Roya had now completely mastered Armament Haki, and his Observation Haki had also reached a respectable level. The instability in his combat strength—previously caused by the chance of failure when using Armament Haki—had been entirely resolved.
During his training in Armament and Observation Haki, Roya also discovered that a third type of aura was hidden deep within his body.
Roya attempted to guide this third aura out, but he failed.
Recalling that hidden presence now, a trace of confusion appeared on Roya's face as he muttered, "That feeling… what exactly is it? Could it be Conqueror's Haki?!"
This third aura seemed extremely similar to Armament and Observation Haki, as if it were the Conqueror's Haki that can only be obtained innately and cannot be trained through training.
Yet Roya could not be certain.
Because before Conqueror's Haki awakens, neither the user nor others can sense it at all. Only after true awakening can it be perceived—and Roya did not believe he had experienced any kind of "awakening."
"Whether it's Conqueror's Haki or not, as long as it benefits me and does no harm, that's enough."
Roya shook his head, reined in his thoughts, and stopped dwelling on it. Even if he truly was different from others and could sense the existence of Conqueror's Haki in advance, before it truly "awakened," it was still unusable.
Over these three months, aside from focusing on Haki training, Roya had not neglected his sword pressure training. Ever since his battle with Lao G, where he had glimpsed a deeper level of sword pressure, his progress in sword fusion had advanced by leaps and bounds.
Now, Roya could already achieve the fusion of eight slashes!
The method of sword fusion became increasingly difficult the further one progressed, and it could not be enhanced without limit. The typical limit for a swordsman was fifteen swords fused. Beyond that point, training no longer involved sword fusion, but rather comprehending one's own path of the sword—grasping the true meaning of "slash" and stepping into the realm of a great swordsman.
After sheathing Engetsu, Roya focused his mind, and a translucent status panel appeared before his eyes once again.
[Third Stage: Agile Soul Sword +6
Attributes: Attack +230, Strength +70, Agility +70
Special Attribute: All Things in the Universe, turn to ashes: Fire damage can be freely added to sword attacks
(evolution conditions not yet met)
Special Attribute: Getsuga Tenshō: Sword attacks can release a crescent-shaped sword wave
Enhancement Energy: 180/180]
"So it's exactly enough?"
Seeing that the enhancement energy precisely met the requirement for the next upgrade, Roya nodded slightly. Without hesitation, he chose to continue enhancing.
A flash of light passed, and the Soul Sword was upgraded to Third Stage +7. Its base attributes increased once more, and it seemed the Fourth Stage was now very close.
Swordsmanship, Haki, Soru, and Geppo…
Everything he had learned so far was, in essence, merely auxiliary means—skills he trained incidentally to accumulate enhancement energy and serve as transitional tools.
What Roya truly valued above all else was still the Soul Sword's ability: Ryūjin Jakka.
Once it reached the Fifth Stage and Ryūjin Jakka was released, under that terrifying power comparable to the surface temperature of the sun, even the strongest Armament Haki would likely be unable to fully withstand its attacks!
Not to mention the Bankai, Zanka no Tachi.
In Roya's view, power on the level of the sun's core temperature in this world would mean that with a single slash, everything—sky, earth, and air alike—would be annihilated. Marine Admirals, the Four Emperors—none would escape being reduced to ashes by one strike.
Taking a deep breath, Roya's gaze gradually calmed. He wiped away all distracting thoughts, and in his eyes shone a bright, resolute light. Turning around, he stepped toward the exit of the small training ground.
"Something interesting seems to be happening outside."
---
Outside, on the large training field.
Officials of the World Government, along with the head instructor of the training camp Zephyr, Marine Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Marine Admirals Kizaru and Aokiji, and Garp, had all arrived.
Lucci and the others had originally planned to leave, but with their superiors present, they stopped and stood by.
On the Elite Camp's side, although no one had died, there were many injured. Nearly everyone who had fought Lucci had been wounded by him, and he had not deliberately held back—several were even severely injured.
This naturally made Zephyr's expression extremely grim.
On the other side, a CP officer deliberately questioned Lucci in front of Zephyr.
"Lucci, how are this year's Marine elite recruits?"
"Very weak."
Despite Sengoku and Zephyr standing nearby, Lucci remained calm and composed as he answered, neither servile nor overbearing.
"If the so-called elite recruits of the Marine Headquarters are only at this level, then the future of the Marines is worrying. The word 'elite' can be discarded altogether."
The meaning behind these words was blatant contempt for everyone in the Elite Camp. Yet Lucci's tone was utterly calm, as if he were merely stating a fact.
This made the faces of everyone in the Elite Camp—including Smoker—extremely unpleasant. They felt deeply stifled and unwilling to accept it, but being inferior in skill, they had no rebuttal.
In truth, Lucci was not wrong.
The Marines were indeed in decline. In the canon, two years after the Summit War, the Marines even had to resort to worldwide conscription and extraordinary promotions to fill gaps in their high-level combat power.
But that was the future.
Right now, Lucci's words did not merely mock all the Marine recruits present—they ridiculed the entire Elite Camp.
And then, in the next moment, a voice drifted into the field.
"That's not something I can just pretend I didn't hear."
Who?!
The sudden voice caused the Elite Camp recruits—who had been filled with frustration and resentment—to light up. They instinctively turned around, then quickly parted to form a path.
"Hm?"
The World Government officials and Lucci's group also noticed this and turned to look. Following the path that had opened in the crowd, they immediately saw a figure walking forward from the rear.
That figure was none other than Roya, who had just emerged from the small training ground!
"Roya is here!"
The Elite Camp recruits looked at the arriving Roya, making way for him as excitement spread across their faces.
Although a small number of them worried that Roya might still not be able to defeat Lucci, the majority had great confidence in him. Ever since witnessing Roya's battle with Lao G, they all harbored an inexplicable feeling—that no matter the opponent, Roya would never be defeated.
"So he's finally here?"
The unwilling expression on Smoker's face, along with his clenched fists, finally relaxed. Watching Roya pass by, he gave a low reminder:
"Be careful. That guy's hand-to-hand combat is very strong."