 4, what do you think I should request? After all, the top three can make a request to the captain."
Sanji was stunned; his breathing became visibly heavier, and his whole body instantly became ablaze. "Just right!"
"I'm going to take the number three rank back from you right now!"
"Beautiful chefs! It's mine!"
The two of them immediately started fighting, causing laughter from everyone around them.
Then, the others followed Gawain's judgment and got their own signs.
Van Augur no. 5, Nyaban Brothers no. 6 and 7, Gaza no. 8, Jango no. 9, and Nami no. 10
Everyone looked at their rankings and was actually somewhat dissatisfied.
They all showed their eager eyes to their partners.
They are companions but also rivals!
After all, the number one sign in Kuro's hand means that he is the second in command of the team and the strongest person besides Gawain.
And there is also the right to a large dividend every year.
Gawain saw that although everyone had quieted down, the fighting spirit in their eyes was still burning, even stronger than before.
He knew that the combination of his team's internal ranking system, dividend rights, and reasonable requirements had been successful.
Even though they lost the Martial Arts Tournament, the fierce competition within the Pirate crew still remained.
From now on, even new people who join the group will be quickly assimilated.
Immediately, Gawain struck while the iron was hot and said to everyone:
"According to the previous agreement, the top three people can make a reasonable request."
Kuro looked back at everyone with a guilty conscience, then remembered the page he had torn from the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia and whispered:
"I… I haven't thought about it yet. I'll decide when I meet the right occasion."
Gin followed suit and said: "Me too."
Gawain then looked towards Zoro.
The latter's eyes were seen scanning Guanze Masamune, and the word envious was almost written on his face.
How could Gawain not see this?
"This guy can't do that. If you want a famous sword, I know where it is. We can go find it later."
Zoro's mouth widened: "That's it, I'll want a famous sword."
Gawain nodded and made a promise in front of everyone that he would never take back his word.
This action also made everyone present even more jealous.
After all, as long as they take the top three, whether it is money or treasure, as long as it is within the capabilities of the Pirate crew and not too outrageous, they can achieve it.
Considering Gawain's current strength, it is basically an opportunity to make a wish.
The scene instantly became lively.
This is especially true for someone who already has the ability to compete for the top three.
"Oooh!"
Sanji got fired up on the spot, turned around, and rushed into his training room. After a while, the sound of rocks being broken was heard.
Apparently, he is willing to risk everything for the beautiful chefs!
Gawain's mouth twitched, and he continued to announce the following rules: "Everyone has one chance per month to challenge someone who is ranked higher."
"You can only go up, not down."
"The opportunity to make a wish is based on the team's ranking after the Martial Arts Tournament each year. It only happens once a year."
After a few minutes, the people in the bar dispersed. They did not go out to have fun but quietly found a place to train.
Obviously, the Martial Arts Tournament is over, but the real battle for them has just begun.
"Can you sense the Armament Haki in your body?"
At the hills behind Raven Harbor, Gawain looked at Kuro in front of him with an expression of undisguised surprise on his face.
According to his estimation, after more than two months of special training, Kuro and Gin's physical fitness has reached the point where they can induce Armament Haki.
However, how much time is needed to truly sense the Armament Haki in the body is a question.
Some people can go from zero to proficient in something in just a few months, while others spend decades and still cannot even get started.
Kuro is obviously the former and also has talents that Gawain did not expect.
This made him feel more that the potential calculation given by the system could not fully represent a person's talent.
After all, that is the upper limit of a person's normal growth that is inferred based on existing data.
However, factors such as understanding, belief, Devil Fruits, and human body modification can all raise this upper limit, even like Gawain, who was promoted directly from Silver to the current Diamond.
What's more, once Kuro successfully awakens the Armament Haki here, he will have a leek training Armament Haki instead of relying on himself like before.
Even though his talent had been upgraded to Diamond, his cultivation speed had increased significantly. However, compared to other skills that took off in just a few months, it was still incredibly slow.
"I already felt it during the battle with Gin, but I haven't been able to find the right method to practice in the past few days."
Kuro directly stated his purpose: "Now it seems that relying solely on practice doesn't make much sense."
"I want to try to use the pressure you bring to help me break through this limit."
Feeling Kuro's will, Gawain's face became more serious, and he said calmly: "Have you thought it through? You might die!!"
"Certainly!"
Whoosh!
His voice had not yet fallen, but Kuro's figure left a trail in the air, and in an instant, the sharp Cat Claws in his hand attacked Gawain!
He knew that there was a huge gap between him and Gawain now. Only by trying his best could he awaken the Armament Haki in the desperate situation!
The Cat Claws slashed through Gawain's body, but no blood flowed out.
Kuro was stunned, and then he felt a chill from behind. A sword covered in black substance had already cut open his clothes.
The sharp blade left a bloody mark on his flesh, but it also made him feel the Armament Hakki with his body.
The scene suddenly became quiet.
Kuro only felt that he had realized something, and the energy in his body became more and more agitated, but in the end, it was just a ball of loose sand, unable to condense into a specific shape.
Naturally, it is impossible to attach it to a weapon or even to the body like Gawain did.
"What's the difference?!"
Kuro frowned, puzzled.
Gawain saw his doubt and rushed to Kuro in an instant with the sharp blade in his hand without any intention of stopping.
The blade swung, leaving wounds on Kuro's body.
For a while, Kuro was exhausted from dealing with it, but his perception of the energy in his body became clearer and clearer.
At this moment, Gawain's reminder came to his ears: "Remember?"
"Haki is the power that comes from the heart and the will!"
"It is part of your body and should be under your control, just like breathing, which you don't need to actively control."
"You already have Armament Haki, so you can naturally control it. Don't set yourself up for difficulties. The road ahead of you is smooth!"
Kuro's figure suddenly moved forward.
He was a man of extraordinary understanding, and he understood Gawain's meaning in an instant.
It was also at this moment that the Armament Haki that he had been longing for turned into black auras, entwining around his arms and Cat Claws.
He subconsciously swung his Cat Claws and collided with the Guanze Masamune in Gawain's hand!
"I… Succeeded?!"
"This is… Armament Haki?!"