Chapter 538: The Government Moves
"Now, it sounds impressive, but it's honestly not that complicated a technique."
In a clearing carved out of the Sea Forest, Shanks had set aside his usual looseness and was actually teaching. It suited him less naturally than most things, but he was making the effort.
"At its core, Observation Killing is just a specific application of Observation Haki. Your Observation is considerably stronger than mine, Brett. You simply haven't been shown how this particular use of it works."
Brett kept his expression neutral. "Skip the preamble. Get to the point."
"You are a terrible student," Shanks muttered, rubbing the back of his head. "First time I've ever tried teaching anyone, and I get this."
He cleared his throat.
"Fine. Here's the essence of it. Observation Killing works in the opposite direction from how we normally use Observation Haki."
"Normally, no matter how refined the technique, Observation Haki moves outward. We extend it away from ourselves to read the world around us - other people's presence, their intent, what's coming."
"Observation Killing is the reverse."
Brett's expression shifted slightly. He was already thinking.
Shanks continued. "You pull your Observation inward. You use it to disrupt your own aura, to scramble the signals you give off, so that someone else's Observation Haki can't get a clear read on you. You effectively disappear from their perception."
"Simple enough in principle," Brett said. "What does it actually feel like when you do it?"
That was the part that mattered. The principle was easy to understand - inward instead of outward. But the specific sensation, the way the Haki moved, was what you needed someone experienced to describe.
"I can't give you a training method exactly," Shanks admitted. "I came into this sideways - stumbled onto it rather than learned it deliberately. What I can do is walk you through what it feels like from the inside when I use it. How the Haki actually moves."
"That's enough," Brett said.
More than he'd hoped for from Rayleigh, in fact.
Shanks taught. He talked through the sensation carefully and in detail, describing exactly how his Observation Haki behaved when he turned it inward rather than out. Brett listened with complete attention.
He had plans for this technique beyond just learning it. Once he had Observation Killing, he intended to work backward from it and develop a counter. That required understanding the mechanics from the inside out.
At almost the same moment, high above Fish-Man Island at Mariejois, the Five Elders were holding their own meeting.
Imu had stepped out of the shadows and into plain view, and the final decisions now rested with him. But he had no interest in managing every detail personally. The Five Elders still handled most of the day-to-day work.
"Caesar was taken from us, but Lord Imu personally intervened to preserve the deep-sea unit," Saint Mars said. "Their development is nearly complete. Operations against Fish-Man Island can begin soon."
"The member nation armies are mostly assembled as well."
"But it isn't enough." Saint Ju Peter shook his head. "Garp and his people have crossed over to Brett's side. We need more high-end combat strength. The God's Knights and CP0 combined still fall short."
"What about the Warlords?" Saint Warcury said. "Hancock, Mihawk, Moria. Their individual strength is considerable."
"And Katakuri," Saint Nusjuro added. "Don't forget him. He's still aligned with us."
The others nodded slowly.
The location of Laugh Tale had been exposed. The age of pirates chasing the One Piece was effectively over. But for now, Katakuri still held the title of Emperor, taken from his famously difficult mother. And his relationship with Brett was not a warm one.
"Agreed," Saint Mars said. "Summon them. They may not be a priority concern for Lord Imu personally, but they are valuable."
The World Government's available combat strength had grown uncomfortably thin. Nothing like the commanding position they had held for centuries. Without the Marines firmly under their banner, the gap was obvious.
Fortunately, there were still forces willing to stand with them.
"Since we're already including Katakuri," Saint Mars said, stroking his beard as something occurred to him, "there may be another option worth considering."
Saint Nusjuro glanced at him sidelong. "Meaning?"
"Impel Down."
A slow smile crossed Saint Mars's face. "Magellan has been growing unreliable since the Marine situation. If his grip on the prison is loosening, we might as well make use of what's inside. Let the prisoners earn something."
Saint Mars said. "Impel Down holds quite a collection of monsters."
"Most of them won't cooperate with us. But some will. Even one or two from the lower levels would be a meaningful addition."
Level Six held creatures that rivaled Admirals and Emperors in raw power. Among all of them, surely at least some would find a government offer worth taking.
The cost was minimal. The potential return was not.
The World Government began to move.
Just as Brett's side was doing, they were pulling in every piece of strength they could still reach.
Though.
"So the government finally came to you."
Brett knew about it the moment it happened. Morgans and Tesoro's networks reached everywhere.
"Not surprising. There aren't many options left to them on the open sea."
"Unfortunately, they're still cautious enough not to invite us directly to Mariejois," the voice on the other end of the Den Den Mushi said, with a note of mild regret.
"Better that way," Brett said. "Walking into Mariejois to face Imu directly would be dangerous, and not in a useful sense. What I need from you, Katakuri, is simpler. When the war starts - hit them from the inside."
"Leave it to me." Katakuri's voice was unhurried. "This world is overdue for a change."
"That's the spirit."
Brett's mouth curved. "You won't be working alone, by the way."
A pause on the other end. "What do you mean?"