After training with Mihawk, Ian was only a step away from mastering the Conqueror's Haki Infusion technique.
It really was just a tiny bit away.
No need to be cornered into a desperate situation, no need to exhaust all strength, no need for a last-minute burst of power.
All that was needed was a clash with a strong opponent who also wielded Conqueror's Haki Infusion, and under the impact of their murderous intent and aura, naturally, the final barrier would be broken.
"So this is how simple it is!" Ian laughed freely as his Flame Sword clashed with the double blades of Shiki.
Unprecedented violent Conqueror's Haki burst out, scattering like lightning, splitting the clouds in the sky and cracking the ground below.
Tearing apart the sky wasn't so hard after all.
Shiki, I've felt your willpower, I've understood your ambition!
Therefore, you can be defeated now.
Shiki's gaze shifted dramatically.
This power!
Boom!!
The sky trembled!
Amidst the swirling lightning of the Conqueror's Haki, Shiki shot out, creating sonic booms that rang out in the air.
"Truly amazing!" Shanks couldn't help but exclaim. "He's only fifteen, right?"
Even Bullet, back in the day, didn't have this level of strength at Ian's age.
Though it's often said that apart from Captain Roger, only Rayleigh could match Bullet at the time, Shanks, as a member of the Roger Pirates, knew that it was more because Gaban didn't bother to step in and subdue the often-unstable Bullet.
In terms of strength, Bullet back then was only fourth on the ship.
Even at his peak, he probably wasn't stronger than Ian now.
And without a doubt, Ian, who had mastered the Conqueror's Haki Infusion, had completely surpassed him.
Fifteen years old.
At just fifteen, Ian had already reached the threshold of becoming one of the strongest.
Shanks suddenly felt a bit embarrassed.
Captain Roger once said that he was the most qualified person to become the new era's Joy Boy, but now, he suddenly felt like, compared to someone like Ian, what was he?
This was the true Joy Boy!
Maybe he should just tell him that secret the captain entrusted to him?
On the other side, the hero Garp had a serious expression as well.
"Conquering's Haki, huh? Tch—"
Kuzan inhaled sharply, but luckily, as an Ice Fruit user, the breath he exhaled was also cold, so there was no need to worry about the greenhouse effect.
"Mr. Garp, I think it's necessary to reassess the threat of the Beast Pirates!"
Conqueror's Haki alone was already the presence of a king, unrivaled among millions of people.
And someone who could wield the Conqueror's Haki Infusion was truly a rare talent. At least, in the Navy, only Admiral Sengoku had mastered this technique.
Conqueror's Haki Infusion was already an extraordinary skill, and when it appeared in a monster like Ian, it became even more terrifying!
His basic qualities were exaggerated enough to fully showcase the power of this technique!
What Ian felt at this moment was indeed just that.
He clenched his right fist tightly, with Haki lightning swirling around his five fingers, and the air in the palm of his hand was twisted by the Haki, making crackling sounds.
Ian's lips curled into a smile.
Unprecedented strength!
Armament Haki internal destruction, Observation Haki foreseeing the future, Conqueror's Haki Infusion, and his Mythical Zoan-type Winged Dragon of Ra!
He was absolutely ecstatic!
Right now, he definitely had the strength to fight against Kaido.
Winning or losing was hard to say, but at least it wouldn't be as embarrassing as before!
However, with the three types of Haki, his techniques were almost at their peak. Now, only the mysterious Observation Killer technique was left, and he wasn't sure if Shanks had learned it yet.
It's unlikely that there will be another dramatic transformation of power in the short term. I can only improve the quality of my Haki slowly, and wait for my body to fully mature, allowing my physique to grow stronger.
But I don't know when I'll be able to awaken my ability.
Kaido said that when both the body and mind catch up with the ability, the ability will awaken.
However, even before mastering Conqueror's Haki, I was already not weak.
A true Admiral-level powerhouse, even compared to the Emperors, I was just a half-step lower.
Whether the Straw Hat kid would reach this level before awakening is hard to say.
Nika, who hadn't awakened for 800 years, has awakened, yet I still haven't felt anything.
Even now, after mastering Conqueror's Haki, I still don't feel any sign of awakening.
Could it be that I need to face a life-or-death crisis for my ability to awaken?
"Brat! What are you zoning out for!!"
A gale rushed toward me, and a grand, violent slash came barreling down at Ian.
Ian couldn't help but recall the last time he fought with Shiki. Back then, he had stood still, letting Shiki attack him, and he had worn himself out in the process.
Of course, that wouldn't work now.
Shiki's Haki had completely recovered, and a slash mixed with both Armament Haki and Conqueror's Haki was not something an ordinary Human-Beast Form could withstand.
So, Ian raised his hand.
Armament Haki and Conqueror's Haki mixed together, and in the next moment, it expanded, forming a solid barrier.
The slash storm collided with the immovable reef, instantly shattering into pieces.
Armament Haki and Conqueror's Haki can be combined. In this way, Conqueror's Haki can share the outward flow and internal destruction of Armament Haki.
"Lion's Might—Destructive Slash!"
Shiki had closed in again, his twin swords descending.
Ian swung his Laevateinn Sword. It was a sharp divine sword, but with the added force of Conqueror's Haki, it felt like a baseball bat, directly clashing with Shiki's twin swords.
After a brief stalemate, Shiki was once again sent flying by a single strike from Ian.
It seemed that even after months of recovery, Shiki's Haki couldn't return to its peak state.
Ian sighed.
His strength had already been far surpassed, and now even the difference in Haki had been closed.
Sigh, honestly, he could already pop the champagne.
Forget it, wasting time is pointless, let's get serious.
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