82 Observation Armament Haki Training Method

Since Seijuro Meow swordsmanship was derived from Hunter techniques, there wasn't much of a learning curve for Sherwin. And truth be told, the only truly useful techniques in the Feline Sword Style were the two secret arts: Nine Lives Cat Flash and Soaring Cat Flash.

If he recalled correctly, in the manga, the Soaring Dragon Flash required one to defeat the previous generation Hiko Seijuro by breaking through the Nine-Headed Dragon Flash in order to learn it. That was why the Flying Sword Style had always been a technique passed down to only one successor.

But that situation didn't apply at all to Sherwin world. Not only was the Feline Sword Style a variant of the Monster Hunter Style, but the existence of Armament Haki alone was enough to solve the problem of "the previous generation dying at the hands of the next."

As for the manga claim that one could only learn the Soaring Dragon Flash in a life-or-death scenario… it sounded more like a plot device meant to make the move look cooler.

In any case, Sherwin managed to learn both techniques after just about ten practice sessions.

So, even if he couldn't compare to super-geniuses like Seijuro Meow or Klee Meow… he could still be considered quite talented, right?

Beaten down by the cats, Sherwin could only comfort himself with such little victories.

After finishing their training in the Feline Sword Style, Sherwin and the others didn't rush to leave.

After watching his sparring match with Seijuro Meow, Klee Meow also became motivated to "work hard," and pulled out a whole pile of newly purchased materials from her little backpack—stuff she'd bought back in Loguetown—and began her new bomb development experiments.

"Sigh… at this rate, this poor deserted island gonna lose at least a third of its landmass..." Sherwin sighed helplessly, then quickly turned to the two Felynes.

"Sanji, move our ship farther away. Seijuro, if you're interested in awakening Observation Haki, you can stay here with me… it going to be a wild ride."

Seijuro Meow had already heard about Sherwin Observation Haki training sessions, so he knew exactly what Sherwin meant.

Besides, as a samurai, there was no way he could leave his lord to face danger alone and run off himself.

Without hesitation, he replied, "I'll stay, meow!"

So Sherwin and Seijuro Meow sat to the left and right behind Klee Meow. The little ragdoll hummed a tune she must've picked up from who knows where, her head bobbing as she cheerfully mixed various explosive ingredients, occasionally tossing out a half-finished product to test its explosive power.

In no time at all, the deserted island they were on was blasted into a cratered wasteland by Klee Meow—its surface now resembling the moon.

And that was just the beginning. As Klee Meow began to finalize her formulas, the little ragdoll started increasing the amount of explosives...

"Uh-oh..."

As expected, Klee Meow experiment went awry once again.

She casually tossed the smoking, fuming boom-boom in her hand far into the distance, then quickly stuffed all her nearby materials and tools back into her little backpack. Only after that did she turn and dash toward Sherwin.

As she ran, she cheerfully shouted, "Sherwin-nii, Klee in trouble again, meow~"

Yep. In Klee Meow eyes, this had already become one of her and Sherwin little games of affection.

On the other side, Seijuro Meow—his fur completely puffed up—was also running toward Sherwin. But unlike Klee Meow, he wasn't seeking shelter. As a samurai, he was determined to place himself between his lord and danger.

Even though Seijuro Meow jet-black fur made it hard to tell, Sherwin could sense that he was doing his best to coat himself in Armament Haki.

Unfortunately, having just recently learned it, Seijuro Meow didn't have enough Haki reserves—he could only barely cover both arms. The Haki started to fade as it reached his shoulders.

Sherwin let out a helpless sigh, then opened his arms and caught both of the charging cats in a hug.

At the same time, he smoothly turned and crouched down, shielding the two Felynes in his arms while concentrating all his Armament Haki onto his back.

Cuddled tightly in Sherwin arms, Klee Meow giggled as she rubbed her little head affectionately against him.

At the same time, she stretched out her tiny paw and made a gripping gesture toward the direction of the explosion.

"Boom—!"

The bomb, unsurprisingly, exploded. But the moment the firelight flared up, Klee Meow quickly contained it with her ability.

Only the shockwave from the blast and a spray of rubble came hurtling toward Sherwin, which he blocked—well, not exactly easily—with his Armament Haki.

Klee Meow bombs… their power has increased again…

Feeling the massive force hitting his back and the rapid drain of his Armament Haki, Sherwin sighed inwardly and looked into the distance with emotion.

To be honest, he was starting to feel like he might not need to do what Chinjao had suggested—finding a rival of equal strength and going all out in battle.

Just standing here taking hits from Klee Meow bombs might be enough to push his Armament Haki to a new level.

He shook his head, dust falling from his hair, then turned around—

Sure enough, a large section of this unfortunate deserted island had been blown away. Seawater from outside rushed in, and in the blink of an eye, a small lake had formed.

Both Sherwin and Klee Meow were already used to this kind of scene. They calmly brushed off the dust on themselves. But for Seijuro Meow, who was witnessing Klee Meow explosive testing for the first time, his mouth hung slightly open—wanting to say something but unable to find the words.

It took him quite a while before he finally blurted out dryly, "Lord Sherwin, please don't risk yourself like that again, meow!"

"Come on~ how is this a risk? It just me and Klee playing a little game," Sherwin waved it off without a care.

As he helped Seijuro Meow dust himself off, he continued, "Besides, didn't I already tell you? Once we enter the Grand Line, we'll definitely run into some tough enemies.

Some of them might be just as dangerous as the Elder Dragons, if not more. So there no running from it—we've got to get stronger."

"Please rest assured, Lord Sherwin. I will train diligently, meow!"

With someone like Seijuro Meow—rigid, responsible, and outrageously gifted—Sherwin never had to worry about his safety or strength. At this rate, Seijuro Meow might even surpass him before long…

Unlike that idiot Sanji Meow, who still hadn't learned Armament Haki.

He slacked off during training, never pushed himself, and needed Sherwin to constantly provoke him using the Beautiful big sister Felyne or the Catfur Tribe big sister just to get motivated… What he going to do once they get into the Grand Line?!

As for Klee Meow?So what if kids like to play a little?! Besides, can Sanji Meow—that little idiot—really compare to Klee Meow talent? Not to mention, she got a Logia-type Devil Fruit to protect her.

After casually playing favorites between his own Felynes, Sherwin patted Seijuro Meow on the head and said, "Good, full of spirit! Now let continue!"

"Meow?!" Seijuro Meow jumped in surprise. "C-Continue?!"

"Of course. You didn't think Klee experiment was over that easily, did you?" Sherwin flashed a row of white teeth.

"To help you awaken Observation Haki faster and train your Armament Haki, I'm not going to protect you anymore. Whether you want to hide behind me or not is up to you.

But one thing you can rest assured about—Klee will contain the fire from the explosions, so you don't need to worry about your fur getting scorched bald…"

Worried that Seijuro Meow might push himself too hard just to get stronger, Sherwin added, "Of course, don't overdo it either. You've seen it yourself—this level of bomb still can't hurt me. When it time to hide behind me, don't hesitate."

"I understand, meow! Please don't worry, Lord Sherwin. Preserving one strength to continue serving one lord is also part of a samurai code, meow!" Seijuro Meow replied with his usual seriousness.

Then, having long grown impatient, Klee Meow eagerly began a new round of experiments…

"Big brother Sherwin, the bomb gonna blow again, meow!"

(=`=)

"BOOM——!!!"