Crocodile's heart was unsettled.
It was the first time he had heard of technology capable of extracting and transferring a person's Haki—something that should have been impossible.
The technology Ron had mastered likely far surpassed that of the renowned Dr. Vegapunk.
Although multiple protective devices around the laboratory blocked most of the light emanating from within, faint golden rays still leaked through the gaps.
Everyone clearly knew: the Haki Fruit had succeeded!
This news was like a massive boulder thrown into a calm lake, instantly stirring up waves among the crowd.
Among them, Jozu was the most excited.
He stood rooted to the spot, rubbing his hands together repeatedly to ease his uncontrollable exhilaration.
The mere thought of acquiring top-tier Haki made his heart pound faster!
When Ron appeared before the crowd holding the fruit, all eyes were drawn as if by invisible threads, fixed intently on the mysterious object in his hand.
"Only... one?" Bullet's eyes widened, his face filled with disbelief.
What did this mean? It meant the success rate was one hundred percent!
Unlike the previous Enchanted Devil Fruits that required multiple attempts and sacrificial fruits to succeed, this Haki Fruit was perfect on the first try.
Upon hearing Bullet's words, Shiki couldn't help but gasp sharply. "Thats too powerful..."
Jozu's joy was even more evident on his face—'what an excellent fruit!'
Remembering the nauseating taste and unbearable suffering from eating Devil Fruits in the past, he was relieved that he wouldn't have to endure that torment again.
"Here."
Ron nodded slightly and handed the Haki Fruit to Jozu.
"Thank you, Ron! I'm so grateful for this!"
Jozu carefully extended both hands, cradling the Haki Fruit as if it were the world's most precious treasure.
He took a deep breath, trying to calm his rapidly beating heart.
"I'm eating it!"
Under everyone's expectant gazes, Jozu brought the fruit to his mouth.
The moment it entered his mouth, the fruit instantly transformed into a cool liquid that slid smoothly down his throat.
The icy sensation was like a nimble little snake winding through Jozu's body, bringing comfort wherever it went.
Immediately after, this coolness rapidly transformed into a scorching warm current, surging like blazing flames toward every limb and bone.
Jozu's eyes snapped wide open, shining with astonishment and shock.
He could clearly feel the Haki within his body undergoing earth-shattering changes, as if invisible hands were unlocking the shackles that had restrained his potential.
In an instant, Jozu's burly frame shuddered violently, as if struck by a heavy blow!
His originally diamond-hard skin suddenly revealed intricate black patterns.
These patterns spread across his entire body at an astonishing speed, like living spiderwebs.
As time passed, the markings grew deeper and more distinct, narrating the awakening of the power within.
Finally, they converged into pure, purple-black Armament Haki, completely enveloping Jozu's body.
BOOM!!!
A visible black shockwave erupted from Jozu's center.
This shockwave surged like a raging tsunami, carrying world-destroying force as it rampaged in all directions.
The ground cracked inch by inch under the powerful impact, and rubble floated into the air as if struck by anti-gravity, scattering everywhere.
Jozu threw his head back and let out a sky-shaking roar, the sound waves forcing those around him to cover their ears in defense.
At this moment, Jozu's body was entirely covered in gleaming Armament Haki.
He resembled a war god from ancient times, radiating a terrifying aura.
Most shockingly, to those with strong observation skills, the intensity of this Haki had clearly reached Whitebeard's level!
Although Whitebeard himself had rarely fully displayed his Armament Haki in recent years, everyone could now confirm that what Jozu was demonstrating was undoubtedly Yonko-level Armament Haki!
Bullet's eyes widened, filled with disbelief and shock.
Veins bulged on his bronze arms as if he were under tremendous pressure.
He opened his mouth as if to say something, but was too stunned by the scene before him to speak.
"This... this is..."
Shiki instinctively took half a step back, his golden mane dancing wildly in the turbulent airflow stirred by the Haki pressure.
"What kind of joke is this… with just a fruit, he reached the peak?"
Crocodile's golden hook unconsciously rose, blocking in front of his face to resist the oncoming shockwave.
"It's like he's a completely different person…"
Jozu slowly lowered his head, his gaze fixed on his purplish-black hands.
He could clearly feel the Haki within him, vast and boundless like an endless ocean, with a continuous surge of power flowing through his meridians.
With a single thought, the Armament Haki receded like a tide, revealing his original skin.
With another thought, the Haki instantly enveloped his entire body again.
This process was seamless and effortless, as if he had become one with this power.
Moreover, he could precisely control the flow, wrapping it only around his fist or projecting it outward.
He even found that new techniques—advanced emission and internal destruction—had surfaced in his mind, as if a door to a whole new world had been blown open.
"I… I can feel it! It's an unparalleled power! Yes, this is it!"
Jozu's body trembled slightly, his hands unconsciously clenching into fists as that surging power gathered in them.
"This strength is beyond anything I could have imagined!"
He quickly approached the test area, his eyes blazing with fervor.
Purplish-black Armament Haki slowly condensed at the edge of his fist, cracking with energy.
As his breathing steadied, Jozu let out a fierce roar.
Channeling all his strength into this single punch, he slammed it hard into the testing target without hesitation.
BOOM!!!
A thunderous shockwave roared out, tearing through the air and emitting a sharp, piercing shriek.
The impact surged forward with overwhelming force, crashing directly into the ten-meter-thick alloy block.
With a deafening CRACK, the once-indestructible alloy target was pierced straight through, tearing apart as if it were nothing more than fragile paper.