Wang Shi felt the faint aura on the Straw Hat.
He guessed that something about his body or aura must have triggered the remnants of Haoshoku in the Straw Hat.
Or perhaps there was something special about his Conqueror's Haki and conviction that allowed him to sense Roger's Haoshoku.
Otherwise, how could Garp and Straw Hat Luffy, who had been with the Straw Hat for so many years, not have discovered its uniqueness?
Even Roger’s own sons, Ace and Sabo, had handled Luffy’s Straw Hat.
But none of them had triggered anything from this special Straw Hat.
“Haoshoku storage? Or is it like Armament Haki nourishing a black blade, can Haoshoku also nourish items?”
Wang Shi didn’t know if Roger had truly mastered the technique of Haoshoku storage.
Or was it simply due to prolonged wear, with Haoshoku gradually accumulating over time?
Also, why was Red Hair Shanks so determined to give the Straw Hat Roger had given him to Luffy? Was it because of the Sun God Nika fruit?
Or was it some inheritance or a specific trigger that made Red Hair Shanks so certain?
Could it be that the Straw Hat itself recognized Luffy, combined with the Sun God Nika fruit choosing its master, a double affirmation that made Shanks firmly choose Luffy?
Betting all hope and the future on Luffy.
Silvers Rayleigh had also said meaningfully that Luffy was very suitable for the Straw Hat.
He thought of Imu also collecting a giant Straw Hat.
Roger, being a member of the D. clan and an awakened Observation Haki user who could hear the Voice of All Things, must have known certain special information long ago.
That’s why he went to sea, to search for the poneglyph, land on the final island, and turn this world upside down.
“What secrets do you truly hold?”
Wang Shi held the Straw Hat, ignoring Luffy’s shouts, and his unpracticed Conqueror's Haki covered the Straw Hat.
Instantly.
Wang Shi felt the whole world quiet down.
His mind exploded with a roar, his pupils dilated and then refocused, and the hairs on his body stood on end.
He ‘saw’ blurred auras and ‘heard’ countless voices...
“Give me back my Straw Hat!”
Just then, Luffy’s rubber hand snatched the Straw Hat from Wang Shi’s dazed grasp.
As the Straw Hat left his hand, Wang Shi’s mind suddenly returned.
The next moment, Wang Shi panted heavily, his whole body trembling as he propped himself up with his hands on the ground, cold sweat dripping to the floor.
Nojiko and Kaya, standing nearby, quickly went to help Wang Shi up, scared.
“This is, this is...”
“Hahahahaha!!!”
Wang Shi suddenly burst into unrestrained laughter, his laughter incredibly hearty, making everyone’s expressions extremely strange.
Meanwhile, Garp watched Wang Shi with a grave expression.
How could he feel a familiar sensation from Wang Shi?
He looked down at the wildly struggling Luffy, his large hand pressing on the Straw Hat Luffy had just put back on his head.
He carefully examined it.
There was nothing special about it.
Actually, Garp had known for a long time that this Straw Hat belonged to Roger and Shanks.
Could there be something special about this Straw Hat?
Garp secretly used Conqueror's Haki, Observation Haki, and even Armament Haki to test it again and again.
But there was still no reaction or anything special.
“Roger, what other tricks do you have up your sleeve?”
Garp couldn’t find anything, but seeing Wang Shi’s reaction, this Straw Hat definitely had something to it.
...
“Your Majesty, what’s wrong?”
Kaya asked Wang Shi worriedly, her hands constantly checking for his injuries.
“Hahaha, I just awakened Observation Haki.”
Wang Shi sat back down, the smile on his face impossible to suppress.
The Monkey D. family was indeed a fated family; interacting with them brought immense benefits.
Encountering Monkey D. Dragon, Dragon’s killing intent and pressure allowed Wang Shi to awaken Conqueror's Haki.
Meeting Monkey D. Luffy, his Straw Hat allowed Wang Shi to awaken Observation Haki, and it was a very special Observation Haki that could hear the Voice of All Things, even greatly enhancing his control over Haoshoku.
Today, being pummeled by Monkey D. Garp, besides learning to control Haoshoku, his Armament Haki was almost beaten out of him by Garp.
Could the Monkey D. family truly be his lucky stars?
Or was it that the Monkey D. family’s profound destiny was forcibly latched onto, or usurped, by Wang Shi, the transmigrator?
...
“Consider yourself lucky.”
Garp casually threw Luffy aside, his Observation Haki sweeping over Wang Shi.
This suddenly rising Goa Emperor was full of strangeness and inexplicability.
What did he gain from Roger’s Straw Hat?
“I hope for more guidance tomorrow, Vice Admiral Garp.”
Wang Shi’s lips curled into a slight smile, continuing to be fed by Nojiko, watching Garp fearlessly, allowing Garp’s probing.
“Hmph.”
Garp turned his head away, continuing to pick his nose.
However, he had already changed his impression of Wang Shi significantly.
This guy would definitely be a prominent figure in the future.
“Get back to the mountain!”
Garp saw Luffy still stealing food, rushed over, and kicked him flying, leaving behind a scream.
For some reason, Garp didn't want Luffy to have too much contact with Wang Shi.
Because the way Wang Shi looked at Luffy had a strange, knowing quality.
The banquet ended with the Windmill Village villagers cleaning up.
...
In the following days.
Wang Shi and the others were subjected to daily torment and instruction from Garp and the Marine contingent.
During this time, Zeff and Sanji came to help with cooking, and the delicious food made Straw Hat Luffy run down from the mountain every day to freeload food and drinks, watching Wang Shi and the others get beaten, which he found very amusing.
Garp didn’t know how many times he had beaten Straw Hat Luffy, but Luffy remained unwearied.
Sanji also had his first meeting with Straw Hat Luffy.
Wang Shi even arranged for him to learn Moonwalk and Soru from a Marine Captain.
Anyway, the debt Dragon owed, Garp simply couldn’t repay.
Garp could only arrange for his subordinates to teach with all their might.
Anyway, once Germa 66 arrived in the East Blue, their mission would be complete.
A few days later, Wang Shi, having been beaten by Garp, was on the verge of awakening Armament Haki.
This method of being beaten was indeed effective.
“Wang Shi, you brat, if you still can’t awaken it, this old man will smash your emperor dream with one punch!”
Garp swung his fist towards Wang Shi’s head with murderous intent, his ferocious aura showing no sign of holding back.
“This is the feeling of almost dying!”
Wang Shi shouted excitedly, feeling the same sense of crisis and death he had almost experienced when Dragon nearly killed him that day.
A powerful force gathered in his arms, forcefully blocking Garp’s Iron Fist.
Of course, at the last moment, Garp, who had seemed intent on killing, held back a little, to avoid truly killing Wang Shi.
However, even with Garp holding back, Wang Shi was still sent flying, crashing into a giant crater.
Wang Shi gasped for breath in the deep pit, a trace of blood overflowing from his mouth and nose.
“As expected of Iron Fist Garp, his fists are as hard as death!”
Wang Shi was in pain all over, covered in injuries, but the corners of his mouth turned upward.
He had finally awakened Armament Haki.
Although it was only the most basic coating, as long as he had a good start, it would be much simpler later.
The Goa Empire’s medical team quickly ran to rescue and treat Wang Shi.
During the treatment, a message came from the Goa Imperial Capital.
The commercial fleet of the Allied Nation Dressrosa had arrived in the Goa Empire to discuss business with Wang Shi.
They could even offer some help to the Goa Empire in dealing with the Germa 66 Evil Corps from the North Blue!
...