Looking at Darren's unbothered expression—like a "dead pig unafraid of boiling water"—Zephyr's mouth twitched slightly.
He was so used to dealing with normal people that he sometimes forgot just how absurd this brat's physical resilience really was.
But then another thought struck him.
"…Something's not right. With your level of strength, you should've naturally awakened Observation Haki by now."
He rubbed the stubbled edge of his chin, a flicker of doubt flashing in his eyes.
Darren shrugged, a little helpless.
Observation Haki wasn't quite like Armament Haki. It was a power of "listening."
It granted the user the ability to sense the "presence" or "voice" of others—allowing them to detect enemies outside their field of view, anticipate their next movements, even gauge their numbers and positions.
It could also perceive the strength, emotions, and thoughts of living beings, though the precision and range varied from person to person.
And some, with unusual sensitivity, were born with it already awakened.
Among the rare few, some even developed utterly extraordinary powers through Observation Haki.
For instance, Darren remembered from the original history that Queen Otohime of Fishman Island's Ryugu Kingdom could influence people's emotions and thoughts through her enhanced Observation Haki.
Or "Red the Aloof," Patrick Redfield—a legendary pirate who rivaled Roger and Whitebeard alone—who could read thoughts, and even memories, through his own unique variant.
With such powerful abilities in mind, Darren had always longed to awaken Observation Haki.
His magnetic sensing could replicate parts of its function, but it would never compare to the real thing.
Not to mention, when taken to its extreme, Observation Haki could allow one to glimpse even a few seconds into the future.
"Zephyr-sensei, I don't really know why. It's not like I haven't tried. But none of my attempts ever amounted to anything."
Darren frowned, trying to put his feelings into words.
"If I had to describe it… Awakening Armament Haki was natural for me. Like water flowing downhill—it just happened. But Observation Haki feels completely different."
"It's like… like looking up at the sky and finding it completely covered by a thick curtain. You can't see the light. It's all blurred out. Like…"
"…Like being blind," Zephyr suddenly finished for him.
Darren blinked, then his eyes lit up.
"You've seen this before, Zephyr-sensei!?"
Zephyr gave a proud little smirk.
"I've been teaching at this camp for decades. I've trained more outstanding recruits than I can count. Your case is rare, sure—but not unheard of."
Hearing the confidence in Zephyr's voice, Darren couldn't help but grin.
"You truly live up to your title as the Marines' Chief Instructor… Your insight's beyond anything most could imagine."
It was a well-placed bit of flattery, and Zephyr practically beamed, his pores seeming to open with satisfaction.
"Now you know how brilliant I am, eh? If you'd gone to Garp, that old bastard would've just said, 'You just need a good beating' and left it at that."
"So what's your take on it, Zephyr-sensei?"
Darren leaned in eagerly, eyes full of anticipation.
It wasn't even about combat anymore. He just didn't want to go through another awkward situation like the last time.
"What's your honest opinion—why haven't I awakened Observation Haki?"
Meeting Darren's gaze, Zephyr gave a small chuckle.
And then said proudly: "You just need a good beating."
Darren: "…"
Oh, come on. Are you enjoying messing with me, you old bastard?
"Hahaha…"
Zephyr clapped a hand on Darren's shoulder, laughing as the younger man stood there speechless.
"In truth, it's not that different from what Garp said. That bastard may be a brainless brute, and his teaching methods are a mess, but his experience and judgment aren't wrong."
His gaze sharpened, glinting with insight.
"Darren, the reason you haven't awakened Observation Haki is actually quite simple. You just haven't realized it yet."
"To a certain extent, Observation Haki awakens similarly to Conqueror's Haki. It's a reflex—a physical response triggered by intense emotional or survival stress."
Once in teaching mode, Zephyr was calm, clear, and commanding. A truly excellent instructor—precise, patient, and sharp.
"A lot of people awaken it in moments of crisis, when danger's breathing down their neck—so long as their training has laid the foundation."
"But you… your body is so ridiculously tough that you've lost all sensitivity to danger."
"Add in the fact that your Devil Fruit can simulate some of the same effects… and there's simply no pressure for your instincts to react. That's why you haven't awakened it."
"Use it or lose it. That's not just nature's rule—it applies to us humans too. Do you understand now?"
Darren's brow furrowed, thoughtful.
"So that's how it is…"
He paused, then asked:
"Then what should I do, Zephyr-sensei?"
Zephyr chuckled.
"Wait here a moment."
With a flash of Soru, his figure vanished.
Ten seconds later, he reappeared before Darren—this time holding a pair of deep blue-black shackles in his hand.
"What's that…?"
Darren blinked.
"These are Seastone cuffs," Zephyr explained, eyes glinting. "They suppress and even nullify the abilities of Devil Fruit users. With these, your magnetic sense will be sealed."
He smiled confidently.
"This will limit your abilities, drain your stamina, and make you physically weaker. Once your instincts are exposed to real pressure without your powers to rely on, you'll be forced to develop the strength lying dormant within you. Your chances of awakening Observation Haki will increase dramatically."
"But Zephyr-sensei… these Seastone cuffs, actually—"
Darren began to speak, but Zephyr waved him off.
"Enough talk. Put them on."
"…Alright." Darren took the cuffs and locked them around his wrists himself.
"You shouldn't even be able to stand right now, should you? Hahaha… Come on! Hit me with a punch—let me see how much you've got left!"
Zephyr grinned, arms wide in challenge.
"Zephyr-sensei, are you sure? I actually—" Darren hesitated again.
"Stop being such a damn wimp!"
Zephyr snapped.
"Just hit me—wait, what the—?!"
BAM!
Darren's heavy punch slammed into Zephyr's gut like a sledgehammer.
The old man's face froze on the spot.
---
To be continued…