Chapter 5: Ambition

Looking at Halmeom, I began to recall the results of the past three years.

First of all, through general training, I was able to acquire immense physical strength. Of course, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that my ability to achieve this level of physical strength at the age of 8 was thanks to the power of drugs and acupuncture that strengthened my body. No matter how much I trained, it wasn’t the kind of physical ability that an 8-year-old could gain in just three short years without these enhancements.

In addition, my skin had become so tough and durable that it would now rival any leather. I could also feel a significant increase in my body’s natural recovery rate. These were the side effects of the drugs and acupuncture. On top of my physical abilities, my skin had grown stronger, my metabolism was constantly activated, my energy levels were high, and my natural healing abilities had vastly improved.

These were the results of the past three years of my efforts.

By the way, if you’re wondering how much my physical abilities had increased:

I could now perform “Che” and “Wolbo.”

Of course, one time was the best I could do, but at the age of 8, I had the physical ability to use part of the “Six Styles” that was said to require training at a human weapon level. It was a level of strength that even Rob Lucci achieved in his teenage years, but the difference between single digits and double digits in age was significant, and especially at such a young age, the difference in just one year was enormous.

Furthermore, considering the differences between men and women, I could proudly say that this was an extraordinary level of physical ability.

At least, if I continued my training like this, I was confident that I wouldn’t lose to anyone in terms of physical ability alone.

“Physical abilities seem like they’re good enough now. The next important thing is the technique to utilize those physical abilities… and of course, Haki.”

Haki.

It was the power that all the women of Amazon Lily used, and in the New World, it was the basic power that the strong used.

It was also the only way to fight against those who had eaten Logia-type Devil Fruits, so learning it was absolutely essential.

With that thought in mind, I eagerly watched as Halmeom approached.

“Cough! Then, let’s start learning Haki from today. First, how much do you know about Haki?”

“I know the types. Conqueror’s Haki, Armament Haki, and Observation Haki, right?”

“You’re well informed.”

Halmeom nodded as if it were obvious.

Anyone who had watched One Piece would know about Haki, and I thought to myself again.

Conqueror’s Haki – A kind of intimidation that knocks out weaker opponents by exerting pressure.

Armament Haki – The power to coat oneself with an invisible armor and to grasp the essence of things.

Observation Haki – The ability to sense the presence and even predict the future movements of others without seeing them.

I was sure I knew about these powers.

“Good. Then, let’s begin training right away. First, we’re going to learn Observation Haki. Ready!”

“…What’s this?”

“Use this cloth to blindfold yourself. And try to avoid my attacks!”

“…Ugh!!!”

I thought to myself, “Is this the traditional method?” I had no choice but to accept the cloth. For some reason, whether it was Luffy or various parodies, it seemed that the way to learn Observation Haki was to blindfold yourself and learn to avoid attacks using only your senses.

Anyway, since I had to learn this power…

I closed my eyes and wrapped the cloth around them.

And—

Swoosh—

“Ah! It hurts!!!!”

“I’m making it hurt! This will make you understand Observation Haki faster! Plus, by getting hit, you might even learn Armament Haki too! It’s a two-in-one deal!!! Learn quickly!!! Otherwise, your beautiful face might turn into a steamed bun!!!”

“Are you trying to ruin my face, Halmeom?!”

I was horrified. Could she really make Boa Hancock’s face into a steamed bun?! I desperately tried to move my body, shaking my head, hoping I could accidentally avoid the attack.

It was three months later, after getting hit every day to the point that I had bumps on my head, when I began to sense Observation Haki.

—Flinch.

Whoooosh—!!

In that moment, I sensed something and instinctively twisted my body to avoid the attack. Then, as if it wasn’t a coincidence, I distinctly felt the presence of the wooden sword coming toward me. As I dodged, the sword brushed past my side.

“Hmm?”

Halmeom’s confused voice could be heard, but since I wasn’t sure yet, the attacks from the wooden sword kept coming. Since I wasn’t certain either, I didn’t say anything and simply focused on sensing the presence, feeling it and dodging again and again. It went on for 5, 10, 30 attacks, and eventually, the attack stopped.

“Congratulations! You’ve finally awakened Observation Haki!”

“…This is Observation Haki…”

I murmured while focusing on the sensation of everything around me, as if ripples were flowing outward from me. I concentrated so I wouldn’t lose this feeling and began to make it my own. I could clearly feel Halmeom’s presence as she nodded in approval, and with her guidance, I was able to truly make Observation Haki my own.

And once I fully awakened Observation Haki, I realized I could control those ripples. If I focused them solely on myself…

“Huh!!”

I concentrated even more, trying to sense my own presence. At that moment, I felt something within me.

A pulsating, massive power.

It shone with a golden light, an overwhelming power.

The moment I sensed it—

—WHAAAAA!!!!!

A massive wave of energy spread from me, knocking the surrounding grass to the ground. It felt like the air itself was rippling with invisible waves.

Halmeom felt this ripple on her entire body and opened her eyes wide in shock.

“This… This is…”

“Conqueror’s Haki!!!!!”

With her vast experience, she immediately recognized what it was. This was the quality of a king, something only one in millions was born with! Could it be… Boa Hancock was born with the qualities of a king?!

Halmeom was now more certain than ever that Boa Hancock was the one who would become the next queen of Amazon Lily.

“This is… Conqueror’s Haki…”

And I, too, felt the ripples spreading outward from me, knocking the grass to the ground, and realized what this power was. It was the king’s aura within me.

It was the power of Conqueror’s Haki.

Once I fully grasped that sensation, I also realized the power of the surrounding air, the current swirling around me. It was clear that this was…

I thought to myself as I pulled the current and wrapped it around my arm. The current began to darken, and as it touched my arm, I could see it turning into a black hue—this was the beginning of Armament Haki.

—Armament Haki!!

Once I had fully awakened all three types of Haki, I took off the cloth that had been covering my eyes and took a deep breath.

“Whoo!! Haki training is done!!!!”

“…Heh heh heh… I taught you just Observation Haki, and you awakened the rest on your own… And on top of that… Conqueror’s Haki…”

Halmeom mumbled in disbelief as she looked at my arm, now coated in black. But what could she do? With Boa Hancock’s natural talent and the modern mind I carried, it was no surprise that this phenomenon occurred. The combination of both was bound to bring this result.

Having finished my Haki training, I parted ways with Halmeom and returned to the real world after a long time.

“Pause the game.”