Chapter 13: Conqueror's Haki - Infusion
"Hahaha, my strength has really declined a lot" Garp chuckled, his eyes twinkling with a vestige of his former might as he gazed at Ace, who was still reeling from the impact. His laughter echoed, a sound mixed with nostalgia and pride. "But even so, it's enough to demonstrate the power of Conqueror's Haki infusion."
Ace, regaining his composure, approached a towering rock wall, his determination etched in his stance. With a deep breath, his eyes ignited with a purple-black gleam, heralding the unleashing of his Conqueror's Haki. The air crackled with energy, and a tempest of purple-black lightning danced wildly around him.
Feeling an intrinsic connection to this newfound power, Ace focused intently. The chaotic lightning responded, converging into a concentrated mass around his clenched fist. With a fierce cry, he thrust his fist forward, and a maelstrom of energy erupted, carving a massive hole through the rock wall, leaving it crumbling in its wake.
"As expected of the Conqueror's Haki infusion," Ace murmured, a satisfied grin spreading across his face. The fruits of his rigorous training were beyond rewarding—not only had he acquired the Mera-Mera Fruit, but he had also mastered the Conqueror's Haki Infusion, arguably the most formidable force within the pirate realm.
Garp, witnessing the spectacle, could hardly believe his eyes. His usual stoic demeanor gave way to a look of sheer astonishment, his mouth agape as if seeing the grand line for the first time. Even Rocks D. Xebec, the formidable adversary who had once challenged him, had not elicited such a reaction. This was the true essence of Conqueror's Haki infusion—a power befitting a sovereign, a force that commanded respect across the seas. For those who wielded it, it was not just a skill but a testament to their potential to reign supreme, whether as feared pirates or as esteemed princes within the Navy's ranks.
In the Navy, those who are seen as potential future admirals are meticulously groomed. Not all will ascend to the esteemed rank of Fleet Admiral, but the mere consideration for such a role distinguishes them from the ranks of an ordinary Vice-Admiral.
The Conqueror's Haki infusion is the pinnacle of this formidable power. To awaken one's Conqueror's Haki is to be acknowledged as having the makings of a monarch. But to master its infusion is to ascend to true kingship, to command the seas with the authority of an emperor.
Legends like the former Rocks D. Xebec, the late "Pirate King" Gol D. Roger, the "strongest man in the world" Edward Newgate, also known as Whitebeard, and the "Dark King", Silvers Rayleigh, have all risen to prominence through their mastery of this power. These titans of the sea have faced the full might of the Navy alone, surviving countless battles to perfect the art of Conqueror's Haki infusion.
Yet, Ace has seemingly grasped this power merely by observation—a feat that leaves even Garp, a man of vast experience, utterly dumbfounded. His eyes wide as saucers, Garp's usual composure gives way to a rare spectacle of bewilderment. This is no mere talent; it is an anomaly. The Conqueror's Haki infusion is a rare skill, attainable by only a select few who possess the king's qualifications—one in a million.
The difficulty lies in the nature of Conqueror's Haki, which is distinct from Armament Haki and Observation Haki. While the latter two are tangible powers of the body, Conqueror's Haki is the power of will, an ethereal force that cannot be harnessed until one's spirit is sufficiently potent. It is not a weapon to wield but an essence to embody.
There is no shortcut to cultivating Conqueror's Haki. It must be nurtured through life-and-death struggles, growing in tandem with one's fortitude. Only when it reaches an extraordinary intensity can one begin to infuse it into their attacks, transforming into a sovereign of the seas.
Ace's rapid acquisition of this power defies all conventions. His Conqueror's Haki has not yet met the threshold, yet he has already enveloped it around his fist, challenging the very foundations of what is believed possible.
As Garp stands, his jaw slackened in shock, Ace turns his attention to another skill he has honed, oblivious to the astonishment he has caused.