Navigating the Grand Line’s Horrors

The storm raged around the Going Merry, waves crashing against the hull as the ship fought through the turbulent sea. Usopp clung to the railing, his face pale.

"Seriously, do we have to go through storms like this all the time?" he groaned.

Lucas chuckled, steadying himself against the mast. "If you think this is bad, just wait until we hit the Grand Line. The weather there makes this look like a calm breeze."

That got everyone's attention.

Nami paused in her navigation, Sanji's cigarette nearly slipped from his lips, and even Zoro turned his head.

"You've been to the Grand Line?" Sanji asked, eyeing Lucas with newfound interest.

Under the sudden scrutiny, Lucas hesitated. If he backed down now, it'd sound like he was lying. So, he puffed out his chest, looking eerily similar to Usopp when he told one of his tall tales.

"Of course! I used to be a big shot there. Just… retired early, that's all."

The Grand Line was a mystery to most. News from those waters rarely reached the outside world, leaving its dangers and wonders shrouded in legend.

Usopp gulped. "So… is it really as terrifying as they say?"

Lucas tilted his head. "It's not the sea that's the problem, it's the people. Devil Fruit users everywhere, especially in the New World. But with Nami's skills, we'll handle the weather just fine." He smirked. "Still, there's one power you'll need if you want to survive there… especially if you're aiming for One Piece or becoming the World's Greatest Swordsman."

That got Luffy and Zoro's attention instantly.

"One Piece?!"

"Greatest Swordsman?!"

Their eyes burned with excitement.

Lucas grinned. "Yeah. And I'll tell you about it, after we deal with this mess."

As the Merry sailed into calmer waters, Lucas had hoped to catch a nap. But Luffy, Zoro, and surprisingly Sanji cornered him before he could even lie down.

"Oi, Lucas! Tell us now!" Luffy demanded, bouncing in place.

Zoro crossed his arms. "No dodging. What's this power you're talking about?"

Sanji lit a cigarette, exhaling smoke. "And make it quick. I've got food to cook."

Lucas sighed. "Fine, fine. But don't blame me if it keeps you up at night."

He leaned back, recalling his knowledge.

"Luffy, remember that Marine in Loguetown? The smoke guy?"

Luffy scratched his head. "Oh! The one I couldn't hit?"

Zoro and Sanji stiffened.

"Exactly," Lucas said. "Smoker ate a Logia-type Devil Fruit. That means he can turn into his element 'smoke', making normal attacks useless."

Sanji's eyebrow twitched. 'Did he read the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia?'

Zoro's grip tightened on his swords. "So Logia users are invincible?"

"Usually," Lucas admitted. "In the first half of the Grand Line, they're monsters. Unless you find their weakness, you can't touch them."

Luffy frowned. "That's not fair!"

Lucas smirked. "That's where Haki comes in."

The trio leaned in, eyes locked on Lucas.

"Haki is split into three types: Conqueror's, Armament, and Observation."

"- Conqueror's Haki is rare—only one in a million has it. It's the power to overwhelm others with sheer will. The strongest can even coat their attacks with it."

"- Armament Haki is like an invisible armor. It strengthens your attacks, lets you hit Logia users, and at higher levels, can bypass defenses entirely—shattering steel or even diamond."

"- Observation Haki predicts enemy moves. Masters can see the future in battle."

Luffy blinked. "So… I just gotta punch harder?"

Zoro's eye gleamed. "And cut sharper."

Sanji exhaled smoke. "And dodge faster."

Lucas nodded. "Conqueror's is innate, but the other two? Anyone can learn them."

A heavy silence followed.

Then...

"TEACH US."

Lucas paled. "Uh… I know about it, but I can't use it..."

Too late. The trio's stares were unrelenting.

"You said a lot, but you left out the most important part." Sanji exhaled a plume of smoke, his brow furrowed.

"Huh?" Lucas blinked.

Zoro crossed his arms. "You didn't tell us how to actually train Haki."

'How to train it?'

Lucas hesitated. 'I don't even know myself. Shouldn't they figure that out on their own?'

Then, an idea struck him.

'System, 'he called internally, 'is there a way to learn Haki?'

If the system could do anything, surely this was possible.

[Of course. But given your current talent, mastering it would be impossible for you.]

'...'

Was the system mocking him?

'Can I exchange for a method and show them?'

[Yes. However, due to world restrictions, they'll only be able to view it once. They won't retain the memory afterward.]

'Fine. Do it.'

[Ding! 1000 Emotion Points deducted. Obtained: " Three-Type Haki Training Vision."]

'What?! That was a steep price.'

'How does this work?'

[The card will pull users into an illusion, allowing them to witness the pinnacle of Haki usage and training firsthand.]

[To activate, have them touch the card and say 'Use.']

Lucas nodded. 'Bring it out.'

A violet card materialized in his palm. He turned to the trio.

"Place your hands on this. My ability will show you the essence of Haki."

Zoro, already familiar with Lucas's strange artifacts, complied without question. Once all three had their hands on the card, Lucas commanded:

"Use!"

A flash, and they vanished.

"Wait, crap I forgot to hold it too!" Lucas facepalmed. 'How did I miss that?'

A second later, the trio reappeared, drenched in cold sweat, their eyes wide.

"What happened? Are you okay?" Lucas asked.

Luffy was the first to recover, his usual grin returning. "Shishishishi! Doesn't matter how strong they are, I'll still be King of the Pirates!"

"The World's Greatest Swordsman title is mine," Zoro declared, already marching off.

"Hey, Sanji, what the hell did they see?" Lucas whispered.

Sanji flicked his cigarette ash, exhaling slowly. "Let's just say… they met someone beyond strong. Someone who made them realize how far they still have to go."

"Who was it?"

"No idea. But it lit a fire under them." With that, Sanji strode away, leaving Lucas alone.

'System, what exactly did you show them?'

[Nothing harmful. Just a glimpse of true mastery. The world's will ensures it'll only motivate them.]

Lucas sighed. 'Good enough.'

Exhausted, Lucas flopped onto the deck, only for the ship to lurch violently beneath him.

"Earthquake?!" He bolted upright, rushing to the railing.

Nami gripped the helm, her knuckles white. "The sea itself is shaking!"

"Where are we?"

"Near Battleship Island!"

Behind them, Ryu the Millennium Dragon let out a deafening roar. The crew whipped around as the ancient beast reared up, its cries echoing across the waves.

"Grandpa Ryu! What's wrong?!" Apis cried.

The dragon didn't answer. Instead, the tremors intensified, and then with a thunderous groan, an island erupted from the depths.

"No way…" Usopp gaped. "Is that...?"

"The real Dragon's Nest," Nami breathed, eyeing the jagged, bone-laden cliffs. "Their graveyard."

As they stepped onto the island, Apis clung to Ryu's side until the dragon's telepathic voice echoed in her mind.

'I didn't come here to heal… I came to rest.'

Tears streamed down her face. "No… You can't...!"

Lucas knelt beside her. "Apis, this is a good thing. He's home. And look..." He pointed to a cracking egg nearby, where a newborn dragon's eyes gleamed with familiar warmth. "Endings are just new beginnings."

Usopp eyed the skeletal remains. "So… these bones don't grant immortality?"

"Legends exaggerate," Lucas said. "If dragons age, how could their bones defy death?"

Apis wiped her tears and bowed deeply. "Thank you… all of you."

Luffy grinned. "Shishishishi! We just followed adventure!"

As they prepared to leave, Lucas snapped photos of Ryu's final resting place, of Apis smiling through her grief, of the crew amidst the ancient ruins.

'If this island only surfaces once a millennium…' 

He pocketed his phone. 'Then we've witnessed a miracle.'

"Next stop," Nami announced, "the Grand Line!"

The sea stretched endlessly ahead, but Lucas's gaze lingered on the horizon.

'Some stories end… but ours? We're just getting started.'