Chapter 13: The Power of Talent

Lucas: "Roger, I have to say, your physical training and Marksmanship are too poor. One is at the intermediate level, and the other is even at the basic level. You're the Pirate King, how can you have weaknesses?"

Pirate King Roger: "That's normal! I prefer to use a sword in battle, not my fists. As for shooting... I've barely touched a gun in my life, I only know the basics."

Whitebeard: "Human energy is limited, and all-round development only exists in fantasy. In reality, it's enough to specialize in a certain ability. Too many skills are useless."

Golden Lion Shiki: "That's right! Even if you dedicate your entire life to training in a single skill, you might not reach its peak. Let alone dividing your focus among multiple disciplines."

Roger explained, and Whitebeard and Shiki chimed in. They had no choice—they also had low-level skills and didn't want to be looked down upon.

Golden Lion Shiki: "To be honest, some of the most powerful pirates in the world haven't even mastered all three types of Haki. Why? Because training isn't the goal of life—survival is. For many people, training is just a means to live longer."

Pirate King Roger: "For me, whether it's Haki or swordsmanship, they're just tools to help me fulfill my ambitions. I don't need to be the best at everything. If I have extra time, I'd rather spend it doing something enjoyable—like holding a party."

Whitebeard: "To be honest, I don't think I've ever trained seriously. I just kept fighting on the seas, and after every battle, I became stronger without even realizing it."

Golden Lion Shiki: "Same here."

Pirate King Roger: "Me too."

Fisher Tiger: "Are you all monsters?"

Fisher Tiger couldn't help but complain. The gap between them and ordinary people was too big—it was downright discouraging.

Lucas: "Maybe this is the power of talent. Tiger, what's your talent level?"

Fisher Tiger: "Intermediate."

Pirate King Roger: "Haha! I'm advanced! But what does this 'hidden' label mean?"

Lucas: "Hidden talents need to be gradually unlocked. Meanwhile, monsters like Charlotte Linlin and Kaido—who were born with overwhelming strength—have their talents explicitly displayed from the start."

Pirate King Roger: "I see!"

"Ding! Pirate King Roger has sent an exclusive red envelope [Conqueror's Haki – Top Level] to group leader Lucas!"

Roger sent a red envelope, and Lucas accepted it without hesitation. Immediately, a new energy surged through his mind, and he felt an invisible power within him.

Curious, he tried using it. The newspaper in front of him suddenly floated into the air.

Fisher Tiger: "Is this the power of top-level Conqueror's Haki? Incredible!"

Golden Lion Shiki: "Hmph! It's only effective against weaklings. Even if it's at the top level, it's useless against true powerhouses."

Lucas: "Nonsense! Conqueror's Haki is the most practical of the three types of Haki. It's the main reason top pirates can compete with the Marine. Without it, the Marines' sheer numbers would overwhelm them."

Pirate King Roger: "You're right! If the Battle of Edd War had taken place on land instead of at sea, I would have used my Conqueror's Haki to crush them. What's the use of numbers when I can wipe them out in a single move?"

Lucas: "This ability consumes a lot of energy. I feel a little dizzy. Does anyone have a way to fix this?"

Pirate King Roger: "Hmm… I can't send you my physical strength, but what about talent?"

"Ding! Pirate King Roger has sent an exclusive red envelope [Talent – Advanced, Hidden] to group leader Lucas!"

Lucas accepted the red envelope, and his dizziness immediately faded.

Lucas: "I recover quickly and grow stronger fast… This is the power of hidden talent! I may not have been born strong, but it's going to be easy to become strong now."

"Ding! Pirate King Roger has sent an exclusive red envelope [Swordsmanship – Advanced] to group leader Lucas!"

Golden Lion Shiki: "Damn it! Roger, why are you suddenly so generous?"

Pirate King Roger: "Hahaha! What's the point of keeping these? I can't use them anymore, but if I give them to Lucas, he can help me fulfill my wish."

Lucas: "Exactly! These abilities will help me grow stronger and take down Blackbeard. @Whitebeard, don't you have anything to say? If you don't give me anything, I might just stop caring about the fate of the Whitebeard Pirates."

"Ding! Fire Fist Ace has sent an exclusive red envelope [Flame-Flame Fruit – Intermediate] to group leader Lucas!"

Fisher Tiger: "Flame-Flame Fruit – Intermediate? What does that mean? As far as I know, the Flame-Flame Fruit is an incredibly rare Logia-type Devil Fruit. How can it be only intermediate?"

Golden Lion Shiki: "That's not surprising! While Logia fruits are considered the strongest of the three types, not all Logia fruits are equal. My Float-Float Fruit and Whitebeard's Tremor-Tremor Fruit are both Paramecia, but who dares say they're not powerful?"

Fire Fist Ace: "The Flame-Flame Fruit is weak against Akainu's Magma Fruit. Maybe that's why it's only intermediate?"

Lucas: "No, you're misunderstanding. The intermediate rating isn't about the strength of the Devil Fruit itself—it's about your level of mastery over it."

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