HST: Chapter 67/68

Chapter 67: Rokushiki

"CP9 is targeting me? I'm a bounty hunter certified by the Marines, with a license."

Caelan was a little surprised to hear Kalifa's explanation.

From what she was saying, the mission to find Robin was just a side task. The real objective was to monitor him!

"That's the Marines' business. Several of our CP9 superiors and higher-ups believe you're a potentially dangerous element."

"They think a powerful man like you, who acts freely and likes to meddle in others' affairs, will eventually become an enemy of the World Government."

Kalifa looked at Caelan seriously as she spoke.

"That's true. They know me well."

Caelan stroked his chin, gaining some insight.

To put it bluntly, those in power within the World Government believed he was not one of them and that a falling out was only a matter of time.

They weren't wrong. Caelan would never align himself with the Celestial Dragons.

Looks like it's time to make some early preparations. Otherwise, it could get messy if things suddenly take a turn.

"You really do have a rebellious heart!"

Kalifa looked at Caelan in astonishment, her expression turning slightly grim.

She was now his prisoner and had just learned such a major secret. It felt like her fate was sealed.

"It's still early. You can help me feed them some false information for now, just to buy some time."

Caelan smiled calmly, his tone unhurried.

He wasn't afraid of the World Government anymore when it came to his personal strength. But his current forces were lacking, so it wasn't time for open conflict yet.

Over the coming period, he'd need to expand his power rapidly while gathering more Berries.

"I'm a member of CP9. I can't help you."

Kalifa lowered her head, making her expression unreadable.

She wasn't that loyal to CP9—especially not to Spandam, whom she despised.

Still, Caelan hadn't threatened her yet. She wanted to see if there was room to maneuver.

Maybe he'd let her go, considering what happened last night?

"If you don't agree, you might be spending the rest of your life in this room, handcuffed."

Caelan pinched Kalifa's legs and sighed.

If she refused, The Investigator's Secret Files could turn from a one-off into an entire series.

Sure, getting her to pass false intel to the World Government was helpful, but if she didn't cooperate, it wouldn't be a huge loss—just less time to develop his forces.

"No need to say more. I agree!"

Kalifa gritted her teeth and finally gave in. Still, she figured she might be able to walk both sides, playing the double agent without offending either.

Caelan nodded with satisfaction and pressed down on her head.

"What are you doing? I already agreed!"

Kalifa looked at Caelan, confused by his actions.

"Just checking your sincerity."

Caelan's tone wasn't harsh, but it left no room for refusal.

He knew this woman wouldn't be tamed easily, but with the right timing, anything could change.

Helpless, Kalifa stared at him with resentment, but eventually bent down.

…

The night passed quickly.

Morning came aboard the Wind Rider.

Kalifa was still handcuffed, trailing behind Caelan like someone carrying a grudge.

Until she gained enough of his trust, the handcuffs would remain.

"From today on, Kalifa is our spy. She'll be feeding our intel to CP9."

Caelan introduced the unwilling Kalifa to the women.

"She gave in after just one night?"

Robin looked at Kalifa with a hint of disappointment. She had thought Kalifa was tougher and could hold out a few more days.

Nami and the others were also surprised. Caelan had managed to win her over in just one night—it was shockingly fast.

"You!"

Kalifa glared at Robin but had nothing to say in return.

Under Caelan's blend of threat and persuasion, she had utterly caved.

"Don't be like that. Aside from feeding them false intel, she's also going to be your instructor."

Caelan pointed at Kalifa and spoke seriously.

Over the past ten days, they had completed an intensive Haki crash course. The women had successfully awakened both Observation and Armament Haki.

Although it was just the initial stage, only E-rank, according to the system's assessment, it still significantly boosted their strength.

While they were nowhere near as strong as Smoker during his time in the New World, they could probably hold their own in a fight against him now.

"Instructor? Her!?"

Nami and the others looked at Kalifa in disbelief. What could she possibly teach?

Spy skills? They didn't need that.

"She'll be teaching you the Navy's Rokushiki. It'll greatly enhance your physical ability and help strengthen your Haki."

Caelan nodded firmly.

After their Haki awakening, there wasn't much more he could directly help with. From here on, their growth would rely on personal training.

The Rokushiki, as a systematic Marine combat technique, was perfect for this.

The girls didn't fully understand the value of the yet. Even Tashigi, who had been in the Navy, had only ever seen them from afar.

Still, because they trusted Caelan, they were eager to learn.

Soon, the handcuffed Kalifa began her first day as their instructor.

"The Navy's Rokushiki is a collective term for six advanced physical techniques: Shave, Moon Step, Paper Art, Iron Body, Finger Pistol, and Tempest Kick. It's the most practical physical combat system in the seas…"

The prisoner Kalifa didn't hold anything back. She explained the essence of the Rokushiki and demonstrated their effects.

"This is Tempest Kick. By kicking at high speed, a vacuum is created, launching an air blade. It's extremely powerful."

She lifted her left leg and kicked sharply. A massive air slash burst forward with a sonic boom.

Then, Kalifa rapidly stepped through the air, floating upward.

"This is Moon Step. By stepping on the air at high speed, you can walk through the sky."

Determined to prove her worth and improve her circumstances, she was giving it her all.

"Whoa! That's incredible!"

Watching Moonwalk and Tempest Kick, the women's eyes sparkled. These abilities were impressive.

The teaching wasn't bad at all!

Caelan nodded slightly, pleased with Kalifa's performance.

Noticing Caelan's quiet approval, Kalifa felt encouraged and decided to go all in.

"Next is Iron Body. By increasing blood flow and accelerating muscle movement, your muscles become as hard as iron—an unbreakable wall!"

"Though you can't move while using it, the defense is incredible."

Kalifa looked quite proud, clearly confident in the Iron Body's effectiveness.

"Everything else is fine, but forget the Iron Body."

Caelan coughed and interrupted her.

That move wasn't very useful. It might boost defense by 1, but confidence by 999. And once used, no one would say anything flattering about it.

"Why? It's a powerful skill!"

Kalifa was stunned and looked at Caelan in confusion.

She didn't use Iron Body often herself, but her CP9 colleagues, especially Kaku and Blueno used it frequently. Even Lucci, CP9's strongest, valued it highly.

Even Nami and the others were puzzled. Based on her explanation, it seemed like a great move.

"I can just throw a punch. Want to try it?"

Caelan raised his fist and asked Kalifa calmly.

If she kept pushing, he wouldn't mind proving his point physically.

No way was he letting Nami and the others become reckless meat shields.

"Forget it, forget it!"

Kalifa gave an awkward smile and quickly backed off.

After what she experienced during their fight last night, she knew she couldn't take a single one of his punches.

She also realized that the so-called CP9 elites would probably be one-shot by Caelan. Iron Body, in the face of his strength, wasn't worth anything.

"So basically, if you use Iron Body against someone strong, you're asking to die."

Nami and the others immediately understood what Caelan meant.

They remembered the fight between Caelan and the two giants in Little Garden. His strength was like a natural disaster.

Even diamond wouldn't stand a chance against that.

"Good. As long as you get the point, keep learning."

"The Rokushiki are all very practical techniques. But forget about Iron Body."

Caelan waved his hand and stood aside.

Though a bit disappointed, Kalifa adjusted her attitude and continued teaching the others seriously.

Caelan observed from the side, correcting a few mistakes with his own martial arts experience.

Just like that, the day passed in training.

That night, Kalifa came to Caelan's room again.

She would only be given her own room once she earned enough trust.

Until then, she had to remain under his supervision.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 68: Heavenly Yaksha and Aokiji

The next day, the Wind Rider continued sailing toward the Florian Triangle.

On deck, Kalifa led Nami and the other women in practicing the Rokushiki.

Caelan lounged on a beach chair, admiring the graceful yet powerful forms of the women. Suddenly, a wave of guilt hit him.

So many women, and he liked every single one. That didn't fit the image of Heracles at all.

Even though Heracles wasn't exactly a model of virtue in mythology, he wasn't the kind of scumbag who indulged in indiscriminate lust like Caelan was now.

In the Five Labors of Fate, Heracles only had eyes for Illya. He was a total daughter-con.

"But this is who I am!"

Caelan whistled and chuckled softly.

He had only acquired the template of Basaka. That didn't mean he had become someone else. How could his nature change?

Aside from his power, he was just a willful young man who wanted to enjoy everything life had to offer.

If anyone was to blame.

Then it was all Tokiomi's fault!

Caelan grumbled inwardly and conveniently pinned the blame on the root of all evil from the far-off Type-Moon world.

Shaking off his thoughts, Caelan let himself relax and calmly enjoyed the sight of the women training.

"But now that Kalifa's here, could someone else also be targeting me?"

Caelan glanced at Kalifa, who was teaching with full concentration, and a name popped into his mind.

That name was Aokiji, Admiral of the Navy Headquarters.

In the original timeline, Aokiji appeared while the Straw Hat Pirates were en route to Water 7. Since the Wind Rider was heading straight to the Florian Triangle, they shouldn't cross paths.

But considering Kalifa's sudden appearance, Caelan wouldn't be surprised if Aokiji showed up too.

After all, he hadn't gone to Water 7, but CP9 still came after him.

Part of it was because of him, and part of it was because of Robin.

In that case, would Aokiji, who had been tracking Robin for twenty years, also come?

"It's definitely possible. That guy's been chasing Robin for two decades without success."

Caelan muttered to himself and activated his A-rank Observation Haki, scanning the surrounding sea.

Sure enough, in the distance, he spotted a narrow ice path floating on the sea—just wide enough for a bicycle.

There was only one person in the world who could do that.

It was one of the Navy's top brass, an Admiral, and the Ice-Ice Fruit user—Aokiji.

"That guy actually showed up."

Caelan's mouth twitched, and he couldn't help but complain.

It was like calling the devil, mention him and he appears immediately.

From the original story, he knew Aokiji had been keeping an eye on Robin. Half of it was an excuse to slack off, and the other half was out of a desire to see her live a safe life.

This time, there was likely to be a fight.

"I guess it's time to meet the highest combat power in this world."

Caelan wasn't afraid and had no intention of avoiding him.

On the contrary, he was eager. He'd just made great strides in power and was itching to stretch his muscles.

Aokiji, an admiral who could go toe-to-toe with a Yonko, was the perfect match.

Just thinking about it made Caelan's blood stir.

But then, among the clouds above, Caelan noticed a pink figure.

"Doflamingo?"

"Compared to Aokiji, I really don't feel like fighting that guy."

Caelan shook his head, not taking it too seriously.

If it were just Doflamingo, he might be interested in a little skirmish.

But now that Aokiji was here too, Doflamingo just didn't cut it.

…

Out at sea, a tall man pedaled leisurely on a bicycle.

"Well, looks like I'm about to meet her."

Aokiji yawned lazily.

He had been silently keeping watch over the girl his best friend Saul had once sacrificed everything to save.

On top of that, whenever he wanted to slack off, he used the search for Robin as a perfect excuse and it always worked.

"Come to think of it, I might be even lazier than Kizaru. That's kind of embarrassing."

"But hey, this is lazy justice."

Aokiji chuckled at himself, though there wasn't a hint of shame on his face.

After the Ohara incident, he had grown disillusioned with the Navy's definition of justice. Slacking off had become the norm, and he was used to it by now.

"Robin, have you found yourself another companion?"

"This Caelan guy… he sounds pretty reliable."

Aokiji recalled Caelan's achievements and smiled.

Sweeping through the East Blue and into the Grand Line, capturing countless pirates—even Crocodile, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.

Such strength and potential had already impressed Aokiji.

But what pleased him even more was Caelan's conduct.

In Aokiji's eyes, Caelan's behavior reminded him of his own younger days, full of ambition and righteousness.

If Robin had a companion like that, he wouldn't need to worry anymore.

"But I'll confirm it with my own eyes."

Aokiji pedaled forward, opening his Observation Haki, and headed in the direction of the Wind Rider.

…

Above the clouds, Doflamingo used his String-String Fruit to anchor ultra-fine threads into the sky, pulling himself toward the Wind Rider.

"Caelan, huh? You beat up my men and acted like I didn't exist. I've finally found you!"

Doflamingo's expression was dark.

He'd received the news the day after Bellamy was defeated by Caelan.

Beating Bellamy was already a bold move. Even though Bellamy was just a fringe member, he wasn't someone just anyone could lay hands on.

What made Doflamingo even angrier was that Caelan had publicly made provocative gestures in Mock Town.

It was a blatant slap in the face, and Doflamingo couldn't tolerate it.

"You got lucky last time and escaped to Skypiea, but not this time."

Just thinking about it made his blood boil.

Caelan had beaten his men and vanished, only to reappear with a ton of Berries in hand.

But Caelan's luck had run its course.

Once he caught him, Doflamingo would not only reassert his dominance but also take that money for himself.

"You beat Crocodile and now think you're hot stuff? How naive."

Doflamingo looked at the approaching Wind Rider, a savage smile spreading across his face.

He was Donquixote Doflamingo, Heavenly Yaksha!

A master of all three Haki types, with a Devil Fruit ability nearing full awakening. Even Kaido, one of the Four Emperors, had dealings with him.

In terms of strength and status, Crocodile wasn't even in the same league.

Dealing with Caelan would be as easy as breathing.

(To be continued.)