Seeing Meiser's keen interest in Haki, Rayleigh temporarily set down the tools he'd just picked up and returned to his seat.
"Since you want to learn, I'll explain it to you."
"I'm all ears."
Meiser was genuinely fascinated by this special technique that could counter Devil Fruit users. If he could master it, his next encounter with Kuma wouldn't be so grueling. At the very least... he'd gain a means to oppose the Paw-Paw Fruit's abilities.
"What do you think is most important for a strong fighter?" Rayleigh asked.
"Most important..."
Meiser lowered his head in thought before answering: "Willpower!"
"Oh?"
"Is that your conclusion?" Rayleigh sounded surprised.
He hadn't expected the young man to hit the nail on the head so quickly—this was genuinely unexpected.
Shakky also looked surprised. For someone with no prior exposure to Haki, reaching this insight so rapidly wasn't easy.
"Yes." Meiser nodded. "I believe willpower is crucial for any strong fighter."
"If someone loses their willpower, even immense strength might not be fully utilized."
After a pause, Meiser continued: "Take Moria for example. After being defeated, he lost his willpower and hid in the Devil's Triangle playing with zombies."
"That's why we were able to defeat him."
"But when Moria regained his willpower, his strength immediately changed. Even after enduring a brutal battle, he could still match Kuma!"
During Moria's second appearance, his entire demeanor had been different. That's when he'd demonstrated previously unseen abilities—Haki!
So... does mastering Haki depend on one's mental state?
"Correct. Willpower is indeed vital for any strong fighter." Rayleigh nodded. "This doesn't just concern combat determination, but also... whether one can awaken their latent potential!"
"Potential?"
"Exactly." Rayleigh said. "Everyone possesses this potential. Meaning... anyone can master Haki if conditions are met."
Seeing Meiser's puzzled expression, Rayleigh smiled: "What do you think Haki is?"
After consideration, Meiser answered: "Perhaps it's a manifestation of one's mental and spiritual energy?"
Judging from Moria's case, he'd only regained his Haki after restoring his mental state.
"Right, but not entirely."
Meiser: "..."
Meiser stared speechlessly at Rayleigh, feeling like he was being teased by some shady uncle.
"Uncle Rayleigh, could you explain it simply? Why make it so cryptic?" Meiser complained.
As the Pirate King's former right-hand man, Rayleigh must have thoroughly understood these concepts long ago. After all... he stood among the world's strongest fighters. Shouldn't explaining this universal ability be straightforward?
"Don't be in such a hurry," Rayleigh said with a laugh. "I know you want to master Haki right now, but this isn't something you can learn in just a day or two."
If learned systematically, it would take a considerable amount of time.
To use Haki proficiently would require even longer!
However, if one frequently engaged in life-and-death battles, the speed of mastering Haki would be much faster.
Of course, the mortality rate for this method was also extremely high—if you couldn't break through in the face of death, you would die.
Meiser sighed helplessly. "How long will it take? We can only stay here for three days at most."
Once the Coating was finished, they would need to head to Fish-Man Island. They couldn't linger here indefinitely.
"No worries, I'll teach you the method, and you can practice on your own later," Rayleigh said. "You can also pass on these insights to your crewmates."
Teaching them these insights would help the youngsters grow stronger quickly.
"Alright, thanks a lot, Uncle Rayleigh," Meiser nodded.
After all, there was plenty of time in the future. He didn't necessarily have to learn it right now.
But... if Haki was a form of spiritual energy manipulation, he felt he should be able to pick it up quickly.
"First, there are three types of Haki."
"The first: Conqueror's Haki!"
"Only one in a million people possesses this type of Haki. It cannot be acquired through training."
"Those who have it are born kings, with immense potential!"
At this point, Rayleigh paused before continuing, "This Haki grows alongside the user's mind and body."
"In other words, the stronger a person's willpower, the stronger their Conqueror's Haki."
"And when facing someone with Conqueror's Haki, ordinary people don't even have the right to stand."
"Why?" Meiser asked curiously.
"Because they can't withstand that kind of pressure," Rayleigh explained. "Those with weak strength will lose consciousness instantly when struck by Conqueror's Haki."
This was also why, when top-tier fighters battled, no weaklings dared to approach.
They simply couldn't endure the Conqueror's Haki of the strong.
"Conqueror's Haki, huh..."
Listening to Rayleigh's explanation, Meiser fell into thought.
He felt that this so-called Conqueror's Haki was like a method of projecting one's spiritual energy outward to mentally suppress others.
If the opponent's willpower wasn't strong enough, they would lose consciousness under this mental pressure.
In that case, it was a perfect tool for clearing out weaklings.
Thinking this, Meiser said, "With this Haki, you don't even need to worry about numbers."
"Conqueror's Haki isn't just for clearing out weaklings," Rayleigh waved his hand. "It can also be used for infusion—a skill all top-tier fighters must master."
In other words, those who once stood at the pinnacle had all mastered this power.
"Conqueror's... infusion, huh..."
"Yeah, but that's still too advanced for you. Just knowing about it is enough for now."
Rayleigh didn't even know if Meiser could awaken Conqueror's Haki, so there was no need to delve deeper into it at this stage.
Moreover... such advanced techniques aren't something one can learn just by being told about them. Otherwise, there would already be a whole bunch of people capable of Conqueror's Haki infusion in this world.
It's safe to say that to master Conqueror's Haki infusion, one must experience it physically and comprehend it through practice.
"Maybe little Meiser has Conqueror's Haki too~" Shakky said with a smile.
Rayleigh chuckled but didn't refute her words.
After all... before awakening this type of Haki, no one can tell whether someone possesses Conqueror's Haki or not.
"Alright, kid, don't dwell on this too much," Rayleigh said. "You can start studying infusion techniques after you've awakened this Haki."
"Mm, got it," Meiser nodded.
Just as Rayleigh said, without innate talent, no amount of training can cultivate this Haki, so worrying about it is pointless.
I wonder if I have that kind of potential... Meiser thought to himself.
After all, he wasn't originally from this world.
But... since his Sharingan had undergone beneficial mutations, perhaps... his body would follow suit.
"Little Meiser really doesn't need to worry about this," Shakky said. "Even if you can't awaken this Haki, it's fine."
"Look at the current three Marine Admirals—none of them possess Conqueror's Haki, yet their strength is still monstrous."
"The Admirals, huh..."
Meiser recalled his last encounter with Aokiji. The power the Admiral had displayed was truly terrifying.
In just an instant, he'd frozen everything around them from such a great distance.
His speed and strength were equally frightening.
Rayleigh glanced at Shakky but said nothing. After all... she wasn't wrong.
People without Conqueror's Haki can still become incredibly powerful.
The three Marine Admirals... not to be underestimated.
"Never mind, I won't think about this for now. I'll cross that bridge when I awaken Conqueror's Haki," Meiser shook his head.
Taking a sip of tea from the table, Meiser asked, "Uncle Rayleigh, what about the other two types of Haki?"
"Right, the second type is called Observation Haki," Rayleigh explained. "This Haki is more like invisible eyes—it allows you to accurately perceive all changes around you without relying on your physical sight."
"All changes... around me?"
Meiser looked at Rayleigh strangely. Wasn't that just like radar?
Wait no... radar isn't as advanced as this.
Radar can only track an object's movement and position, but... this Haki can perceive all changes in the surroundings. That's downright terrifying.
"Exactly."
As he spoke, Rayleigh stood up from his chair and walked to an open space. "Try hitting me."
Meiser: "???"
Seeing Rayleigh close his eyes, Meiser twitched his lips. "Quite a straightforward demonstration method."
After looking around for something simple to use, Meiser heard Rayleigh say, "No need to search. Just draw your sword and strike me."
"Truly remarkable, this Observation Haki..."
After realizing Rayleigh could "see" his actions, Meiser didn't waste words. He swiftly drew his Grass Sword and thrust forward at blinding speed.
Yet to Meiser's surprise, his opponent not only perfectly anticipated his attack pattern but casually... delivered a karate chop to his head.
"Tch—!"
Rubbing the fresh bump on his head, Meiser bared his teeth. "Since when were you allowed to counterattack?"
This old man hit hard—hard enough to leave a visible lump.
"I never said I wouldn't fight back," Rayleigh replied, opening his eyes. "Consider it a hands-on lesson."
"Yeah, lesson received."
The fact that his opponent could track him without visual confirmation was genuinely impressive.
Meiser fell into deep thought.
"This puts me at a disadvantage..." he mused silently.
If enemies in the New World simply closed their eyes upon encountering him, his Illusion Techniques would become far less effective.
No matter—slashing them down with raw strength worked just as well.
Shaking his head, Meiser asked Rayleigh, "How does one learn this Haki?"
"Before explaining, answer me this," Rayleigh countered.
"Go ahead."
"Meiser—do you believe all things breathe?"
"The breath of all things...?"
Pondering seriously, Meiser recalled Zoro mentioning this concept back in Alabasta—the very principle that enabled him to cut steel.
By that logic, all things must indeed possess breath.
Nodding, Meiser confirmed, "They do."
"Good," Rayleigh said. "Everything in this world breathes. Where there's breath, there's naturally a unique energy signature emitted."
"Observation Haki is about sensing those signatures—not with your eyes, but with your heart and willpower. That... is how you train it."
Pointing to his own eyes, he added, "Blindfold yourself. Have others attack you. Gradually attune yourself to the surrounding energies."
"Alternatively, you could develop it through combat when the time comes. The choice is yours."
"I see..."
Meiser frowned. Observation Haki clearly wasn't something mastered overnight.
He'd have to wait until his crew reunited to properly attempt this.
Still... this ability to perceive surroundings through mental focus felt eerily similar to a ninja's sensory Ninjutsu.
The only difference was detecting energy signatures instead of Chakra.
Could there be... a connection between them?
After a contemplative pause, Meiser asked, "Beyond sensing presences, does Observation Haki have other applications?"
If Conqueror's Haki could clear mobs and be weaponized, surely Observation Haki had specialized uses too?
Meiser was quite curious about this.
"Yes," Rayleigh nodded. "When Observation Haki is cultivated to its peak, it's possible to develop various extraordinary abilities."
"Extraordinary abilities?"
"Exactly!" Rayleigh affirmed. "For instance, the ability to sense others' emotions, or even briefly foresee the future."
"Foresee the future?!"
Meiser looked at Rayleigh in astonishment. "Is that really possible?"
If one could truly foresee the future, wouldn't that make them invincible? No attack would land, rendering them completely unbeatable.
"I've only heard rumors," Rayleigh waved his hand dismissively. "But since such claims exist, there must be people capable of it."
"I see..."
"There indeed is such a person," Shakky said, lighting a cigarette. "I've seen one before."
"You have?"
Rayleigh gave Shakky a surprised glance—he'd never heard her mention this before.
"Yes, though it was decades ago."
Meiser shot Shakky a strange look. Decades ago? Just how old was this woman...?
After a moment's thought, he decided against voicing the question—unless he wanted to get punched.
"What's on your mind, little Meiser?" Shakky narrowed her eyes.
Meiser: "..."
"I was just wondering if Shakky ever fought that person."
Shakky rolled her eyes. "No, I only knew of their existence. Later, I heard someone killed them."
"Killed?!"
Meiser couldn't believe it. "Even someone with that level of Observation Haki could be killed? I thought they could foresee the future."
"Why not?" Shakky countered. "As long as they're human, they can be killed. No exceptions."
Even a powerhouse like Rocks ultimately met his end.
"Well..."
"Meiser, it's not that strange," Rayleigh explained. "To activate Observation Haki, one must first remain calm."
"If you can provoke or anger your opponent, they won't be able to use it."
"Of course, if you also possess future-sight Haki, you could clash on that level and defeat them."
"But the latter isn't so easily achieved."
To master future-sight Observation Haki, one must first cultivate Observation Haki to its peak—only then is such power attainable. Yet reaching that pinnacle is no simple feat.
"Oh, and it's not just in the past," Shakky added, as if remembering something. "Among the Four Emperors, BIG MOM's pirate crew has a member named Charlotte Katakuri—Charlotte Linlin's second son, with a bounty of 1,057,000,000 Berries!"
"His Observation Haki is incredibly powerful, rumored to briefly foresee the future."
"Since little Monkey aims to become the Pirate King... you'll likely cross paths with them eventually." Pausing, she continued, "Little Meiser, you'd better prepare yourself mentally."
To become the Pirate King, one must obtain enough Red Poneglyphs—those are the road signs leading to Laugh Tale.
And these road signs are mostly held by the Four Emperors. So... to claim that throne, one must defeat them.
"Alright, I get it," Meiser nodded.
The Four Emperors, huh... It seems the further I go, the stronger my opponents will become.
But that just makes it more exciting, doesn't it?
"That kid?" Rayleigh asked in surprise. "He actually mastered the Haki that lets him see the future?"
"What, you saw him?"
"Yeah," Rayleigh nodded. "I ran into Charlotte Katakuri on my way back just now.
"Though I have no idea what their goal is."
"Probably looking for someone," Shakky said, slapping a report onto the table. "The Four Emperors' subordinates are running all over the island—clearly searching for someone.
Even if they haven't outright stated it, their movements make their intentions obvious."
"Huh?"
Meiser looked at Shakky in surprise. When did she gather this intel?
Perhaps sensing his confusion, Shakky grinned. "I have a pretty solid intelligence network here on Sabaody Archipelago. When someone like the Four Emperors shows up, of course I'd take notice."
Before Meiser and the others arrived, she had already received word that a Four Emperors Crew had landed on Sabaody Archipelago.
After all... their appearance was anything but subtle. The moment they arrived, they were spotted by a crowd—including her informants.
"This is pretty unusual," Rayleigh mused, stroking his chin. "Four Emperors Crews rarely show up on Sabaody Archipelago."
"Why's that?"
"Because it's too close to Mary Geoise and Marine Headquarters," Shakky explained. "To avoid unnecessary conflict,
the Four Emperors Crews tend to stay away. It's kind of an unspoken rule."
"So for them to appear now... someone must've caught their attention."
Just then, a thought flashed through Shakky's mind. She instinctively turned to Meiser and said, "You don't think they're after you, do you?"
Meiser: ???
"What do you mean?"
"Don't tell me you forgot about your bloodline?"
Meiser: ...
So the Four Emperors Crew is after his bloodline?
Just like the World Government?
At that realization, Meiser fell into deep thought.