Chapter 66: Hidden Value

Regarding that name, it was the wound Saul least wished to uncover.

Whenever he thought of it or heard it mentioned, there was always a sensation as if his heart were about to seize.

Yet since Maud pressed the question, Saul, not one to shroud things in secrecy, spoke the name directly.

"Monkey D. Garp."

...

Upon hearing this unexpected name, Maud showed little reaction.

When he had first entered this weapons shop, he thought it was nothing more than a shady establishment.

Shanks’ sudden visit had caught him off guard. At that time, Shanks was a figure so formidable, a mere sneeze from him could kill Maud.

But such a being had traversed the winding streets to come specifically to this shop, standing before Maud.

From then on, Maud felt that even if Saul was somehow connected to the Pirate King Roger, it was no longer a matter of great consequence.

In fact, he had harbored such suspicions, though he lacked any real interest and had never sought to probe Saul’s secrets.

So now, upon hearing that Saul had ties to the Navy hero Garp, he found it unsurprising.

"I’ve heard that name. It’s said he’s a legendary figure in the Navy."

Maud believed that, given the original owner of his body, knowing of Garp’s reputation was hardly strange.

The name Garp was enough to make Saul grind his teeth.

Yet when Maud referred to Garp as a legend, Saul didn’t grow angry.

For Saul would not deny any facts.

Speaking purely objectively, even though Saul very much wished to fill Garp’s throat with a hundred lead bullets, he had to acknowledge that Garp was indeed a legend upon the seas.

"Enough. From now on, I don’t want to hear that name again."

Saul cast Maud a warning glance.

Then, he steered the conversation back to Usopp.

He placed his hand upon Usopp’s gun, whose signs of age were unusually prominent.

"In any case, you’ll use this gun for now. Come to think of it, I ought to thank Yasopp for giving it to you."

"What do you mean, ‘gave’? I won it fair and square."

"You fool. If Yasopp hadn’t cared for my sake, do you think you’d ever have laid hands on this gun?"

"Yes, yes, you’re absolutely right."

Maud had initially protested, for he had indeed earned the gun through his own skill.

But soon after, he realized Saul’s logic was sound.

Without Saul’s connection, someone like Shanks or Yasopp would scarcely spare him a glance.

Saul had no desire to spar verbally with Maud. He gripped Usopp’s handle and lifted the gun.

"Listen carefully, Maud."

"Hmm?"

Maud sensed Saul was about to impart some wisdom, and his manner grew serious.

"Human beings possess a latent power called Haki. It must be cultivated or guided to awaken."

"There are two types of Haki: Armament Haki and Observation Haki."

"This old gun’s ‘special feel’ is actually the residue left from exposure to Haki over many years."

Saul suddenly introduced the concept of Haki, yet withheld mention of the third type—Conqueror’s Haki.

He felt that given Maud’s nature, the chance Maud possessed Conqueror’s Haki was pitifully low.

Thus, at this stage, he didn’t wish to discuss it, intending instead to bring it up only after Maud had mastered Armament and Observation Haki.

Besides, he wasn’t about to teach Maud Haki—he merely wanted to plant the seed of its existence in Maud’s mind.

However, Saul had no inkling that Maud was a traveler from another world.

Even so, Maud would never recklessly announce his knowledge of Conqueror’s Haki, nor would he treat Saul’s words lightly.

No matter the value of Saul’s lessons, Maud would listen with utmost seriousness.

Saul, unaware of Maud’s thoughts, continued to explain the concept of Haki.

"Armament Haki is still far off for you, but Observation Haki is something you should understand now."

"Observation Haki is the power to intensely sense the presence of others."

"Once mastered, you can detect enemies beyond your line of sight, gauge their number and position, and even foresee their actions. You know well how vital foresight is to a gunman."

"And you, you have the aptitude for it."

At these words, Saul suddenly raised the gun’s muzzle ever so slightly and released a thread of killing intent directed at Maud.

The lift was minor, and the murderous aura faint.

Yet Maud, as if violently jolted, darted several meters back and crouched, deliberately avoiding the pointed muzzle.

In that fleeting instant, Maud had not actually seen the gun aimed at him.

His decision to evade was prompted by Saul’s body language, which led him to anticipate the threat.

That hint of killing intent had sharpened his senses.

Once he realized what had happened, Maud’s expression grew somewhat awkward.

Saul regarded Maud’s exaggerated reaction, but his eyes held no trace of mockery—only a spirited gleam.

"Maud, some people, even without knowledge of Haki, will unconsciously awaken its power due to environment, experience, or talent. Your aptitude in this regard is so high it makes me jealous."

...

Maud fell silent.

He wished to say it was actually the result of the ‘Heart Listening’ technique he’d practiced.

Upon reflection, ‘Heart Listening’ and Observation Haki seemed to share the same sensory nature, working on similar principles.

No wonder Saul thought he was gifted.

Suddenly, Saul tossed Usopp’s gun to Maud.

Maud caught it hurriedly.

Saul spoke calmly, "You possess a latent value worth my utmost effort to uncover, but meals must be eaten one bite at a time, and I have plenty of time. So let’s take it slow."

Maud nodded in silence.

At this moment, he felt Saul’s sincere attention.

During the time he’d spent in this world, the weapons shop was no longer just a temporary shelter as he’d once believed.

The people within were no longer mere passing strangers.

He owed them a debt of gratitude.

To repay it with action was something he would absolutely fulfill in the future.

...

The next day.

After breakfast, Saul headed out for morning training in the Flower Street, a place he hadn’t visited for two months.

Maud found it exasperating.

But it also meant his confinement was lifted.

Having endured it for so long, Maud left the shop almost immediately after Saul’s departure.

His destination, naturally, was the Nightfall Bar.

Maud had been cut off from the world for two months and urgently needed to learn about the current state of Mad Hat Town.

The Nightfall Bar would help him solve this problem.