7 Conqueror's Haki

"Uncle Roger, what was it like fighting Whitebeard. The papers said he's the most destructive man in the world, is that true? How did you fight a man who can destroy an island with one punch?

What about Shiki, I heard he can fly in the air and even make islands fly and throw them at his enemies, how did you beat him? What abo…"

"Nyahaha, if you ask so many questions at once I won't be able to answer them all. One at a time."

"Ok, how did you become the king of the pirates?"

"Nyahaha, I found an ancient weapon and a few other treasures that helped me conquer the seas."

"Wow, so cool! Was that ancient weapon a giant cannon that fired lasers?"

"Not quite."

"How powerful was it?"

"Powerful enough for the world government to name me the king of the pirates."

"When I become a pirate I wanna find a weapon like that!"

"Ooh so you wanna be a pirate as well?"

"Yup, me and Ori are going to set out to sea when we're older and then we're going to conquer all the seas. We'll be the next generation pirate kings."

"Ooh and how do you intend on doing that?"

"You should ask Ori, he's the one that really wants to be king of the pirates. I just wanna live a life of excitement!"

Hearing the innocence in his answer, Roger smiled as he turned to Orion.

"Do you want me to tell you where I left that weapon, so you too can conquer the seas and become the king of the pirates?"

Before Orion could answer, Roman cut him off.

"You don't need it anymore?"

Roger smiled at Roman.

"I've retired now, I accomplished everything I could in my life."

When he said that Orion saw the bitterness he was trying to hide in his eyes.

[He said accomplished everything he could, not everything he wanted… What did he mean by that?!]

While he was getting lost in his thoughts, Roger's voice brought him back.

"So, little Ori, how about it, want a map of where I left all my treasures?"

Ori looked back at Roger.

"Nope. When I become the king of the pirates, I wanna do it with my own strength!"

"So, not only do you not want the map, you don't even want my treasures?!"

"No!"

Roger looked at Ori fiercely as he said coldly.

"Are you looking down on me because the only reason I became king of the pirates was because of that weapon?!"

Even though he felt Roger's aura pressing down on him, not a ripple could be seen in his eyes. He stared straight into Roger's eyes as he replied calmly.

"I'm not looking down on you, it's just not what I want. You walked your path but I'll walk mine."

"Ooh and how do you intend to become the pirate king with out that weapon or something just as strong? To be the king of the pirates you need to have enough strength to intimidate not just other pirates but the world government!"

"I will have a weapon strong enough!"

"Ooh and what weapon's that?!"

"Me!"

As Orion said that he subconsciously released his aura.

Everyone was shocked by his display. Rayleigh couldn't help but look at the 2-year-old in front of him with his eyes wide open.

[Is that… Conqueror's haki?!]

Feeling his son's will press forward, Marcus was struggling to wipe the smile off his face. Walter was becoming numb to Orion's monstrous accomplishments.

[Like father like son I guess!]

Roger who was feeling the brunt of his aura looked at the boy dead in the eye. He didn't say anything at first but after a few seconds of staring at Orion, he stood up with a laugh.

"Nyahahahaha, you're just like your father. I hope you're able to do it!"

As he said that he took Rouge's hand and nodded towards Rayleigh as he walked towards the door. As Rayleigh got up and followed his captain, Marcus who was still smiling merrily, ruffled his sons hair before nodding at Walter indicating for him to follow him.

As the adults left, Roman, Shanks and Buggy were still staring wide eyed at Orion, who was watching the adults leave.

[It looks like the grown ups have something else they want to discuss privately.]

He was woken from his thoughts by Shanks' voice.

"Orion, when did you awaken your conqueror's haki?"

Orion turned back to shanks with confusion plastered to his face.

"Conqueror's haki? Me? What are you talking about?"

Hearing that Shanks frowned slightly.

"Just now, when you were speaking to the Captain, you used it."

"I did?!"

As he asked that he turned to look at buggy and Roman who were nodding. He couldn't help but think back to the conversation with Roger.

[I don't even remember using it… But at least now I know I definitely have it! Learning how to use it will just take time!]

In another room, the 5 adults were sat around a table in silence. Roger looked at Marcus and said with a smile.

"You have a good son!"

Rayleigh couldn't help but nod.

"He really is a little monster, I don't even dare to imagine his future!"

Marcus was lapping up their compliments with a smile as if they were complimenting him.

Walter looked up and said.

"Judging by his current growth rate I think he should be able to start training when he turns 3. If he does, you'll be able to at least teach him the basics before we leave him in the hands of that disciple of yours."

Marcus nodded lightly as he said.

"I'm really looking forward to it now."

"Big brother, I thought you had retired from being a pirate to live out the rest of your life with your family?"

Hearing that, Marcus sighed emotionally as he looked at his little sister and said.

"That was originally the plan."

"What changed?"

Hearing her question, Marcus felt his heart ache as he thought about having to leave his wife and child. But then he remembered why he was doing it and his gaze became firm and unwavering.

Seeing the look in his eyes, Roger smiled as he said.

"If he chooses not to fight, then the war that was started back then will have been for nothing!"

As they heard that, both Walter and Marcus looked at Roger with a hint of surprise as Walter said lightly.

"It looks like you finally found out the truth."

Roger didn't reply immediately instead he looked at Marcus as he tried to hide his emotion. Even though he tried to hide it, both Marcus and Walter could see the lack of self-worth and the hint of bitterness.

"Don't you blame me for leaving back then?"

Marcus shook his head as he said.

"Everyone should be free to make their own choices. To be honest I was proud when you decided to go out on your own back then."

Hearing that Roger was slightly surprised as he turned to Walter as if to confirm that he was telling the truth.

Walter didn't say anything, he merely nodded gently as Marcus carried on with a warm smile.

"You shouldn't beat yourself up. You lived a full life that you can be proud of, if I was you I wouldn't regret any of it!"

Roger looked at Marcus who was still smiling warmly.

"Nyahahaha. The whole world sees me as a king, but only a handful of people know that I can only be considered a pseudo-king and now, despite sitting on his thrown, the man who should be king treats me with such grace. I really wish I could live a little longer and see how things turn out!

Between you and your son, the Celestial Dragons are going to have their hands full!"