On the Wave Rider.
Ryan lay on his back on the large soft bed, palms facing upward, sensing the familiar domineering energy within him. It flowed like water through his fingers, yet he gently "caught" it with his will.
Slowly, the formless "Qi" gathered once more.
Three days had passed since he sought Rayleigh's favor. Rayleigh hadn't gone back on his word and explained the principles of "Advanced Conqueror's Haki infusion" in detail.
Basic Conqueror's Haki is the "external release of will," like an unbound cloth bag where energy disperses chaotically, at most capable of stunning weaklings. But "Advanced Conqueror's Haki infusion" is different—it's the "controlled condensation and attachment of will energy." One must twist the scattered "Qi" into an orderly "rope" and firmly wrap it around fists, feet, or weapons, turning one's will itself into a blade that can harm others.
Of course, Rayleigh unsurprisingly used Luffy as an example, comparing it to "controlling breath." Ordinary use of Conqueror's Haki is like "gasping with an open mouth," where the energy disperses with the breath into the air. To practice Advanced Conqueror's Haki infusion, one must learn to "inhale slowly through the nose and exhale gently," holding the energy in the chest before precisely directing it to where force is needed.
Over these past few days, Ryan had finally grasped the basics. Conqueror's Haki is formless, intangible energy. One must first "give it form" in the mind, imagining it as weighted threads or graspable objects, then use will to "hold it firmly."
But not through forceful gripping—the harder one tries to clutch it, the more likely the energy slips away like a startled bird. Instead, one must calm the mind, following its flow rhythm as if sensing one's breath, gently "guiding" it toward the palms to make it obediently gather in the hands.
More crucial is "synchronization." Advanced Conqueror's Haki infusion isn't as simple as "Haki sticking to the skin." The energy of Conqueror's Haki must synchronize completely with bodily movements. When throwing a punch, the energy must follow the fist's trajectory—where the fist strikes, the energy's "blade" must reach. When swinging a sword, the energy must wrap along the blade's curve into a "Qi Blade," neither lagging behind to stagnate in the hands nor rushing ahead to disperse prematurely.
It's like coating a weapon with an "invisible armor," but this armor is sharper than steel because it carries the "will of a king." The firmer the will, the stronger the energy's cohesion, and the sharper the "blade" wrapped around the weapon.
Another easily overlooked detail is the "precision" of Advanced Conqueror's Haki infusion.
Basic Conqueror's Haki is "indiscriminate intimidation," while Advanced Conqueror's Haki infusion achieves "precise targeting." It's like watering with a hose: the basic form is "turning on the faucet to spray wildly," while Advanced Conqueror's Haki infusion is "pinching the hose nozzle to water a specific plant accurately," relying on extreme control over the energy.
The harder one tries to grip the energy, the more it scatters. Instead, by calming the mind and sensing the energy's flow within the body like one's breath, then gently "guiding" it toward the target, the energy obediently wraps around the fist.
As Rayleigh said: "Conqueror's Haki is your partner, not your slave. You must negotiate with it, not command it."
Ultimately, Advanced Conqueror's Haki infusion tests not "how high one's talent is," but "how deep one's understanding of their own will is." Only by clearly seeing one's will can one control the energy formed from it, turning that intangible kingly aura into a force capable of piercing through anything.
Ryan attempted to throw a punch, trying to guide the "Qi" in his palm to follow his fist. But the moment he moved, the energy lagged slightly, stagnating in his palm and failing to keep up with the motion. In an instant, most of it dissipated.
"At least I'm getting a feel for it," Ryan murmured, looking at his empty palm. He wasn't discouraged, shaking his arm with a sense of calm. After all, Rayleigh was right—this couldn't be rushed; it had to be practiced slowly.
Honestly, the favor was worth it. Otherwise, who knew how long it would have taken to make any progress.
"What was that?" Nico Robin looked up at Ryan's hand, a trace of confusion in her eyes.
Though she hadn't seen anything tangible, she inexplicably felt a shudder of unease.
Ryan lowered his gaze, his eyes resting on Robin's slightly flushed, tipsy cheeks. He gently hooked a stray lock of black hair that had fallen over her forehead, twirling it around his finger before letting out a soft laugh. "It's a mysterious power called 'Haki.' You'll learn about it sooner or later."
"Haki?" Robin furrowed her brows. This wasn't the first time she'd heard the term. During her days drifting at sea, she'd occasionally caught fragments of conversation from other Pirates or sailors, mentioning it as an ability only the top-tier powerhouses on the seas could master. But no one had ever clearly explained its form or its true power.
So that unsettling, heart-clenching sensation she'd felt earlier... was that Haki?!
Just as she was about to open her mouth to ask more about Haki, a hand suddenly pressed down on the top of her head with an unyielding Strength. Robin stiffened, her slightly raised chin forced downward a fraction. She bit her lower lip but ultimately chose not to react.
Over the past few days, Ryan had been finding all sorts of ways to humiliate her—sometimes deliberately watching her scramble to tidy up, other times teasing her for being a "bookworm who doesn't understand real combat." Now, with this domineering gesture, he was reminding her of the "transactional relationship" between them.
In short, these past few days had been an unsparing parade of humiliation.
Yet, even so, Robin didn't resist. After all, the terms of their earlier deal were clear: during this period, she was to "behave" and stay by Ryan's side. As long as she endured until news of "Luffy" arrived, she would regain her freedom.
Ryan seemed pleased with Robin's compliance. As he withdrew his hand, he deliberately flicked the top of her head.
Now that he had her here, he wasn't about to treat her like a mere decoration.
As for practicing Advanced Conqueror's Haki infusion under these circumstances, Ryan had his own calculations. If he could maintain stability even with distractions, wouldn't that make it easier to master?
This was what he called targeted training.
Ryan's hand was still resting on Robin's head when footsteps echoed from the deck. Zala, in her black high heels, pushed the door open and stepped inside. Her gaze swept past Robin without lingering, settling directly on Ryan as she stated succinctly, "The Marines have sent someone."
"Understood," Ryan replied, withdrawing his hand and gripping Robin's wrist, pulling her toward him. His tone was flat as he added, "Have them wait at the port. I still have matters to attend to here."
Over the past three days, the Marines had issued a "mandatory summons." Ryan, having anticipated this, naturally hadn't refused. Now, the Marines had sent someone to escort him to their headquarters.
Zala nodded in acknowledgment and turned to leave.
Robin furrowed her brows tightly, abruptly turning her head away to avoid Ryan's approaching face, her heart filled with disgust. She tried to break free with force from her wrist, but Ryan only gripped her tighter.
In an instant, her hand suddenly clenched, and she couldn't hold back a faint, muffled groan. Immediately after, she bit down hard on her lower lip, swallowing any further sounds.
This bastard—still as domineering and unreasonable as ever.