"Haki was a latent power everyone possessed, an ability they were born with. Most people couldn't become aware of this power, and Conqueror's Haki was even rarer—only one person in several million possessed it.
"Different types of Haki had different forms, depending on how proficient the user was.
"The most basic form of Armament Haki was coating. This was the most common form: users coated the surface of their bodies or their weapons in Haki. The most obvious sign was that the coated area turned black, boosting their attack and defense.
"It was like putting on armor and wielding a weapon. It also allowed users to touch the physical bodies of Logia Devil Fruit users.
"The next level was hardening. The coated areas turned a glossy black, and the resulting boost to attack and defense was several times greater than with basic coating.
"Intermediate Armament Haki allowed users to project Haki outside their bodies to attack enemies. In Wano Country, this stage was called Flowing Cherry Blossom, or flowing Haki.
"Advanced Armament Haki could also let the user's Haki enter an enemy's body and destroy them from within, like the hidden force in martial arts novels.
"Now, Observation Haki.
"Basic Observation Haki allowed users to sense other people's strength and emotions. For example, they could sense how strong an enemy was, detect an opponent's emotions and thoughts, or sense the location and number of objects outside their field of vision, like a radar.
"Intermediate Observation Haki allowed users to predict their opponents' movements in their minds, helping them move and dodge effectively.
"As for advanced Observation Haki, its abilities varied depending on each person's talent. Some could increase its range, some could hear people's thoughts, and some could even see the future.
"As for Conqueror's Haki, I don't have that either. If you awaken it someday, you can figure it out yourself." Maynard glanced at Luo Ya and picked up his cup to take a long drink.
"Once you've recovered, I'll officially start teaching you how to awaken Haki. With your Iron-Cutting skill, it shouldn't take long for you to learn Observation Haki. But with a body as scrawny as yours, you'll need to work a lot harder to develop Armament Haki." As he spoke, he flexed his biceps.
Luo Ya didn't know where Maynard had found his doctor, but he felt his injuries had almost healed. He was just a little tired. After dinner, he fell into a deep sleep again.
It was still barely dawn when Luo Ya woke up right on time, his body clock maintained for five months.
He got up and stretched. Feeling more or less fine, he put on his clothes, strapped on Scorching Cloud, and headed outside.
"You're up pretty early, kid. Hurry up and eat. Get ready to enter hell, heh heh heh." Maynard said with a sinister laugh as he roasted the beast meat in his hands.
Luo Ya rolled his eyes at Maynard, grabbed some roasted meat, and wolfed it down.
After breakfast, Luo Ya looked at the large assortment of brand-new equipment around him, and his fighting spirit soared!
Maynard explained what each piece of equipment was for, then had Luo Ya start training.
"Every swordsman needs strong arms, but arm strength isn't enough. You also need balance and core strength. Relying only on arm strength to swing a sword won't get you anywhere." As he spoke, Maynard stood up and struck a classic bodybuilding pose: Devil's Horn.
His brilliant white smile reminded Luo Ya of a certain bowl-cut guy in a green jumpsuit, giving him a chill.
"First, we'll work on arm strength, then your chest, and then your core, moving downward."
As he spoke, Maynard helped Luo Ya correct his improper form.
After a morning of physical training, Luo Ya's body was completely unresponsive. Even the hand gripping his sword was trembling.
"Kid, I've got a secret technique that trains Armament Haki and Observation Haki at the same time. Ordinary people could beg me and I still wouldn't tell them."
After he finished speaking, Maynard tossed him a piece of black cloth and used the wooden sword in his hand to gesture for Luo Ya to tie it over his eyes.
"So your secret technique is to blindfold me and beat me up, right?" Luo Ya yelled, his teeth turning sharklike.
"How is that getting beaten up? I'll hit you with Armament Haki, so you can feel that power directly. And dodging attacks blindfolded will help you sense Observation Haki. From now on, physical training every morning and Haki training every afternoon!" Maynard declared righteously.
Luo Ya sighed and resignedly tied the cloth over his eyes. That damn Dezi had no idea where he'd bought the black cloth, but it was completely opaque. He couldn't see a thing.
"Smack!"
"Ugh!" Luo Ya sucked in a breath from the pain as Maynard's Armament Haki-coated wooden sword struck him on the shoulder.
"Truly the World's Greatest Swordsman. Even a wooden sword feels so good in your hands, tsk, tsk, tsk. You won't be able to block even once, Luo Ya. Maybe I should use my foot?"
Maynard pursed his lips and spoke mockingly.
"Damn it, Dezi! I'm gonna take you down!" Provoked into a rage, Luo Ya grabbed the wooden sword and swung it wildly in one direction.
"Luo Ya, anger can give you strength, but anger alone won't get you far. Use your heart to sense where I am, and feel the Armament Haki flowing through the part of your body that's being attacked." As he spoke, Maynard suddenly leaped backward. The sword wind from Luo Ya's swing fluttered Maynard's shirt.
"Were you faking that anger? Tsk, tsk, tsk. You used the chance to sense where I was and try to ambush an old man like me. Tsk, tsk, tsk. You may be weak, but you're still pretty good. You almost got my clothes dirty." Maynard brushed the dust off his clothes and tilted his head.