"System, upgrade Conqueror's Haki!"
[Ding!]
[Consumed 1000 Justice Points, Conqueror's Haki has been upgraded to Basic.]
[Consumed 10,000 Justice Points, Conqueror's Haki has been upgraded to Intermediate.]
[Current remaining Justice Points: 4091.]
[Detected that the host possesses "King's Disposition". Triggering special advancement!]
[Ding! Conqueror's Haki has been upgraded to Advanced!]
[Congratulations, host. You have officially stepped into the ranks of the strong!]
[Now providing a detailed explanation of the levels of Conqueror's Haki.]
A massive surge of information instantly flooded into Hawke's mind.
[Conqueror's Haki — the supreme force, reigning above all!]
[Basic]: Awakening of Potential.
Allows the user to release their own spirit, causing a mental shock to those whose willpower is far inferior, knocking them unconscious.
The affected range is small, control is crude, and the user cannot precisely filter targets.
[Intermediate]: Extension of Will.
The release range and intensity are greatly enhanced. The user can precisely control the area of intimidation, "point and strike," without harming allies within range.
Even against opponents with strong willpower, it can cause brief mental suppression.
[Advanced]: Manifestation of Aura.
Conqueror's Haki is no longer just invisible intimidation — it becomes tangible energy capable of exerting physical interference.
When unleashed, it stirs up gusts of wind and causes minor damage to the surroundings.
Its pressure is enough to make elite Vice Admiral-level experts at Marine Headquarters feel their hearts tighten, even freezing for a brief moment.
This marks the threshold to mastering "Haki Infusion".
[Top-Tier]: Proof of Sovereignty.
Completely mastering the technique of infusing Conqueror's Haki into the body or weapons — "Haki Infusion."
Attack power skyrockets geometrically, allowing direct damage to even Logia-type users' physical bodies.
This is the hallmark of those standing at the peak of the world.
Every movement exudes the aura of a sovereign.
The strength of this Haki can even stir celestial phenomena. When clashing with someone of equal standing, the sky itself can split apart.
[Peak]: Surpassing All.
The ultimate pinnacle of Conqueror's Haki, reigning above everything!
Note: Even among Peak-level users, there are still distinctions in strength.
"..."
Hawke closed his eyes tightly, savoring the entirely new power surging within him.
Vast. Overwhelming. As if it had always belonged to him.
If Armament Haki is an indestructible armor, and Observation Haki is the antenna that perceives all things…
Then this power is the sovereign's authority that rules over the world — Conqueror's Haki!
Originally, his remaining Justice Points were only enough to upgrade this ability to Intermediate.
But due to his "King's Disposition," the enhancement triggered a special change, directly raising Conqueror's Haki to Advanced.
Advanced Conqueror's Haki… only one step away from Top-Tier mastery of "Haki Infusion."
"With this…"
Hawke slowly opened his eyes, silently assessing his strength.
Conqueror's Haki, Observation Haki, Armament Haki, physique, and martial arts — all at Advanced!
Once he fully integrates everything, his overall power…
Firmly at Admiral-candidate level!
Perfect.
Just the Justice Points from Mock Town had pushed him through a complete transformation.
What about the entire Paradise region?
What about the Marineford War a year from now?!
"Ha—"
A surge of anticipation and desire welled up within Hawke's heart.
But he quickly forced the emotion back down.
Food must be eaten one bite at a time.
The road must be walked one step at a time.
The most pressing task now was preparing to head to Skypiea… and seizing all of its gold.
He turned his head, his gaze sweeping over the thousands of Marines lined up behind him, their killing intent still lingering.
"Dane."
Hawke's voice was calm yet sharp.
"Here!"
Dane stepped forward and saluted crisply.
"You'll lead the main fleet back and garrison the G-3 Branch."
"While I'm away, you'll temporarily act as Branch Commander."
"Yes, sir!"
Dane didn't hesitate for a moment and accepted the order immediately.
Hawke nodded slightly, then shifted his gaze past Dane, locking onto several others behind him.
Smoker, Hina, Zoro, Sanji, Hibari, Kujaku…
"You all… stay here."
Hawke's eyes scanned the varied expressions on their faces. He had already made up his mind.
Dane, as his most trusted subordinate, was the best choice to guard G-3 in his absence.
Smoker, despite having a Logia Fruit, only knew the most basic applications and needed intense training.
Hina had decent Devil Fruit mastery and martial arts, but her Haki was still far from sufficient.
Zoro and Sanji — two future monsters with boundless potential — were still far too weak and needed extreme forging.
As for Hibari and Kujaku — one was the daughter of a Marine Admiral, the other the granddaughter of a Chief Staff Officer — they were vital links connecting him to the top brass.
These people would become the core of his future forces.
The sharpest blades in his hands.
"The era of Marines ruling the world… is about to begin."
"In the coming tidal wave, you all…"
Hawke paused, his gaze sharp as blades, sweeping over them one by one.
"…are too weak!"
"..."
No one refuted him.
Neither the prideful Smoker nor the battle-hungry Zoro.
They silently endured his judgment.
After all, that overwhelming "lesson" at G-3's plaza had already shown them the immense, unbridgeable gap between themselves and Hawke.
"While we wait for the Knock-Up Stream to arrive, I'll be putting you through special training."
"Yes, sir!"
Soon after— "Wooo—"
Dane led the massive fleet as it turned and slowly departed.
Only a single giant battleship remained, anchored silently beside the scorched ruins of Mock Town.
The sea breeze swept over the ruins, lifting ash and smoke, carrying with it the acrid stench of burnt sulfur.
Hawke stood at the front, six Marine elites behind him.
A hellish training was about to begin.
"The first lesson of this special training is simple."
Hawke turned around, a mischievous smile on his face.
"Those who kneel or pass out…"
"Don't get dinner!"
"BOOM!!!"
The instant his words fell, an overwhelming wave of pressure erupted from Hawke's body.
Like an invisible tidal wave, it crashed over the entire ruin in an instant.
Hawke precisely controlled the range and intensity of his Conqueror's Haki.
On the outskirts, the ordinary Marines tasked with maintaining security suddenly felt as if their chests were struck by a massive hammer. Their breath caught violently.
A dizzying wave of nausea assaulted their minds, their legs trembling as their vision blurred.
W-what's happening?!
What is this?!
They didn't know.
But their strict Marine discipline forced them to grit their teeth and summon every ounce of strength to stay upright.
Hawke didn't demand much from them.
Just experiencing Conqueror's Haki firsthand and resisting it slightly was enough.
The real storm raged at the center — where Zoro and the other five stood…
"Ugh—aaahhh!!!"