"Its said that out of any animal. The strongest if they were all equal in size. Would be insects. Things like the praying mantis, dung beetle. If they were the size of a building. They'd be capable of lifting Hundreds of thousands of tons. Able to reshape mountains over time and entire ecosystems."
"But any animal the size of a building can be quite formidable. A Mantis Shrimp that size could cause a shockwave and move so fast that its like planetary rotation in speed."
"Even the environment and the very dirt, to the plants like the trees, or the prey animals are all stronger than any other animal normally found. The ground is 100x stronger than iron. The Trees can with stand a force of a full bundle of Dynamite. Not to mention the seasons. Change rapidly. There is near infinite seasons of hot cold dry wet full empty. All over the place."
"They may be strong. But they are not human. They do not have the intellect we do."
"But the biggest above all. That gives us humans, and those of sentient intellect the edge. Is Haki." He stopped in place. And turned to face Leroy. Raising his hand up in the Air. A strange hair like steam or streams of smoke coming from his hand almost invisible
"Haki? I've…I've heard that word. So many times but I don't know what it means? What is it? Please tell me. I wanna learn it what ever it is!" He had a look of confidence and conviction. Reminded of Vane on Jay. Azar ability and what he said. Leery in the Citadel.
"You've heard of it have you? Well. Thats good. But not a surprise. There is so much in this world. So much danger. And its a skill like this that determines life and death."
"Have you ever been to a sky island? Just past the kingdom of Arabasta?" Zeke questioned. And immediately Leroy was filled with excitement. Of course he remembered! Of course he knew!
"Skyderia!" He spoke loudly
"Heh…Better and Better. I'm sure you learned much their based on your itch for knowledge."
"Yeah! We saw the Poneglyph. And Rogers Signature!" He said with glee. Smile wide. That threw Zeke back for a moment it meant he too went through the survival games. And had made it to the epicenter of the island and learned and found the poneglyph. What a blast to the past. That had been over 25 years ago
Zeke couldnt help but be infected by Leroys joy. Teeth gleaming as he nodded along. "Good. Then you heard of Wokan. Wokan, is the Skyderian term for Haki. Cultures all over the world have a different word for it. Prana in Cyprus. Chakra. Ki. Life Energy."
"It is the embodiment of your will power. Your ambition. The excess mental and physical energy not used and turned into energy to be used for stamina or mental concentration, and pooled into a nebulous mass of energy you can draw upon." His eyes gleamed with an intensity that was as infectious to Leroy as he was to Zeke
"If your Muscle is Kinetic Energy. Your Mind is Mental. Endurance and Stamina is Burning of stores and combined with mental resolve. Haki is all of that in one. Stronger the body, Mind, Emotions. Spirit as it exists as an idea of yourself and connection and links that aren't physical but also the literal non physical part of your self that interacts with your brain. That is Haki."
He looked over his shoulder a vibration coming towards them at insane speed. Quaking the ground and shaking the trees. "Perfect timing."
"Theres 5 Types of Haki." He raised his hand. "Each comes from a specific part of the body symbolically and spiritually."
"Pay attention. Cuz imma let my mouth ramble" He cocked a grin
Suddenly from the Brush! An enormous Emerald Skinned Praying mantis over 30 feet tall broke through! It came to a stop suddenly! Shifting up and ready to attack Zeke! Utterly ignoring Leroy!
"First. Is Armament. Focused from the Body. An invisible armor that can be used as Offense and Defense. Using energy as a weapon. He raised his hand. Before Leroys Eyes it turned black! But dull and matte. His arm came up! And blocked the strike! An enormous shock wave from the blade!
"Defense. Or" In a blur he raised his hand and slammed it into the Mantis' blade! Exploding it in a single blow!
"Break the Unbreakable" He summed it up.
The Creature Reared back! Screaming in pain! Wildly it reared back again! It was an apex predator wanting to challenge the strongest thing on the island!
"Next is Observation. It comes from the head. It allows you to sense danger, boost senses, and a myriad of other abilities regarding senses." He suddenly bends forward! Dodging the remaining blade!
"Danger. Objects. Things. Power."
"See the Invisible"
The Mantis blade sliced deep into the ground! Comedically its eyes narrowed in frustration as it was stuck!
"Next is Conquerors Haki. This comes from the Heart. The Power to exert your will onto others. Some empower others with it. Others dominate. Many use it to save time and knock out unworthy opponents." He zipped around. He slightly bucked his body in a sudden tense! An enormous wave of silver energy with small crackles of energy shooting from his body!
It stunned the Mantis. Causing it to fall backwards in a daze Still awake
"Dominance. Exertion of will on the surroundings."
"Fight the Power." He smirked.
"Fourth. Is Conduit. Comes from the breath, or lungs. It allows you to produce and control flow. Infusing it into attacks. Being able to read it. Control it in certain ways. It is the manipulation of the flow of things."
His hand began to crackle Pink bolts of lightning zapping the air. Only for Zeke to yet again use the Mantis as a demonstration! The Element Flew through the air and stunned the Bug again!
"Touch the Untouchable"
"And finally. Firmament. It comes from the Core. Haki on its own can be used, and applied to the body. And this allows for certain results and abilities. But they are utilities through efficiency and interaction."
"Firmament allows you to take that, and shape it. Give it rules. Properties. Abilities that utilize the pool of Haki to accomplish. At basic levels. It allows you to extend your haki. Shape into simple shapes. For defense or attack. Similar to armament" He held his hand up. And slowly. An almost opaque aura oozed from his hand. Shaping slowly into a simple prism.
"But the greatest of all. Is the ultimate manifestation of your person. Your will. Intellect and soul." He unsheathed his sword. And with the same chant that was said on Desmare. He thrust forward! Piercing straight through the head of the mantis. Allowing it to fall dead on the ground… "A Reqia…"
"Do the impossible." He finished.
He slowly sheathed his blade. The ability and flower of battle disappearing. "Haki is the Ultimate Power. It is as strong as you are. And there is much to learn. Its nuances."
"Its not just, punch hard, sense good, make a shape, form a spark or force others to obey. It is a philosophy. Personal. Logical. Spiritual. It is an art, and a science. It is the perfect melding of the natural and supernatural."
"For all living things have Haki. A spirit. Or motivation. Motion. Only very few and use it. But every single person you will meet from here on out. Will use it."