"Haki is for the future, at least until you and Kaguya improve your physical fitness, Devil Fruit abilities, and mastery of the Six Styles. Otherwise, there are too many things you haven't mastered yet, and you won't be able to handle what comes next."
"After all, it's only been a month since Kaguya obtained her Devil Fruit. And for you, Hayasaka, it's been less than half a month since you got yours. Right now, you and Kaguya shouldn't pursue power too aggressively."
The power system in One Piece mainly revolves around Devil Fruits, the Six Styles, swordsmanship, and Haki.
Upon careful analysis, the overall structure of the power system isn't particularly deep, but its capabilities can still reach very high levels.
These four categories of abilities can all be deeply cultivated. As long as one or more of them are pushed to the limit, that strength is enough to stand out at sea.
That's why Ren was confident that for now, what Hayasaka and Kaguya needed was to train their physical fitness, start learning the Six Styles, master their Devil Fruit abilities, and, after accumulating a solid foundation, move toward developing Haki.
"In that case, can Miss Kaguya and I accumulate draws?"
"Yes, that's right."
Hayasaka nodded slightly. She understood now that the direction for her and Kaguya's future efforts would be strengthening themselves step by step.
Devil Fruit abilities and the Six Styles required training. Physical strength could be enhanced by gradually consuming Sea King meat, thereby expanding their combat options.
While developing themselves, they could also accumulate draws, allowing them to earn greater rewards later and further enrich their methods.
It was a positive feedback loop.
Seeing that Hayasaka understood, Ren continued the discussion on rewards.
"Also, this diary is mostly based on my personal experiences. You weren't involved, so the rewards you get won't be substantial. Even if there's a draw, it's unlikely you'll get something valuable. It might even be useless."
Hayasaka nodded.
Everyone already understood how the diary's reward system worked. The key was how much participation one had in the events within the diary.
Only with significant involvement could one earn better rewards.
Even if the level of involvement was low, it was still possible to increase the quality of rewards by accumulating more draws.
Compared to pointless rewards, saving up for better ones was the smarter approach.
After addressing Hayasaka's curiosity, Ren returned to the main point.
"Besides the lottery?"
"Yes."
Hayasaka lowered her head slightly and leaned closer, resting her head on Ren's shoulder.
"Because of how you treated Miss Sonoko and Miss Kaguya today…. As your maid, perhaps I shouldn't ask this, but Master, do I have the right too?"
Ren was briefly stunned, but once his slow-processing mind caught up, he immediately wrapped his arms around Hayasaka, who was leaning against him.
"Of course."
Hearing that, Hayasaka smiled gently, then lifted her head a little, eyes filled with anticipation.
"Then, Master, do you want to... exercise?"
"…Can I?"
No one disturbed the quiet night.
The lovely maid, with the heart of someone willing to cross the line, began exercising her rights alongside her master.
As the sun rose on the horizon, it pulled back the curtain of night, pushing away the darkness and ushering in a new light.
The chirping of birds and insects in the mountains and fields offered warm morning greetings to those slowly waking from their dreams.
However, this morning, the sun had barely lifted the night curtain when it was quickly obscured by clouds. The entire sky turned gloomy, as if a downpour was approaching.
This further delayed...
"Hmm~"
Early in the morning, Kaguya woke from her sleep.
The moment she opened her eyes, she subconsciously reacted.
"Hayasaka…"
She called for her maid.
After a long silence, still hearing no response, Kaguya slowly opened her eyes.
Hm? A strange ceiling.
Her hazy mind gradually began to clear.
"Ah, right. I stayed at the hot spring hotel last night. Hayasaka's in the next room."
Yawning, Kaguya sat up in bed.
"Hayasaka is waking up later than usual today. Hmm, is it because of the hot spring hotel?"
Scratching her messy hair, she climbed out of bed and slipped on her fluffy slippers.
After a quick freshening up in the bathroom, she stepped out and knocked on the door next door.
Knock knock knock!
The door opened shortly after.
Hayasaka appeared, looking groggy and clearly not fully awake.
However, Kaguya felt something odd. Even though Hayasaka looked drowsy, she seemed strangely... energetic.
"Good morning, Miss Kaguya."
Hayasaka yawned as she greeted her, clearly still sleepy.
"Hayasaka, did you stay up late last night?"
Kaguya asked instinctively.
"Yes. I was planning to go to bed early, but then I saw that Ren updated his diary in the middle of the night, so I went to his room to ask about the lottery."
Hayasaka confessed honestly that she had gone to Ren's room the previous night.
"…???"
Kaguya was stunned. She quickly pulled up the diary and checked. Sure enough, the diary had been updated. It even detailed Ren's encounters from the previous night, including meeting certain individuals.
"Huh? Something like this happened last night?"
She had gone to bed early and didn't expect anything to happen.
"Yes, it was really sudden. I didn't want to wake you since you were resting. And Ren needed rest too."
"Right."
Kaguya nodded. Since it happened so unexpectedly and she was already asleep, it made sense that Hayasaka didn't disturb her.
Besides, if it wasn't urgent, they could always discuss it the next day.
"Hayasaka, go wake the others. I'll go wake up Ren."
"Yes."
As Kaguya turned around, Hayasaka finally let out a long sigh of relief.
(To be continued.)
***
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