Brook knew well that those who had awakened Conqueror's Haki rarely, if ever, truly submitted to another. Their convictions were so strong that forced submission could shatter them, preventing further growth—or even causing them to lose their Haki altogether.
That said, there had been exceptions. Fire Fist Ace was one such case. A Conqueror's Haki wielder, he had joined the Whitebeard Pirates and pledged absolute loyalty to Whitebeard. In doing so, he let go of his ambition to surpass Gol D. Roger and claim the title of Pirate King. The Ace who once competed with his brother, Luffy, for the crown of Pirate King had disappeared.
Instead, he became the man who devoted himself to helping Whitebeard reign supreme, believing only in the strength of his captain, relishing in the fatherly love he received. And just like that, his Conqueror's Haki lost its unique edge, blending into the background.
Those who awakened Conqueror's Haki under a captain's command were usually unwaveringly loyal—Rayleigh to Roger, Katakuri to the Charlotte Family.
But then there were anomalies like Yamato, a so-called inheritor of Oden's will, wielding Conqueror's Haki against her own father, Kaido. A disgrace, a traitorous leak in Kaido's otherwise indomitable armor.
Even in the Navy, figures like Sengoku had developed Conqueror's Haki under a structured chain of command, using it to reinforce the Marines' dominion over the world.
In other words, if one's actions contradicted the convictions they held upon awakening their Haki, that power would regress. But if their belief had always been to serve a person or a force, and they stayed true to that belief, their Haki would continue to strengthen—even if they weren't absolute rulers themselves.
...
"Strength, profit, and even emotional bonds can tie people to us. Once they come, leaving won't be so easy. Yohohoho~"
Brook first needed to grasp Shiki the Golden Lion's ideology. If his Conqueror's Haki was founded on world domination, then true subjugation would be impossible. At most, they could form an alliance or cooperation pact. Perhaps he could even use the Memory Seahorse?
No, that would be a waste of Shiki's talent and potential. Brook didn't have the luxury of time to help him reawaken his control over the Float-Float Fruit from scratch.
Besides, if Shiki wanted to escape, could the entire Hell Pirates even hold him back? A single slip-up could turn him into a formidable future enemy. If he broke free and joined the Emperor Pirates in retaliation, Brook's sky island and entire foundation could be at risk!
He had to play this hand right. The fact that Shiki had come seeking him meant goodwill still existed between them.
As a small pirate ship approached, Brook considered another way to strengthen their bond—swearing an oath of brotherhood. Just like Luffy, Ace, and Sabo, a brotherhood forged through an unbreakable vow. It wouldn't compromise their Haki convictions, but it would deepen their ties.
If he could gather enough sworn brothers, he could establish an unshakable dominion—the Kings of the Eighteen Hells. Right now, the world had no official title of Pirate King. But in the future, as the mastermind of the intelligence world, Brook would dictate the very hierarchy and ranks of piracy alongside Mortomas, shaping the world from the shadows.
...
"Brook!"
Shiki flew down from the pirate ship, his expression complicated as he looked at Brook, who radiated an aura of boundless ambition. For a moment, he regretted coming here—it made him feel… small.
"Shiki, don't look so stiff! From today, we're brothers. Let me introduce you to the crew!"
Brook enthusiastically pulled Shiki along, introducing each of his crewmates—the imposing Redfield, the unyielding Charlotte Linlin, the unstoppable Edward Newgate...
Streusen had also prepared a grand feast to welcome the newcomers, featuring dishes from every corner of the world.
As Shiki and Scarlet dug in, savoring the best meal they'd had in months, they were overwhelmed by emotion. They reminisced about the hardships of the past few months and ate until they could barely move.
"Shiki, what is your dream?"
After the feast, Brook finally asked the question he had been waiting for.
Shiki hesitated, but as a Conqueror's Haki wielder, he didn't shy away from the truth.
"To reign over the New World as its undisputed ruler!"
At this point in time, Shiki had no knowledge of the Poneglyphs or the Ancient Weapons. There was no 'Pirate King' title yet—becoming the ruler of the New World was the highest ambition one could have. Conquering the world, let alone challenging the World Government, was still beyond his reach.
"Shiki, your Conqueror's Haki awakened because of this ambition, didn't it?"
Shiki nodded, recalling the moment he nearly perished at Fish-Man Island, dragged into the abyss by Sea Kings. The burning refusal to die as a nobody, to let his dream fade into nothingness—that was when his Haki had exploded forth, repelling the creatures and allowing him to reach the New World.
"Then, Shiki, become my sworn brother. I will help you! I will cultivate Redfield, Linlin, Newgate—they too will become rulers of the New World!"
Brook lifted a massive jug of sake, letting a few drops of his ghostly blue blood mix into the liquid before placing it in front of them.
"Today, I set aside my title as captain. As your elder brother, I propose this oath. From now on, we are bound by blood—we will share fortune and hardship alike!"
Inspired by his fervor, Redfield was the first to step forward, letting his blood drip into the sake. The rest soon followed suit, understanding the ritual, adding their essence to the mix.
The atmosphere ignited with energy, and Shiki, caught up in the moment, sliced his palm open and let his blood join the others.
Brook shook the jug, blending their blood into the sake before personally pouring a cup for each of his crewmates. Seeing their anticipation, he knew—none of them had ever experienced a ritual so exhilarating and sacred.
"Drink this blood wine, and we become family. I want each of you to rise to greatness—I want us all to awaken Conqueror's Haki and become legends of the New World! Now, drink!!"
Brook downed his cup in one gulp. One by one, his crew followed, raising their cups and drinking deeply. Then, with a triumphant shout, he smashed his cup to the ground, and the others followed suit.
In that moment, they felt invincible.
"From today on, don't be so formal with me. I'm older than all of you, so just call me Brook!"
One after another, voices rang out, calling him 'Brook,' even Shiki joining in, reluctant but accepting.
Brook smiled in satisfaction. Captain or Brook, it didn't matter. What mattered was binding these powerful individuals together in an unbreakable web of loyalty and ambition, forging them into a force that would shake the world.
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+122 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg