Zoro
Three months had passed since our encounter with Naobito, and two since I had started training Toji.
In that short span of time, he had gone from complete beginner to "come here so I can wreck you."
That was the level of growth we were talking about.
Of course, that didn't include sorcerers, but even so, I was stunned by how fast he improved.
'As expected from the Heavenly restriction Tyrant,' I often found myself thinking.
Still, even though I had taken responsibility for Toji's training, I hadn't neglected my own.
After what happened with Soya, I realized my Observation Haki was nowhere near enough to protect us.
Knowing that, I began working on my Armament Haki.
Strangely enough, awakening Busoshoku turned out to be easier—and faster—than when I first unlocked Kenbunshoku.
Maybe because I had already walked that path once, I had a clearer sense of the direction this time.
…
I stood motionless in the renovated garden, eyes closed, holding a fighting stance.
In my hands was a tree branch I used as a practice sword.
My mind was sharpened to its limit.
In that state, it took only a moment to expand my Observation Haki in a thirty-five-meter radius around me.
I maintained it for fifteen minutes before finally opening my eyes and relaxing my posture.
A dull ache pulsed in my head, and I breathed heavily—evidence of the mental strain required to sustain that feat.
I drew in a deep breath, then exhaled slowly.
"Alright. Warm-up's done. Today, I awaken Busoshoku."
I had been training for two months, and I could feel I was close.
Unlike Observation Haki, no one had ever shown us how to unlock Armament.
So I had to analyze my own experience and use it as a reference point.
---
Flashback
"Okay… how do I approach this?"
'Haki is, above all, a manifestation of willpower. Kenbunshoku proved that. Busoshoku should be no different.'
After hours of thinking, I found a starting point.
'If Observation is about sensing the will of others, then Armament must be about giving shape to my own will—solidifying it around my body.'
But the question remained: how?
I had two theories. I spent the first month testing the first one.
My initial idea was that I needed some form of self-hypnosis.
I had to convince myself, deep down, that my body was covered in invisible armor.
I never truly felt it working, but there was an upside. That mental conditioning strengthened my mind, and my Observation Haki improved dramatically.
At the end of the month, though, I was no closer to awakening Busoshoku. So I moved on to my second hypothesis.
Instead of viewing willpower as something abstract or mystical, I began treating it as an energy resource—like chakra, ki, or mana, though less versatile.
From the start, I favored this method. Luffy's Gear Fourth was proof.
At Dressrosa, he could only sustain it briefly before needing to recover and replenish his reserves.
To me, that confirmed Haki was a finite resource. The headaches I experienced after prolonged use weren't just mental exhaustion—they were signs of depletion.
If that was true, then Armament Haki likely required concentrating that energy in one area… and forcing it outward.
But first, I had to perceive that internal current.
To achieve this, I returned to meditation, just like when I trained my Kenbunshoku.
The difference was that this time, instead of focusing outward, I directed all my awareness inward.
And I refused to repeat my earlier mistake. Rather than meditating while seated, I grabbed my training blade and assumed a combat stance.
The first few days yielded nothing.
On the sixth day, I faintly sensed something—a mist-like flow streaming from my head and circulating endlessly through my body.
It was blurry and indistinct, yet undeniably present.
Day after day, my perception sharpened. By the end of the second week, I could even distinguish its color.
'Green? Seriously, green? I get inheriting Zoro's potential and techniques, but did it have to be green? I don't even look like him. I don't have green hair.'
The irritation passed quickly. I focused on the next phase.
'I need to control this current.'
Once again, I relied on self-suggestion—convincing myself the stream would move where I commanded.
And it worked.
By then, I had become quite skilled at mental conditioning.
Two more weeks passed. Only one step remained: externalizing that power.
---
End of flashback
I raised my fist and concentrated on it.
I sensed the internal stream and willed it to intensify in my hand.
The energy responded, gathering steadily.
Once I judged the amount sufficient, I shifted my focus.
I tried to convince myself the accumulated force was spilling out of my body.
Minutes passed.
Nothing happened.
Eventually, the concentrated energy dispersed back through my system, forcing me to stop.
I lowered my arm, still in relatively good spirits. I wasn't furious—but I was irritated.
"Self-hypnosis doesn't work for the final step. So how do I force it out?"
I had been stuck at this stage for days.
"Damn it… what's wrong with my Haki? What's wrong with my will—"
I froze mid-sentence.
My will.
"Does self-hypnosis even count as willpower?"
I already knew the answer.
"No. Using self-hypnosis is just avoiding the real challenge. I have to control it myself. Directly."
I lifted my fist again and tried to manipulate the flow through sheer determination.
It went against everything I had practiced for nearly two weeks. But it had to be done.
The energy flickered faintly, unstable, but refused to obey.
"Move," I muttered, straining. Nothing changed.
"Come on… move." Still nothing.
"You're supposed to be my damn will. So listen to me. You're going to do what I tell you—SO MOVE!"
Something snapped inside my head.
The stagnant current suddenly surged—faster and fiercer than ever before.
When enough power had gathered, I expelled it outward without resistance.
An aura wrapped around my fist.
I turned toward a nearby tree—not very tall, not very thick.
About three meters high. Thirty centimeters in circumference.
I drew back my arm and threw a light punch. Yet despite its apparent softness—
BOOM.
The tree shattered under the impact.
A faint smile curved my lips.
I had awakened Armament Haki.
Author's note
I don't know about you, but I think I managed the awakening of his Armament Haki better than that of his Observation Haki (at the editorial level).
I am particularly proud because this time I didn't have much chatgpt to write what I consider to be a good chapter.
I think that deserves some power stones, right? So spam them!
WE'VE REACHED 50K VIEWS AND WE'RE GETTING CLOSER TO 60K🥳🥳🥳
Thank you so much for celebrating this, I will thank you in the jargon of my country.
Merci les vieux père vous avez sciencé.