Ace's development of his Devil Fruit was quite profound, but his Haki was somewhat lacking. Moreover, after joining the Whitebeard Pirates, he clearly neglected his training and never truly reached his peak even during the Marineford War.
Blake honed his swordsmanship with ease. He didn't want to be a strong individual with high stats but no combat experience; the woman next door who always whiffed her ultimate was a prime example.
Thus, even with a clear power gap between Ace and Blake, their battle continued for half the night.
Blake returned to the azure System Space, holding an ability card in his hand.
Ability Card: Conqueror's Haki (Young Ace)
"As expected of the Pirate King's son, the drops he gives are different from others'."
This was the first time Blake had obtained a Conqueror's Haki ability card.
Of course, this was also because he hadn't challenged many Haoshoku users; to be precise, only Charlotte Linlin.
"System, use the ability card!"
Blake impatiently crushed the ability card, and an incredibly powerful Conqueror's Haki filled the System Space.
Dark red lightning seemed to tear everything apart, and an invisible pressure bore down on the ground.
Blake nodded in satisfaction.
After stacking Ace's Conqueror's Haki, Blake's Haoshoku almost doubled in strength, incomparable to before.
However, the intensity of Haki is one thing, and skill is another.
Even if Blake felt that his current Haoshoku was no worse than Shamrock's, he hadn't independently comprehended other Haoshoku techniques.
Blake wasn't in a hurry.
Judging by the situation with Observation Haki, as long as he continued to use ability cards in the future, he would eventually comprehend advanced techniques like Conquerors Haki Infusion, long-range strikes, and Observation Haki killing.
It was late night when he left the System Space, and Blake sensed the situation on the ship.
Stella was already asleep, holding Perona, and Robin sat by the window, gazing at the starry sky, seemingly troubled.
It wasn't surprising; the events of today must have had a significant impact on her.
Blake didn't disturb her, rolled over, and began to rest.
Training in the card space could substitute for sleep, but Blake didn't feel that strong sense of urgency.
Are you kidding? In his previous life, he had no choice but to work hard, but now that he's reincarnated as a Celestial Dragon, does he still need to work hard?
Wouldn't that be a wasted transmigration?
...The world is vast, but for those with identity, status, and power, travel is not difficult.
Because the ships are very fast.
Even though most ships in this world are just sailboats, and some are even island ships, their speed at maximum acceleration can rival high-speed trains.
With a single-minded focus on travel, it took only a little over ten days for the sanctuary to return from Ohara to Mary Geoise's Red Port.
Standing on Mary Geoise's unique moving walkway, unlike Stella's composure and Robin's caution, only Perona, less than three years old, tried hard to keep her eyes open, curiously observing everything in the Holy Land.
Blake grabbed her head, which was constantly looking around, and warned:
"Behave yourself in the Holy Land, or I'll throw you down below to push the moving walkway."
"Huh?"
"No way?"
Perona and Robin both looked disbelieving, and even Stella, who usually wore a smile, showed a surprised expression.
"Are there people pushing this moving walkway from below?"
Perona stared intently at the path beneath her feet, seemingly wanting to peer through the floor to see what was below.
Robin's focus, however, was different:
"With the technological power controlled by the World Government, it seems unnecessary to do that, doesn't it?"
Blake shrugged:
"My foolish clansmen believe that this is how they can demonstrate their noble status."
"In reality, it's just a rejection of advanced civilization and an extreme reliance on slavery."
Blake's tone was somewhat dismissive.
Position dictates perspective.
As a beneficiary, he would never harm his own interests to free those Slaves.
Even if he truly became the King of the World one day, he wouldn't bother with such matters.
As a ruler, one shouldn't think about destroying the stability of the social structure unless you can extract greater benefits from it.
Perona 'oh-ed' in a half-understanding way, then her eyes darted around:
"So, when we leave the Holy Land, can we play freely?"
You certainly know how to prioritize.
Blake was a little helpless but didn't refute her.
He still liked Perona's personality very much; if everyone was overly respectful to him, he would find it boring.
That's right, he was a bit of a masochist.
Upon returning to the manor, Blake immediately pulled off the hood on his head:
"Finally, I can take off this damned fishbowls (helmets)."
Stella smiled and took it from him:
"Since Your Highness dislikes it so much, why do you still wear it?"
"Because I cannot breathe the same air as the people of the lower world."
"Of course, I also don't need to make myself seem unique for such a small matter."
Blake pinched Stella's face and waved his hand, looking a bit tired:
"Alright, go play by yourselves. After drifting at sea for so long, I need a good rest."
He came to the giant fish tank, capable of holding ten thousand tons of water, where there was only a lonely mermaid. The Celestial Dragon's Hoof on her left arm clearly revealed her identity.
It was the mermaid Blake had bought from the Slave auction house earlier.
"Aida!"
Hearing Blake's call, Aida immediately swam over and rested her delicate little face on Blake's hand.
"Are you used to it here?"
Her voice was very soft and gentle, but Aida nodded nervously:
"It's very spacious here, and there are maid sisters who talk to me every day. I'm doing very well here."
"It's just...it's just that the maid sisters are usually very busy, and sometimes I feel bored."
The mermaid's simple thoughts made her inadvertently speak some of her true feelings.
Aida herself realized her slip of the tongue and playfully stuck out her tongue.
However, she didn't realize her current state, and her tiny, lilac-colored tongue licked Blake's palm.
Aida's face instantly turned red, and she plunged into the water with a splash, her fishtail creating a large spray of water on the surface.
Blake was also stunned by her confusing behavior, and after realizing what happened, he couldn't help but shake his head and smile:
"Since you feel bored, I'll find you a few companions another day."
Saying that, Blake turned and returned to his bedroom.
"Eh? Eh eh?"
Aida ignored her shyness and poked her little head out from underwater, but Blake had already disappeared.
She angrily slapped the water with her fishtail:
"Oh no, now another member of my race is going to be caught by this guy."
"But it's not so bad; this guy is just keeping me as a fish. That can't be considered betraying my own kind, right?"
After a strenuous self-consolation, the mermaid successfully convinced herself, her guilt greatly reduced, and she happily continued swimming...