"Conqueror's infusion, huh?"
Rocks laughed. "At your current level you do have the right and the strength to learn it.
"Come on. This spot is not ideal for teaching. We need somewhere with space."
They headed to the place where Tengetsu Ares usually trained.
The Golden Lion, Whitebeard, Kaido, Slardar and the others came up to greet them.
"So Newgate, Shiki, you two should be close to mastering infusion by now, right?" Rocks asked.
Newgate grinned. "Gurara... I am always just a hair short. So I plan to watch again and learn from Captain Rocks. Maybe I will gain that last bit of insight and finally grasp infusion completely."
A little over two years ago, Rocks had taught him Conqueror's Haki infusion once already.
Even now,
Newgate still had not fully mastered it.
Compared with Newgate, the Golden Lion lagged farther behind. He clicked his tongue. "I have tried many times, but I fail every time.
"The bar for Conqueror's infusion is too high. It is not something ordinary people can learn."
It was hard.
On these seas, aside from Rocks himself, he had never seen a second person use it.
The World Government might have someone who could, perhaps.
Kaido cut in. "With big bro Ares's talent and learning speed, once he understands the method for Conqueror's infusion, he will master it fast for sure."
"Jiehahaha..." The Golden Lion laughed. "Of course. There is no combat technique on these seas that Ares cannot learn."
He still remembered clearly the first time he taught Ares how to throw a cutting strike.
He had been scared stiff that day.
Ares learned the slash on the spot, and even used those thick arms to do it. The impression never left him.
Shiki trusted Ares completely.
With that monster's talent, learning Conqueror's infusion should not be difficult.
At most it would take a little time.
From Newgate and Shiki, Ares had already learned that infusion was a terrifying technique.
Wrap Conqueror's Haki around your fist and your blows grow heavier.
At a certain distance you can even strike without touching the opponent.
So,
He very much wanted to learn it. He looked at Rocks, excitement plain on his face.
Meeting Ares's expectant gaze, Rocks began to explain. "To use Conqueror's Haki infusion, your Conqueror's Haki must be strong enough.
"Just having Conqueror's Haki does not mean you can use this method.
"It also demands very high mental focus and control over your own body.
"That is why the number of people on these seas who can truly wield infusion is vanishingly small."
Rocks was not exaggerating. The technique itself was extremely difficult.
And there were hard requirements.
Those alone were enough to eliminate hundreds of millions.
Rocks smiled. "Ares, your Conqueror's Haki is already very strong, few can match it. With more practice you should be able to master this technique."
Conqueror's Haki itself cannot be trained the way the others can. It is tied to one's physique and one's spirit.
In raw body, Ares was likely the strongest existence on the seas.
As for spirit,
Ares had a streak of madness and a grand dream, but he still lacked a certain ruthless ambition.
Even so, his Conqueror's Haki ranked near the top of the world.
He had the qualifications to learn infusion.
Everyone held their breath, eyes fixed on Rocks, waiting for the method.
He did not mind if Kaido and Slardar listened in. Some things could be heard and still never learned.
Besides,
Possessing Conqueror's Haki was the first prerequisite.
Rocks's expression grew solemn. "First, before you can learn infusion, you must learn to control your own Conqueror's Haki.
"It is a power buried deep within the body. It is unlike Observation and Armament, which you can rouse outwardly through training.
"Conqueror's must be controlled with the mind."
"..."
"The final key is to concentrate Conqueror's Haki. Because it is an arcane, overbearing energy, it is extremely hard to handle. To control it you must make it submit, like taming a beast.
"So the very first step is learning to seize it with your will."
"..."
"Start with a little. Then control more. Then gather it together. In the end, release it through your strike."
From shallow to deep,
Rocks explained everything in patient detail.
Whitebeard wore a thoughtful look. The Golden Lion silently lit a cigar and drew in a lungful of smoke.
Kaido looked excited, then furrowed his brow a moment later.
Slardar's eyes glazed. Without Conqueror's Haki, he understood little of this power.
As for Ares...
His expression turned a touch odd. He thought, "This infusion feels like the inverse of the method I use to counter future sight from Observation Haki.
"One is to unleash at full force, to flood everywhere like a tide and form wave after wave of impact.
"But infusion...
"Is to keep trying to gather Conqueror's into one point of the body, then release it along with the strike.
"It is like squeezing toothpaste, forcing Haki into your fist or your step, then venting it all through that opening.
"One is release, the other is collection.
"So that is how it is."
After Rocks's lecture, Ares fully understood what Conqueror's Haki infusion truly was.
So that was the heart of it.
Catching Ares's odd look, Rocks asked, "Ares, is there something you still do not understand?"
Ares did not answer. He countered, "Captain Rocks, can you demonstrate infusion for me?"
"No problem."
Rocks laughed boldly. "Hahaha, then watch closely. I will show you the power of Conqueror's Haki infusion."
The others wisely stepped back, clearing a wide space.
Rocks walked up to a boulder several stories tall. There were many such stones here.
A glance told you Ares and the others had used them often for training.
This one was on the small side.
The big ones were the size of small hills.
"Watch carefully."
He gave a warning, then raised his fist. Black and red lightning crackled over his knuckles with a sharp snap.
He paused a few seconds, showy on purpose.
He wanted everyone to feel the domineering, destructive force sheathing his fist.
Then
He punched.
…
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