Haki was a latent power possessed by every human in this world. It was an innate ability—presence, killing intent, fighting spirit... When one controlled these invisible sensations, willpower could become a weapon. People called this powerful force Haki.
However, it was not limited to humans. Some relatively intelligent animals could also awaken Haki.
For example, the Kung Fu Merman from the original story.
In short, as long as one possessed enough intelligence to control those sensations and gradually tempered one's body, awakening Haki would come naturally.
But the prerequisite was having "enough intelligence"!
Sea Kings were not intelligent creatures like Kung Fu Mermen. They were stupid, savage, and lived entirely by biological instinct. They were the most terrifying beasts, bar none.
Therefore, even with their naturally powerful bodies, they should never have been able to awaken Haki... or so it should have been!
Yet what was happening now?
These Sea Kings, each as enormous as a mountain range, had all awakened Armament Haki!
Aokiji deeply suspected that they even possessed Observation Haki.
It was simply that Observation Haki required greater intelligence and constant calmness to control. Just like Katakuri's battle against Luffy in the original story, once he lost his composure, he was beaten relentlessly.
Unlike Armament Haki, which was a product of emotion, it had not revealed itself.
"Is this the ability of 'Sea King' Poseidon?! Not merely summoning and commanding them, but elevating them as well, allowing them to cross the gap in intelligence."
Aokiji was certain that these Sea Kings had not possessed Armament Haki before then. Otherwise, whether Marines or pirates, they would have long spread word of such a terrifying discovery.
Without question, Shirahoshi must have done something to them that caused them to awaken Haki.
Glacier Mountain Range!
Gigantic beasts, each with an area