Methods to Increase the Probability of Awakening Conqueror's Haki

Newgate was initially displeased by the challenge from this new companion; this was not the kind of crewmate or family he had envisioned.

However, hearing Houka's words brought him a measure of comfort.

At the very least, there was still one person here worth cherishing and befriending.

Listening to their conversation, Newgate finally understood the rules aboard this pirate ship.

Might makes right!

As long as one was strong enough, even Rocks could be disregarded.

"I accept your challenge, big fish-man!"

Newgate spoke calmly. This catfish fish-man was even larger than he was, and he wanted to see just how much strength the fellow possessed.

There was no need to worry about Uhale's feelings now; he wanted to see how far he could grow.

"Bahahaha, now that's refreshing!"

Babel grinned, his attitude toward Newgate improving significantly.

If one wanted status on this ship, they had to carve a path with blood and prove themselves through strength.

"Wohahahaha! I welcome you all to challenge me as well; my hands have been itching for a fight!"

Rocks laughed wildly, casting a deliberate glance at Houka.

He had to make this little guy who could foresee the future truly understand the cruelty of this sea and the rule that strength reigned supreme.

Houka was always thinking about Devil Fruit abilities, emotions, and bonds—things that wouldn't get him far in this world.

Only strength was everything.

Sambel watched the various big brothers squaring off and felt a little nervous.

Among the official crew members here, he was the weakest.

If it hadn't been for the Great Strategist Houka speaking up, he likely wouldn't have even made it onto the ship.

Rocks had originally intended for him to be an apprentice, but it was Brother Houka who had made him an official crew member.

But to become an executive like Boss Babel, his strength would need to keep growing until he earned the recognition of Captain Rocks.

"If your hands are itching, go find Harald. Only a powerhouse of the same level can make you stronger!"

"Also, you should try your Advanced Conqueror's Haki against the immortal monsters of the Holy Knights in the future."

"Develop an Advanced Conqueror's Haki Infusion capable of completely destroying an immortal body!"

"Don't end up unable to take down even a single Holy Knight or one of the Five Elders!"

Houka looked at the arrogant Rocks and offered a reminder.

If Rocks couldn't even kill the Holy Knights and the Five Elders, he would have no chance of taking down Imu.

"Harald! That guy's strength is indeed formidable! I'm going to recruit him!"

"As for those immortal monsters, I refuse to believe they can't be killed!"

Rocks cast a sidelong glance at Houka; the little guy loved to talk back and deflate his ego.

It seemed that giving Houka a daily beating was the right course of action.

Still, with Houka's reminders, he would surely become stronger in the future, avoiding disasters and seizing opportunities until he finally toppled Imu.

"What are the Holy Knights? And what's this about immortal bodies?"

Newgate listened to the exchange between Rocks and Houka, his eyes filled with confusion. Even Babel and Sambel looked blank.

They had seen the name of the Five Elders, the world's highest authority, in the newspapers before.

"Then let me explain the true power structure of the World Government to you all."

"Above the Five Elders, the world's highest authority, there is a King of the World hidden behind the scenes. That person is the absolute master of the Celestial Dragons."

"Even the Five Elders are merely His hounds and servants; they must kneel and pay respects whenever they see this King of the World."

"The Holy Knights are an elite group selected from the Celestial Dragons, each possessing immense power."

"The commander of the Holy Knights is also a candidate for the Five Elders; should one of the Five Elders die, the commander will take their place."

"Whether it is the Five Elders or the Holy Knights, they have all been granted immortal bodies by the King of the World through Devil Fruit abilities."

"Only Advanced Conqueror's Haki Infusion can truly kill them!"

"Of course, perhaps knocking them into the sea might also offer a slim chance of killing them."

"This is the foundation of the eight hundred years of Celestial Dragon rule over the World Government!"

"Well? Hearing about these immortal monsters, do you feel even a hint of fear?"

Houka finished speaking quietly, watching the group with keen interest.

"So it's an immortal body granted by a Devil Fruit ability? I thought they were truly unkillable!"

"Advanced Conqueror's Haki Infusion! Knocking them into the sea! As long as there's a way to kill them, that's enough."

The wariness in Newgate's eyes vanished; knocking opponents into the sea was something he was exceptionally good at.

Perhaps it was because Newgate's Tremor-Tremor Fruit ability could trigger tsunamis at will that the Five Elders and the Holy Knights had no desire to provoke this future Yonko.

"And what is Advanced Conqueror's Haki Infusion?"

Babel heard yet another new term; he had never heard of such a thing back on Fish-Man Island.

He did, however, know how to use Armament Haki infusion.

Sure enough, only after leaving Fish-Man Island did he realize how vast and full of unknowns this world truly was.

"Wahahaha! Only those who have awakened Conqueror's Haki are qualified to learn Conqueror's Haki Infusion."

"There are so many fellows with the aptitude of a king who go their entire lives without ever mastering Conqueror's Haki Infusion!"

"Once you master Conqueror's Haki Infusion, you possess the peak combat power required to take down a Marine Admiral."

"And Advanced Conqueror's Haki Infusion is the further control and development of that infusion."

"So, as it stands, there is an entire ocean between you and me!"

Rocks grinned broadly. Even among the members of the Davy Clan, no one besides him had mastered Conqueror's Haki Infusion.

He was the greatest genius the Davy Clan had seen in eight hundred years!

Not only had he awakened Conqueror's Haki and mastered Conqueror's Haki Infusion, but he had also cultivated that infusion to an even higher realm.

It was precisely this confidence that gave him the guts to exploit the Reverie, ascend to the Holy Land of Mary Geoise, and fight his way to the very front of Imu.

However, he had still underestimated the terrifying strength of that old monster.

If he had been able to win, the world would have had a new master that very day.

"You have to awaken Conqueror's Haki to master Conqueror's Haki Infusion?"

Babel's face darkened. He possessed no kingly aptitude whatsoever, which meant he was destined to be denied this ultimate power.

That left only the path of conquering the seas as his sole opportunity to kill those so-called Five Elders and Holy Knights.

"Conqueror's Haki..."

A sharp glint flashed in Newgate's eyes. He had to master this power; otherwise, it would be impossible for him to become a monster like Rocks.

"Wahahaha! Newgate possesses the aptitude of a king; I can already feel his spirit."

"Perhaps he only needs a catalyst to awaken his Conqueror's Haki."

Rocks held Newgate's talent in high regard, having already pegged him as his right-hand man.

"Damn it..."

Babel felt resentful of his lack of such aptitude. Why should he be inherently inferior to the likes of Rocks and Newgate?

"Hey, Babel, don't lose heart. Awakening Conqueror's Haki is a very subjective matter; it depends primarily on your experiences."

"It isn't that you awaken Conqueror's Haki because you have the aptitude of a king; it is because you have awakened Conqueror's Haki that you are said to possess the aptitude of a king."

"I happen to know a method to increase the probability of awakening Conqueror's Haki. Would any of you like to hear it?"

Seeing the look of frustration on Babel's face, Houka suddenly spoke up with a smile.

At this, not only Babel and Sambel, but even Newgate and Rocks turned their gazes toward Houka in unison.

"Is that true! Great Strategist!"

Babel spoke with excitement, surprised like a child who had grabbed onto a life-saving straw, wishing he could call Houka the vice-captain on the spot.

Rocks, however, wore a look of utter disbelief. Even in their Davy Clan, which had been passed down for a thousand years, no one had ever heard of such a method.