Chapter 67: Teaching Ace the Three Types of Haki!

After finishing his explanation, Whitebeard deliberately emphasized the point once more, as if worried Ace hadn’t fully taken it in.

"I know, Pops..."

Just as the two were talking, Whitebeard suddenly flicked Ace hard on the forehead with his finger.

Thwack!

The force was strong enough to hurt, but controlled enough not to cause any real injury.

"Ow! That hurts!"

Ace clutched his forehead and grimaced in pain. Even so, he didn’t stop practicing what he had been working on. He understood that Pops was being strict because he expected great things from him.

Looking at the stubborn yet hardworking young man before him, Whitebeard felt a warmth rise in his heart.

However, he quickly regained his stern expression.

"By the way, Ace."

"What problems are you having with Conqueror’s Haki? As far as I know, you still can’t control it properly, can you?"

Ace immediately lowered his head in embarrassment.

That was indeed the case.

Although he had awakened this rare power, his lack of systematic training and practical experience meant that he still struggled to use it effectively.

"Yeah, Pops."

"I’ve been trying to find the right way to master it, but it always feels like I’m heading in the wrong direction..."

When he was ten years old, he, Luffy, and Sabo had once run into danger.

At the time, Luffy was about to be killed by a group of pirates.

Without realizing it, Ace had unleashed Conqueror’s Haki, instantly knocking all of them unconscious.

Back then, he hadn’t even known that the power he had released was Conqueror’s Haki.

It was only later that Whitebeard recognized it and explained it to him.

Even so, Ace had never truly learned how to use it properly, much less control it.

Whitebeard slowly set Murakumogiri down.

The massive naginata let out a heavy thud against the stone bench.

Turning around, he looked deeply into Ace’s eyes, as though he could see through all his confusion and doubts.

Then he sat down on a nearby stone bench.

Despite his enormous size, the movement was remarkably steady.

Ace sat down as well and listened attentively.

"Conqueror’s Haki..."

Whitebeard repeated softly, a trace of nostalgia hidden in his voice.

"Conqueror’s Haki is a special power born from a person’s spirit and presence."

"Its strength is determined directly by one’s mental strength and willpower."

He paused briefly, seemingly recalling memories from his younger days.

"This power can’t be acquired through training."

"But it can be refined and controlled through practice."

Ace listened intently, his eyes shining with eagerness.

He knew that in this world, while Devil Fruits granted incredible abilities, Haki was what truly determined a person’s upper limit as a fighter.

"Then how do I control it?" he asked impatiently.

"In the beginning, Conqueror’s Haki is usually released unintentionally when emotions run out of control."

Whitebeard patiently explained:

"What you need to learn now is emotional control."

"When you can remain calm and rational under any circumstance, you’ll have reached the first stage."

Ace nodded in realization.

Recently, he had relied so heavily on the power of the Flame-Flame Fruit (Mera Mera no Mi) that he had neglected the development of his other abilities.

"I see."

"So it’s not just my strength that needs improvement."

"I need to strengthen my mind as well."

"Exactly."

Whitebeard nodded approvingly.

"Conqueror’s Haki isn’t just a weapon."

"It’s a manifestation of who you are—an overwhelming presence capable of influencing others."

"As your experiences grow and your understanding of the world deepens, your spirit will become stronger and more unshakable."

"Remember this."

"A true powerhouse isn’t defined solely by strength."

"They possess convictions that cannot be broken."

Those words deeply inspired Ace.

At the same time, they filled him with anticipation for the future.

From this moment onward, he decided that he would no longer rely solely on external power.

Instead, he would work to draw out every ounce of potential hidden within himself.

Whitebeard had high hopes for Ace.

He picked up Murakumogiri once more.

The weapon emitted a low hum, as though it had come alive in his hands.

Looking at Ace with a firm gaze, Whitebeard declared:

"Now, let’s train your Observation Haki."

Ace was already drenched in sweat.

His body was so exhausted that he barely had the strength to move a finger.

"Huh?!"

"Pops, it’s already dark out!"

"Shouldn’t it be time for dinner?"

His stomach was already protesting loudly.

The hunger almost made him forget how exhausted he was.

"Gurarararara!"

Whitebeard laughed loudly.

"When your body is weak and exhausted, that’s the perfect time to train Observation Haki!"

Ignoring Ace’s complaints completely, Whitebeard grabbed him by the collar and casually hurled him into the air.

"AAAAH!"

"Pops! I’m not ready yet!"

"Ace!"

Whitebeard’s voice boomed like thunder.

"Watch this slash carefully!"

Ace’s eyes widened.

To his horror, he saw a layer of Armament Haki coating Murakumogiri.

His heart nearly jumped into his throat.

"Pops, you’re serious?!"

His voice trembled slightly.

He had never seen Whitebeard look this serious during training before.

Whitebeard’s gaze was cold and unwavering.

When it came to Ace’s growth, he showed no mercy.

"Feel with your spirit."

"Judge with your instincts."

"Only on the edge between life and death can the body’s true potential awaken!"

Ace’s heart tightened.

He knew Pops wasn’t joking.

Taking a deep breath, he forced himself to calm down.

He understood that this was a rare opportunity.

Countless people would beg for guidance like this and never receive it.

"Ace."

"If you can’t dodge this attack..."

Whitebeard grinned.

"...then from now on, we’ll call you One-Eared Ace."

Ace was dumbfounded.

The joke carried enough realism to make his scalp tingle.

He immediately focused all of his attention.

Every ounce of his potential was pushed to its limit.

It felt as though every pore on his body had become an eye.

He desperately searched for the trajectory of Whitebeard’s blade, trying to predict every possible movement.

Under the immense pressure of a life-and-death crisis, his consciousness entered a mysterious state.

Time seemed to slow down.

The world around him became astonishingly clear.

He could hear birds singing deep within the forest.

He could even sense the path of a centipede crawling beneath a fallen leaf.

In this strange state, even with his eyes closed, he could clearly perceive Whitebeard’s attack.

Not only that—

He could determine the direction of the strike.

He could predict the blade’s trajectory.

"I see it!"

"I can see it!"

Joy exploded within Ace.

The sensation was unlike anything he had ever experienced before.

It was thrilling.

It was terrifying.

And he knew exactly what it meant.

His body and spirit had been pushed beyond their limits.

At the boundary between life and death, his hidden potential was finally erupting.

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