The technique of releasing Armament Haki was as common as hardening in the New World.
There was no distinction in superiority between the two methods. They were simply different types of techniques. The essence of strong or weak Armament Haki still lay with the user himself.
The techniques of hardening and releasing were like options that could be used selectively in different situations to achieve better results.
Ares raised his hand. His skin was shriveled and black, as though dehydrated. The muscles on his arm had the sheen of obsidian, glossy and bright.
In the blink of an eye, it turned blood-red like carnelian. That was his Armament Haki.
"Try releasing this power..."
It began to surface over his arm like red flames. However, the moment those red flames appeared, they vanished, extremely unstable.
They dispersed.
This was Ares's first attempt at using the technique of releasing Armament Haki. He immediately reflected on it. "The cohesion isn't enough. It's like a candle being blown out by the wind."
"I need to condense the Haki more tightly and use a greater amount to make it more solid."
Next, he began his second attempt. This time, the red flames wrapped around his arm burned like actual fire, but they did not disappear.
Ares's face lit up with joy. This attempt had succeeded. "This is only the beginning. Next, I need to control the Armament Haki and release it. That is true Haki release."
The Haki was currently condensed in his hand, while the final result of releasing it was to send that Haki outward. It could form a wall of air or an attack resembling a shock wave.
Just like when Rayleigh taught Luffy by knocking a ferocious beast back with a palm strike from a distance.
He began his next attempt.