Along with the system's evolution prompt came a new and unfamiliar power that Kenji felt.
He could sense that this power originated from Conqueror's Haki, similar to how Armament Haki is used for Internal Destruction or long-range release, or like the extremely rare Future Vision among Observation Haki masters, it felt very peculiar.
"Pressure of All Things? Able to suppress Devil Fruit users?"
Kenji thought for a moment, and a name came to mind: Joy Boy.
At the same time, a figure subconsciously appeared in his vision, the future 'Four Emperors' Red Hair Shanks.
"When Conqueror's Haki becomes strong enough, the invisible Haki pressure will materialize, creating an effect similar to Armament Haki's Emission."
In the perception of most people in this world, Conqueror's Haki is used to intimidate enemies with one's spirit, belonging to an intangible, non-substantive aura of deterrence.
Such intangible Conqueror's Haki cannot be emitted to attack inanimate objects like Armament Haki can.
For example, Armament Haki's Emission can shatter boulders, but in the perception of most people, Conqueror's Haki cannot do this.
However, at this moment, Kenji's Conqueror's Haki's intensity had reached a materialized state, capable of causing effects and damage similar to Armament Haki's Emission on inanimate objects.
"Willpower to Subdue All Things, generated and evolved from the gold Conqueror's Haki, will its power advance even further?"
Kenji tried it slightly, releasing Conqueror's Haki towards the broken wood and stones in front of him.
Bang!!
Under the impact of the powerful aura, the broken wood and stones instantly cracked and were swept away by the violently surging airflow.
There was no Armament Haki or other power assisting, it was entirely the effect of Conqueror's Haki.
"The effect of suppressing inanimate objects is not bad."
"So, what about living beings? And Devil Fruit users..."
As he pondered, Kenji raised his head and looked at the steps opposite.
There, a Zoan user who had activated his Devil Fruit Awakening was standing.
However, Kenji had ignored him just now to check the trait derived from Conqueror's Haki, and he truly didn't care much.
In fact, it's not that rare for Zoan users to awaken their Devil Fruits.
The awakening of Zoan Fruits carries great risks. If the mind and body do not match the ability, the awakening will fail, and consciousness will be controlled by the animal will residing in the fruit.
To put it bluntly, if a Zoan Fruit awakening fails, one will lose their self-personality. Only a successful awakening is worth noting.
"Does this person still possess self-awareness?" Kenji sized up the tall, burly figure opposite him.
Cliff, who had activated his Zoan Fruit Awakening form, walked to the edge of the steps, his tiger eyes staring fixedly at Kenji.
Although he stood on two legs, his body was completely bestialized, looking more like a giant tiger standing upright.
After staring for a moment, Cliff suddenly sneered, "It's the first time in so many years that I've been forced to use my highest-level, near-divine form."
"I hope you don't die too quickly, so I can have a good fight!"
"..."
At this point, Kenji could fully confirm: the guy opposite him was indeed a Zoan user who had successfully awakened.
"Have the injuries fully recovered? As expected, Zoan Awakening greatly enhances vitality and recovery."
"Other aspects of physical fitness, like strength and speed, should also be strengthened."
Just as Kenji was secretly observing, Cliff on the opposite side moved, so fast that he left afterimages.
Although he was a tiger-type Zoan, his speed was still enhanced after activating his awakened state.
"Roar, roar, roar! No Devil Fruit ability?" Cliff rapidly circled Kenji, guessing from his combat experience that Kenji should not be a devil fruit user.
"Insignificant human, how pathetic!"
"Awooo!!"
Cliff let out a tiger-like roar, instantly stirring up strong winds that swept through and around the battlefield.
The next moment, he carried the might of the king of beasts and slammed a heavy fist towards the back of Kenji's head.
"His aura is not bad." Kenji had almost finished observing Cliff's awakened state.
At this moment, he clenched his right fist, and Conqueror's Haki flowed around it, with streaks of lightning-like Haki traces swirling around.
"It's indeed Conqueror's Haki!" At close range, Cliff clearly felt the Conqueror's Haki, and also noticed the patches of lightning-like Haki traces.
"I seem to have seen such Haki traces somewhere..."
However, Cliff no longer had time to think, as Kenji's fist, imbued with Conqueror's Haki, had already smashed close.
"His speed is actually this fast?" Cliff only had time to think this one thought.
Then, the fist shimmering with Conqueror's Haki collided with his tiger fist, which was reinforced with high-strength Armament Haki.
Impact from a distance!
Without actual physical contact, the heavy punch imbued with Conqueror's Haki had already unleashed its power.
Boom!!
A brilliant flash of light.
Cliff, who had activated his Devil Fruit Awakening state and used all his strength, was instantly sent flying, and as his body flew backward in mid-air, continuous 'cracking' sounds of bones breaking emanated from him.
"I remember now!"
"That power is... Conqueror's Haki Infusion!"
As his body flew backward and the surrounding scenery rapidly receded, Cliff finally recalled this power he had once seen, a thought flashing through his mind.
Immediately after, the intense pain of shattered bones surged into his brain, making Cliff recall the torture he had once endured.
Kenji's attack did not end. He slightly bent his legs, and his feet stomped on the rocky ground with a 'bang' sound.
Using the immense recoil, he moved as fast as lightning, actually catching up to Cliff who was still flying through the air.
In silence, Cliff could only watch helplessly as a fist, enveloped in a domineering and fierce aura, rapidly smashed towards his face, covering the sky and blotting out the sun as it struck.
Boom!!
"Ugh!"
Under the heavy blow of immense force, at this moment, Cliff's mind flashed with the almost forgotten smiling faces of his great-grandparents.
Rumble!!
With a huge roar, Cliff fell straight down in the distance, smashing a large pit into the rocky ground, his entire body a bloody mess.
However, he did not lose consciousness. His powerful vitality maintained his vital signs, and his terrifying recovery ability allowed his wounds to heal at a visible speed.
But at this moment, he was unable to move, already severely wounded.
Whoosh!
A gentle breeze blew, and Kenji appeared as if flashing to the vicinity.
"Is that all you've got?"
Kenji glanced at the fallen Cliff, confirming that the latter was severely injured and temporarily incapacitated.
"It seems this guy's combat power is at most mid-tier among Zoan Fruit Awakening users."
Among the non-Mythical Zoan Awakening users, there are also individuals with formidable strength.
Kenji was not sure who the strongest among these people was, but he knew that the strongest among them dared to openly challenge a 'Four Emperors' Legendary Pirate.
As for 'Sea Tiger' Cliff in front of him, he didn't even recognize Kenji's identity as an Admiral.
In fact, at this moment, Cliff was full of questions.
When did the Marine gain another strong individual who mastered the power of Conqueror's Haki Infusion?