Awakening Observation Haki

At this moment, under the enhancement of the five-times deathmatch multiplier on the [Tenacity] panel, Ronan's Spirit was elevated to an unprecedented peak.

He didn't look back.

But within his perception, in that "unseen" sense, he "saw"!

He "saw" a distorted, malicious black afterimage, attacking his back at a tricky angle!

--Here it comes!

Ronan didn't think; his body was completely taken over by a warrior's instinct.

He suddenly dodged sideways, executing the "Flash" technique from Xing Yi Quan to its limit!

"Pfft--!"

The sharp whistle of a blade cutting through the air sounded, almost grazing Ronan's chest!

Ten cold lights narrowly missed Ronan's clothes.

Ronan felt a chill on his chest and looked down. His shirt was already torn, revealing a few shallow bloodstains.

If he had been even a tenth of a second slower on that attack, his chest would have been completely pierced!

At this moment, in Ronan's mind, the cold mechanical prompt sounded like heavenly music:

[Congratulations to Host for activating "Observation Haki (Beginner)"]

[Current Host Observation Haki Level: Beginner 1/100]

Ronan took a deep breath, suppressing the elation in his heart.

Success! Under the five-times deathmatch multiplier and Kuro's extreme pressure, I finally... comprehended Observation Haki!

At this moment, the entire world changed.

In Ronan's "vision," the storm still raged, but Kuro's blurry afterimage had become clear.

No, he didn't "see" it clearly with his eyes.

He "felt" it with his "heart"!

He could clearly "sense" a violent, chaotic "aura" ricocheting wildly in the courtyard.

Every time this aura changed direction, every time it launched an attack, a faint premonition would arise in Ronan's mind!

"Clang!!"

Zoro was hit again, a new wound appearing on his arm.

"Damn it! Ronan, how did you..."

Zoro's words were cut short as he saw a scene that made his jaw drop.

Ronan stood in the center of the storm, facing the teleportation-like slashes coming from all directions, as if he had foreseen them.

The moment Kuro's figure flickered to his left, Ronan's head had already lightly tilted to the right, his claws grazing his ear.

The moment Kuro's aura rose from behind him, Ronan had already ducked low, ten cold lights whistling over his head, shaving off a few of his black hairs.

Under the astonished gazes of Luffy and Zoro, their wounds continued to multiply, while Ronan, like a prophet dancing on the edge of a blade, always managed to evade all the fatal attacks at the last second of Kuro's assault, with the smallest movements and the most exquisite actions!

"Hey! Ronan!"

Luffy shouted in shock while dodging, "How are you doing that?!"

"Feel it with your heart!" Ronan closed his eyes, immersed in this wondrous state, and replied loudly.

"Huh? With my heart?" Luffy was completely confused.

"Screech!"

The moment he was distracted, Kuro's claws struck again, leaving several deep gashes on Luffy's arm!

"That hurts!!"

Luffy was furious.

Being toyed with by this guy with glasses, injuring his companions, and now being cut up so badly himself!

"With my heart... with my heart..." Luffy closed his eyes, imitating Ronan.

"Bang!"

The next second, he was struck by Kuro across the chest and sent flying backward.

"Idiot! What are you doing!" Zoro roared.

"I can't catch him!!" Luffy got up from the ground, carefully sensing Kuro's movements, sensing the "wind" weaving through the air.

As Kuro left a few more marks on him, Luffy's anger reached its peak!

He no longer tried to "predict" or "sense."

He abandoned all techniques, leaving only his terrifying, beast-like combat intuition!

The moment Kuro's afterimage once again closed in on him, preparing to deliver a heavy blow--

Luffy's eyes suddenly snapped open, bloodshot!

He didn't dodge. Instead, he let out a sky-shattering roar towards the blurry afterimage:

"Got you!!"

His right arm swung out fiercely, not with a fist, but with open fingers!

"What?!"

Kuro, in the midst of high-speed movement, felt a massive Strength suddenly grab his ankle!

His speed, so fast that no one could match it, was forcibly interrupted by this rubber arm!

"Bang!!"

Luffy yanked Kuro out of his high-speed state and slammed him hard onto the ground!

"Gum-Gum... Grab!"

Luffy grabbed Kuro's leg, swung him around, and smashed him into the ground again!

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

"Pukkk--!!"

Kuro was sent spewing blood by this unreasonable attack. His proud "Scythe" was completely broken, and the claws in his hands flew off into the distance during the violent impacts.

Ronan watched this scene, marveling inwardly.

As expected of Luffy... what incredible combat intuition!

He hasn't even awakened Observation Haki, but relying on his terrifying, beast-like combat talent, he took down Kuro in one blow amidst the most chaotic attack!

Kuro lay on the ground, covered in blood, his body still twitching slightly, clearly having lost his fighting ability. Yet, he still tried to struggle to get up.

Ronan didn't give him that chance.

"Strike while the iron is hot!"

Ronan lunged forward. Without a shred of mercy, he brought his right foot, imbued with the power of his Collapse Fist, down hard onto Kuro's head!

"Thump!"

A dull thud echoed as Kuro's head slammed heavily onto the ground. His eyes rolled back, and he completely fainted.

In the courtyard, the frenzied killing intent and the ear-piercing sound of air being torn apart finally vanished completely.

Zoro walked over, clutching the wound on his chest, blood continuously seeping through his fingers.

He looked at Ronan, his usual playful expression gone, replaced by an unprecedented seriousness:

"Hey, Ronan, that technique you dodged just now... what was it?"

Luffy also came closer. The wound on his arm was slowly healing, but his expression was equally serious.

Ronan looked at their earnest faces and smiled slightly, lifting the veil on the world's high-level combat powers:

"It's Observation Haki."

"Observation Haki?" Luffy and Zoro asked in unison. "What's that!"

"It's a technique that enhances the five senses to perceive a living being's aura, emotional changes, and predict danger."

Ronan explained, "When trained to a certain level, it can even... briefly foresee the future!"

"What?! Foresee the future?!"

Upon hearing Ronan's words, the two of them gasped in astonishment.

"Ronan!" Luffy's eyes lit up instantly, filled with longing. "This technique! You have to teach me!"

Zoro also looked at Ronan with a longing gaze.

Hearing Ronan's description, of course, he wanted to learn! If he could predict his opponent's attacks, his swordsmanship would reach a whole new level!

Ronan looked at their expressions and nodded with satisfaction.

"Of course."

He said, "Observation Haki and Armament Haki are essential techniques. In the future 'Grand Line', you simply can't get by without Observation and Armament Haki."

"Armament Haki?" Luffy tilted his head. "What's that?"

"It's a technique that greatly enhances attack and defense, like an invisible armor. It's also the only way to effectively attack Logia Devil Fruit users."

Ronan explained, "However, I haven't mastered it yet. Once I figure it out, I'll teach you."

Ronan sighed inwardly, thinking:

This is all Oda's fault. There was no such setting in the early stages, so it's no wonder Luffy and Zoro don't know anything yet.

But it's okay. Starting today, I'll be the one running the Straw Hat Pirates' 'Haki Crash Course'.