23 Chapter 23
Toji clutched his head. Although the explanation wasn't particularly lengthy, it was enough to make his head feel like it was going to burst.
The two types of Haki, Zoro demonstrated were remarkably simple: Observation Haki, which senses the presence of others, and Armament Haki, which grabs onto the essence of an opponent, enhancing both attack and defense.
However, simplicity does not equate to weakness.
In fact, during his life as a sorcerer killer, Toji found that the most troublesome sorcerers he faced were not those with complex techniques but those with simple ones. If a technique is simple and predictable, the user often compensates by increasing its power to an unavoidable level or by honing their physical abilities and crisis management skills.
Zoro effortlessly dodged a Grade 3 Spirit's attack as if he could see it coming and detected Toji's presence behind him, something only Satoru Gojo could notice. He easily captured a spirit that could not be hit without a certain power and managed to fight against at least a Grade 3 sorcerer and a Grade 3 spirit without a single injury.
The first and second instances were due to Observation Haki, and the third and fourth, Armament Haki. At least, Zoro could apply it to that extent. How he could do so at his age is beyond me.
Likely, he's capable of even more.
Above all… Toji recalled the sight of the spirit bursting lifelessly. Zoro's hand hadn't touched the spirit at all.
'Is it possible to strike without touching?'
Upon hearing that, a single technique came to mind for Toji.
A supreme defensive technique that slows down anything approaching, ultimately preventing it from ever touching. A technique of such complexity in its application that only those with a special sight could properly use it, truly the strongest technique.
...Mukagen (Limitless).
Could this technique be penetrated?
Questions tangled in his mouth like a ball of yarn, unable to come out. After a long while, he finally managed to speak.
"How did you acquire this Haki?"
"I learned it."
"From whom?"
"My master... and my enemies."
"Enemies?"
Zoro smirked.
"Don't worry, I won because I won."
Recalling the moment he defeated that person always felt good, no matter how many times he did it.
After all, it was the moment Zoro had taken his place as the strongest.
"And that guy won't be coming here."
How Zoro was born into this world as a baby, even he didn't know. However, even if Mihawk had died in that world, Zoro thought the chances of Mihawk being reborn in this world were extremely low.
'I'm an exception.'
He knew intuitively. Dying in that world and being reborn as a baby in another world, like Zoro, was a very rare occurrence.
While Toji kept in mind the existence of Zoro's master and enemy, he muttered absentmindedly.
"You learned it? It's not something you're born with?"
"Some are born with it. The Conqueror's Haki is something you're born with, not something you can gain through training or learning. Observation Haki, too, sometimes is inherited from parents or one is born with it."
However, it doesn't mean that those who are born with Observation Haki are superior to those who acquire it later in life. After all, Haki truly develops in life-threatening, extreme situations.
"Can anyone learn it?"
"No."
Haki is ultimately the power of will. Without a strong inner will, no amount of training can enable someone to use it. Conversely, without training, even those with a strong will cannot acquire it.
Toji asked eagerly.
"What about me?"
"Well, that depends on you."
There are those who cannot awaken it despite receiving the best teachings, and those who can awaken it even with the vaguest of instructions. The key factor is how strong that person's will is.
"If you want, I'll teach you."
He was planning to teach Megumi when he grew a little more. Regardless of the path Megumi chooses, he must be able to protect himself.
"Teach me...?"
Toji pressed his hand against his forehead. His head was spinning. The numerous instances of contempt and violence he had endured while with that damned clan flashed before his eyes like a panorama.
A power-less monkey. That's what the Zenin clan members called him. He lacked the innate power that every human, even animals to some extent, possessed.
Not born with it...
And now, before his very eyes, the ability known as Haki had appeared.
It wasn't an innate power that those not born with could never obtain, regardless of their efforts. Instead, it was a capability that even those not born with it could fully acquire through effort—a power that could rival a sorcerer's innate abilities and techniques.
"...Can I,"
Possess it too?
Toji swallowed the rest of his words. It was too degrading a question to ask in front of his son.
"Having Haki doesn't make you invincible. If there's an attack or ability that can surpass Haki, then a user of Haki can still lose to someone who hasn't mastered it."
If a fighter as strong as Toji were to attack Zoro with the intent to kill, even with Zoro's strong Haki, it would be a difficult fight.
"Also, since Haki fundamentally relies on willpower, if that will falters, its power diminishes."
Armament Haki weakens, and Observation Haki loses its sharpness. Thus, maintaining an unwavering mind (Fudoshin) is very important for a Haki user. Emotional disturbance can significantly weaken their power in an instant.
Having regained some composure, Toji asked,
"Where are this teacher and enemy who taught you this power now?"
"Well, it would be difficult for you to meet them."
Koushirou would be at the Shimotsuki Village dojo, and Mihawk... probably roaming alone on his boat shaped like a giant coffin, decimating unfortunate fleets. Of course, both would be in the world of their past lives, not this one.
"They're definitely not in this country."
With that, Toji seemed to relax, yet there was a hint of disappointment. Seeing this, Zoro twitched an eyebrow.
"If you're thinking of learning from them, forget it. My Haki is stronger."
Besides, Koushirou isn't even a Haki user. He just knows about Haki.
"...Besides your master and enemy, anyone else knows about Haki?"
"Probably just me."
That seemed likely. Whether liked or not, those with strange powers inevitably end up in the world of sorcery. If there were others with such a power, Toji would have surely heard about it. Or he would have encountered them as enemies by now.
There was still much he wanted to say, but it felt like it could go on endlessly. Toji opened his mouth several times, then closed it again. He had already learned too much today; he planned to learn more gradually.
"Don't tell anyone else about it."
"Got it."
"...If you have anything you want to ask me, go ahead."
Naturally, Toji thought Zoro would ask about spirits, innate powers, or techniques. Without Toji, Zoro had faced spirits without even knowing what they were, so he must be curious about their nature.
He never imagined such a question would come.
"About Chie's grave. Can you tell me where it is?"
He wanted to visit but didn't know where it was.
The question, asked with a calm face, made Toji feel as if a hot ball was stuck in his throat.
"...I'll write down the address for you."
"Is it far from home?"
"You can't walk there."
It was a lie. It wasn't very far. But if he let Zoro go alone, he'd definitely get lost 100% of the time.
They could go together...
"...I'll go with you as far as the entrance."
Toji clenched his fist tightly, feeling nauseous. It was ridiculous for someone with zero innate power to feel like this, as if he had a stomach upset.
He still couldn't visit that place.
Not yet.
"Are you going to come into the cemetery with me?"
"...No."
"Okay."
Let's go together someday.
Zoro's response was calm, as if he had anticipated Toji's answer. Toji couldn't reply.
...
The next day, a bouquet of white flowers was placed on Chie's grave.
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[Author's Thoughts]
I calculated the power stones, and the average for the week was 215 power stones per day. I wonder if we can get 300 power stones today... If we manage to, I can post a bonus chapter ⸜(｡˃ ᵕ ˂ )⸝♡
