On a cliff in Wanokuni, Ace stood holding Enma , a satisfied smile playing on his lips.
Haki Absorption!
He hadn't expected to gain such an ability from Enma.
For those who awaken Conqueror's Haki, its growth is not particularly difficult at first.
Why are the wielders of Conqueror's Haki referred to as possessing the "King's Qualification" even before mastering the advanced technique of Conqueror's Haki Entanglement or using it offensively?
Because once Conqueror's Haki awakens, it enables the user to access and refine both Observation Haki and Armament Haki. With consistent training, their growth in strength is rapid.
For every possessor of Conqueror's Haki, their Observation Haki and Armament Haki can easily surpass the capabilities of even senior Vice Admirals of the Naval Headquarters.
In simpler terms, once Conqueror's Haki is awakened and allowed to grow naturally, its wielder will eventually reach a strength equivalent to that of an Admiral.
If they further master the advanced technique of Conqueror's Haki Entanglement , they have the potential to rise to the level of the Four Emperors.
This is why Conqueror's Haki is called "the King's Qualification."
However, as Haki grows stronger, further enhancement becomes increasingly difficult.
Even the titans of the previous era— Rocks D. Xebec , Whitebeard (Edward Newgate) in his prime, and the Pirate King Gol D. Roger —faced this limitation. Once their Conqueror's Haki reached a level beyond the Four Emperors, its growth began to stagnate.
In Whitebeard's case, advancing age and physical decline even caused his Conqueror Haki to weaken over time.
While Luffy reached an extraordinary level of combat power after awakening the Human-Human Fruit: Mythical Beast—Nika form , his strength wasn't solely due to Conqueror Haki. The power of the Nika form is incredibly exaggerated.
Beyond its extraordinary ability to create objects from thin air, Nika's rubber body allowed for simultaneous use of Conqueror's Haki and Armament Haki, in combination with the fruit's supernatural properties—a truly unique synergy.
For most others, including the Four Emperors, such synergy isn't possible. They typically prioritize either Conqueror's Haki or Armament Haki in combat.
While Conqueror's Haki Entanglement is vastly superior to Armament Haki in terms of power, Armament Haki still holds immense value. Though it isn't sufficient to elevate someone to the strength of a Four Emperors-level figure, it can still produce warriors of Admiral-level caliber.
The inability to use both Armament Haki and Conqueror's Haki Entanglement simultaneously creates a significant limitation in combat.
However, Nika's unique rubber body bypasses this issue entirely, seamlessly merging the powers of Armament Haki, Conqueror's Haki, and the Devil Fruit.
This perfect integration means that every strike from someone awakened to Nika's power combines three potent forces: the strength of Armament Haki, the overwhelming might of Conqueror's Haki, and the Devil Fruit's abilities.
This synergy is why Luffy's combat power during the Egghead Island arc was so astonishing. His strength had surpassed even that of the Four Emperors.
Still, pure Conqueror's Haki, as displayed by Luffy, isn't as overwhelming as the Conqueror's Haki: Conqueror Haki Roar demonstrated by the Five Elders.
Luffy's strength is exceptional, but it's largely due to the exaggerated abilities of the Nika form. Even with protagonist-level plot armor, Luffy faced immense difficulty in further enhancing his Conqueror's Haki.
Ace found himself grappling with a similar issue.
After the Flame Emperor Incident, Ace's Conqueror's Haki surpassed even Red-Haired Shanks , reaching the same "King Level" as the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger. It placed him beyond the strength of the Four Emperors.
But after that, Ace's Conqueror's Haki nearly ceased to grow.
Even with divine-level assistance, further enhancement seemed impossible.
Ace began to suspect a fundamental truth: while Conqueror Haki is theoretically limitless in its potential, the human body, like any vessel, has inherent constraints.
The strength of Conqueror's Haki may indeed have its limits.
After all, while Conqueror's Haki reflects the will and power of its wielder, it relies on the body as its vessel.
The human body, being a carbon-based life form, has inherent physical limitations. No matter how exceptional or enhanced, these limits remain.
Even Kaido, who gained the near-invincible body of a blue dragon through the Fish-Fish Fruit: Mythical Beast—Blue Dragon Form, has his limits. After fully developing his Devil Fruit's power, further growth is no longer possible.
If the vessel itself has limits, then the power it channels may also reach a ceiling.
The King Level of Conqueror's Haki may well represent the pinnacle of what can be achieved in the history of the pirate world. To break through this plateau, new methods are required.
Take Joy Boy , for example. Eight hundred years ago, he fully mastered the Human-Human Fruit: Mythical Beast—Nika Form, perfectly integrating Armament Haki, Conqueror's Haki, and his Devil Fruit powers to surpass the known limits of strength.
Ace also has the means to surpass these barriers. By developing the power of his Remnant Fire Style, Ace pushes the Mera-Mera Fruit to its ultimate limit—the power of the sun itself.
The Mera-Mera Fruit alone grants Ace the potential to break through the upper limits of King-Level combat power. However, further improving the fruit's power is increasingly challenging.
Ultimately, the strength of the Mera-Mera Fruit depends on Ace's physical condition.
Ace's ability to absorb energy ensures that his physical growth is far superior to Kaido's Azure Dragon body. However, as Ace's strength grows, so do his nutritional needs. The vast energy required to sustain his increasing power is becoming harder to source.
Even the massive Sea Kings of the deep ocean are insufficient to meet Ace's needs.
In response, the Entei Pirates have begun researching nutrient solutions, with Kaya serving as the team's current record keeper.
Though Kaya is an excellent doctor, not a dedicated researcher, she has managed to create some high-nutrition solutions by leveraging the Field of Comprehension. However, progress remains slow.
For Kaido and others, physical limitations restrict their potential. For Ace, it's the lack of sufficient nutrients in this world that constrains his growth.
The power of this world is not purely mystical; it adheres to the principle of energy conservation. To gain a stronger body, greater energy intake is required.
This need for more energy is one of the reasons Ace envisions using the Field of Comprehension to create a world of unprecedented productivity. Only by generating more energy can his power continue to grow.
However, even with the Field of Comprehension, building such a world requires immense time and resources.
To realize this vision, Ace must dismantle the World Government, which currently controls the majority of the world's resources, and replace it with a new order.
Until then, Ace's physical growth is inevitably stalled. His Haki, body, and Devil Fruit power have all reached temporary bottlenecks, compelling him to explore new paths to strength.
Previously, Ace focused all his efforts on maximizing Nika's power.
Now, with the newfound ability to absorb Haki, a fresh path lies before him.
"My Haki... can it finally grow stronger again?"
Ace looked at the Enma blade in his hand, a confident, almost mischievous grin spreading across his face.
This was an unexpected gift—a truly monumental gain.
Currently, on the battlefield of Wanokuni, two of the Four Emperors, Kaido and Big Mom, are present.
"If I kill them and fully absorb their Haki... just how much stronger will my Haki become?"
The thought sent a thrill through Ace. This war was becoming increasingly fascinating.
"Clang!"
He sheathed Enma and strode toward Sukiyaki and the others.
"You... who are you?"
Kouzuki Sukiyaki stared at Ace, still reeling from the overwhelming display of Conqueror's Haki. His voice trembled as he murmured the question.
"Me?"
Ace turned slightly, a sly smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
"I am Portgas D. Ace... a pirate."
He chuckled softly, the words laced with understated power.
"A pirate?"
Kouzuki Sukiyaki's voice was laced with doubt. "With such a Conqueror Haki, you can't simply be some unknown figure on the seas. The information here in Wanokuni is so limited; we know little of the outside world's latest news."
Hearing this, Tashigi stepped forward and stood beside Ace, her face glowing with pride.
"Allow me to introduce him, Hitetsu-san," she said, her voice firm.
"This is our captain, the Admiral of the Entei Pirates Fleet, the strongest man in the world. The holder of the highest bounty: 5.055 billion Berries."
For pirates, Tashigi knew, a bounty was the clearest reflection of strength. So there was no need to elaborate further.
"F-Five billion Baileys?!!!"
Kouzuki Sukiyaki's pupils contracted sharply as his throat felt parched in an instant. His gaze turned to Ace, filled with disbelief.
"5.055 billion Baileys?!"
He froze, his mind racing. What was Kaido's bounty again?
Surely, it wasn't anywhere near this terrifying figure.
The strongest man in the world? Isn't that Whitebeard?
Could it be... that this young man had replaced him?
What on earth has been happening out at sea these past few years?
Sukiyaki felt his thoughts grind to a halt, overwhelmed by the enormity of it all.
This bounty... it wasn't just shocking. It was the kind of number that could send even the most notorious pirate fleeing in terror.
"Then... why have you come to Wano Kuni?"
His voice trembled as he forced the words out, swallowing hard against the tightness in his throat.
Ace's lips curled into a faint smile. "Conquest."
Kouzuki Sukiyaki's eyes widened. Conquest?!
Ace continued, his tone calm.
"The Four Emperors Kaido and Big Mom have formed a pirate alliance."
"!!!"
Sukiyaki's expression crumbled into sheer horror. "Kaido and Big Mom... a pirate alliance?!"
His mind reeled. Why? How could the Four Emperors ally themselves?
Unless...
His gaze darted back to Ace, his suspicions mounting to a terrifying conclusion.
Ace smiled knowingly, reading Sukiyaki's thoughts effortlessly.
"That's right. They allied to defend themselves... against me."
The revelation hit like a thunderclap, leaving Sukiyaki completely speechless. His gaze shifted to Ace and Tashigi in stunned disbelief.
Could Ace, with only two people, really challenge the combined might of two Four Emperors?!
Just then, the Den Den Mushi on Ace's side buzzed to life.
"Buru Buru Buru!"
Ace calmly picked up.
"Admiral, Onigashima is flying toward Wano Kuni, using Kaido's ability," came Viola's urgent voice.
Ace's faint smile returned. "Are they here already? How's everyone else?"
Viola reported, her tone steady:
"Wano Kuni is in chaos. Captain Issho and Captain Kuzan are doing an incredible job. Nami and the others have gone all out as well. Kurozumi Orochi, severely injured by Nami, is retreating under his subordinates' protection."
Ace laughed softly. "Orochi, huh? That worthless fool. What a waste of the Mythical Zoan Fruit."
He shook his head, bemused.
'Even if it's weaker than top-tier Mythical Fruits like the Azure Dragon or Suzaku, it's still a powerful fruit. Yet Orochi couldn't even best Oden, a 'dancing fool.' And now Nami can take him down alone.'
Ace chuckled again. 'If Kaido and his crew wouldn't intervene, Nami alone could have destroyed Wano Kuni. That Thunder Fruit of hers is truly overwhelming.'
"Got it, let Nami and the others solve it quickly, the war is coming."
Viola added, "Understood. I'll let everyone know to wrap this up quickly."
Ka-cha!
Kouzuki Sukiyaki was utterly dumbfounded.
"Kurozumi Orochi... defeated?! His forces collapsed completely?!"
His thoughts raced as the weight of the situation settled in.
Ace turned to Tashigi, casually tossing a sword to her.
"I know what you're thinking. You want to trade Enma for Shusui? Fine by me."
He smiled again, unconcerned. After all, Wano Kuni will soon be his territory, and the swords will remain here regardless.
Tashigi accepted the exchange without hesitation, securing Enma at her waist and carefully placing Shusui in its box. Her eyes gleamed with determination, her fighting spirit ignited.
As Ace used his Observation Haki and 'seen' Onigashima, his grin widened. "The war has begun."