Haki Teaching

"Of course I know, I just felt I should tell you the situation," Nia said, shaking off Rod's hand and tossing aside the topic they had been discussing. Her eyes sparkled as she stared intently at Rod.

"Can you teach me that move you learned from that pink-haired female Marine earlier?"

Nia, whose strengths already lay in speed and agility, had naturally noticed the rapid movement technique the Marines used during their previous battle, and she also noticed that Rod had mastered the same skill.

She had originally intended to figure it out on her own, but after two days of trying with no success, she ended up face-planting into the sea during practice. If Shakky hadn't happened to be swimming below, who knows what would have happened.

"You mean Soru? I was planning to tell you all about it anyway, even if you hadn't asked. Not just Soru, but Haki as well—that's also something I want to teach you."

"Haki?"

Nia blinked, feeling like she had heard the term somewhere before.

"Let's go up to the deck. I don't want to explain it over and over. Everyone, come along."

Rod led the way out of the room, calling out to Pekoms on the crow's nest, and then to Shakky, Bepo, and Law, who were swimming behind the ship. Grey was also called up by Nerl.

"A few days ago, when we fought the Marines, I learned some techniques from them."

Rod couldn't tell his companions about the ability of Knights Do Not Die Empty-Handed, so he decided to establish himself as a super genius.

If asked, it's just exceptional talent. I'll get it just by looking.

Luffy can learn it in a glance, why can't I?

"First, Soru."

Rod's foot moved, and his entire body instantly shifted from the deck to the bow of the ship. The next second, he reappeared in his original position.

"This technique involves repeatedly stomping on the ground dozens of times at high speed in an instant, within 0.36 seconds, to achieve high-speed movement through explosive counterforce, just like the effect you saw."

"The use of this technique first requires superhuman physical conditioning."

Among his companions present, everyone except Grey had truly abysmal physical condition; the rest should have no problem.

"Law, you need to master this technique as well. Don't neglect it just because your Devil Fruit ability makes things convenient. There are powers in the Grand Line that can nullify Devil Fruit abilities."

"I understand."

Law frowned slightly. Not enough time again!

His schedule was already packed. He had to continue researching medicine, further develop his Devil Fruit abilities, and train his physical fitness. Now he had to add martial arts training.

He was running out of time even to read manga.

"But when I try it myself, I always can't control the direction of my movement."

Nia asked.

The principle was similar to what she had been trying to figure out. She had previously used a similar method to improve her own burst of power, aiming for the same effect, but in practice, she would always rush forward uncontrollably.

"Try it, let me see."

Under Rod's gaze, Nia moved her feet, and the next moment she shot forward, heading straight for the kitchen behind them.

Nerl instantly appeared behind Nia, steadying her body to prevent Grey from repairing the door again.

Then, as Nia looked over, he gave her a gentle smile.

"You know Soru too?"

"Mm, I just learned it."

"???"

"Your landing spots aren't right. The hardest part of using Soru is controlling the position of each stomp. If you can't stomp on the exact same spot precisely, it will cause the force to disperse, and ultimately, you won't be able to control your direction like you just did."

"Why did you learn it so fast!"

Nia found it hard to accept.

Although she had said her younger brother was a genius, she herself, who had been trained as the family heir, was also a genius!

How could she seem so foolish compared to Rod and Nerl?

"Because I've seen and heard more than you have," Nerl said with a slight smile.

Hearing his answer, Nia's eyes lit up slightly, and she recalled some of Nerl's previous actions.

He could predict the Marines' arrival, his marksmanship was incredibly accurate, he could hit targets precisely during combat without even looking, not to mention those uncanny, seemingly precognitive shots.

"It's Haki!"

As if sensing Nia's confusion, after explaining the principle of Soru, Rod began to speak again about the power of Haki.

"Haki is a latent power that all humans possess. This power is an innate ability, existing like an instinct; however, the vast majority of people cannot become aware of this power, or they may never be able to manifest it in their lifetime."

"And on this sea, especially in the Grand Line, if you want to become a true powerhouse, you must master this power!"

"Before I formally explain the power of Haki to you all, I want to tell you one thing: Unwavering conviction is strength!"

"Unwavering conviction is strength..."

Muttering Rod's words, everyone's expressions varied.

"There are mainly two types of Haki. The power to intensely sense the presence of others is called Observation Haki. Once this power is enhanced, one can pinpoint the location and number of enemies outside their field of vision, as well as the opponent's next move. If trained to a high level, one can even predict the future."

Predict the future!

First shocked by Rod's words, Nia then felt a flicker of understanding in her heart.

This must be why Nerl could sense the Marines approaching from so far away. And his seemingly predictive gunfire, could that be the so-called prediction of the future?

"Armament Haki, on the other hand, can enhance an individual's defense, acting like invisible armor. It can also evolve into offensive power, allowing one to contend with Devil Fruit users, and even touch the physical bodies of 'Logia' type Devil Fruit users."

"There are no shortcuts to training Haki. You can only awaken the power hidden within your body through physical experience and combat."

Rod extended his palm, and an invisible force wrapped around his arm.

"Compared to Observation Haki, training Armament Haki is relatively simpler.

According to my plan, as long as one's physical condition meets the requirements, and they undergo a considerable amount of Armament Haki clashes, their body will naturally guide out their potential power, thus achieving awakening."

Rod flashed a malicious smile at Law.

"You first, Law! With your talent, you should grasp it quickly."

Pekoms and Shakky instinctively took half a step back, shielding Bepo in front of them.

They were all too familiar with that smile of Rod's. Their initial devilish training regimen began the moment Rod showed that smile.

Although they had now completely gotten used to that kind of training and even enjoyed it.

The fear from the beginning was still etched into their minds.

It had been nearly ten years since then.

It's back, it all feels like it's back, that feeling of being dominated by devilish training has returned.