Conqueror's Haki Awakens!

Two years later, on the shores of Ohara, young Robin sat atop a large rock.

In the sea before her, a boy slightly older than her was swimming.

Robin stared at Mislanda swimming in the sea, utterly baffled.

They were both Devil Fruit users, so why could this guy swim?

After living together for two years, Robin had gained some understanding of Mislanda's abilities, but she still couldn't figure out why he wasn't afraid of seawater.

Seeing that the sun was about to set, Robin stood up and shouted toward the sea:

"Hey, it's time to go back!"

It was almost dark, and Rayleigh had already prepared dinner and was waiting for them.

Mislanda immediately swam back to shore.

"Why are you looking at me? Want to learn how to swim?"

Seeing the intense curiosity in Robin's eyes, Mislanda patted her head and asked with a smile.

After two years together, Mislanda and Robin had grown very close.

"Don't pat my head! And who wants to learn how to swim? I still want to live a few more days!"

If she went swimming, she probably wouldn't take long to sink to the bottom.

"Hahahahaha! If you don't want to learn, then forget it. Let's go back together!"

"Mm!"

The two of them then returned home.

What they didn't know was that not long after they left, a member of the Giant race drifted ashore on a large bamboo raft.

The next morning, Robin went to the library to study.

Although she lived here, Robin still had to go to the library every morning. Otherwise, she wouldn't be able to earn her scholar's title.

Mislanda didn't go to the beach either. According to Rayleigh's plan, he was going to teach Mislanda how to use Haki today!

"Listen carefully, Mislanda!"

Rayleigh placed a pile of pebbles in front of Mislanda, then covered his own eyes with a piece of cloth.

"Throw the pebbles at me!"

Hearing this, Mislanda grabbed a handful and threw them at Rayleigh.

Rayleigh easily dodged them, as though he already knew the pebbles' trajectories.

"Use your heart to sense the surrounding atmosphere and your opponent's presence. It allows you to perceive the positions and numbers of nearby enemies, as well as the actions they will take in the next moment. This is Observation Haki!"

"Next is Armament Haki. It's like an invisible suit of armor, useful for both offense and defense. When used offensively, it can strike enemies who have become elemental!"

"You should understand that very well. During our previous training, I wouldn't have been able to touch you without Armament Haki!"

As he spoke, Rayleigh removed the cloth covering his eyes.

"You're very lucky to have obtained a Logia Devil Fruit, but remember this: elementalization isn't omnipotent. Once you reach a certain level, you'll realize that Devil Fruit abilities are inferior to Haki!"

"Mm, I understand!"

Mislanda nodded solemnly.

During their previous weekly sparring sessions, Mislanda had been struck by Rayleigh's Armament Haki every time he used elementalization.

He knew very well that Rayleigh wanted him to form a conditioned reflex, constantly reminding himself not to rely too heavily on elementalization.

"All right. Next, you need to stay focused and don't get distracted. This is your first time directly experiencing the third type of Haki. If you can't hold on, signal me immediately!"

Hearing this, Mislanda took a deep breath, looked at Rayleigh with utmost seriousness, and nodded.

"This third type of Haki can only be mastered by a tiny minority. It's called Conqueror's Haki!"

Boom!

The moment Rayleigh finished speaking, a massive aura shot into the sky and instantly enveloped the surrounding dozens of meters.

Of course, with Rayleigh's strength, his Conqueror's Haki was powerful enough to knock out everyone on Ohara.

But he only wanted Mislanda to experience Conqueror's Haki, so he restrained it again and again.

For a moment, Mislanda felt as though he couldn't breathe. His body grew incredibly heavy, as if a huge boulder had been placed on top of him.

Under this pressure, he immediately braced himself against the ground with one hand.

But Mislanda didn't wait for Rayleigh to stop releasing his Haki. Instead, he used all his strength to resist.

Finally, under Rayleigh's astonished gaze, Mislanda slowly stood up!

According to Rayleigh's calculations, this was Mislanda's first time directly experiencing Conqueror's Haki. Even with Rayleigh restraining it as much as possible, Mislanda shouldn't have been able to stand—but now...

Seeing this shocking scene, Rayleigh was filled with amazement. At the same time, he gradually increased the release of his Conqueror's Haki.

He wanted to see where Mislanda's limit lay!

Suddenly, an even more powerful force descended. Mislanda's body sank again, but he no longer used his hand to support himself.

Seeing the anticipation in Rayleigh's eyes, Mislanda let out a roar and stood up by breaking through his limits.

"Good! Again!"

Rayleigh was very satisfied with Mislanda's performance and immediately increased the pressure once more.

Feeling the pressure on his body grow heavier again, Mislanda braced himself against the ground with one hand.

The first time had already been his limit. The second time, he had broken through that limit. This time, he was truly about to collapse.

No! I can't let myself be looked down on. It's only Conqueror's Haki. If I can't withstand it, how can I become the strongest?

"Ahhh—!"

Suddenly, Mislanda let out a roar.

The next moment, an equally powerful aura erupted from within him and shot straight into the sky!

Under this aura, the entire forest where they lived immediately swayed as though struck by a violent gale. Their wooden house also collapsed with a thunderous crash beneath the enormous pressure!

Across from Mislanda, Rayleigh couldn't help taking a step back before staring blankly at his adopted son.

"Conqueror's Haki?"

Rayleigh's voice trembled slightly.

What kind of monster was this? What kind of freakish talent? Even "genius" was no longer enough to describe him!

He had merely wanted Mislanda to experience Conqueror's Haki, yet Mislanda had awakened it outright!

Before this, Rayleigh hadn't held out much hope. After all, Conqueror's Haki was one in a million and incredibly rare.

But Mislanda had completely overturned Rayleigh's understanding!

For a moment, Rayleigh even wondered if he was dreaming.

Thud!

Suddenly, the exhausted Mislanda collapsed to the ground. After breaking through his limits twice, he had completely run out of strength.

That evening, Robin immediately came to the bedside and looked at Mislanda with concern.

She hadn't even noticed that the wooden house had collapsed.

"Mr. Rayleigh, what's wrong with him?"

"Don't worry. He's only exhausted. Today did go a little too far!"

Rayleigh sighed, then looked toward the wreckage of the wooden house.

"Robin, I'll leave him in your care. I need to put the house back together!"

"Oh, leave it to me!"

On the coast, a huge figure was gnawing on a large fish.

"I need to replenish my strength quickly. I don't have much time!"

If Mislanda had been here, he would certainly have recognized the towering figure.

A Marine vice admiral, a member of the Giant race—Saul!

He had arrived. The Buster Call was not far behind!