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Chapter 26 - Chapter 26: Zhang Da Ye Decides to Give Him Face  

Unlike in the anime, there was no sky-tearing clash of Conqueror's Haki, and Shanks' sword didn't turn black. The two simply exchanged strikes like ordinary swordsmen. 

Had it not been for the Wind King Barrier disappearing and revealing Artoria's true sword, Zhang Da Ye might have mistaken this for a regular duel. 

Tom had calmed down, his fur ruffled by the wind. The red-haired figure looked intimidating—a far cry from the big, goofy guy they had once used for money. 

Tom had always thought of himself as an ordinary cat, cautious of danger. Even though his Master said he was immortal, he believed he only survived by luck—and being hit still hurt! 

"Pardon the sword, little lady. Feeling a blade pointed at me made me act instinctively. Though, really, pointing a sword at someone is rude," Shanks said with no hostility. He smiled, intrigued by the hidden power of Artoria's sword, unsure whether it was a Devil Fruit ability or unique sword technique. 

Artoria held her sword firmly, golden light faintly radiating: "Those who freely display their aura still care about courtesy?" 

Shanks chuckled, scratching the back of his head: "Just trying not to make a scene. Looks like that guy knows me?" 

Zhang Da Ye nodded: "Red-Haired Shanks, I read about you entering the Grand Line just last month. Didn't expect you to reach Sabaody so soon." 

Shanks smiled: "I'm just passing through, looking for someone. You don't look like Marines or bounty hunters, so give me some face. How about it?" 

"Alright, you get some face," Zhang Da Ye replied, seeing no shame in it. It was pragmatism. 

He still considered his companions' input: "Artoria?" 

Artoria nodded, lowering her sword. 

There was no grudge between her and Shanks. Her strength might be slightly lower, and though she wouldn't fear a fight, protecting Zhang Da Ye without Avalon worried her. 

After Shanks left, they skipped the amusement park and headed to the shopping street to buy clothes, training equipment, and bamboo swords. 

Reporting to the Marines seemed unnecessary; Shanks was likely searching for Rayleigh, and interfering might be unwelcome. 

Shanks, meanwhile, happily recounted his experience to a white-haired elder: "Rayleigh, I was shocked in East Blue when a kid said the same thing as Roger. That promise!" 

"Thus you gave away the straw hat," Rayleigh noted, holding a wine jug. "But what about your arm?" 

Shanks touched his severed right arm, unregretful: "I bet it on the new era!" 

"A bold gamble," Rayleigh said, smiling at his protégé, recalling the little kid who had now grown immensely. 

Shanks remembered the encounter: the young girl Artoria, small yet strong, who had so decisively stopped her attack. 

'So my "face" really works?' 

Later, Artoria changed into a new outfit: white blouse with a blue ribbon, mid-length blue skirt, black stockings, and knee-high boots. 

The knight-turned-noblewoman now resembled a high school girl. She twirled, smiling, charmingly different from her previous heroic demeanor. 

They lunched at a nearby restaurant. The chef's skill surpassed Tom's cooking, making Zhang Da Ye realize the world had talented chefs—or perhaps he hadn't experienced true culinary mastery before. 

Their combination of handsome, beautiful, and adorable companions drew attention. A small, skilled cat using utensils left people impressed rather than meddling. 

Paying the bill, the owner was thrilled—the meal cost more than a month's living expenses for an average family of three. Zhang Da Ye doubted whether a simple tavern could support three big eaters like them. 

"Tom, more cycling?" 

Tom shook his head, letting Artoria go play. 

Zhang Da Ye rode back normally, not racing. 

"Artoria, remember Shanks' intimidating aura earlier?" 

Artoria nodded: "Yes. He felt like a king." 

"That power is called Conqueror's Haki. Only those with kingly potential possess it. It can intimidate enemies and boost one's attacks. Did you feel any inner power awaken during the standoff?" 

"I didn't sense any such 'power.' What I used was more of a natural aura, not something for direct attack." 

"There are also Armament and Observation Haki—one for attack/defense, one for perceiving others' presence or intentions," Zhang Da Ye explained, noting Haki's role against Devil Fruit users. 

"Magic can supplement attacks, but I'm unsure if it can capture Logia-type Devil Fruit users. I can sense enemies' presence, and intuition grants brief precognition in combat." 

Artoria mastered many combat techniques. Whether she could wield all three Haki types in this world remained unknown, but she had alternatives for most effects. Only Logia users' defenses were uncertain. 

Zhang Da Ye judged that Artoria could easily serve as a Marine Vice Admiral; as Admiral, lacking Haki might be an issue. As Fleet Admiral, uncertain. 

Estimating her Noble Phantasm was also tricky—it seemed effective against Holy Grails, but she mostly used it on the way to or in combat with them. 

He looked forward to seeing a fight between Artoria and Hawkeye, and wondered if Tom could hold his own against him… provided he survived the unknown AOE attacks. 

In the pirate world, weakness is sin. 

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