The power accumulated in Hiroto's body began to be consumed, and corresponding to it was a sudden growth and strengthening of his Armament Haki.
In just a few seconds, both quantity and quality crossed a long threshold to reach the level of Intermediate Armament Haki.
Looking at Hiroto's combat system, Armament Haki was the most worthwhile to upgrade right now.
His Observation Haki had just awakened and was still at the threshold. More importantly, he had [Incoming Chaos (Purple)], which could temporarily serve as a substitute.
Conqueror's Haki... he wasn't sure if that feeling from earlier was real.
Even if it was, it hadn't truly formed an entry yet, so upgrading it was out of the question for now, and he had plenty of ways to deal with fodder.
The same went for his swordsmanship. He had already learned Cutting Steel and Flying Slashes.
The most crucial point was, Armament Haki is actually not easy to train.
The veteran Vice Admirals in Marineford are only proficient in the two types of Haki and have mastered the Six Powers to that extent.
Outstanding ones among them, like the powerful Vice Admiral Onigumo, are a level higher, but their combat power is also boosted by the Secret Arts of the Six Powers.
Only the three Admirals definitely possess top-tier Armament Haki.
He wasn't sure about Sengoku and Garp because of their decline.
And all these people are monsters in their own right, yet their peak periods were all in their thirties. Because it is then that they are in their true prime.
Then there's Luffy, who set out two years after the Marineford War. His Armament Haki level at the time should have been between Intermediate and Advanced.
Following the experiences of the Fish-Man Island and Punk Hazard incidents, he finally progressed to Advanced Armament Haki during the Dressrosa incident.
This could be seen from his battle with Charlotte Cracker. At that time, Luffy was still a long way from top-tier Armament Haki. Otherwise, there was no reason why Van Augur could take out a Biscuit Soldier with one shot while Luffy had to fight one for so long.
Even after two years of Rayleigh's teaching, with Luffy's talent, he hadn't reached the level of Advanced Armament Haki.
The reason is that Haki itself is very difficult to train. It is a special power born from the combination of conviction, will, and physical strength. It's not something you can just break through to the highest level by hiding away somewhere.
After all, logically speaking, in terms of teaching resources and time, who could be better than Rayleigh?
But learning under him wasn't as good as getting stronger through battle.
This could be seen from Luffy's three defeats in Wano Country, becoming stronger each time he woke up.
By the final battle on Onigashima, Luffy's Armament Haki was no longer much inferior to Kaido's.
In Hiroto's view, long-term training of Haki is one direction, but if one wants to break through to the next level, fighting strong enemies is almost inevitable. Only by breaking through the past under pressure can one touch new boundaries.
Of course, he is a cheater, so now is cheater time.
"I feel it... a new power."
Hiroto slowly climbed up from the ground, stretched out his hand, and clenched it hard. A pitch-black color covered his arm, then quickly spread toward his shoulder.
Compared to the original [Basic Armament Haki] which could only cover the forearm for combat, the now-proficient [Intermediate Armament Haki] far exceeded the former in terms of quantity, quality, and duration.
"Is this your reason? I have truly had my eyes opened."
Issho, who had been watching, remained silent for a moment before squeezing out these words, a surge of shock in his eyes.
He knew Haki, and this level of Armament Haki wasn't much to him. But he had just fought Hiroto and knew that this young man's level was only that of someone who had practiced for a few years after learning Armament Haki.
Yet in the blink of an eye, Hiroto not only stood up unscathed but also completed a rapid advancement in Armament Haki right before his eyes.
Issho's own rapid progress in Haki, had without exception come from experiencing various hardships and even near-death situations, only moving a step further after overcoming them.
Every qualitative change in Haki is essentially a transformation of one's will. Without repeated forging, even the best steel cannot become a legendary Famous Sword.
However...
Issho's gaze fell on the hole in Hiroto's chest. Although the flesh had regenerated and the wound was completely healed, the hole in his clothes had not disappeared.
He really had pierced Hiroto's heart with that single strike just now.
And that long waiting period...
Clearly, such an incredible transformation likely didn't come without a price.
Even so, Issho felt his eyes had been opened.
"Truly an incomprehensible change. A Devil Fruit Ability?" He couldn't help but remark with emotion.
"The conditions are very harsh." Hiroto shook his head, offering no further explanation.
"As for the second favor, what do you intend to do?"
Issho did not press further, everyone had their own secrets. To be able to receive even a bit of guidance was already extremely lucky.
"We'll talk about that later. We can exchange den den mushi numbers..."
Subsequently, Hiroto began to coordinate between the two sides. After Koushirou's initial surprise and confirmation, Hiroto informed Issho of his location.
"In that case, I shall take my leave. If you wish to redeem the second favor, just give me a call and I will come."
Issho nodded to Hiroto in greeting, tapped his sheathed cane sword on the ground, and a purple halo appeared.
It carried him straight into the sky!
'How convenient...'
Hiroto looked up, a hint of envy in his eyes.
The advantage of flight was undeniable in the context of the Great Pirate Era. One could come and go as they pleased, maintaining absolute initiative.
For example, Golden Lion Shiki in the original story—once he hid in the sky, no one could find him at all.
'It would be great if I could set up a base like the Flying Pirate Fleet.'
Hiroto shook his head, dispersing the impractical thought.