Learning Conqueror
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"Yes, although my clan and I have trained in Armament and Observation Haki, our understanding is still superficial. What we need is a true master to guide us."
"Well, if I actually took up the role of Chief Instructor for your Uchiha Security Company, some people might get restless," Rayleigh chuckled.
"So I've decided on another approach for now, Rayleigh-san. I'd like to learn Conqueror's Haki."
Kitaro looked seriously at the legendary Dark King, Silvers Rayleigh.
To be honest, he'd also thought about learning from Kaido, but knew that Kaido wasn't exactly the type to give friendly lessons. Everyone might joke that Kaido is the ultimate teacher, but Rayleigh is the one who actually laid the foundation of Haki for Luffy.
Kitaro was serious in his initial proposal; he genuinely hoped to persuade Rayleigh to come to Amazon Lily and train the Uchiha clan. With Rayleigh's guidance, the clan's power would rise rapidly — including his own.
Both Hancock and Rayleigh were stunned. Neither expected Kitaro's request to be so bold.
Hancock explained, "Kitaro, I understand you want to learn Conqueror's Haki, but unlike Armament or Observation Haki, Conqueror's Haki is innate. Only one in a million is born with it. You can't acquire it just by training."
Rayleigh nodded. "Hancock's right. Conqueror's Haki isn't something you develop; it's the force of one's spirit and soul."
"I understand," Kitaro replied, "but to me, Conqueror's Haki is just another form of spiritual energy, and that's something the Uchiha naturally possess."
"What?!"
Both Hancock and Rayleigh were taken aback.
"You're saying that your clan is born with the conditions needed for Conqueror's Haki?! That's impossible! Conqueror's Haki is something only one in millions is born with. How can an entire clan have it?"
"It's not exactly Conqueror's Haki," Kitaro explained, "but we do possess a unique form of power, a fusion of spiritual and physical energy. This allows us to use certain abilities as if we were Devil Fruit users."
"Armament Haki comes from manipulating physical energy, while Observation Haki is another use of type of energy."
"Conqueror's Haki can exert pressure, intimidate, and, in powerful users, cause destruction. Remember that time you used Conqueror's Haki? I sensed a resonance with our spiritual energy then, and that's why I believe I can learn it too."
The Uchiha, according to the Sage of Six Paths, are descendants of his eldest son, Indra. Indra inherited spiritual energy, while the younger son, Asura, inherited physical energy. For the Uchiha, spiritual energy often surpasses physical strength by ten, sometimes even a hundred times.
Hancock offered, "If you want to try learning, I could help teach you!"
Kitaro shook his head. "That wouldn't be enough."
Although Hancock possessed Conqueror's Haki, her understanding was limited. Her Haki barely even stirred Kitaro's mental fortitude.
Hancock pouted in annoyance at his rejection.
Suddenly, a faint white mist appeared. Rayleigh was now unleashing his Conqueror's Haki, testing Kitaro.
Starting with mid-level Conqueror's Haki, Rayleigh controlled its range and impact with precision. Basic Conqueror's Haki usually bursts out due to emotional intensity and can knock out nearby people but lacks control. Rayleigh's mastery meant he could expand its pressure and force to affect his surroundings.
Yet Kitaro felt nothing.
"Not enough," Kitaro said calmly.
Rayleigh's gaze sharpened.
BOOM!
Rayleigh unleashed a full force of Conqueror's Haki, shaking the entire auction house. Outside, almost all the surrounding Marines collapsed, eyes rolling back as they fell unconscious. Only a few remained standing.
"What's going on inside? Why would Rayleigh use Conqueror's Haki?" a Marine officer shouted, recognizing the rare energy only a handful of people could wield.
Finally, Kitaro felt something, though it was faint.
"Still not enough!" he called out.
Rayleigh took a deep breath and redirected his energy, this time wrapping his fist in Conqueror's Haki.
As soon as Kitaro saw Rayleigh's Haki-wrapped fist, his instincts screamed danger. Only battles with Admirals like Aokiji or Kizaru had given him that feeling recently.
"Come at me!" Kitaro shouted, thrilled, and lunged forward with his fist to meet Rayleigh's.
BOOM!
The impact shattered seats and cracked walls around them, sending fragments flying. Marines nearby were thrown back, crying out as debris hit them.
"Fall back! Retreat!" a Marine officer shouted, watching in terror as Rayleigh and Kitaro clashed.
The dust cleared, revealing the auction house in ruins, with Kitaro and Rayleigh still standing in the center.
"I think I felt something change," Kitaro remarked excitedly, sensing his mental energy shifting slightly.
Rayleigh's eyes lit up in recognition. This boy was something else — to meet Rayleigh's Haki with raw power was rare indeed. Perhaps the newspaper headlines about this young man, with his astronomical 3 billion bounty, weren't exaggerations after all.
"If that's the case, let's continue, Kitaro. I'll push a little harder," Rayleigh said, ready to see if this young Uchiha could indeed learn Conqueror's Haki and make history.
"Bring it on!"
*BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!*
Their battle shook the entire Sabaody Archipelago.
---
Island 33
"Fire now!"
*Boom! Boom! Boom!*
"Gomu Gomu no Balloon!" Luffy's belly expanded like a balloon, deflecting cannonballs. "Whew! What's going on? Why are there so many Marines all of a sudden?" he wondered, having fun until they attacked out of nowhere.
---
Island 26
"Reflect!" Eustass Kid deflected an incoming shell back toward the Marines.
Boom!
"Ack!"
"It doesn't work against him!"
"Hold out until Admiral Kizaru arrives!"
At that moment, Trafalgar Law smirked, creating a translucent sphere around himself and the Marines.
"ROOM!"
"Stay out of his circle!" shouted a Marine, only for Law to slice through everyone inside. As they screamed in terror, he casually swapped their limbs and torsos around.
"Relax! You'll be fine soon."
"Why do you have an extra body?!"
"Where did my arm go?!"
A wave of horror rippled through the surrounding Marines, who instinctively felt a surge of fear at the sight.
"Don't... don't be afraid! Grab your weapons! They must have a weakness!!"
Clank! Clank!
The Marines' weapons suddenly flew upward, as if pulled by some invisible force. In an instant, a massive arm formed of various metal objects appeared, fused to Kid's right arm. With a vicious grin, Kid swung the gigantic arm toward the group of Marines.
"No—!!"
Boom—!!!
The massive arm slammed down, burying the Marines in its wake. The remaining Marines were quickly taken care of by Kid's and Law's crews.
"Guess the Marine's not so tough after all!" Kid taunted.
"Next time, Trafalgar Law, I'll let you go this once, but the next time we meet in the New World will be your end," Kid sneered, looking at Law.
"Funny, I was about to say the same thing," Law replied calmly.
Pirates aren't friends—they're rivals. If it weren't for the Marine's proximity, the two of them would've already been at each other's throats.
"Well then, see you in the New World!"
Suddenly—
Zing—!
A laser shot through the air, striking Kid's left leg.
"Ahh!" Kid yelled.
"K-Kid!"
Law looked up in shock. On one of the massive red tree roots stood a towering man with a bulky upper body, slender legs, and a bear-like frame. He wore a hat with bear ears on top. As they recognized him, the expressions on both Kid's and Law's faces darkened.
"Why… why is there a Warlord of the Sea here?!"
"Why would a Warlord appear on this island?!"
The figure was unmistakably the infamous "Tyrant" Bartholomew Kuma of the Seven Warlords.
"Trafalgar Law…" Kuma's deep voice resonated.
"So, you've heard of me…"
Zing—!!
Another laser shot from Kuma's mouth.
Boom—!!!
"Captain!!"
Law appeared unharmed in another location but looked irritated. "Damn it! Celestial Dragons, Uchiha Security, the Marine, the Seven Warlords—this island's swarming with monsters. I have no interest in facing an Admiral next, so move aside, Bartholomew Kuma!"
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