Luffy took a moment to analyze his situation. Gradually, he began to understand something important. The system had granted him a method of training his Conqueror's Haki, one that involved continuously experiencing and interpreting the world around him. This form of awareness… it had to be the key to advancing his Haki.
Previously, after savoring some roasted meat, his Conqueror's Haki had increased by a point. Of course, it wasn't just the act of eating, but the whole process of absorbing and digesting that created an unforgettable sensation. It seemed to trigger something new inside him—a unique insight into his own power.
But the real breakthrough came when he'd fought that giant gorilla. The creature's crushing blow had left him gravely injured, a life-and-death struggle that forced him to confront the raw limits of his own strength. And that experience had granted him far more insight than just enjoying a good meal. In an instant, his Conqueror's Haki had jumped by a full nine points, a boost that seemed almost dreamlike.
Of course, this leap in power had come at a steep cost. Now, Luffy lay unconscious, his mind fully awake, yet his body unable to move an inch. The sensation of being so helpless was infuriating. But still…
"To get stronger this fast? Worth it," he thought. "If I just go through a few more life-or-death fights like that, I'll be unstoppable. I'd do it again, even if it nearly kills me."
In his mind, he could picture the result—achieving a full one hundred points in Conqueror's Haki. In this world, no one would be able to stand against him. Not that the system needed to be this powerful for him to reach the pinnacle, but still. Even in his previous life, he had studied the legends of Kaido, Big Mom Linlin, Whitebeard, Shanks, even Roger. Each of them was a powerhouse at the top of the world, but even they had never fully reached the peak of Conqueror's Haki, a full one hundred points.
"There had to be someone, sometime in history, who did it," Luffy reasoned aloud. "It's only natural that some legendary figure would reach the summit."
After reflecting a bit longer, Luffy felt like he was starting to grasp the real nature of the system. This power wasn't just some straightforward, overwhelming force. It was linked to attributes of the world itself, in subtle but powerful ways. If the system could just bestow random abilities, why would it center around Haki from this world? The powers the system provided were tied to the very world he inhabited, bound by its laws. They weren't conjured from thin air.
"Ah, whatever!" he finally muttered, dismissing the thought. "I just need to keep training Haki to the highest level. Then… everything else will fall into place."
Outside, Luffy lay still as a corpse, sprawled out on a bed as if already dead. By his side, Rayleigh frowned, letting out a sigh.
"How long until he recovers?" he asked. A young woman, one of the doctors sent by Boa Hancock, stood beside him, looking worried.
"Rayleigh-sama," she replied, "there's no need to be too concerned. He should recover after some time."
Rayleigh nodded, though his concern lingered. Meanwhile, the doctor was torn, unsure whether to tell Boa Hancock of Luffy's condition. She knew Boa cared deeply for him, but if she kept it secret, she risked punishment later. With a heavy heart, she stayed silent.
Rayleigh stepped away, pulling out his Den Den Mushi to make a call. After a moment, a familiar, slightly magnetic voice answered from the other end.
"Rayleigh? What's going on?" came the calm, detached voice of a man.
"It's Shanks, right? I have something you need to know," Rayleigh said.
Minutes later, on a distant shore, Shanks stood with a furrowed brow. His scarred face, framed by wild red hair, was shadowed by an expression of deep concern. His right sleeve hung empty in the wind, a constant reminder of what he'd sacrificed in the past.
"What's really going on?" he muttered to himself. "Luffy… how could this happen?"
He stared at his Den Den Mushi, struggling to accept what Rayleigh had just told him. Luffy, a user of the Nika Fruit and technically the embodiment of the Sun God Nika, had a body that could withstand extraordinary punishment. His resilience, both physical and spiritual, was renowned. But from what Rayleigh described, it was hard to believe—a gorilla, a single, brutal hit that had left Luffy severely injured.
As much as Shanks wanted to deny it, he couldn't. Rayleigh wasn't one to joke about such things, especially when it concerned Luffy. Shanks could only accept that it was true, however shocking.
"This can't be right," Shanks murmured. He was Shanks, one of the Four Emperors, a person who had seen and done nearly everything in this world. Few things could still surprise him. But the news that Luffy had been so grievously injured felt unreal.
After a few more calls to confirm the details, Shanks finally understood the reality: Luffy was seriously hurt, his recovery still uncertain. At least he'd passed the critical stage, Rayleigh had assured him.
"A gorilla, just a sparring match… and he almost died? It sounds like he barely survived a life-or-death fight."
This was the same Luffy who had taken on two Warlords, who had faced countless injuries and had endured more battles than anyone could count. And yet here he was, brought down by a single opponent. It was enough to shake Shanks, leaving him to mutter, "This can't be real," as he struggled to accept it.
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T/N:
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