The morning sun bathed Sabaody Archipelago in its warm glow, a soft breeze sweeping through the trees outside Shakky's Rip-Off Bar. Inside, the atmosphere was relaxed and calm, a stark contrast to the storm of events that had recently unfolded. William, the Boa sisters, Shakky, and Rayleigh sat around a large wooden table, enjoying a simple yet hearty breakfast.
The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and fried eggs filled the air as Shakky quietly served them more food. Hancock, Sandersonia, and Marigold were eating with content smiles—something that had been missing from their faces for years. The exhaustion of their lives as slaves and fugitives seemed to be slowly melting away.
William, however, sat quietly, his mind elsewhere. The bounties on his and the sisters' heads, the events with Akainu, and the revelation of Rayleigh's past with the Roger Pirates still weighed heavily on his mind. Despite the lighthearted banter between the sisters and Shakky, he knew that they couldn't afford to stay in this safe haven for long.
As he sipped his coffee, his eyes drifted to Rayleigh. The old man, with his sharp gaze and weathered face, looked nothing like the carefree drinker from the night before. Now, there was a sense of wisdom and power surrounding him—an aura that intrigued William. He had heard many stories about Haki and its advanced forms but had never been properly taught. And if Rayleigh was truly the legendary Dark King, then he was the best person to ask.
The clinking of cutlery faded as William set his cup down and leaned forward slightly.
"Rayleigh," William began, his voice breaking the comfortable silence, "can you tell us about Haki? Its advanced forms, and how we can use it more effectively?"
The sisters looked up from their plates, their attention fully on Rayleigh now. Hancock's eyes widened slightly with interest, while Sandersonia and Marigold exchanged curious glances.
Rayleigh met William's gaze, nodding slowly. "Haki, huh?" He leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms. "Alright. There are three main types of Haki: Observation Haki, Armament Haki, and Conqueror's Haki."
"We already know the basics," William said, his eyes narrowing with focus. "I've used all three forms before. But I want to know how to push them further, to reach their full potential."
Rayleigh smiled slightly. "Impressive. Not many your age can use the first two forms, let alone Conqueror's Haki. But like anything else, Haki can be refined and advanced to new levels. The basics will only get you so far."
He paused for a moment, collecting his thoughts before continuing. "Advanced Observation Haki allows you to sense the intent of others, predicting their moves before they even make them. With enough mastery, it's possible to see a brief glimpse into the future."
William's eyebrows raised in surprise. "See the future?"
Rayleigh nodded. "Only for a few seconds, but it can be the difference between life and death in battle. It's not easy to master, but with time and practice, you can sharpen your Observation Haki to reach that level."
Hancock, sitting beside William, leaned in slightly, her eyes gleaming with interest. "And Armament Haki?"
Rayleigh smiled at her enthusiasm. "Armament Haki can be strengthened too. At an advanced level, it goes beyond just hardening your body or weapons. You can learn to project your Haki outward, hitting your opponent without making direct contact. It's like creating a barrier of Haki around yourself."
He glanced at William. "This is especially useful when dealing with Demon Fruit users. A strong enough Armament Haki can penetrate their defenses and deal internal damage."
William nodded, absorbing the information. He had always suspected there was more to Haki than just the basics he'd learned. But what really caught his attention was the next type.
"And what about Conqueror's Haki?" William asked, his tone a mix of curiosity and seriousness.
Rayleigh's smile faded slightly, his expression growing more serious. "Conqueror's Haki is the rarest of the three. You're born with it—you can't learn it. But those who have it can learn to wield it in ways most people don't even know about."
He leaned forward, his eyes locking with William's. "At its most basic level, Conqueror's Haki is used to overwhelm the will of others, knocking out weaker opponents. But there's an advanced form, one that allows you to coat your attacks with Conqueror's Haki."
William's eyes widened slightly, the implications of what Rayleigh was saying sinking in.
"You mean... I can use it in combat, not just to knock people out?"
Rayleigh nodded. "Exactly. If you learn to channel Conqueror's Haki through your body and into your attacks, it can give you an overwhelming advantage. It's not something that many can do—only the strongest of the strong. But it's possible."
There was a long silence as William processed everything Rayleigh had said. The potential of these advanced forms of Haki was staggering. He glanced at the Boa sisters, who were just as absorbed in the conversation. Hancock's face had a newfound determination, while Sandersonia and Marigold looked equally eager.
William knew what he had to do. He couldn't waste any more time. If he was going to take down the World Government and fulfill his mission, he needed to be stronger. And not just him—Hancock, Sandersonia, and Marigold needed to grow too. They had all been through hell together, and if they were going to survive what was to come, they needed to master Haki.
William stood up, pushing his chair back slightly. His eyes were set on Rayleigh with a firm resolve.
"I want you to train us," William said, his voice steady. "Not just me—all four of us. Teach us how to use Haki at its full potential."
Rayleigh raised an eyebrow, clearly surprised by William's sudden request. "Train all four of you, huh?" he said, leaning back and stroking his beard thoughtfully.
William nodded, his determination unwavering. "I know it's a lot to ask, but we need this. And if it's payment you want—" He paused for a moment, a small smirk forming on his face. "I can pay you three billion Berries a year. What do you say?"
The Boa sisters exchanged shocked glances, their eyes wide at the amount of money William had casually offered. Even Shakky, who had been quietly observing the conversation, raised an eyebrow in amusement.
Rayleigh, however, didn't react immediately. He stared at William for a few moments, his face unreadable. Then, slowly, a small smile crept onto his lips, and he let out a low chuckle.
"Three Billion berries, huh?" Rayleigh said, shaking his head in amusement. "Kid, you sure know how to make an offer."
William remained silent, waiting for Rayleigh's response. The old man's smile lingered as he stood up from the table and stretched his arms.
"Forget about the money, kid," Rayleigh said, his tone light but firm. "I don't need it. If I wanted to get rich, I could've done that a long time ago."
William blinked in surprise. "Then... why would you help us?"
Rayleigh walked over to the window, gazing out at the trees swaying gently in the breeze. His eyes softened as he spoke, though his voice remained strong. "Because I want to see what you're going to achieve in the future. You've got a fire in you, William—something different from the usual pirates I've seen over the years."
He turned back to face them, his gaze lingering on each of them—William, Hancock, Sandersonia, and Marigold. "You're not just chasing fame or fortune. You've got a goal, and it's something bigger than just yourself. That's why I'll help you."
The room fell silent as William processed Rayleigh's words. He hadn't expected this. He had thought that perhaps Rayleigh would be motivated by money or curiosity, but it seemed that the old man saw something more in him. Something worth nurturing.
William's expression softened slightly, his respect for Rayleigh growing. He nodded in appreciation. "Thank you, Rayleigh."
Rayleigh smirked, his eyes twinkling with mischief. "Don't thank me yet, kid. The training won't be easy. You're going to regret asking me soon enough."
Hancock, always quick to step in, smiled confidently. "We've survived worse."
Rayleigh chuckled. "That may be true, but let's see how you handle what's to come."
As the morning sun climbed higher in the sky, the group sat back down, the weight of the conversation finally easing. William knew that this was the beginning of something new—something that would push him and the Boa sisters beyond their limits.
But he was ready. They all were.
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