Moon Island's coast.
The warship unfurled its sails, ready to set off on its journey.
On the sandy shore, the Goa Kingdom's second-in-command stood surrounded by his soldiers, their faces radiating thankfulness.
"Ensign Roya, without the Marines' help, we would have been lost to the Buggy Pirates. Should the opportunity arise, please visit the Goa Kingdom as our honored guests."
"The opportunity will present itself."
Roya managed a smile as he exchanged polite words.
The Goa Kingdom was a short distance from the 153rd Branch. Imagine floating in a wooden barrel like Luffy; it would only take a day or two.
Traveling back and forth was quite easy.
Normally, though, the Kingdom's soldiers and the Marines weren't friendly. They acted high and mighty, looking down on everyone else as if they were beneath them.
After a quick farewell, the Goa Kingdom's ship quickly departed.
Roya strolled toward Zoro, who was standing on the shore, lost in his thoughts.
Nami doesn 't matter, but Zoro is different. He is truly strong. Except for his terrible sense of direction and moments of being clueless, he's practically perfect.
Roya approached Zoro, a grin on his face. "You don't have a ship. Want a ride on my warship?"
"I don't need it."
Zoro refused, pride ringing in his voice. He didn't want to owe Roya any more favors. His time on the island had been humiliating enough.
"I'll leave on my own!"
"Stop talking nonsense."
Roya rolled his eyes. "Don't waste your breath. Get on the warship, or with your awful sense of direction, you'll never leave this island."
"..."
Zoro's face flushed.
Damn it, he's underestimating me!
Who gets lost all the time!
Knowing he'd likely get lost if he tried to leave alone, Zoro hesitated, then grudgingly followed Roya.
I 'll get off at the next island!
Strange, I feel like I 'm forgetting something.
The warship cut through the waves, heading toward the 153rd Branch.
----
As darkness fell, Roya made his way to the prison cell alone. The Marines guarding the entrance snapped to attention.
"Ensign Roya!"
"You stay on guard outside. No one enters without my permission."
"Yes, sir!"
The Marines didn't question the order and stood outside, flanking the door to the prison cell.
Why is Ensign Roya interrogating prisoners so late? Still, they knew better than to question a superior officer. It wouldn't do them any good.
Roya, holding an oil lamp, entered the prison cell where Buggy was being held. Since they didn't have Sea Stone handcuffs, Roya had ordered that Buggy's feet be removed and locked in a metal box.
That action had crushed any hope of escape.
Clatter!
The oil lamp was placed on the ground, casting a dim light across the prison cell.
Buggy lifted his head. Seeing Roya, his legs trembled. Despite the emergency treatment, he still felt a sharp, piercing pain.
"It's you!"
Hatred burned in his eyes.
"Don't be so dramatic. It was just a few taps with a stick."
Roya replied calmly.
Compared to Usopp, who could bounce around with a fractured skull, Buggy's injuries weren't that serious.
Rattle, rattle …
Hammers, pliers, a charcoal fire, branding irons…
All kinds of torture devices sat before Buggy, each one a painful reminder.
Buggy's expression changed, and he held his breath.
Roya smiled, looking sinister in the flickering lamplight.
"I ask, you answer, understand?"
"Yes, yes, yes."
Buggy nodded frantically.
Roya nodded slightly. He wasn't a fan of interrogations, but if necessary, he would do it without hesitation.
"I want to know how to master Haki."
"Haki?!"
Buggy was stunned.
He had imagined countless scenarios: wanting his treasure, information about other pirates, and so on. He never expected the question to be about Haki.
Has my past finally caught up with me?
Buggy quickly composed himself, blankly staring, his large, watery eyes conveying innocence and stupidity.
"Haki? What's that?"
Swish!
A flash of light, and the head was separated from the body!
Roya grabbed Buggy's head, nailed it to the wall, and picked up the branding iron. A smile played on his lips as he asked, "I'll ask one more time: How to master Haki?"
"Wait, let's talk about this!"
Buggy's face was pale.
He knew the other man wasn't joking. If he didn't answer, the red-hot branding iron would be pressed against his skin.
He is more ruthless than the worst pirate!
"Haki, Haki…"
Buggy stalled, sweating heavily.
Damn it! If I knew how to master Haki, would I be in this mess? The Captain never taught me!
Maybe Captain Roger and Vice-Captain Rayleigh did teach me, but I didn't listen or care.
Feeling the heat near his ear, Buggy's brain raced.
"Wait, I remember!"
"Haki, yes, that's it!"
"Unwavering belief is power!"
"Mr. Rayleigh said that unwavering belief is power!"
"Unwavering belief…"
Roya frowned.
Of course, I remember those words, but mastering Haki with just that sentence is wishful thinking.
Many people believe in themselves, but only a few master Haki on their own.
At least, no one I know can.
"Be more specific!"
"I don't know! I really don't know!"
Buggy shook his head wildly, tears streaming down his face. "Ray… I heard someone say that Haki is a hidden power within humans, but I don't know how to train it."
"I only know the nature of Haki. It's like subtle feelings - one's presence, intimidation, killing intent, and so on."
"That's right! Haki is imagination!"
"The power of imagination is limitless!"
Buggy couldn't remember clearly. He only knew that Rayleigh had said Haki was an extension of will - the power of imagination. He hadn't cared about the rest of the lesson.
"Imagination…"
Roya sighed to himself.
He actually remembers these abstract concepts of Haki. Judging by Buggy's appearance, he really doesn 't know, and this guy is weak.
If I keep fighting, I 'll understand Haki eventually. But if there's a clear method, it would be better than wandering aimlessly.
"That's all for today."
Roya turned and left.
He didn't want to say too much, especially about Buggy's past. If he knew too much, CP might want to have a word with him.
----
Stepping outside, the sea breeze brushed his face.
Roya lit a cigarette, thinking about Haki. But his attention turned to the young man swinging his sword on the deck.
It was Zoro.
The young man swung his sword repeatedly, sweat pouring down his face, showing he had been training for a long time.
Roya was taken aback. He dropped his cigarette, jumped down, and approached the young man, his eyes fixed on the bandage around his waist.
The bandage was stained red.
His wound has reopened, but he is enduring the pain to train.
"Why aren't you asleep?"
"Not yet. I only need three hours."
Zoro continued to swing his sword, ignoring Roya.
His defeat on Moon Island haunted him. Only by training harder could he calm his frustration.
Roya was silent.
Only three hours of sleep a day.
This kid doesn't have 'The World,' but he puts in so much effort! He's even more driven than I am!
"Come with me."
"Where to?"
"The training room!"
An idea sparked in Roya's mind.
Maybe I can test this kid. I don't know Haki, but I can guide others.
They're all just ideas anyway. I'll just make it up. Maybe this kid is a martial arts genius!
"Zoro, let me teach you Haki!"