7. Conqueror's Haki

On the deck of the Sunny ship, Luffy slouched over the small round table shaded by an umbrella. Zoro stood nearby.

Before long, Franky, Brook, Chopper, and Usopp joined them, gathering around the table.

Sitting opposite Luffy at the center was Robin.

"Haki?" Robin's voice was calm and wise.

"I've heard of it when dealing with Crocodile," she continued. "It's more common in the New World but rare in the first half of the Grand Line and the other seas."

"It's a power only the strong can wield."

"There are three types: Armament Haki, Observation Haki, and Conqueror's Haki."

"Armament Haki is particularly useful against Devil Fruit users, especially Logia types. It allows you to hit them even if they're intangible."

"So, characters like Crocodile, Smoker, and Enel could've been hit directly," Luffy chuckled, remembering his encounters with them.

Robin nodded. "That's right. Crocodile, being a Logia user and a former Warlord, would certainly understand Haki."

"Observation Haki works differently," Robin explained. "It's not about the five senses but a deeper intuition, allowing one to anticipate and dodge attacks."

Zoro pondered this, recognizing his own mastery of Observation Haki. It gave him an instinctual sense of an opponent's next move beyond mere sight.

"Conqueror's Haki is rare," Robin continued. "It's said to be the mark of a king, capable of overwhelming others with its sheer presence."

Luffy interjected excitedly, "Like Shanks! He saved me once from a Sea King just by glaring at it!"

"Yeah," Luffy continued, "And there's Grandpa Hammer, too. He scared off a giant bear just with his gaze."

Luffy suddenly recalled where he first heard about Haki: back when he, Sabo, and Ace were kids in the Goa Kingdom, a grandfather wielding a wooden hammer had used his intimidating presence to ward off a bear, teaching them about the power of Haki.

"Why did you suddenly bring up Haki?" Robin, being perceptive, noticed Luffy's change in demeanour.

Zoro, standing silently behind Luffy, felt it wasn't his place to speak on this matter. It was up to Captain Luffy to decide whether to reveal it or not. After all, Haki was a concept beyond the understanding of most people, even those familiar with Devil Fruit's abilities.

Luffy didn't hesitate to explain, "I gained a special ability in the Thriller Bark."

He then revealed White Fang, smiling proudly.

The revelation left everyone stunned, even the composed Robin.

"Can Admiral defeat this power?" Robin's question carried weight. With her vast knowledge, she understood the significance of Luffy possessing such an ability.

Admirals represented the pinnacle of combat strength within the Marines. The adversaries they faced would likely have bounties exceeding three billion.

Luffy's bounty of 300 million berries might seem impressive, but the gap between him and an Admiral is immense, like a vast moat separating them.

Previous encounters with Aokiji and other powerful foes made this difference painfully clear.

"Admirals are so cool!" Chopper and Usopp gushed, their eyes sparkling with admiration.

"Hey, Luffy, can you help me get stronger?" Usopp eagerly asked, his goal being the simplest: to become a brave warrior of the sea. With strength, he believed he could achieve this.

Chopper leaned in, sharing Usopp's enthusiasm. Despite being a doctor, he also desired strength, partly to shed his image as a pet and earn a higher bounty.

"Yeah, the sea is full of wonders," Luffy remarked, reflecting on the endless possibilities it held.

Sanji took a drag from his cigarette, exhaling calmly. He embodied the role of the resourceful strategist, his composure unwavering.

Rather than being impressed by the strength displayed, he focused on potential hidden dangers.

"Are there any side effects to getting stronger?" he inquired.

Luffy pondered for a moment before responding, "Probably not. I feel great like my body's been upgraded."

As captain, Luffy hadn't tested the ability on himself, so he couldn't use it on the crew without knowing its effects. Zoro had been willing to try it because he had already tested it on himself. Luffy realized he could have shared this ability earlier, but it hadn't occurred to him until now.

Nami looked at Luffy, moved by his words. Despite his occasional foolishness, he proved reliable when it counted. She couldn't help but recall the moment Luffy had placed his straw hat on her head in Cocoyasi Village.

"In that case, I have no objections. It's a positive development. If possible, I recommend using those 'evolution points' to boost our strength as soon as possible," Sanji suggested, his demeanour shifting from carefree to serious.

"After what happened before, we need to acknowledge a harsh reality: as we approach the New World, our strength seems to diminish," he added, his words punctuating the solemn atmosphere that had settled over the group.

----------

You can read advanced chapters here: patreon.com/GregariousLion