Chapter 17: Chapter 17: Joking With King
"King, why don't I need to learn about Conqueror's Haki right now?" Jack asked curiously.
"How does someone get Conqueror's Haki anyway?"
King glanced at Jack's eager face and replied calmly, "Conqueror's Haki can't be acquired through training. It's a gift reserved for those born as kings."
"Take Kaido, for example—he possesses this rare Haki."
"Conqueror's Haki lets the user project their will as a tangible force, overwhelming opponents. Those who lack the strength to withstand it are left unconscious."
Jack suddenly recalled a time when Kaido had shouted, causing countless enemies to collapse instantly. At the time, he'd been amazed but hadn't understood the power behind it. So that's what Conqueror's Haki was.
But... if you can't train to get it, do I even have the potential? Wait, does it matter? I've got my system. If it doesn't give me this ability, then what's the point of having it?
King noticed Jack zoning out and assumed he was feeling discouraged. He quickly added, "Jack, don't be so down."
"Even if Conqueror's Haki isn't something you can attain, mastering Armament and Observation Haki to their limits can rival even the strongest born leaders!"
"Kaido is powerful because he's Kaido," King declared. "Even I don't have Conqueror's Haki, but plenty of those who did have it have fallen to my blade."
"Besides, Yamato has Conqueror's Haki, and you've still managed to hold your ground against her."
Jack blinked, confused. "Wait, Yamato has Conqueror's Haki? Since when?"
"Of course she does. Why else would your clothes sometimes float around her with no wind?"
Floating clothes? Jack's mind flashed back to his fights with Yamato—his spare clothes and even leaves on the ground would sometimes rise into the air.
Seriously, King? You're saying this whole 'Conqueror's Haki' thing is just making things flutter around like an AC blowing air? It did feel kinda refreshing, though...
For the next while, Jack grumbled endlessly, muttering curses under his breath.
You could just fight normally, but no—you had to smack my butt! Who does that? Who spanks a two-meter-tall warrior with the flat of their blade?
And don't even get me started on dragging me over your knee! Have you no concept of dignity? Do you understand what "social death" is? You're just lucky you're bigger than me. Wait until I grow up—then we'll see who's doing the spanking!
"Smack!"
"Ahh!"
"Jack! You're doing great. Doesn't getting hit feel nice?"
Yamato and Black Maria watched from a distance, laughing uncontrollably as Jack got another beating from King.
"You two brats, shut up!" Jack yelled, blushing furiously. "Just you wait till I've mastered everything—you'll regret laughing at me!"
"Yeah, yeah. Come back when you've got skills, Jack the Pervert!" Yamato taunted, sticking her tongue out.
"Ha-ha-ha!"
Jack couldn't take it anymore and charged at the two, who immediately took off running.
King didn't stop him, so Jack chased after them with renewed determination.
After countless sparring sessions aboard the ship, Jack had gradually improved. Though his gains weren't massive, his perception and agility had noticeably increased. With both strength and constitution breaking the 70-point mark, Jack had unlocked Armament Haki even before the Fire Festival.
As for Observation Haki, King figured it was only a matter of time before Jack mastered it too. His rapid progress left King quietly frustrated for days.
Sitting under a large tree by the shore, King stared at the ocean, lost in thought. Jack spotted him and strutted over confidently.
"Hey, King, are you sure this is Armament Haki? Feels kinda weak. Want me to test it out on you?" Jack playfully gestured at the faint black coating on his finger.
King's eyes narrowed, glowing faintly red with irritation. Without a word, he loosened the sheath of his blade.
Jack's bravado vanished. "Wait, wait! I was kidding! Don't get mad!" he yelped, bolting away. But there was no escape from King, who took to the skies and swiftly caught him.
Despite Jack's annoying antics, King decided to give the kid a break after his recent progress. He even taught Jack more about Haki concepts during their downtime, ensuring he had the right foundation for future training on Onigashima.
Still, King couldn't help feeling overwhelmed. Eight years old. Jack was only eight and had already grasped Armament Haki. Soon, he'd awaken Observation Haki too.
At this rate, once Jack hit his growth spurt, his potential would skyrocket.
"Eight years old," King muttered, shaking his head. Back when he was eight, he'd been strapped to a lab table, experimented on by "weaklings."
"Ha-ha-ha! Pervert Jack got what he deserved!"
Unnoticed by King, Yamato and Black Maria had crept back to witness the aftermath of Jack's latest punishment. Their laughter reignited Jack's temper.
"You two little brats! When I get better, you're dead meat!"
"Quiet, Jack!"
"Smack!"
"Ahh!"
King sighed, watching the children bicker. Yamato, with her Conqueror's Haki. Black Maria, mastering her Devil Fruit at eight. And now Jack...
What kind of monsters were kids these days?
King silently walked away, sheathing his blade and shaking his head.
Jack, meanwhile, wasn't about to let Yamato and Black Maria get the last laugh.
"Oh, you think this is funny? Try laughing now!" Transforming into his mammoth form, he charged at the pair.
"Stop it, Jack! You're such a creep!"
"Call me Jack the Man!"
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