Difference Between Weak & Strong

Seeing the determined look in Ori's eyes Gildarts let out a sigh as he said.

"Did you know the Federation have several ranks of adventurers starting the from C- rank."

As he said that, a weak energy surged forth from his body. Despite them not understanding what Gildarts was getting at, no one interrupted him.

"Above C- is the C rank followed by C+. Next is B-"

Every time he spoke of a new rank the aura he emitted would increase.

"Next is the B rank which is your current rank Sabo. Above him is your rank Silk, B+."

As they felt their ranks both Sabo and Silk frowned. Not because they were intimidated by the aura he was emitting but because their strength was only one realm above the floor.

Gildarts ignored them as he turned to face Benji and Malia.

"The both of you are ranked here at A- rank."

Neither seemed shocked nor upset by his assessment. It was as if they were expecting that.

"Next is the A rank, followed by your rank young Torch, A+."

When he heard that, Bai was shocked. He looked over at Benji and Malia surprised that his strength had surpassed theirs.

[Am I really that strong?]

Just as he was feeling a little proud, he felt a suffocating pressure envelope him.

"This is the strength of an S- ranked adventurer, this is the level you're considered an elite in the Federation. Above that is you Shaya, at the S rank."

Shaya clenched her fist in frustration hearing that.

[I'm the successor of the Dracule family having inherited their Hawk eye technique, twin attribute observation haki, 2 devil fruits, I've even awakened one of them and I'm still only one sub-realm above one of their low level elites…]

Gildarts ignored the reactions of Shaya and the others as he looked at Ori and continued.

"This is the level of strength of someone at the S+ rank. This is the SSS- rank, and that's the level your former first mate stepped into when he reached the Master Halberdsman boundary. And this…

This is the SSS rank. This is the level you just about managed to step into after your last battle."

Ori didn't bat an eyelid when he felt Gildarts energy. He just waited patiently for him to continue.

"This is the SSS+ rank, the rank of the Admiral's today and the majority of the strongest Yonko Executive's."

At this point Ori was the only person able to withstand the pressure Gildarts was emitting with no effort.

"Listen closely because this is the difference between you and the true powerhouses in this world.

This is the Z- rank. The Z ranks are different to other ranks. Each of the Z ranks are further broken down into Early, Mid and Late stages. This is the Early Stage of the Z- rank, this is the level that the previous generations of Admiral's had to be at and also the level Katakuri will break into when he truly comprehends the Martial Lord boundary."

When Ori felt that, he had to revolve his Heavenly Demon Sacred Art to ease the pressure.

[The difference between the SSS+ rank and the Z- rank is so big?!]

Gildarts ignored his shock as he continued.

"Next is the Mid stages of the Z- rank and above that is the level that Shanks and Mihawk are at; the Late stages of the Z- rank."

By this point Ori was revolving the Heavenly Demon Art to it's current maximum but he was still struggling to resist the pressure. Behind him Sabo and Silk were already unconscious whilst Bai, Malia and Benji were on all 4s resisting the pressure. Other than Ori, only Shaya was barely standing.

Gildarts indifferently continued with his display.

"This next stage is the stage both Kaido and Linlin are at, technically it isn't officially a rank, but we call it the half step Z rank. This is the same level you wanted to be able to resist in a years' time!"

As he felt that pressure Ori felt like a mountain was pressing down on him now. Even when revolving his Heavenly Demon aura, he still felt as if his legs were about to give out! Behind him Shaya and the others had all collapsed under the pressure.

Gildarts was truly impressed with Ori's ability to resist the pressure. He had originally thought that Ori would be keeled over at the Mid stages of the Z- rank. To see him standing (albeit barely) whilst resisting the pressure of a half step Z rank was truly impressive for someone of his level.

Even though he was impressed, he didn't show it. He needed to show Ori how small and weak he really was.

"From the intelligence reports we've received, the strongest characters appearing at Sabody Archipelago in 3 months will be at my level."

As he said that the energy he released multiplied. Ori was now on all 4s gasping for air. The clouds in the sky had all parted under the aura of Gildarts.

"I'm at the Early stages of the Z rank. There are likely to be others at the mid or even late stages of the Z rank at the Sabody Archipelago. The affairs of those powerhouses aren't ones the current you can afford to get involved in."

As he said that he finally stopped releasing his aura allowing for Ori to gasp freely for air. Other than him, only Shaya was barely conscious.

[The ranks in this world seem to be equal to Roman's Pure Yang Body Tempering Art, which means that my Heavenly Demon Art is slightly above it. From the looks of it even though my Heavenly Demon Art only goes up to the SSS+ rank it should be roughly equal to the Mid stages of the Z- realm. But I can't help but wonder why the Heavenly Demon Art and Pure Yang Body Tempering Art only go up to the SSS+ rank and not the Z ranks…

Hmm, that's a problem for the future I guess. Even if it doesn't touch the Z rank, when I reach the SSS+ rank between that and my other abilities I refuse to believe that I won't be able to stand at the apex of this world.]

As he thought to there he clenched his fists with resolve shining in his eyes.

Watching them try to recover, Gildarts asked.

"After knowing the difference between you and those powerhouses who may attend, do you still insist on going?"

Ori who was trying to steady his shaky legs looked at the orange haired man and nodded.

Gildarts thought it was funny how someone's legs could be shaking so much in fear, but their eyes showed nothing but resolve.

Even though he wasn't sure why Ori was so determined to attend the auction in Sabody Archipelago he knew Ori wasn't the type to give up once he'd made his mind up. With a sigh he looked at Ori and said.

"Over the next 3 months I'll train you guys as much as possible to give you the best possible chance at surviving, but from then onwards you're on your own.

If you survive your experience at Sabody Archipelago, then I'll take you to see the old man. But no matter what happens to you at the Archipelago I won't be coming to save you. This is your problem to solve."

Ori smiled excitedly hearing that Gildarts was going to be training them.

"Haha thanks."

"Don't thank me just yet, this is going to be the most difficult 3 months of all of your lives!

From what I can see, you seem to be very all rounded. You've reached the middle stages of the Grandmaster Swordsman boundary, your observation, armament and conqueror's haki have all reached the advanced stages. If I had to choose a weakness for you, I'd say it wa…

"Advanced stage of haki? Haki is broken down into stages as well?"

Gildarts palmed his face when he heard that before replying.

"Ahh right sorry. Those ranks I explained to you from before were the ranks we use exclusively at the Federation. We find it easier when things are broken down into ranks so we also broke haki down into stages as well:

1. Initial

a. Observation – Just awakened can't control

b. Armament – Just awakened can't control

c. Conqueror's – Just awakened can't control

2. Elementary

a. Observation – Can only be used when stationary and undisturbed

b. Armament – Has to actively focus on channeling spirit to a certain body part

c. Conqueror's – Can't control perfectly, only works intermittently

3. Novice

a. Observation – Can be used to see the paths of basic attack and different aura's in the users immediate area.

b. Armament – Can be used freely on specific body parts but can't strengthen attacks, only negate devil fruit abilities

c. Conqueror's – Can be used freely in bursts but attacks indiscriminately

4. Adept

a. Observation – Can be used to sense the general strength of someone

b. Armament – Can harden specific body parts to strengthen attacks

c. Conqueror's – Same as before but can also be used to target small specific targets

5. Advanced

a. Observation – Can be used to sense the weaknesses in the target

b. Armament – Can be channelled into weapons, or devil fruit abilities

c. Conqueror's – Can be used in bursts on specific targets even in large groups

6. Expert

a. Observation – Can be used to sense the weaknesses in your own body

b. Armament – Can be used on the users whole body, even when sleeping

c. Conqueror's – Can be used continuously to make targets feel a constant pressure suppressing the targets strength, works best on weaker targets

7. Completion

a. Observation – Can accurately analyse every detail of the target including age and overall strength

b. Armament – Can be used to create a weapon made purely of haki

c. Conqueror's – Can be used to physically effect inanimate objects

8. Legendary

a. Observation – Able to sense the world in its purest form

b. Armament – Can be used to send blasts made purely of haki

Understand?"

Ori frowned as he asked.

"Doesn't the conqueror's haki have a legendary stage?"

Gildarts shrugged as he replied.

"The old man thinks it does but no one alive today has reached that stage. In ancient era's there may have been warrior's who reached that stage but our information about those eras are limited.

Now, like I was saying before, your only nameable weakness would be your usage and control of your Wind Fruit. The wind can be gentle, wind can be forceful, wind can be slow, or it can be fast. The wind's most powerful factor is it's ability to adapt.

You only seem to be using the fast and forceful aspect of the wind albeit your somehow able to use it to the same level anyone else would be had they awakened it and you've come up with a multitude of other ingenious ways to use those 2 aspects of the wind but still you won't be able to awaken your devil fruit if you only use those two aspects of it."

Ori scratched his head as he said.

"Actually I don't have the wind fruit anymore…"

Gildarts frowned as he replied.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean my Wind Fruit evolved and now it'd be more appropriate to call it the Air Logia Devil Fruit."

Gildarts looked at Ori as if he were looking at a monster, before it turned into a look of excitement.

"For someone with perception incredible enough to evolve your devil fruit you really are an idiot. How could you limit the usage of your devil fruit so much. You need to think outside the box, you could create heating effect by expanding the air, create a freezing effect by compressing the air, take away the oxygen of your target making it harder for them to fight. Your options are virtually limitless!"

As he said that, Ori's eyes seemed to light up as he was introduced to a whole new world. Seeing that Ori had seemed to understand what he was getting at, he watched his potential Jr. apprentice brother with a happy smile.

[I look forward to seeing how far your able to come in these next 3 months.]