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"I'm too weak."
Though Luffy hated admitting it, the truth was undeniable. Whether it was Yamato's overwhelming strength or even Ulti's earlier assault, he now fully understood the vast gap between himself and the truly powerful figures of the world.
"No one is born strong—not even the giants," Rayleigh said, stepping forward. He paused, deliberately omitting Charlotte Linlin from his example. "Behind every strong fighter lies countless hours of sweat and determination. Strength is forged by the spirit of refusing to give up, never admitting defeat, and never being discouraged, no matter how many times you fail."
He gestured toward Luffy, his voice taking on a sterner tone. "Roger was like that, and so is the Flying Admiral. Do you plan to abandon your dream and give up on saving Ace now that you've seen your own weakness?"
Luffy's head shot up, and his expression hardened. "Of course not! I'm going to save Ace, and I'm going to become the Pirate King!"
Hearing their captain's resolute words, the Straw Hats visibly relaxed, their earlier worry replaced by relief. Rayleigh smiled, satisfied with Luffy's determination. "Good. Now that you've seen the gap between yourself and the top fighters, you must also realize how difficult it will be to survive in the New World—let alone compete with the strongest—without significant growth."
Luffy clenched his fists, his voice firm. "Uncle Rayleigh, then teach us about Haki! Please!"
Rayleigh nodded. "Of course. But how much you can learn in these next few days depends entirely on your effort."
"Is it difficult to learn Haki?" Usopp asked cautiously, his voice betraying a mix of curiosity and apprehension. Based on Luffy and Enel's earlier experiences with Observation Haki, he thought it might not be too hard to pick up.
"It depends," Rayleigh replied. "Some people take months to grasp the basics, while others can get the hang of it in weeks. But truthfully, mastering Haki requires time and commitment. I'd recommend two full years just to build a solid foundation."
"Two years?!" the crew exclaimed in unison, shocked by the timeframe. Spending so much time on the basics alone seemed daunting.
Rayleigh nodded, unfazed by their surprise. "Yes. Haki has advanced forms as well. Advanced Armament Haki can destroy objects from the inside out. Advanced Observation Haki allows you to hear memories or even glimpse the future."
He paused for emphasis before continuing. "As for Conqueror's Haki, the higher-level technique is known as Conqueror's Infusion. Only the strongest fighters can wield it effectively. The attack Yamato used on you earlier, Luffy—that was Conqueror's Infusion."
The crew listened intently, taking in every word. "To master these advanced Haki techniques, you must first build a strong foundation. Without that, you'll struggle to even reach the starting line."
The Straw Hats nodded solemnly, their expressions showing newfound resolve. Luffy silently etched Rayleigh's words into his mind, determined to endure the two-year grind if necessary.
"How many people in the Sky Kingdom have mastered Conqueror's Infusion?" Enel asked, his eyes narrowing. Though his arrogance had been tempered by recent experiences, he already considered the Sky Kingdom an opponent he needed to surpass.
"About five," Shakky answered, her tone calm.
"Five?!" The crew gasped, stunned by the revelation.
Shakky nodded, understanding their shock. When she had first uncovered information about the Sky Kingdom, she'd been just as incredulous. "Each of those individuals could dominate the seas as an emperor if they chose to go solo. Together, they represent an almost insurmountable force."
The crew's astonishment lingered, but before anyone could speak, a loud explosion rocked the area.
Boom!
The sound came from a nearby illegal district on the 21st. A figure, battered and bloody, shot through the air like a cannonball, crashing through several buildings in a trail of smoke and debris.
The lawless zone of the Sabaody Archipelago was a notorious haven for pirates, robbers, and all manner of unsavory individuals. Fights and skirmishes were common, and the din of chaos was a constant. Yet, the sudden explosion and violent crash that shook the area were startling even for the hardened criminals who called this place home.
"Hey! Isn't that Capone Bege?!" someone in the crowd exclaimed, pointing toward the rubble where smoke and dust were beginning to settle. "One of this year's Supernovas!"
Among the ruins, the unconscious figure lying in the wreckage was quickly recognized by those watching.
"It is him! No way… Who could've done this to him?!"
The onlookers were stunned. Capone Bege was one of the most infamous rookies to emerge this year. His exploits in the first half of the Grand Line had earned him a fearsome reputation, and seeing him in such a pitiful state was almost unbelievable.
As whispers of disbelief spread, the crowd's attention shifted to the direction from which Bege had been sent flying. All eyes turned toward the source of the devastation, curiosity mingling with unease.
Emerging from the gaping hole in the wall, a tall, long-legged young woman stepped into view. Her striking figure and confident gait were accentuated by a pair of red high-heeled shoes that clicked sharply against the stone as she walked.
For a moment, the crowd was caught in stunned silence, unsure of what to make of her. Then, someone's terrified voice broke the quiet, trembling with recognition.
"No way… How is she here?!"
"That's… that's Ice Storm Ulti! From the Sky Kingdom!"
Panic rippled through the crowd as the name spread like wildfire. Faces turned pale, and murmurs gave way to frightened gasps.
"Ice Storm Ulti…" someone whispered. "She's a member of the Royal Court of the Sky Kingdom. Her bounty is over 500 million berries!"
The crowd's terror deepened as the realization sank in. A bounty of that magnitude wasn't just a testament to her strength—it placed her among the New World's most dangerous individuals. And being part of the Royal Court meant she served under Alex, the so-called strongest man of the new era.
The name alone sent shivers down their spines. The very thought of Alex evoked an almost primal fear, as if they were staring into the shadow of death itself.
Chaos erupted. Civilians, pirates, and even thugs scrambled to flee, desperate to put as much distance as possible between themselves and the fearsome woman who had appeared before them.
But Ulti paid them no mind. She walked forward with deliberate calm, her every step a testament to her confidence and deadly focus. In her hand, she gripped a samurai sword, its blade already glistening with frost. Her cold aura radiated outwards, chilling the air around her.
Stopping before the unconscious Capone Bege, she raised her blade without hesitation. A swift slash sent an arc of freezing cold energy hurtling toward her target. The sharp, icy force enveloped Bege, encasing him in a solid block of ice in an instant.
The crowd, though still retreating, watched in stunned silence as the once-feared Supernova was reduced to a frozen statue.
Ulti gave the frozen figure one last glance, her expression unreadable. The mission was complete.