"Little one, that's not how you use your strength."
While blocking Luffy's attacks, Dorry boomed his instruction, "A giant's power comes from the earth, from the core and hips. Your stance must be solid, your energy centered. When you throw a punch, you must put your entire body's weight and momentum behind it, like this."
Dorry executed a simple punching motion. In that instant, it seemed as if the air around him was sucked in and compressed, then violently expelled. The resulting wind pressure made Nami and the others struggle to keep their eyes open.
Luffy's eyes lit up intensely.
He analyzed the curves of Dorry's muscle engagement. His combat talent was on full display at this moment.
He began imitating Dorry's method of generating and channeling force. Though his size was nowhere near a giant's, the properties of his Gomu Gomu no Mi allowed him to simulate the transmission and explosive release of that kind of power.
A teacher's reaction to a good student is always the same. A student who understands immediately upon being taught and can even extrapolate is incredibly rewarding for a teacher.
Otherwise, why is there a distinction between genius and mediocrity?
A genius grasps a teacher's point instantly. Mediocrity often results in missing the mark entirely, completely failing to get the teacher's point.
Luffy had come from mediocrity too. As a child, Garp called him an idiot. Failure to grasp a point meant a painful serving of Grandpa's "Fist of Love."
So, a person's potential is often forced out bit by bit.
"You're learning very quickly."
Dorry grew more and more surprised, and happier and happier.
It had been a long time since he'd had such an enjoyable spar.
It felt different from his duels with Brogy.
He decided to demonstrate some of the foundational hand-to-hand combat techniques of the Giant Warrior tribe.
You think giants rely solely on brute force to charge around?
In reality, a giant's combat techniques are also quite refined. Why else would giants be called the strongest race?
With their overwhelming physical advantage, if their combat awareness is also superior, it's a complete, all-around domination.
"You... you're quite the monster, kid."
The expression on Dorry's face grew increasingly peculiar.
Luffy looked like he hadn't even lived a fraction of Dorry's age, yet the seasoned combat talent he displayed was simply monstrous.
It felt like a two-way spar, but Dorry felt like he was being unilaterally drained dry. Everything was being learned and absorbed by Luffy.
Visibly, Luffy's application of Gear Third became more solidified and powerful. It was no longer reliant solely on inflated size and rubber elasticity but began to carry a sense of heavy, substantial force.
And what's more...
"You've even learned Haki."
Dorry's face was full of envy.
"You haven't?" Luffy's one question left Dorry speechless.
"It's not that I haven't." Dorry held out his hand for Luffy to see. He was nearly 23 meters tall. How big was his fist?
Haki was extremely stamina-consuming.
The stamina required to coat a fist that size with Haki was unimaginable.
Giants weren't all Mythical Zoan types who could do endless sit-ups like Luffy and recover all their stamina with one meal.
Generally, Dorry didn't use Haki.
And the vast majority of Giant Warrior warriors didn't even entertain the thought of learning Haki.
It was hard to learn and hard to use. Might as well just smash things with a fist; that usually settled everything.
"So, shall we stop here?"
Luffy halted. He'd had enough fighting, and it seemed Dorry didn't have any more new tricks to pull out.
It had been a fruitful spar.
Beyond the Giant Warrior combat techniques Dorry was so proud of, another idea surfaced in Luffy's mind: what if he covered a giant's fist with Busoshoku Haki and punched? How would the destructive power be?
"Wait, wait, wait."
Dorry was provoked by the look in Luffy's eyes. That unsatisfied expression dealt a great blow to his pride.
He brought out his ultimate, treasured technique.
"I have one more move. Its power is halved when used by one person, but without a doubt, it is the strongest technique of our Giant Warrior tribe."
Dorry assumed a stance. A debt of gratitude for a meal must be repaid with a full stomach! He was now prepared to impart everything he knew.
"Watch closely. This is the ultimate technique of the Giant Warriors of Elbaf! It unleashes its maximum power with a weapon, but even bare-handed, the 'momentum' and 'power' it contains are supreme!"
He planted his feet firmly, the muscles in his arms bulging. An indescribably terrifying pressure began to coalesce.
"HAKKOKU!"
Though without a weapon, Dorry thrust both fists forward with a mighty roar. A shockwave of utterly condensed force erupted, instantly clearing a massive, straight path through the forest before him.
Luffy's eyes sparkled at this punch.
So strong! So big!
Dorry was very satisfied with this move and with Luffy's reaction.
That punch contained over a hundred years of skill.
Though slightly less powerful than when used with a weapon, and less powerful than when used jointly with Brogy...
It was still Hakkoku!
The strongest offensive technique of the Giant Warrior tribe.
Once upon a time, its name echoed across the seas. Of course, a hundred years had passed. Perhaps the seas had forgotten their legend. People had forgotten the fear once instilled by the Giant Warrior Pirates.
Dorry had already made plans. If Luffy wanted to learn...
Maybe he could stay and be his chef for a few years?
With his monstrous talent, a few years should be enough.
Thinking this, Dorry was about to discuss it with Luffy.
But he saw Luffy had already inflated his arm for Gear Third and was closing his eyes in deep contemplation.
"Hohoho. Haste makes waste. It took me ten years just to grasp the fundamentals of this technique."
Dorry laughed heartily.
"Give me two hours."
Luffy turned to look at Nami and the others. The meaning was clear: he wouldn't be exploring the island for now.
Nami didn't want to explore anyway. Having what seemed like a friendly giant around now gave her an even greater sense of security.
Vivi and Robin, however, were more interested in seeing how Luffy planned to supposedly master Dorry's technique in two hours.
An ordinary person might never learn it in a lifetime, let alone two hours. But Luffy was different. This technique truly intrigued him. If he gave it his all, perhaps he could do it.
Just because Dorry needed ten years didn't mean he did.
Luffy looked at his panel.
A new skill had just appeared.
Hakkoku Proficiency: 50/500 (Lv. 0)
Just looking at it had increased the proficiency by 50 points.
That was seriously fast.
The most Gordon had ever given him for music lessons was 20 points.
As far as teachers went, Dorry's practical demonstration was outstanding.
"Your talent may be great, but you mustn't be too impatient."
Dorry felt he needed to give Luffy a reality check.
A person can be proud, but not too proud.
He had finally found someone he took a liking to.
Such arrogance could ruin a person.
Two hours? Even if he gave him two years, just grasping the concept would be impressive.
Luffy naturally couldn't mention the existence of something like a proficiency system. He probably shouldn't.
So, he simply asked Dorry to explain everything in detail and demonstrate Hakkoku a few more times.
***
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