Monster Hunter of the One Piece World

Today was yet another bright and breezy day. The Explorer No. 1 drifted slowly over the sea, carried by the ocean wind.

Sherwin was currently sitting cross-legged on the deck, the famed blade Nagatsuki laid horizontally across his lap, engaged in a form of training he called "blade meditation."

In truth, Sherwin didn't really understand what "blade meditation" was supposed to be. He just made up a method to help himself focus, hoping to awaken his Observation Haki.

It was actually while explaining Observation Haki to Nico Robin earlier that this idea had suddenly occurred to him.

Given his current proficiency with the Foreseen Slash, he likely already had the basic foundation necessary to awaken Observation Haki. But to truly awaken it, he was still missing the right moment—or enough pressure.

He didn't really have a way to generate overwhelming mental pressure, so he could only work on building intense focus. That led him to the idea of entering a meditative state.

And since he'd already been using the longsword for so long, he figured why not go all the way and "upgrade" to this completely unorthodox version of blade meditation.

As for whether it actually worked...

Sherwin opened his eyes and looked helplessly at the two cats who had been staring at him for quite a while now. He sighed and said,

"How am I supposed to concentrate with you two staring at me like that…"

"Idiot Sherwin, if you can't even concentrate like this, you still want to awaken Observation Haki, meow?" Sanji Meow shot back as sharp-tongued as ever.

"Yeah, but I still need to ease into it, right?" Sherwin sighed again and reached out to properly RUB the two troublemakers.

Sanji Meow dodged with a quick flick of his body and zipped up the mast in a flash. "I'll go check if the course is off, meow!"

Klee Meow, however, let herself be scooped up obediently into Sherwin arms, allowing him to thoroughly rub her to his heart content.

Of course, Klee Meow also felt very comfy being rub'd. She lay belly-up in Sherwin arms, eyes squinting contentedly as a steady purring rumbled from her throat.

"Alright, you go play for now," Sherwin gave her paw pads a gentle squeeze and set her down on the deck. "I'll come play with you after I finish meditating."

"Then Klee will stay here and keep you company, meow~"

The little ragdoll rubbed her head against Sherwin hand, then curled herself into a ball and lay down beside him, pretending to doze off...

But not even two seconds later, she secretly lifted her head, opened one eye to peek at Sherwin, and seeing that his eyes were still open, immediately tucked her head back. However, the big fluffy tail swaying behind her had already completely given her away.

"You little rascal..."

Sherwin smiled dotingly and gently stroked Klee Meow back twice, then casually gave her fluffy tail a smooth stroke as well. He had no intention of making her leave. Instead, he gathered his thoughts and closed his eyes again, entering his sword meditation.

Although Sherwin meditation technique wasn't exactly orthodox—in fact, it was just something he clumsily came up with based purely on his own understanding and imagination—he never intended to communicate with some legendary blade like the Longsword or make it awaken or anything like that.

So even though it was unorthodox, Sherwin was still able to calm his mind through this method and successfully enter a state of heightened concentration.

The sound of waves... the purring of Klee Meow... the scratching sound of Sanji Meow itching himself on the mast...

The salty smell of seawater... the faint scent of gunpowder nearby...

The cool breeze brushing against his skin...

In this state, Sherwin perception really did become sharper. But… this wasn't Observation Haki.

These were just sensations Sherwin usually overlooked. Rather than his sensory ability improving, it was more like he was finally noticing things he could already sense.

"As expected… it still not working, huh..."

Sherwin let out a sigh and withdrew from the state.

Still, he wasn't particularly disappointed. After all, this was just his first attempt today—failing was totally normal.

"Sherwin-nii, did you succeed, meow?"

The moment Sherwin opened his eyes, Klee Meow—who had been lying beside him—nimbly leapt onto his shoulder and gently pawed at his ear as she asked.

"It not that easy." Sherwin chuckled and shook his head. "But I guess you could say I've found a bit of a direction."

"Oooh—Sherwin-nii is the best, meow!" Klee Meow cheered him on, just like always.

After rubbing her little head against Sherwin cheek again, she asked, "Oh right, Sherwin-nii, what exactly is that Observation Haki you're trying to learn, meow? If you learn it, does that mean you'll become even stronger, meow?"

"I told you guys about Haki before, didn't I? And I just explained it to Robin again not long ago." Sherwin tapped Klee Meow damp little nose and said helplessly.

"You explained it way too complicated before, Klee couldn't really understand it, meow!" the little ragdoll replied with total confidence.

"To put it simply, Observation Haki lets you sense things that your eyes can't see, and even predict your opponent next move. It doesn't boost raw power as much as Armament Haki does, but it really improves your dodging and detection ability."

Sherwin explained the traits of Observation Haki again, using the simplest words he could manage.

But Klee Meow still tilted her little head, looking adorably confused.

"It fine if you don't get it."

Sherwin laughed and patted her small head. In any case, Klee Meow had already eaten the Logia-type Flame-Flame Fruit, so Observation Haki wasn't really something she urgently needed.

Besides, with a Felyne naturally sharp senses and fast reflexes, she might not be that far off from Observation Haki anyway. Didn't Sherwin often use Sanji Meow as a living radar?

However, Klee Meow shook her head and said, "That not it, meow... Klee just feels like… the Observation thing you're talking about, Klee might already know how to use it, meow."

"..."

Impossible! Absolutely impossible!

Wait—of course! Klee Meow must've mixed up her racial sensory talents with Observation Haki... That has to be it!

Sherwin forced a stiff smile and tried to confirm with the little ragdoll, "Klee, are you maybe mistaking what you hear and smell for Observation Haki? They might seem kinda similar, but they're actually two totally different things~"

"Really, meow?" Klee Meow blinked in a daze, tilting her head. "But that strange feeling only started after I met Sherwin-nii, meow. And the range is way bigger than my hearing and smell, meow…"

The little ragdoll paused for a moment, tilted her head again in thought, then added, "But it kinda different from what you described, Sherwin-nii… With that strange feeling, Klee can even sense other people emotions, meow."

"!!!"

In the original manga, Fujitora Observation Haki did show the ability to perceive the emotions of others.

So no matter how much Sherwin didn't want to believe it, he had no choice but to accept the truth—Klee Meow had already awakened Observation Haki.

Guess I should just shut up and eat cat food from now on… Getting stronger… doesn't matter anymore…

Sherwin gazed blankly into the distant sky, tears running down his face, feeling utterly defeated.