Koby's Challenge!

"Helmeppo!"

Koby rushed over to help Helmeppo up and roared at Roya, "What did you do to my friend, you bastard?"

"Relax, he won't die." Roya waved a hand dismissively, completely unconcerned.

"Damn it, you bastard!" Koby gritted his teeth furiously at Roya's attitude.

But Roya ignored him.

Roya had thought that, given Koby's usual timid and weak nature, the matter would end there. Unexpectedly, Koby suddenly spoke up. "Vice Admiral Garp, let me challenge him this time. I want to know how far I've progressed with the Six Powers."

"Fine!"

After nodding, Garp looked at Roya and asked, "What about you, Roya?"

"I have no problem with it." Roya nodded.

"Very well. Koby, fight Roya. This is a good opportunity to test how far you've mastered the Six Powers." Garp spoke in a commanding tone this time.

"Yes, Vice Admiral Garp!" Koby immediately answered.

Having followed Garp for some time, Koby had already mastered the Six Powers. No wonder Garp wanted him to spar with Roya—his strength was certainly above Helmeppo's.

To put it bluntly, this was not a test for Roya. It was meant to assess his own disciple's current strength.

Perfect.

Roya had already figured out how he would strike.

Then—

Koby immediately turned serious and entered a combat stance.

"Six Powers, Soru!"

Koby let out a low shout and stamped his feet in place. In an instant, he vanished from before Roya.

"Not bad. You've mastered Soru, but unfortunately, you're still too slow." Roya did not panic in the slightest and even sneered.

Even though Roya had not yet mastered Observation Haki, he could still easily determine Koby's position.

Sure enough.

Just as Roya had expected, Koby had appeared behind him and was preparing to attack.

But Roya had no intention of countering with the Six Powers. He simply stood where he was, a faint smile curling at his lips.

Then—

A massive, invisible pressure erupted from Roya's body.

Koby, who was just about to strike Roya, suddenly rolled his eyes back. With a thud, he collapsed to the floor and lost consciousness.

Not only that.

Quite a few of the Marines watching also fell unconscious to the ground, just like Koby.

Even Garp, who had merely intended to watch the show, could not help frowning. "This brat awakened Conqueror's Haki only a little over three months ago, yet he can already control it this freely?"

"What's going on?"

"Hey, wake up! Why did they pass out?"

"Th-this is... Conqueror's Haki..."

The remaining conscious Marines began discussing it among themselves.

That was right.

What Roya had displayed just now was precisely the Conqueror's Haki he had mastered!

"So this is the power of Conqueror's Haki?"

"If I can train my Conqueror's Haki to a sufficiently high level, I'll be able to use Conqueror's Haki Infusion."

"The power of Conqueror's Haki Infusion is what's truly terrifying!"

Roya was also surprised by the power of his Conqueror's Haki. After all, this was his first time using it in actual combat, and its strength had completely exceeded his expectations.

Garp ordered the medics to take Koby and the Marines knocked unconscious by Roya's Conqueror's Haki away for treatment.

At that moment—

Only Roya, Garp, and a handful of Marines remained in the enormous hall of Marine Headquarters.

"Roya, tell me the truth. How long ago did you awaken Conqueror's Haki?" Garp asked.

"A little over three months, I suppose!" Roya answered frankly.

"You managed to train your newly awakened Conqueror's Haki to the point of using it freely in just over three months? Are you sure you're not lying to me?" Garp stared at Roya in utter disbelief.

To ease the awkward atmosphere, Roya scratched his head and said with a smile, "I wouldn't dare, Vice Admiral Garp. It really has been a little over three months."

Garp said nothing further. He merely took a deep breath, his brows furrowing tightly.

As one of the few top experts in the world of One Piece, Garp knew very well how difficult it was to train Conqueror's Haki.

In Garp's judgment, if what Roya said was true, then it could only mean one thing: Roya was an unparalleled genius!

Such an exceptional genius had actually appeared in his Marine ranks. Garp felt extremely fortunate. Otherwise, if Roya had joined his two "unfilial sons" and "unfilial grandsons" in becoming part of the Revolutionary Army or pirates, he would surely become one of the Marines' most troublesome enemies in the future.

Therefore—

Garp immediately made a decision!

"Roya, you're an absolute genius. I like you very much. For the time being, I'll serve as your teacher and instruct you in the use of Haki. Don't disappoint my good intentions." Garp patted Roya on the shoulder and spoke solemnly.

"Really? That's wonderful, Vice Admiral Garp!" Of course, Roya would not refuse.

Although Roya had the system, Garp was a Marine legend whose strength stood at the very peak. If he could receive Garp's guidance in using Haki, combined with the system's automatic training, it would simply be the icing on the cake.

How could Roya possibly refuse?

The few remaining Marines in the hall were once again filled with envy. After all, receiving Vice Admiral Garp's guidance meant one's strength would surely advance by leaps and bounds in the future.

Suddenly—

The system's voice rang out once more.

[ Ding! The host has caught the eye of Marine legend Hero Garp, causing his reputation in the ability world to soar. Observation Haki has come seeking him out! ]

[ Congratulations, host! The automatic training program for Observation Haki has been unlocked! ]

Had he just obtained all Three Haki Colors?

At that moment, Roya could not find any words to describe the joy in his heart.

He had thought that was the end of it.

But then, the system's voice rang out again!

[ Shocked by the power of the host's Conqueror's Haki released in actual combat! ]

[ Observation Haki and Armament Haki refuse to fall behind and have resolved to train diligently! ]

[ Ding! Congratulations, host! The automatic training speed of Observation Haki and Armament Haki has increased! ]

After hearing that, Roya was instantly ecstatic.

Obtaining Observation Haki this time had already been a joyous event.

He had never imagined that it would also stimulate those other two Haki types, increasing both of their automatic training speeds.

What was this called?

You can't understand the joy of having a system—especially when the system gives you double the joy at once!

"All right, Roya. Come find me tomorrow morning. The formal training begins then. I'll be leaving first." Garp gave one final instruction.

"Understood, Vice Admiral Garp. See you tomorrow!" Roya nodded.