Shanks invited Arima aboard the Red Force for a chat, curious to see this man's courage for himself.
Arima glanced back at Tsunade and said, "Tsunade, bring me a good bottle of sake!"
Before long, Tsunade carried over a large jug of fine liquor with one hand and passed it to Arima.
Taking the jug, Arima used Almighty Push to send it flying straight across to Shanks.
Seeing the jar shoot toward him, Shanks had no choice but to skillfully catch it. Watching Arima's earlier move, he thought to himself, A Devil Fruit user?
Then Arima leapt down, walking across the surface of the sea as he made his way toward the Red Force.
Shanks and his crew were stunned by this display.
Benn Beckman muttered in confusion, "Not a Devil Fruit ability? But how could an ordinary man do something like that?"
Shanks, eyes fixed on the calm and composed Arima, murmured, "What a mysterious man."
But to those aboard the Konoha Senju, this was nothing surprising. After all, walking on water was a basic technique every ninja had to master, utterly commonplace in the shinobi world.
That said, Acier's earlier mention of Haki made it clear that this power was unique to the pirate world.
Arima bounded up from the water and landed firmly on the Red Force's deck, radiating a natural aura of authority.
Shanks strode forward with a grin. "As it happens, today's my birthday. Try some fine West Blue sake! Men! It's time for a banquet!"
His crew immediately burst into excitement, hurrying to prepare the feast.
Arima had heard that pirates loved their banquets, especially when welcoming guests. He didn't decline, instead calling back to Nawaki to bring over the fresh fish they had caught earlier.
Meanwhile, the Konoha Senju was holding its own feast, as if in harmony with this one.
On the Red Force, Arima listened curiously to Shanks and his men singing a cheerful tune.
"What song is this? The melody is beautiful."
After downing a large mug of strong liquor in one gulp, Shanks sighed contentedly before smiling.
"This is one of our favorite pirate songs. Every time we leave home and set sail, we can't help but sing it."
Arima nodded. "You live so freely, warriors of the sea. Not at all like the evil, plundering pirates I'd heard about before."
Shanks laughed heartily. "The rules of piracy are to plunder, people, money, territory. But we hold to a code of honor!"
Arima couldn't help but remark, "The World Government is the greatest pirate of them all.
Otherwise, why would they demand every nation pay the Celestial Dragons their 'Heavenly Tribute'?"
Shanks clearly didn't want to say more on that subject.
Pouring himself another drink, his face softened with nostalgia.
"My captain saw the same thing. He hoped that even under the oppression of the World Government, people would still pursue their own freedom. He was a hero of the seas."
Raising his cup, Arima declared, "I respect your captain! My granduncle was also a hero in my homeland."
Shanks asked, "Do you know who my captain was?"
Arima nodded. "I've guessed, Gol D. Roger, right? Without his guidance, I doubt you would've achieved what you have today."
At that, Shanks burst into a booming laugh and downed another hearty drink in response.
Setting his cup down, he asked, "Why have I never heard of you before?"
Arima smiled faintly. "Not every strong man needs to be known across the seas."
Curious, he asked, "And your left arm? What happened? Some accident?"
Shanks turned his gaze toward the East Blue. "I gave my arm to the new era."
Hearing the weight in those words, Arima followed his eyes and murmured, "So… a child of the new era."
The banquet lasted deep into the night. Both Shanks and Arima thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Later, the two stood together on deck, letting the sea breeze wash over them.
With a slight flush of drink on his face, Arima asked, "What exactly is Haki?"
Shanks blinked. "All strong men on the seas use Haki. You mean you've never heard of it?"
Arima chuckled. "Can't I learn on the spot?"
Shanks grinned. "Good! I've always liked teaching. To have a strong man like you as my student, worth it! It'll be passing on what my captain entrusted to me."
After teasing Arima, Shanks grew serious. "There are three kinds of Haki: Armament, Observation, and Conqueror's."
With that, power surged into his right arm, coating it instantly in a dark violet-black sheen.
Arima studied the arm. "Its defensive power feels greatly enhanced, like it's clad in a layer of hardened black armor."
Shanks nodded. "Armament Haki can be used for defense, offense, and to strike Devil Fruit users."
Arima activated his Byakugan, scrutinizing Shanks' arm.
Noticing the veins bulging around Arima's eyes, Shanks suddenly felt as if his entire being was laid bare under scrutiny, his body instinctively reacting with defensive tension.
But Arima only needed one glance to understand the principle behind Armament Haki.
As Shanks prepared to demonstrate full-body Armament, he was stunned to see Arima already covered head to toe in a solid suit of black armor-like Haki.
Shanks exclaimed, "Those eyes of yours are incredible! You grasped the trick so quickly. And the sheer volume of your Haki, it's no less than my captain's back in the day!"
In truth, even though Arima had honed his taijutsu for years, his physique in this world was only average.
What allowed him to achieve this so swiftly was twofold. His insight into Armament Haki's essence, and the power of his Sage Body.
With such a constitution, he could easily convert his internal energy, aura, and killing intent into tangible Armament Haki.
"My constitution is unique," Arima explained. "A special case."
Shanks then wrapped his sword in Armament Haki and struck at Arima's body with force. Yet the blade left no trace at all.
He sighed enviously. "Your talent is frightening. When I was learning Haki, I suffered plenty!"
"How so?" Arima asked.
Scratching his back with a nostalgic grin, Shanks replied, "My captain used wood to beat me over and over, just to train my Armament Haki!
And learning Observation Haki was even worse! That coward Buggy couldn't take the pain, which is why he's still never learned it."
"Buggy? Who's that?" Arima asked.
At the mention of Buggy, Shanks burst into laughter.
Then he explained, "Back then, we were both cabin boys on the ship. He's got this ridiculous red nose, and a voice a bit like a duck, my good comrade."
"Then if I ever meet him," Arima said, "I'll deliver your regards."
"He'd definitely still remember me," Shanks replied. "Back then I accidentally shoved a Paramecia Devil Fruit into his mouth, and that's how he ended up as the Chop-Chop Man!"
Continuing his lesson, Shanks explained, "Observation Haki lets you sense others' presences.
But its effects vary, some can briefly glimpse the future, some can feel emotions, while my captain's Observation Haki allowed him to hear the voice of all things."
"And how does one train in Observation Haki?" Arima asked.
"Before it awakens, you must close your eyes, eliminate the distraction of sight, and use your heart to feel the opponent's presence," Shanks said.
Then he added, "Strike at me with all your might. I'll close my eyes and dodge your attack."
Arima didn't hold back, coating his fists in Armament.
"Stop right there!" Shanks barked. "Don't go all out. I'm just giving you a demonstration."
Once Shanks closed his eyes, Arima threw a bare fist at his left eye, meanwhile watching every move with his Mangekyo Sharingan.
At first Shanks didn't react, but just as Arima's punch was about to land, Shanks suddenly shifted aside, as if he had foreseen it.
Opening his eyes, he scratched his head and complained, "That wasn't fair! Why'd you aim for my eye?"
Arima shrugged. "You'll have your chance to hit back soon enough. Might as well get in my advantage first."
Closing his eyes calmly, Arima said, "Alright, your turn. Vent your frustration with your fist."
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