Shanks, of course, had no idea what his old rival was up to in the distant East Blue, nor was he in the mood to care. All of his attention was currently focused on Takero, his expression a mix of awe and eager anticipation, much like a large dog waiting for its owner to throw a stick.
"That's right," Takero confirmed with a firm nod. His gaze swept over the members of the Red Hair Pirates, who had gathered around them without even realizing it. "It's not just you. In theory, everyone on this ship can learn to do it."
He decided then and there to share the method for cultivating "Ki" with Shanks and his crew. First, it was a way to thank them for being his sparring partners and providing him with so much combat experience over the past couple of months. And second... if everyone learned how, couldn't they all fire energy blasts together in the future? Just the thought of that scene was exhilarating.
As soon as the words left his mouth, the eyes of every young pirate on deck—including the normally composed first mate, Benn Beckman—lit up. The gleam in their eyes was more intense than if they had just spotted a mountain of treasure.
This was about looking cool, and that was a matter of lifelong importance. If they could learn how to fire an awesome energy blast, they would gladly call Takero their big brother, or maybe even... their godfather? The idea didn't seem so crazy anymore. At this point in their lives, the Red Hair Pirates were just a crew of passionate young men in their twenties, and they had absolutely no resistance to anything that looked cool.
"Listen up. The principle behind 'Ki' is actually pretty simple," Takero said, holding nothing back as he began his explanation. "First, you have to understand that everyone has 'Ki' hidden inside their bodies. It's the source of all life and power."
"Mm-hmm! Right!" the pirates all nodded in unison, hanging on his every word.
Takero was satisfied with their attention and continued. "To learn how to control it, the first step is to temper your body. You have to forge yourself like steel, until your skin is tough and your bones are strong. You need powerful muscles so you can handle the wild energy of 'Ki' when it surges through you." He slapped his own chest, which was already well-defined and far more muscular than a typical boy his age.
"The second step is perception. You have to calm your mind and clear your thoughts so you can feel the invisible 'Ki' that already exists inside you. It flows like a stream or a pulse. Your job is to find that flow and get used to its rhythm."
"The third step is control. You use your will to command it. You can't let it flow on its own anymore. You have to make it listen to you, so you can activate it, gather it, and guide it wherever you want."
Everyone listened intently, nodding along. The steps sounded incredibly similar to how they had learned to cultivate Haki. It was just called something different.
"As for the fourth step..." Takero paused and turned to Shanks, deciding to use him as an example. "Shanks, I remember you have a technique called a 'Flying Slash,' right?"
During their travels, Takero had seen Shanks use his famous sword, Gryphon. A massive, crimson blade of light had flown from its edge, instantly slicing a mountain-sized Sea King in half. He had asked about it, and Shanks had explained it was a swordsman's technique—a long-range attack created by combining his Haki and swordsmanship to project the power of his cut forward.
"You said that the 'Flying Slash' combines Haki with your swordsmanship to 'project' the blade's power outward, right?" Takero reminded him.
A lightning bolt of understanding seemed to strike Shanks, clearing the fog in his mind. He felt like he had just grasped something incredibly important. "Are you saying... the principle behind your energy blast and my Flying Slash... is basically the same thing?! They're both about condensing power inside your body and then 'projecting' it outward?" He felt as if he had just broken through a mental wall.
"Exactly!" Takero nodded vigorously. "At least, that's my understanding of it. It's all about gathering power and then 'shooting' it out."
Hearing that confirmation, Shanks fell into deep thought. It made sense. Why could he "throw" a slash with his sword, but not with his bare hands? Weren't they both just forms of energy leaving his body? The method was different, but the core principle had to be the same. An invisible barrier that had been holding him back for years seemed to crack at that very moment.
"So that's it! I get it!" Shanks looked up suddenly, a wide, excited grin spreading across his face. He had finally understood.
"Hmm... a teachable student," Takero said with a satisfied nod. "Since you understand the theory, it's time to practice. Let's see you try it now." No matter how good the theory was, it meant nothing without practice. However, with the ocean of power inside Shanks, Takero was sure he would succeed as long as he had the right method.
"Uh... right," the excitement on Shanks's face froze for a second. He awkwardly scratched his iconic red hair. "I get the idea... but what do I actually do? There has to be a specific pose or something, right?" He couldn't just imagine an energy blast into existence, could he?
Takero was prepared for this. "Simple. First, calm down and sit cross-legged. Just follow my instructions."
Without a word, Shanks immediately sat down on the deck like an obedient student, crossing his legs into a standard meditation pose.
"Now, close your eyes and clear your mind of all distractions. Raise your hands naturally in front of your chest, with your palms facing each other," Takero's voice was steady and rhythmic, guiding him through the process. "Carefully feel the flow of that power inside your body. Guide it. Imagine it like a hundred rivers all flowing back to the sea, converging in the space between your palms." Takero was borrowing the method Gohan used to teach Videl, a highly effective technique for beginners learning to sense Ki.
Shanks followed his instructions, breathing in deeply and exhaling slowly, pushing all distracting thoughts from his mind until his entire consciousness was focused inward.
Time passed in silence, with only the gentle lapping of waves against the hull and the soft hum of the sea breeze filling the air.
Suddenly, Shanks's body trembled slightly. He felt himself enter a mysterious and profound state. The vast and boundless Haki within him was no longer just a tool for coating, hardening, or sensing; it was evolving, developing in a completely new direction full of endless possibilities.
Finally, as the other Red Hair Pirates let out hushed gasps of amazement, Shanks slowly opened his eyes. He instinctively looked down at the space between his hands. There, an energy orb about the size of a fist, glowing with a blazing red light, floated silently. It pulsed gently like a living heart, containing power that had been compressed to its absolute limit. The light was the condensed essence of his Haki, his life force, and his will.
Without a moment of hesitation, Shanks acted on instinct and swung his arm forward.
Whoosh—!
The crimson orb shot from his palm like an arrow released from a bow, leaving a scorching trail as it cut through the air. It sped towards the distant sea, finally disappearing over the horizon.
He did it!
An incredible wave of joy and accomplishment washed over Shanks. He was so excited he wanted to jump up and howl at the sky to celebrate mastering this amazing new skill. He opened his mouth to shout, but before the first sound could escape—
"Coach! I want to learn, too!"
"Big Brother Takero! Please teach me!"
"Godfather! Please accept this humble bow from your son!"
The deck was instantly flooded with the fervent shouts of his crew, all of them begging to be taught. As for their captain? He could go take a hike.