The Chamber of Authority
High above the clouds, in the supreme Holy Land of Mary Geoise, the five rulers of the world sat in a serious meeting. The cold air in the chamber was heavy with the power of the World Government. Their discussion focused on a new bounty poster.
Saint Marcus Mars, the Elder, with the long white mustache, his gaze fixed on the bounty poster. "The Six Hundred Million Berries is a necessary political statement to the world. It is meant to scare people and ensure the Navy's justice is seen as unbroken, but hasty action will only risk exposure. We must understand his true nature first."
"The bounty is set. But the problem is this individual, 'Leo .' His type is unknown, his uniform is strange, and his goal of 'ultimate freedom' suggests a dangerous will. Is he possibly linked to the D. family, another unpredictable problem for the world?"
The mere mention of the 'D.' sent a wave of anxiety through the room.
Saint Saturn, the Elder, with the distinct, circular beard, spoke, his tone dangerously calm, yet carrying absolute finality. "We cannot ignore the strange events.
He closed his eyes, weighing his words. Chasing rumors is a waste of time. Monkey D. Luffy (the son of the Revolutionary) and this Leo figure are now together and training under the Dark King. Their alliance is obvious."
Saint Saturn leaned back, his eyes narrowing. "We will observe them for now. If 'Leo' ever shows the will of a true ruler, or if his power can be exploited, I will personally ensure his destruction."
The First Lesson: Haki
Meanwhile, under the blazing, indifferent sun of Rusukaina Island, the two prospective pupils sat opposite their legendary teacher. The air was thick with humidity and the quiet danger of the island's colossal wildlife. Luffy was, for once, fully focused, sitting upright with his hands on his knees, his mind cleared of all grief and focused only on strength. Leo, feeling the crushing weight of his new six-hundred-million Berry price tag and the scrutiny of the world's most powerful beings, was just as attentive.
"Alright, brat," Rayleigh began, his voice shifting from the philosophical tone of a mentor to the directness of a drill sergeant. "The first lesson is the foundation of power in the New World. It's called Haki."
Luffy bounced slightly. "Haki? I want to punch better!"
"You will," Rayleigh promised. "But you must understand what it is. Haki is not magic, nor is it a Devil Fruit. It is the spiritual energy, the innate power, the willpower that exists within every single living being."
Rayleigh paused, raising three fingers. "It manifests in three distinct forms: Armament, Observation, and Conqueror's."
Leo nodded along, absorbing the information he already knew but appreciating the real-world context. Armament, Observation, Conqueror's. The holy trinity. The basics.
"Armament Haki (Busoshoku)," Rayleigh continued, closing his first two fingers, "allows you to create an invisible armor around your body, or to imbue your weapons with that same hardening. When mastered, it allows you to touch and injure even those who have eaten a Logia Devil Fruit, like the Admirals. It is raw power projected outward."
He then raised his middle finger. "Observation Haki (Kenbunshoku) is the ability to sense the presence of others, even if they are far away or hidden. At its peak, it can allow you to see a few moments into the future, anticipating your opponent's moves. It is awareness and intuition refined into a weapon."
Finally, Rayleigh raised his last finger. "The rarest of all is Conqueror's Haki (Haoshoku). It is a rare ability possessed by one in several million people who are born with the qualities of a king or supreme ruler."
Rayleigh explained the fundamental truths of this supreme power, precisely as Leo remembered them:
Cannot be Attained: Unlike the other two, Conqueror's Haki is innate and cannot be attained through training.
Exerting Willpower: This Haki allows the user to exert their own raw willpower over others. The strength of the effect depends on the difference in willpower between the user and their target.
Knocking People Out: The most common use is knocking out individuals with weaker wills.
Develops with the User: The power of a user's Conqueror's Haki grows as their own willpower and spirit become stronger.
"Luffy," Rayleigh said gently, "you demonstrated this power at Marineford. It is in you, and it will grow." He then turned to Leo, his expression softening slightly. "And you, young Leo. You do not possess the spirit of a king right now, only the overwhelming desire to survive. Perhaps, in the future, if your will to achieve something—whether it is your freedom, or something more—becomes strong enough, that innate ability may awaken. But for now, you must focus on what you can learn."
Leo nodded, his inner thoughts confirming the analysis. He's right. My System even says Haki is 'Locked.' I have to earn the right to even train the basics.
"So," Rayleigh concluded, his eyes twinkling as he stood, cracking his knuckles. "We will focus on Armament and Observation. We have two years. We will start with the hardest part of all: surviving the environment. This island is your first, and toughest, sparring partner. Let's start the training now."
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