September 29 edit: Fixed some mistakes and grammar...took out some Japanese words.


Keeping my senses alert, I watch as Luffy enters the hut. Well, it's a bit big to call a hut, but it's not in the best condition, at least on the outside. I am curious as I feel a sudden drop in power from Luffy when the door closes after him. Interesting...

Deciding not to dwell on it I look around me. Big trees, more trees, and, oh look, a giant bat just flew by. Looking up at one of the trees, I notice one branch is thick enough for me to sit on comfortably. Two quick jumps later I settle myself on the branch, my back to the trunk and sit crossed legged. Closing my eyes, I let my thoughts go through this day.

Okay first off, I'm in another world. One that has it's own kingdoms and ruling systems. Second, I've been-wait, wait, back to the first one. Another world. I'm in another world.

I sit up in surprise and trie to squash the hope rising in me. That means...no...it can't be that simple...can it? No it can't be that simple. Nothing in my life is.

I think back to the explosion. Trying to remember each detail. Tremors, explosions, life forces going out by the dozens in seconds, fire, then warmth. Something I hadn't felt since I was a young child. Since before the purges. As red and blackness consumed me I had felt warm. After years of cold, this was unexpected and welcomed. I thought is was death, but now I realize it was protection. That feeling of safety even in the midst of danger.

Someone or something had saved me from what seemed to be complete annihilation. Why? I'm not worth it. I'm a killer, a monster. 'You aren't bad, you were just forced to be bad.' Luffy's words echoed back to me.

"Perhaps one day I'll believe it." I whisper into the night.

"Not perhaps, you will." Luffy says out of the blue making me jump internally.

Without opening my eyes I ask, "Exactly how much am I broadcasting to you right now?"

"A lot, not specifics, just the emotions that go with it. Right now I could hear longing and hope."

"Stupid ability to hear everything." I mumble irritated.

"Right now you are so shaken, that your walls are down. It is easier for me to hear you now, than what is most likely normal for you."

I open my eyes to see him holding a book while sitting further down on the branch. Pushing down everything I didn't want to talk or think about I asked, "What book is that?"

"Haki and Rokushiki." He starts to hand it to me, then stops. "First, tell me, what is your dream?"

"Tch. Don't you know already?" I asked irritated.

"If I knew, I wouldn't ask." He looks at me and asks again head tilted in curiosity. "What is your dream?"

Looking away from his gaze I looked into the forest. When I was a child, I wanted to be a doctor or a scientist. To find a way to save as many possible lives from passing when they could've lived if a hospital had just been closer.

Now though, "I just want to be free. Technically I am right now, but I still feel like there are chains around me."

"So you sort of have the same dream as me."

I look back at him. "Don't you want to be King of the Pirates?" Whatever that means.

"Sure do. Cause he is the one with the most freedom of all!" Again that impossible grin.

I gave a small teasing smile feeling more cheerful than I've felt in a long time. "Oh really? Perhaps I should make my own crew and set out for it."

He throws a small tantrum, "NO! I'm gonna be King of the Pirates! Besides you already promised you'd be part of my crew!" He's pointing at me and breathing heavily.

"You are a mystery. One moment your serious and wise, the next you're this." I gesture to his current state.

"Shishishi. Sorry." He grins, slightly embarrassed and rubbing the back of his neck.

I can't help a small laugh. "Don't worry I have no intention of becoming Pirate King, and like you said, I'm part of your crew and I always try to keep my promises."

"That's good." He hands me the book. "I think you already have some form of Kenbunshoku Haki, but I think this will help refine it."

"Thank you." I looked at the table of contents. "Do you mind if I try to learn Rokushiki?"

"Do whatever you want. I may be your Captain, but as long as you don't intend to use anything your learn for evil, I want you to learn everything. I need a strong crew!" He raises his fist into the air, excited.

"That you do. The Pirate King should have no less. Remind me tomorrow to ask you more about the Pirate King and the Grand Line. I believe that was the other thing you were excited about."

"Sure." He jumps off the branch onto the ground. "See you in the morning." He waves as he leaves.

Hmm...the advantage of being a vampire, able to see in the dark. Another one being that I don't need to sleep.

Opening the book, and flipping to the first chapter I begin to read.

Haoshoku Haki: An ability only given to a very few born with it. It is the ability to exerts one's willpower over another. It is also called King's Haki as it is said one who can use this ability has the qualities of a King.

Hmm...I highly doubt I have that ability...let's see the next one.

Busoshoku Haki: The ability to create from ones spirit an invisible armor around oneself. It can be used to augment the user's own physical attacks, projected ahead of the user as pure brute force, or imbued into weapons to increase their effectiveness.

Interesting...perhaps I can coat my bullets in this Haki. If so, it seems I could penetrate bullet-proof armor. I wonder if they even have that here. How advanced is this world?

The book went on to say that that it could bypass Devil Fruit powers that have altered the body. Unlike Seastonethough it didn't nullify the devil fruit powers. Another thing to ask Luffy about, and ask the book for. I remember him mentioning he has a book on these Devil Fruits.

I read on, with the book explaining that to unlock this Haki, one needs to meditate and learns about their selves and then master their will and spirit, thus unlocking their Haki. Or something like that anyway. Eh...I don't really want to do that. I scanned the whole chapter again, and on one page at the bottom in very, very small print it read:

Or you can unlock it by being hit or hitting things repeatedly till Haki forms.

Did Luffy add that? I looked at it closer. Nope it is actually printed there very small. Actually so small you wouldn't notice unless you were looking hard and had good eyesight. From what I could gather from my brief meetings with Luffy, is that he was smart, but he didn't like to stay still for very long. Matter of fact, some part of him was always moving.

Perhaps I could do a mixture of these two methods...well moving on.

Kenbunshoku Haki: It allows the user to sense the presence of others, even if they are concealed from view or too far to see naturally. It can also allow you to predict your opponents moves and dodge accordingly. Beware though, if your Haki is weaker than your opponents, it can be overpowered and also Haki does not automatically mean being able to dodge.

Ah yes, even if you can see your opponents moves, if you can't physically move away its effect is nullified. Seems I already have the sensing those I can't see and their location thing down, I don't believe I have to prediction thing though. I dodge on instinct of something coming at me, not the thoughts of my opponents. So that is what Luffy meant on refining.

The book went on to say there was another step where one could learn to sense and empathize with the emotions of others. Yet, Luffy could tell I was from another world. Luffy seems to be able sense things to a deeper point than just empathy.

I wonder if I can spar with Luffy tomorrow. I can see his strength and he can help me refine Kenbunshoku Haki so that I can begin predict an enemy's moves. That'll be very helpful.

Closing the book and taking a watch from one of my satchels I looked at the time. It read 1:00 am May 18th. So, I've gone ahead a month. It was April in my world. Actually, my old world to be exact. Nice that my watch was reset to this world's time. Somehow I know I will never return to the world I was born in and I can't find it in myself to grieve. In fact I am relieved.

I wonder when Luffy wakes up. Well no matter, I think I will work on unlocking Busoshoku Haki. Jumping down from my branch, I begin walking around to find a sturdy stone to practice on.

Finding one about 10 minutes later, I stand in front of it debating whether I should keep my gloves on or not. The virus that runs through my veins enables me to control and produce all the elements, so I created my gloves to be flexible yet woven with a metal alloy that is strong enough to withstand knives and bullets and yet able bend to allow my hands flexibility.

Matter of fact, all my clothes was made with like this. Looking down though at my tattered clothes, I finally remember I need to repair them and check my equipment. Just because I have them didn't mean they are in good condition. I decide to check my equipment after some training.

Focusing on my clothes I tap into the Elements and carefully weave my clothes back together, connecting broken threads, and making it look like new. Looking at the patch on my shoulder with the insignia of my former captors I rip it off and create a new blank patch. When Luffy creates his Jolly Roger, I believe I'll put that on there.

With that done I remove my gloves and standing in a stance reading for striking the rock, I focus on my life signature. I watch as energy flowed through my body, the ebb and flow, the breaths it took.

Focusing on the rhythm I gently guide it to my hand. Feeling it begin to surround my hand I wait a moment and then strike out at the rock.

'CRACK'

Biting back a scream so that only a grunt came out, I pull back my broken hand and wait a few minutes for it to heal.

Well, I think I have the basic principles, but it's going to take me awhile to actually use those principles. Perhaps I shouldn't hit so hard? Hmm...

I feel my shoulders sag as I realize something...I don't know how to hold back. Not anymore.

This is going to be a painful process.


Haoshoku Haki- Observation Haki

Haoshoku Haki-King's Haki, Conqueror's Haki

Rokushiki-Six Styles, or Six Powers