"What are you guys up to, Shanks?"
Uta felt like she'd missed something exciting. She flopped into Shanks' arms, rubbing her head against his firm abs as she asked.
"Luffy's been trying to tap into his Conqueror's Haki," one of the pirates laughed, filling their little princess in.
"And then he let out a fart!"
"Hahahahaha…"
The pirates burst into laughter.
"Conqueror's Haki—I've seen Shanks use that!" Uta boasted to Luffy.
"With just one look, over a hundred people collapsed!" She looked at Shanks with admiration, patting his lean waist in satisfaction.
"Shanks, use Conqueror's Haki on me!"
Luffy pondered for a moment before making up his mind.
After all, he was Luffy! His fighting instincts were sharp, and he'd even managed to learn advanced Observation Haki by battling stronger foes. There was no reason he couldn't master Conqueror's Haki.
Maybe it was because he hadn't felt it firsthand? "That kind of power can be dangerous for kids," Shanks replied, shaking his head.
"Conqueror's Haki is a force that impacts one's will and spirit. Luffy, you're still just a kid," Shanks explained.
Conqueror's Haki couldn't be taught or copied. Those subjected to its impact would undergo a test of their will, with the weaker losing consciousness, left at the mercy of others.
Shanks didn't believe that a seven-year-old Luffy could withstand such a test.
"You know who I am!"
Luffy pointed to himself with his thumb and declared loudly, "I'm Monkey D. Luffy!"
Luffy solemnly announced his full name to Shanks.
Uta, watching the arrogant display, ground her teeth, feeling a surge of irritation toward the kid.
So cocky!
Luffy wasn't sure if giving his full name would have any effect, but he hoped that using the Will of D on Shanks would get through to him!
In the One Piece world, revealing his full name to top figures often triggered a unique reaction—a sense of understanding, an acknowledgment, and acceptance.
"D…?"
Shanks looked at the kid before him with intrigue, a glint flashing in his eyes.
"You reckless little brat. Alright, let's see what you're made of."
A gust of wind stirred.
Luffy felt it—the wind that seemed to blow from Shanks himself. In a mere instant, his eyes rolled back, and he collapsed backward, unable to control his body.
Even his thoughts froze for a moment, his mind going blank.
But then, that external wind seemed to stir something within Luffy, awakening a wind of his own.
An aura surged from within Luffy, rippling outward in all directions.
"That's…"
Shanks' pupils contracted, and the other pirates gradually quieted, their smiles fading.
"There's no mistake… Conqueror's Haki. This kid really has it…"
"A power one is born with…" Shanks murmured.
Conqueror's Haki could manifest randomly, even in a commoner's child, revealing a "kingly" potential.
But if one's lineage had Conqueror's Haki, the chances of it appearing in descendants were even higher.
Luffy, who had been about to fall backward, suddenly steadied himself.
The moment his Conqueror's Haki flared, he regained his senses, vaguely feeling the wind stirring within him.
Perhaps he had to thank the urgency he had felt about proving himself as a king.
This aura was weak, and none of the pirates around him were affected by Luffy's Conqueror's Haki. Only Uta and Miss Makino, who was cleaning dishes nearby, succumbed and fell unconscious to the ground.
Uta fared better; nestled in Shanks' arms, she didn't fall to the floor.
"So you really did manage it. You have potential, Luffy." Shanks patted his head, "You'll be quite the formidable king someday."
"But for now, you need to apologize to Miss Makino and Uta."
"Got it!"
Luffy nodded, relishing the feeling of unleashing Conqueror's Haki.
This power, once released, seemed to ripple outward indiscriminately, judging the will of everyone it touched.
After seven years of living in the pirate world, he'd finally awakened a true supernatural power!
About ten minutes later, Makino and Uta slowly regained consciousness.
"What… what happened?"
As they came to, they found themselves slumped on the table, their minds blank.
"This little brat just awakened his Conqueror's Haki and knocked you both out," Shanks explained.
"Newly awakened Conqueror's Haki indiscriminately affects all nearby living beings. It's a power that doesn't differentiate between friend and foe."
"Oh…" Miss Makino nodded, vaguely understanding. She was just an ordinary person and didn't know much about the world of fighters. Seeing she was unharmed, she let it go.
Uta, on the other hand, was furious. All she knew was that a seven-year-old had managed to take her down, which was way too embarrassing for someone her age.
"Gomen nasai!"
Luffy performed a near-perfect 90-degree bow in apology.
As an adult, Miss Makino quickly forgave the adorable child.
But Uta pouted, cheeks puffed out, "I just saved you this morning, and now you attack me in the afternoon!"
"Luffy, you're way too much!"
"Alright… as an apology, how about I take you to a super cool place!"
Luffy thought of a way to coax her.
Immediately, Uta's interest was piqued. "It better be cool, or I'm not forgiving you!"
She stood up from her chair and stretched.
The newly awakened Conqueror's Haki hadn't been powerful, so Uta only felt like she'd taken a short nap. She made a mental note to ask Shanks to use it on her next time they set sail—she could get a good, long sleep that way.
And so, Luffy led Uta out the door.
"Seems like playing with kids their age is really the best. They get along so quickly," Shanks said, pleased that Luffy and Uta had become fast friends.
"When do you plan to leave?" Miss Makino asked, propping her head up with one hand.
"In a week or so. Let Uta enjoy herself a little more. I'm still deciding on our next destination."
"Captain, how about the Kingdom of Music? It'd be a great chance for Uta to study music—she'd definitely love it."
One of the pirates suggested.
"The Kingdom of Music… Elegia, huh? That's a great idea!"
Shanks nodded thoughtfully.
…
Luffy led Uta deeper into the island.
Windmill Village w
as named for its windmills, and the forest on the island was dotted with many large windmills.
His destination was the largest windmill of them all.