Chapter Thirty-Eight: Who Is Teaching Whom?

Weakness?

Although he had technically lost to Shanks, Chu Yi felt a vague sense of disappointment. However, as he listened to Rayleigh’s words, even in his slightly dejected state, he still seriously pondered what Rayleigh had said.

So what exactly was Chu Yi’s weakness?

And what was Rayleigh trying to point out?

There was only one answer—Chu Yi was currently far too reliant on his Devil Fruit abilities.

To be honest, after his fourth awakening, Chu Yi’s physical strength had become extraordinary; in terms of sheer physique, there were few in the entire sea who could compare. Even though his combat experience was not especially rich, after transforming into his Asura form, Chu Yi could rely on the Asura’s traits to make up for that shortcoming, so it couldn’t really be called a weakness.

Thus, the only real weakness was his dependence on his Devil Fruit abilities and his failure to master Armament Haki and Observation Haki.

It was precisely because of this that the talent-loving Rayleigh deliberately had the future “Emperor” Shanks give Chu Yi a lesson, warning him that if an enemy could neutralize his Devil Fruit powers, someone who relies on those abilities in battle would stand little chance of victory.

Needless to say, Rayleigh’s teaching was well-intentioned, and Chu Yi could truly feel his good will.

But…

Being lectured like this was really a bit uncomfortable!

Taking a deep breath, the look of disappointment faded from his eyes. Almost as soon as Rayleigh’s words fell, Chu Yi nodded towards him, then turned to Shanks and said, “Uncle Rayleigh, I understand what you mean. The weakness you’re pointing out is that I rely too much on my Devil Fruit powers, right?”

“That’s right.”

Rayleigh nodded, his face full of satisfaction. “Chu Yi, to be honest, you’re the most gifted person I’ve ever met in these seas. Whether it’s your physique or your perception in battle, even Shanks might not measure up to you. It’s a pity that someone with such talent ate a Devil Fruit and now relies on that ability in most fights, essentially limiting your own potential.”

“So, if you don’t mind…”

As he spoke, Rayleigh slowly lowered his head, the light reflecting off his glasses. “If you don’t mind, let me train you for a while—teach you how to use your talent. What do you think?”

Was he offering to take him as a disciple?

He really did have high hopes for him!

The smile on Chu Yi’s lips grew even broader. To be valued by the legendary “Dark King” Rayleigh, to have him consider taking him as a disciple, Chu Yi truly felt he was enjoying the privileges of a “main character.”

But even if he were going to become an apprentice, being pressed down like this still left Chu Yi feeling disgruntled!

What a joke!

He was meant to stand at the top—how could he let someone “press him down,” and by another man, no less?

Even if you’re the “Dark King” Rayleigh, or the Pirate King’s right hand, you can’t possibly “press me down”!

Just as Rayleigh was about to express his intent to take him as a disciple, expecting Chu Yi to accept joyfully, Chu Yi instead turned to Shanks and said, “Shanks, I wasn’t fully warmed up earlier, so I lost to you by a margin. Now that I’m ready, how about we go another round?”

“Oh?”

Shanks raised his eyebrows and grinned. “Since you put it that way, let’s do it again. But be careful—this time…”

“I’ll be even more serious!”

Bang!

As soon as the words fell, Shanks closed the distance in a flash, his fist wrapped in Armament Haki. Just like before, he struck first, intending to defeat Chu Yi in the same fashion.

If Chu Yi allowed himself to be caught off guard in this opening exchange like last time, even if he withstood a punch or two, he would inevitably fall before Shanks’s storm-like onslaught.

Yet neither Shanks nor Rayleigh could have anticipated that, in that brief conversation, Chu Yi had improved yet again!

This was Chu Yi’s second awakening using platinum-grade material!

It was the Logia Devil Fruit of Aokiji—the high-quality Ice-Ice Fruit!

After five awakenings, the system’s random draw reward was ready to be issued, but Chu Yi had put it aside for now.

At this very moment, his eyes saw only Shanks’s fierce, oncoming punch!

So, as Shanks’s fist was about to crash into Chu Yi’s chest and send him flying…

Asura Transformation!

Boom!

A tangible crimson killing intent erupted from Chu Yi’s body—as Asura, he exuded a terrifying aura akin to the Conqueror’s Haki!

“That’s…no! That’s not Conqueror’s Haki, it’s pure killing intent!”

“Chu Yi truly is remarkable, to be able to manifest killing intent as something tangible—such peerless talent in these seas!”

“And within that killing intent, there’s a faint intertwining of a power that makes one’s heart tremble. Could it be that Chu Yi has the potential to awaken Conqueror’s Haki?”

“Shanks, Chu Yi may truly become your formidable rival in the future!”

Rayleigh’s pupils contracted slightly, his heart filled with shock and wonder. Just by manifesting that almost physical killing intent, Rayleigh knew Chu Yi would withstand Shanks’s punch.

Because as that aura—so reminiscent of Conqueror’s Haki—appeared, Shanks’s forward-driving momentum was disrupted, weakening the force of his Armament Haki punch without him realizing it.

How could Chu Yi let such a perfect opportunity slip by?

The next second!

Boom!

He gathered every ounce of strength from his five awakenings, unleashing all his potential!

Facing Shanks’s punch, Chu Yi didn’t dodge or evade. Instead, he countered with a Karakusa Shock Fist, colliding head-on with Shanks!

A violent gust burst forth.

The shockwave from their clash set the Red-Haired Pirates’ ship trembling, and even Rayleigh, watching the duel up close, had to raise his arm to shield himself, or he would have been swept into their fierce battle.

When the wind finally died down, Rayleigh lowered his arm and saw Chu Yi half-kneeling on the deck, while Shanks stood unmoving, giving Rayleigh the impression Shanks had won yet again.

But just as Rayleigh stepped forward to comfort Chu Yi, urging him not to lose his edge after two defeats…

Crack!

Crack!

A glittering frost suddenly spread across Shanks’s body, and in an instant, he was transformed into a sparkling ice sculpture!

Chu Yi, meanwhile, maintained his half-kneeling posture for a moment, then slowly stood up, offered Rayleigh an apologetic smile, and said, “Sorry, Uncle Rayleigh, could you help thaw Shanks out? It’s my first time using this power, so I couldn’t hold back. If Shanks is hurt, please apologize to him for me when he recovers.”

With that, Chu Yi smiled, shook his head, and walked past Shanks, heading back to accompany Hancock.

But just as he was about to return to the cabin, Chu Yi suddenly turned back to Rayleigh, still smiling, and said, “By the way, Uncle Rayleigh, I’ve taken your teachings to heart. Over-reliance on Devil Fruit powers is indeed not good. But, Uncle Rayleigh, the world is vast—there are always exceptions.”

“And someone like me, who can use Devil Fruit powers to their utmost…”

“Is the exception!”

With those words, Chu Yi slipped into the cabin, savoring his duel with Shanks, a hint of pride glimmering in his eyes.

And Rayleigh?

Staring dumbfounded at the ice sculpture that had been Shanks, Rayleigh’s mouth twitched violently. He only wanted to ask one question…

Just who is teaching whom here?