"Master Rayleigh, you said before that if you want to become a true powerhouse on the sea, you must at least cultivate one form of Haki to a high level. So, what exactly is considered a high level?"
In the evening, Ace sat by the campfire, eating grilled seafood, and asked Silvers Rayleigh curiously.
"Hmm..." Rayleigh stroked his beard thoughtfully, organized his words, then explained, "In my understanding, each of the three types of Haki—Observation, Armament, and Conqueror's—has an ultimate form. When someone hones a type of Haki to its utmost limit, it undergoes a qualitative change, evolving into something truly formidable."
"Take Observation Haki, for example. Some people at sea have trained it to an extremely advanced stage—where they can perceive short glimpses of the future. That's one of the ultimate forms of Observation Haki."
"If Observation Haki taken to the extreme allows one to affect time—by seeing into the future—then the pinnacle of Armament Haki can influence space. For example, Garp—his Armament Haki is so overwhelming that it can distort, or even shatter, space itself. On the seas, I've never seen anyone surpass his Armament Haki—not even Roger," Rayleigh said with sincere admiration.
"Observation Haki affects time... and Armament Haki, space?" Ace repeated thoughtfully, murmuring, "I didn't expect that old man's Armament Haki to be that powerful..."
"And what about Conqueror's Haki?" Ace asked, eyes burning with curiosity. "What happens when it's cultivated to the extreme?"
"The pinnacle of Conqueror's Haki..." A nostalgic look appeared in Rayleigh's eyes as he said, "Once taken to its extreme, it enters a state known as the 'King's Domain.' Those who reach this realm can merge their Haki with the world around them, establishing dominance over their environment. Within the King's Domain, their Conqueror's Haki harmonizes with nature itself. They can communicate with all things, earn their allegiance, and even bend the natural laws of the surroundings."
"Roger once achieved this level. That's why he was able to 'hear the voices of all things'—because his Conqueror's Haki resonated with the world around him." Rayleigh looked at Ace seriously. "You carry Roger's blood, and you awakened Conqueror's Haki at a very young age. Your talent even surpasses Roger's. I believe that with time, you'll also step into the King's Domain."
"The King's Domain?" Ace's eyes sparkled with excitement. "To think that training Conqueror's Haki to the limit can allow one to gain the loyalty of nature and even alter natural laws... Doesn't that render even Logia-type Devil Fruits useless in comparison?"
"When you reach that level yourself, you'll understand," Rayleigh said with a mysterious smile. "Now, let's get back to training. Since you've already awakened both Armament and Observation Haki, the next step is to strengthen them."
Rayleigh's face grew serious. "What comes next is real training. Ace, prepare yourself!"
---
A year flew by.
Sky Island, somewhere on the White Sea...
"Bang! Bang! Bang!~~~"
On the cloud-filled battlefield, Ace and Rayleigh's figures collided at high speed. Each clash of Haki sent shockwaves rippling through the dense cloudscape.
A year had passed since Rayleigh arrived on Skypiea to train Ace. After awakening both Armament and Observation Haki, this kind of sparring had become their daily routine.
"Haha! Ace, you've really gotten the hang of both Armament and Observation Haki!" Rayleigh finally paused and laughed heartily, a tinge of emotion in his voice. "I didn't expect you to reach this level in just one year. There's really nothing more I can teach you."
"If I hadn't trained with you daily for the past six months, I wouldn't have progressed so quickly." Ace bowed respectfully. "Master Rayleigh, I'm deeply grateful for this past year."
"I'm proud to see how far you've come," Rayleigh said with a smile, waving his hand. "But you've hit a plateau now. To grow further, what you need is real battle. The kind where life is on the line. Only then will your Haki evolve."
Ace had spent the first half of the year building up his Haki foundations. In the second half, Rayleigh began full sparring sessions with him. The fact that Ace had progressed this far in just a year was a testament to his rare talent.
In particular, his growth in Conqueror's Haki was remarkable. Not only had he mastered its usage, but he could even exert a form of physical pressure on reality itself—similar to what Shanks did when he cracked the Moby Dick's hull with his mere presence (Note: Ace hasn't yet reached that level).
Rayleigh even began to believe that Ace's talent in Haki might surpass that of Roger himself.
Before meeting Ace, Rayleigh had believed the person with the best shot at reaching the pinnacle of Haki was Red-Haired Shanks. (Note: Based on some unofficial sources, Shanks may have also reached the King's Domain with his Conqueror's Haki, though it's uncertain.) However, after training Ace, Rayleigh changed his mind. If Ace continued on this path, he might surpass even Shanks—and possibly go beyond Roger.
---
The next day, Rayleigh left.
Just like he'd said, Ace had already achieved a high level of mastery in both Armament and Observation Haki. The rest depended on real-world combat experience, not further theoretical guidance. His departure marked the end of their master-disciple training.
"It's been a year... I wonder if I'm strong enough now to take on a Marine Admiral..." Ace murmured, standing at the edge of the White Sea and gazing at the cloud-sea horizon that looked like something out of a fairytale. A fire burned in his chest.
He suddenly wanted to shout Luffy's catchphrase, but it felt too embarrassing, so he held back.
Then, turning his gaze toward the towering Giant Jack—the giant beanstalk connecting Skypiea's White Sea to the Upper Yard—Ace smiled.
"After a year of training... I'll use you to test my progress!"
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