• Haki
{Ninth Year of the Great Age of Pirates}
Cain frowned upon hearing his father's boastful claim. However, he knew Enzo wasn't the type to spout nonsense without reason.
"Then get to it," Cain said impatiently, closing his eyes as if ready to sleep.
Enzo grinned, clearly amused by his son's unbothered demeanor. He knew Cain didn't fully grasp the beauty and complexity of Haki.
"Well, first, you gotta tell me what you know about Haki—at least what you've read or heard about it."
Cain stroked his forehead, his face showing annoyance as his old man entered one of his mischievous moods again. Whenever Enzo was like this, it always managed to irritate him.
"I can't be bothered. I'll leave if you don't tell me. I don't have time for this."
"Go ahead, then. But I promise you'll regret it. Ezazazazaha!"
Unfortunately for Cain, Enzo was right. He had called Cain's bluff, knowing his son was just like him—curious and easily drawn in by confidence. His father's boastful attitude about Haki piqued his interest, and he realized he couldn't leave without satisfying his curiosity.
"Fine, you got me. Basically, all I know about Haki is that it's a mind-spiritual ability, and only a few people can access it. Also, I heard that some can use it to predict the future. That last part has to be wrong, right?"
Enzo laughed hysterically, leaning forward with his hands on his waist. His son's skepticism amused him.
"Son, it's true. I've even met someone who could predict the future. Oh, he was a tricky bastard, I'll tell you that—barely managed to land a hit on him. By the way, I'm stronger than him. Ezazazazaha!"
Cain was stunned. His mind went into overdrive as he considered the possibilities of predicting the future. He also wondered how his father had managed to defeat someone with such an ability.
"This is interesting. Alright, Enzo, I've told you what I know. Now it's your turn to explain everything about this 'Haki.' The rest, I'll figure out myself."
Enzo raised an eyebrow, slightly irritated that Cain called him by his name instead of "Father." Though he was used to it, he didn't like it. The first time Cain had done so, Enzo had been furious, punishing him with a heated argument and a few "disciplinary" hits.
This time, however, his son seemed serious, so Enzo let it slide with a snort.
"Alright, alright. Basically, there are three types of Haki: [Observation], [Armament], and the final, special one, [Conqueror's Haki]. Do you know what they mean by their names?"
"Well, Observation Haki is self-explanatory. I bet it allows you to sense the life force of friends and foes, as well as their emotions or lies. I'm guessing this is also the one that lets you predict the future. Am I right?"
Cain smiled smugly, exuding an air of arrogance, confident in his answer.
The corner of Enzo's eye twitched. He hated arrogance, especially when it came from people who were correct. Still, it was his fault for asking; he should've known better, given his son's unnatural intelligence since birth.
"Anyway, I forgot to mention something earlier," Cain said, dropping his arrogant demeanor and staring at Enzo intently.
"I don't know why, but I can sense everything inside myself and others—blood, veins, organs, the heart, liver, and so on. But I can only do it if I concentrate hard. Is that [Observation Haki]?" Cain asked calmly.
"Oh, that's interesting. Of course, it's [Observation Haki]. What else could it be? Don't get cocky thinking you're the only one with that ability. In this world, there's someone in the top league who, at five years old, killed many Giant warriors. Imagine that!
"If your ability came at birth, it just means you're talented in [Observation Haki]. You might even be able to predict the future one day. This world is full of wonders, and it gifts people innate talents or powers randomly. Be grateful for it and use it wisely. Understood?"
Cain was speechless. He hadn't expected a lecture from his father. He knew he wasn't special and had only been joking. Still, he was surprised to learn that others with exceptional [Observation Haki] could do what he could—and more. The story of a five-year-old defeating Giants left him fascinated.
"Yes, Father. But I have a question. Why do you assume I won't be the strongest if I don't have Haki? What if I get an overpowered Devil Fruit, like a Logia Fruit? You wouldn't even be able to touch me."
"Because Haki is the only way to defeat all Logia users."
Cain's jaw dropped, his expression a mix of shock and annoyance. He'd been waiting for years for his father to tell him how to counter Logia users, only for Enzo to tease him and delay the information until now. He couldn't believe Haki could bypass Devil Fruits' powers.
"Why isn't that in the books I've read? Did you hide them from me?"
Enzo, growing bored, decided to give Cain a lecture on [Armament Haki] but avoided mentioning [Conqueror's Haki].
"[Armament Haki] allows its user to bypass the defenses of Devil Fruits, such as Logia intangibility or Paramecia modifications, letting them land blows on the substantial body beneath. However, unlike Seastone, [Armament Haki] doesn't nullify a Devil Fruit's power; it forces the user's body to solidify."
"What about [Conqueror's Haki]? Didn't you say there was a third one?" Cain asked, baffled by his father's omission.
"I don't want to talk about it. You'll have to figure that one out for yourself."
Cain clenched his fists, veins popping on his forehead as he tried to stay calm. His father's refusal to provide information frustrated him endlessly.
"How long do you plan to train by yourself now that you know about Haki?" Enzo asked, changing the subject.
Cain sighed, deciding to let it go. "About six more years. When I'm 12, I'll set out to different islands and gather crew members. That'll take around three years, and then we'll fight against the world."
Cain smiled ominously, raising his hand and hovering his sharpened nails in front of him.