Hello everyone! Here's chapter 6 of... Life is Blind!
*clears throat* Sorry 'bout that. Okay, anyway, this chapter is kind of like a small hint at what is to come. I'll leave you to draw your own conclusions at the end of the chapter, but this new arc is completely non-canon, so I hope you enjoy!
Also, a big thank-you to Shiningheart of Thunderclan, Trich, 4fireking, and Coco-san for reviewing. In future chapters, I'll be doing a shout out!
Right. I don't own One Picode or any of the characters. Only the OC that I thought up myself.
Chapter 6
"OI! Pops! Enemy ship off the starboard bow!"
I blinked. "Again?" I turned to Pops. "So, what do we do, Pops?"
Pops didn't answer for a second. Then, he said, "Marco, go and ask who's ship it is. I'll pass judgement as to Zia's question then."
There was a creaking sound as Marco got up and left the small area at the stern where Pops has that huge chair of his. We weren't kept waiting long. Marco came running back, his breathing heavy from something other than flying there and back again.
"Pops..." Marco said, his tone indescribable to me at the time. "It's Red-Haired Shanks."
"So, Red-Haired Shanks is one of the Yonkou, right?" I asked Marco a few minutes later. We were standing on deck, in two rows. I felt like this was a marine ceremony where the seven warlords of the sea walk into Marejoa.
Marco didn't answer.
I lightly kicked his shin. "Marco?"
"What? Oh, yeah. He is." Marco said. He sounded really annoyed.
"What's up?" I asked.
"Let's just say we don't have good relations with other Yonkou." he said. "Oh, and Zia? I think you should go below deck."
"Why?" I asked.
"Just do it." Marco said, his tone a little more serious.
"I think it's perfectly safe to be out here." I said. "Isn't he coming down alone?"
Suddenly, I staggered. It felt like something had landed on my chest. Hard. Something flashed behind my eyes, and everything went dark.
I groaned and opened my eyes. What the hell just happened?
"Zia!"
Marco took my shoulders and lifted me into a sitting position. "You see what I mean?" he said. "You don't listen, and this kind of stuff happens."
"You're still mad about the tattoo thing, aren't you?" I said.
Marco sighed. "No. I'm not still mad about the tattoo thing. I'm just saying, listen to me when I tell you something is dangerous."
I twisted my mouth in a little frown. "Okay. Fine. But what did Red-Haired want?"
Marco didn't say anything. Man, that's getting annoying. Finally, he said, "I'm not sure. But I want you to stay on high alert, okay?"
I nodded. "Okay, sure."
I started wandering around, just for something to do. So, to give my mind a workout, I thought about the thing that had knocked me out. What if it was Red-Haired who did that? Was it some kind of weird power, or was it some terminal disease that I have? That's a pleasant thought.
"Hey, is something wrong?"
I turned around, confused; because the voice was unfamiliar to me. I knew every voice on this ship by now. And I didn't know this one. "Who are you?" I asked. "I don't think we've spoken before."
The guy laughed. "It's common courtesy to give your own name first."
I sighed. Even if he was annoying, he had a point. I held out my left hand. "Cassiopeia D. Zia." I said.
For some reason, the guy took my hand with his right hand, and said, "Nice to meet you. I'm Shanks."
I stepped back, tripped over a piece of rope, and fell on my butt. Great. What was it Marco said about staying on high alert, and here I was shaking the guy's hand! "Ummm..." I said. "Right. What do you want?"
I heard Shanks chuckle lightly. "I'm just heading back to my ship, but you were wandering around aimlessly, so I thought I'd see what's wrong."
I frowned. "Thanks. But I don't need any help."
Shanks sighed. "Right."
"Say," I said. "What was that thing you did when you came aboard? I passed out."
Shanks was quiet for a second. "You passed out?"
I nodded.
"I'm sorry. I always have problem keeping my Haki in check when I'm on a strange ship.
"Hey," I said. "What's the deal with you? I can't figure out where you are, or at least, some of you."
"Oh! You use something akin to echolocation. You should learn observation haki. It could really help you. Especially since, you know, you're blind."
I nodded.
"We'll, I've only got one arm."
"Oh." I definitely wasn't expecting that. I figured a strong guy like him wouldn't just lose an arm in a regular fight.
Shanks chuckled. "Thank you for your concern, though. That makes for a nice opponent."
"Zia!" Marco shouted. "Come here!"
Oops. Great. I was gonna get an earful now. And then I did something I really shouldn't have done. I turned to Shanks, and said, "Nice to meet you!" Before I turned and jogged up to Marco's side.
"Do you have wax in your ears?!" Marco snapped as he whacked me over the head.
Thatch must have been standing nearby, because he started guffawing."
Why does life hate me so much? It wasn't my fault!
"Hey, Marco, what's haki?" I asked.
"Hmm?" Marco said, still sounding a little annoyed. "Well, haki is an inborn, often latent power that everyone posesses." He sounded a little nervous when he said that. "why do you ask?"
"Because Red-Haired Shanks-" I cringed at the sound Marco made in his throat. "Red-haired told me I should learn observation haki. I didn't even know what that was, so I thought I'd ask you."
Marco sighed. Well, it was a little more like a growl than a sigh. "I still can't believe you did that." he said.
I frowned. "I tried to tell you, I didn't do it on purpose. I just sort of... ran into him."
"Right." Marco said. "Well, I do see Red-Hair's logic." He opened a door, and stood there silently.
"What do you want me to do in the galley?" I asked.
"I need to speak to Pops about something." he said. "Just stay here until I get back. Thatch'll keep an eye on you."
I raised an eyebrow. "Of course, Thatch might just put more funny ideas in my head."
Marco sighed. "See you in a few minutes, Zia."
"So," Whitebeard said. "Zia wants to know about haki."
Marco nodded. "If I tell her-"
"I think you should do it."
Marco stared at his Whitebeard, wide-eyed. "You really think I-"
"Yes, Marco." Whitebeard said. "Haki might be the best thing for Zia to learn. Besides, if you could teach her armour haki as well as observation haki. Then she could have a better way of attacking and defending herself."
"Pops, I thought you said-"
"She still needs to learn to fight, Marco." Whitebeard cut him off. "We can't just protect her and assume she'll never come to harm when with us."
"But-"
"She's not made of glass, Marco. You need to trust her a little more. Even if she does have a habit of... Running into dangerous situations."
Marco sighed. "I never said she was made of glass."
Whitebeard smiled. "Then teach her something you really know. Haki is one of your specialties after all."
Marco put his head in his hands. Why was it so damn tough to train a member if his division, keep the secret acout the berserker haki, and be a good big brother at the same time? "All right." he said. "I'll do it."
"So, haki is- Zia, are you paying attention?"
I nodded. "Yes I am. Haki is...?"
Marco sighed in irritation. I couldn't figure out why he was like this. "Haki is a latent, inborn power that all have, but few manage to unlock. There are... three types of haki that we know of." Marco continued. "The first two I'll definitely teach you. The third, well, we'll have to wait and see. First is observation haki. It allows you to see an opponent's moves and avoid them. I'm hoping you can use this to your advantage, and learn to navigate by using observation haki as well as your hearing. Give your ears a rest. The second is called armour haki. It's a haki that allows you to strengthen your attacks, defences, and many other things. It also has the added effect of giving you the ability to hit devil fruit users."
My eyes widened. "So if I used this power, I could hit you and you wouldn't regenerate?!"
"Yup. So you need to be careful with this power."
I was really starting to like the idea of this haki stuff. "And the third?" I asked.
"Ah. Now that's the rare one. The haki of the supreme king. Or king's disposition. Whichever you prefer. This is a haki that allows you to overwhelm your opponent. In a sense, it's what Red-Hair used th other day." I could tell he shot me a pointed look when he said that.
I thought for a second. Then I remembered something. Something that happened almost two years before. "Wait a minute..." I said. "You can use it too! You used it on me when you fished me out of the ocean!"
Marco chuckled nervously. "We'll whaddaya know. You're right, of course. Sorry about that, but you really didn't leave me much choice."
I smiled. "That is so cool! But, you can't teach me, because I might not have it."
"That's about it." Marco said.
"We'll, this looks like fun!" Thatch's voice said from behind me. "Mind if I join the party?"
Marco chuckled. "Not at all, Thatch." he said. "Your haki is fairly strong as well, so any help is appreciated."
Thatch ruffled my hair. "Hey, get ready, Zia. You're about to experience training unlike any you've ever had before!"
"I get the feeling this is going to be even more hectic than usual." I said. "But! I can't wait! Lets go, guys!"
(Five months later)
"Alright, I thing that's enough for today." Marco said, stretching out a bit. "So Zia, how do you feel?"
"Way better than before!" I said. "I can sense things I could never have dreamed! This is better than being able to see again!"
I felt a very elated wave of energy come from Thatch. "Alright! What am I doing?" He shoved his pinkie in his nose.
"Really, Thatch?" Marco groaned, rubbing his temples.
I laughed.
"So, Zia," Thatch said, pulling his finger from his nostril. "What are you gonna do now?"
I thought for a second. "Oh! I gotta tell Pops how it went!" I ran up to Marco and threw my arms around his neck and kissed his cheek. Then I did the same to Thatch. "Thanks, guys!" Then I took off.
It really did feel awesome to know where I was going, and now, I didn't run into walls! I love this haki stuff!
I rocketed past a small group on my way to the stern.
"Hey Zia!" One of them called. "Haki training going well?"
"Yeah, it sure is, Namur!" I called over my shoulder. "Sorry, I can't stop!"
"Pops!" I shouted.
Pops looked up from his newspaper, and chuckled. "Zia! I see training went well. Have you finally masters observation haki?"
I nodded. "Yeah! And look at this!" I concentrated, and I felt a cold feeling spread over my hand and forearm. Then, I lunged forward and punched a hole though one of the crates we always had stacked up."
"We'll!" Pops said. "Even your colour of arms haki is coming along well! I must say, you're a very quick learner, Zia."
I blushed. "Say, what are you reading, Pops?" I asked.
Pops held out his hand and helped me climb onto his knee. He held out his newspaper. "This is an interesting article. 'Firefist Ace' has been causing trouble in Paradise again."
I knew by that point that Paradise was what everyone called the first half of the grand line.
"Who's Firefist Ace?" I asked.
"He's a rookie who's really been making a name for himself lately." Pops said."He just turned down an offer to become on of the seven warlords, I believe."
"How old is he, anyway?" I asked.
Pops paused in thought. "Oh, about sixteen, seventeen. Seventeen is more likely. I wonder what the hurry is...looks like a strong lad."
I frowned and stuck out my lower lip. "He'll never be stronger than you, Pops." I said.
Pops chuckled lightly. "Some say the world will end in fire. Some say ice. Perhaps this young man is one of those that the world government wants on their side for that reason."
I bit my lower lip. Details flooded through my mind. Rattling, a huge white flash, a loud bang, screams, terrible, searing pain. "I hate fire." I said.
Pops ruffled my hair. "I understand, Zia. But don't judge someone by their element alone."
'That's just it." I thought. 'You don't understand. All you can do is try to.'
"Oh well." Pops said, folding his newspaper. "Zia, run and tell Marco to give the order to set sail east."
I raised an eyebrow. "Why east? I asked. "Where are we going?"
I could hear the smile in Pops' voice. "Just go and tell Marco to give the orders. Set sail to fishman island."
Yay! Zia can finally fight well! Well, you'll see more action in the next chapter and how she fights!
Well, see you next chapter!