Chapter 50: Sudden Enlightenment, Observation Haki [First Update]

"Prophecy, eh? I'll have one of my own someday." Shu Mingyuan spoke calmly. In the world of the Fire Shadow, there exists the concept of Sage Mode—a state achieved when the natural energy and one's own energy blend perfectly, producing a new kind of power. In this mode, one's perception and abilities soar to new heights.

The Great Toad Sage is the epitome of Sage Mode; his prophecies transcend time itself. Yet, mastering Sage Mode is fraught with difficulty. To initially enter such a state, one must spend much time sensing the energies, and to instantly access Sage Mode, like Hashirama Senju, he still had a long road ahead. So, for now, Observation Haki was his best option.

Observation Haki differs from Armament Haki, which manifests in tangible ways—things you can see, touch, and feel. Observation Haki is more ethereal, a sense that merges with the environment, a realization that cannot be discerned by the Sharingan but must be experienced personally.

John Stephen watched this enigmatic man, his expression uncertain, before finally biting his lip and speaking: "I'll teach you, but you must promise to help me escape."

Shu Mingyuan lifted his eyelids to look at him. "Don’t be too greedy. Observation Haki isn’t some profound knowledge. Many in the second half of the Grand Line have mastered it. I may not know it yet, but that doesn’t mean I never will. You think a mere Observation Haki is enough to buy your freedom? Do you overestimate your own importance, or underestimate the defenses of Impel Down?"

"But my ability can turn misfortune into luck! Breaking out is not impossible!" John Stephen replied in a deep voice.

Shu Mingyuan scoffed, "If your ability were so strong, would you have been captured out there? Impel Down’s defenses are impenetrable, with Magellan and Shiryu of the Rain guarding it. Against absolute power, any scheming is useless. I can promise not to kill you, but whether you escape is not my concern."

"Of course, you can choose not to speak. I’ll just kill you now. Your ability is strong, but only in support. As for your own strength..." Shu Mingyuan paused deliberately, giving him time to consider.

After ten seconds, John Stephen gave a bitter smile. "You’re right. I was too greedy."

He hesitated, then looked warily at Shu Mingyuan. "Remember your promise. You must not kill me!"

"Naturally."

"The first time Observation Haki appeared, it was quite inexplicable. It happened not long after I ate the Devil Fruit—I just awakened this power. The sky was blue, the wind gentle, the sea calm. I felt as if I could sense the breathing of fish beneath the waves, and hear the voices of the crew."

"If I had to use a word for it... it would be 'ethereal.' In that state, I could track everything within ten meters, feeling as if the whole world was at my disposal."

"That’s all I can offer in terms of experience, since I didn’t acquire Observation Haki through my own strength."

John Stephen’s face showed some embarrassment, perhaps realizing his advice barely qualified as experience—any ordinary person could make up such tales. He watched Shu Mingyuan nervously, afraid he might go back on his word and kill him in a fit of anger.

Shu Mingyuan lowered his head and pondered John Stephen’s words for a long time before murmuring, "Ethereal, huh? It’s quite a fitting description."

"One sentence for a life—you're a shrewd trader," Shu Mingyuan said coolly.

Then, he slowly closed his eyes. In theory, he should already possess Observation Haki, but nothing had happened yet. Only after hearing Stephen’s words did he realize something.

Since arriving in this world, he had been constantly fighting, relying on the system to exchange for various ninja arts to increase his strength. Only upon reaching the Frozen Hell had he begun to truly contemplate, not just act.

"What is power?"

"What is freedom?"

"What does it mean to see, to hear, to feel?"

...

With his eyes closed, he thought of many things. He no longer used his eyes to observe the world; instead, he let his aura—his spirit—expand outward. His senses sharpened, his consciousness seemed to drift far away, vaguely perceiving many things.

Shu Mingyuan felt that everything around him had come to a standstill, leaving only himself in the world. The tentacles of his mind could touch every corner of existence—this was mountain, this was river, this was the vast sky, this was the boundless sea...

He seemed to have grasped something, entering a wondrous realm. Whether it counted as enlightenment, he did not know, but regarding the concept Stephen described, his mind suddenly became clear.

This was the ethereal state!

In this state, all his senses became extraordinarily acute!

John Stephen stared in awe at the young man before him. As a user of the Prophecy Fruit and a master of Observation Haki, he naturally sensed the transformation in Shu Mingyuan’s state.

He had entered an incredibly mysterious realm, attuning himself to his surroundings. Stephen had not expected that simply describing his experience would allow this youth to instantly access that enigmatic state.

Such comprehension—was he truly human and not a monster?

Shu Mingyuan stood motionless, remaining in this state for a while. John Stephen watched quietly, not daring to disturb him, knowing that such a state was rare and, if interrupted, might not be achieved again for years.

He also wanted to see whether this youth could truly comprehend Observation Haki through his own strength.

Nearby, in the vast forest beside the prison, numerous military wolves watched Shu Mingyuan intently. The alpha wolf, in particular, had sensed grave danger after the human had slain over thirty wolves with a single move. So, after leading the pack to retreat, it stayed, monitoring him. As a wolf, its patience far exceeded other creatures. Earlier, the human was breathing, but now he stood motionless, his presence barely detectable—except for his scent.

The wolf crept closer, its snow-white fur blending perfectly with the snowstorm. Within five meters, if the human remained oblivious, it could kill him in a single strike!

John Stephen clearly saw the alpha wolf approaching, but Shu Mingyuan was in a state of enlightenment; he dared not speak for fear of breaking the moment and ruining everything. Yet the wolf...

Five meters, four, three...

Shu Mingyuan had not awakened. The alpha wolf, concealing its breath, leapt powerfully toward him—at this distance, escape was impossible!

Yet at that instant, a cold voice rang out.

"Trying to ambush me while I’m in the midst of enlightenment? Aren’t you clever. If you’re so intent on dying, then die you shall."

In the next moment, the sound of Chidori echoed, and a ten-meter-long spear stabbed casually behind him.

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Thanks to: Brother, the old Chinese medicine doctor specializing in boasting, xm, Chang Chao, Divine Emperor Shitian, Reader 119**, The Persistence of Life, Seventh Master, Burial, Cannot Forget Cannot Remember, Don’t Know, Nine Regrets' Rabbit, Silence, Guan Wei’s tickets!

xm has also become the first helm master of "Strongest Pirate Hunter"! Thank you very much!