Chapter 10 – Shadows on the Horizon

The night wind blew fiercely, pushing the sails of the ship docked at Mad Hat's harbor. Meanwhile, Bastien sat on the roof of the weapon shop, gazing at the starry night sky. His mind was still drifting after the conversation with Ben Beckman earlier. Observation Haki. A power he didn't fully understand yet, but his instincts were growing sharper something more than just physical ability or mere luck.

Gerald, who seemed to know more about it, didn't speak much about Haki. However, the old man's gaze often lingered on Bastien with a look full of meaning, as if waiting for something to happen. Like he was waiting for Bastien to find his own path.

Suddenly, the sound of footsteps broke the silence of the night. Bastien turned. Arthur, who had been hiding below, now climbed up to the roof, his eyes full of curiosity.

"So, it's true, huh?" Arthur asked, sitting next to Bastien. "You can... know everything around us? Even before it happens?"

Bastien nodded slowly. "That's what they say. But I still don't understand everything."

Arthur paused, contemplating. "I want to be like that. To have a power that can protect us."

Bastien smiled faintly. "Power doesn't always mean protection, Arthur. Sometimes, it's just a tool for survival."

---

The night grew later, and the Mad Hat harbor grew quiet once again. However, behind the peace, something darker was stirring. In a dilapidated building at the edge of town, Rick Blacknose sat in his dimly lit room, staring at a map spread out on the table. The air around him felt heavy, as if something greater was waiting to be revealed.

A burly man, his face scarred and expression cold, stood before him. "Everything is ready, Mr. Rick. We just need to wait for the right time."

Rick smiled faintly, swirling the wine in his glass. "Good. But we need to stay calm. Bastien de Vill is no ordinary person. There's something different about him, and we can't dismiss that too quickly."

The man nodded and disappeared into the shadows. Rick returned his gaze to the map, his eyes narrowing. There was something compelling about Bastien he was smarter, sharper than Rick had anticipated. Though still young, Bastien held potential that could be useful if properly harnessed. However, if left unchecked, that same potential could become an unpredictable threat.

Suddenly, the door opened. A slender man with long black hair entered quickly. "Mr. Rick," the man said in a low voice. "There's something you need to know."

Rick raised an eyebrow, his attention fully on the man. "What is it?"

"Gerald Lazhar. He's starting to move again. It seems he knows about our plan."

Rick laughed softly, then took a sip of wine from his glass. "Ah, Gerald Lazhar. Always loyal to his past. But this time, we won't let him interfere with our plans."

With a more serious expression, Rick added, "Lazhar knows more than he lets on. We must act quickly."

---

Elsewhere in the city, Bastien and Gerald were talking in the weapon shop's dining room, the atmosphere serious. Gerald looked at Bastien with an intensity rarely seen.

"Bastien," he said softly, "I've seen the way you move. The way you observe your surroundings. Observation Haki isn't something you can learn overnight. It comes from experience, from the ability to sense the intentions of others. You must learn to control it."

Bastien nodded, trying to absorb every word Gerald spoke. "But how? I don't know where to start."

Gerald stood and walked to the window, staring out at the dark night outside. "Training isn't about physical strength. It's about controlling yourself. Becoming more aware of the world around you. Observation Haki is like training a sixth sense. You must be able to listen to more than just sounds."

Bastien looked at Gerald seriously. "Do you think I'm ready?"

Gerald turned around, his face full of attention. "You're not fully ready yet. But you have great potential, Bastien. Don't let it go to waste."

---

The next day, Bastien and Gerald went to the market to buy some supplies for the weapon shop. However, the atmosphere in the market felt different. People seemed more nervous than usual, speaking in hushed tones and whispering to each other. Something felt off in the air.

Bastien felt the tension more than anyone. His eyes caught unusual movements— a man with a black hat standing too long in the corner of the market, while two others seemed to be watching from a distance. Bastien's heart raced. This wasn't a coincidence.

"Gerald," he whispered, "something's not right."

Gerald furrowed his brow, watching the increasingly crowded market. "I know. Don't take any risks. We'll head back to the shop."

However, before they could make a move, a loud noise echoed from the far end of the market. Suddenly, hundreds of people were running in panic, crashing into each other. Bastien pulled Gerald to the side, hiding behind one of the shops.

"What's happening?" Bastien asked, his voice calm but alert.

Gerald didn't answer immediately. His eyes were sharp, observing the chaotic crowd.

"Rick Blacknose," Gerald finally said with a heavy tone. "He's mobilizing his forces. They're going to attack."

Bastien could feel the tension in the air. There was something different about Mad Hat this time, and he knew, this time, they were about to face more than just a regular threat. The coming conflict wouldn't be just about strength this was a test for him and everything he stood for.

---

As the tension grows, Bastien is now caught in a larger conflict between Gerald Lazhar and Rick Blacknose. The Observation Haki that's beginning to awaken will be tested in this battle, and Bastien must learn to control his power if he wants to survive and face the looming danger threatening Mad Hat.