A New Power

[Inside Zed's office]

"Haki is a mysterious power that allows the user to utilize their own spiritual energy for various purposes. All living creatures in the world are capable of learning Haki; however, most people do not notice it or fail to awaken it. Haki users are common in the New World, rare in Paradise, and basically non-existent in the Four Blues."

"In general, there are two types of Haki: Observation Haki (Kenbunshoku Haki) and Armament Haki (Busoshoku Haki)."

"Observation Haki, which Cain displayed previously, is a form of Haki that grants the user a sixth sense that allows them to sense the presence, strength, and emotions of others, as well as gain limited precognitive abilities."

"While Armament Haki is a form of Haki that allows the user to use their own spiritual energy to create, in essence, an invisible piece of armor around themselves, providing incredible offensive and defensive capabilities. Notably, this form of Haki can be used to injure Devil Fruit users who are otherwise immune to ordinary physical attacks, such as Logia users. That is why I can hit you."

At this point Zed looked at the excited and curious recruits, especially Issho and T-bone. He could practically hear what they were thinking and gave them a playful smirk, "But unlike a Devil Fruit, Haki can be trained to resist just about anything. So in case you somehow get captured," he said while looking at the three logia-users, "you won't necessarily be useless."

After gathering everyone who were able to more or less master more than four types of Rokushiki, Zed finally divided into teaching the next level of power to the promising recruits.

Normally they would have to earn higher credits in exchange for this lesson but the World Government always played favor to those who can give results.

As such, currently, seven individuals sat down on the floor to learn Haki directly from Zed himself.

As Zed continued the introduction of Haki, Cain's eyes gleamed with fire as he imagined using Haki to fight powerful opponents.

When he was in Jaya, he had heard names like Garp and Roger fight against pirates, who could destroy islands with fruit powers, on equal terms.

For Cain, the powers granted by Devil Fruit always felt an addition rather than a power of his own. Not that it wasn't, no, he never thought of his Lightnings as a foreign power. But knowing that he was powerful because he was lucky enough to eat an 'invincible fruit' didn't sit all too well to him. (Not that he wasn't really grateful for it.)

Haki was different.

'Something that anyone can use. Something you are born with and something that you have to have talent for. For some reason, this feels more exciting than my fruit abilities. Amazing.'

"Doesn't matter, my magma can burn everything in its way." Sakazuki arrogantly proclaimed, confident in his fruit. Unlike Cain, his pride in his Magma fruit was very high.

'But it also means that if Cain, Borsalino or Issho mastered it before me, I'll be at a disadvantage.' Sakazuki thought quietly. Despite being a brash youth, he was equally clever. On top of that, fighting and getting pushed into a corner by the other two and even Issho on a few occasions had forced him to think with his mind rather than simply brute force through everything.

All of them had different reactions. They all had seen Haki in action many times in the camp, never to be explained and always more or less lost against those who could blacken their arms and weapons using it.

That was also why they wanted to learn it. The fight would be more interesting with Haki.

"There is one more type of Haki out there, a Haki that only those at the top of power wield. It is a unique type of Haki that you aren't necessarily born with but have to earn through your own resolve. It's called The Conqueror's Haki (Haoshoku no Haki)."

"C-Conqueror's Haki?" The name made Borsalino a bit wary.

"Yes, Conqueror's Haki is a rare form of Haki that allows the user to exert their own willpower over others. Unlike the other two types of Haki, this type cannot be awakened through training, and only one in a million people are able to unlock it. It is said that whoever possesses this type of Haki has the qualities of a king, and thus is known as a Supreme Ruler."

"Gol D. Roger, Charlotte Linlin, Kaido, Silvers Rayleigh, Edward Newgate, and the recently deceased Xebec D. Rocks are a few of the notorious known pirates who possess them."

"What about the Marines?" Cain asked. Surely someone like Garp and Zed should have it right?

"As far as I know, only Sengoku has it on our side." Zed answered.

"Oh, sensei, you don't have it?" Borsalino teased. Zed's constant nagging of his over reliance had made the teacher-student relationship into a cat-dog fight. Well more like Lion-Chihuahua to be honest.

"No. Growing up, I wanted to be a proud Marine but never to the point that it became my life's goal, so it's only natural that I don't have it. Plus, recent events have made my spirit even weaker," Zed answered with a hint of sadness in his voice.

Even Borsalino shut his mouth after hearing the change in tone.

'So it takes a higher resolution of something to gain it? Humm, I'll have to talk with Sengoku-san the next time he comes here.' Cain thought. He had a feeling that Haki might not be as simple and brute as Zed had explained to them.

"Anyway, if I'm being honest, as a Marine, it's not always good to awaken a Conqueror's Haki. It is said that Conquerors are free in nature and never bow to others, and the Marines aren't a place for someone like that."

"I've talked more than I needed to. From now on, I'll personally teach you everything there is to know about Haki, but only after you master the seventh Rokushiki." Zed said with a strict look. He was going to set these seven recruits as a standard for the future generation, so he was going to be stricter than usual in his lessons.

"The seventh Rokushiki?" All three asked in confusion. They were sure that only six existed, as Zed had said before, so what's this about a seventh?

"Yes, Cain and Sakazuki are qualified to learn both types of Haki since you both have learned all the other Rokushiki techniques. Meanwhile, Borsalino and others can start with Observation Haki, as your physical parameters are still not quite there yet. Meet me at 5 in the morning. Your true training will start then," Zed finished with a smirk.

Saying that, he dismissed them and leaned back towards his chair. He turned to a picture frame on his desk. He grabbed it with a trace of sadness and pain in his eyes. "I may have lost my will, but I'll make sure to pass it to the next generation so no one else has to feel this pain."

He put the picture frame, which had a picture of him, his wife, and son, down.

He remembered when Cain sparred with the other two. He was a cream above the crop, a diamond waiting to be repolished into perfection. If he can train him and the others well, maybe the world wouldn't have to lose something precious like he did.

After reminiscing about what he had lost, he reached for the Den Den Mushi to his left and dialed a number.

Soon the recipient picked up his call.

{Hello! This is Fleet Admiral Kong speaking.}

"Kong-san, Zed here. I called to report to you on the progress of our first batch."

{Oh, Zed, it's nice to hear from you. So how is everything going? Did anyone stand out so much that you called me directly?}

"It's going as expected, Kong-san, and yes, we have an exceptional one for the Marines."

{Ooh, such high praise from you is rare. So what's their name?}

"His name is Cain. The one who ate the 'invisible' fruit, Goro-Goro no Mi. And I'm not saying it's because of his fruit."

After that, the two talked about Cain, and later Kong would discuss the promising future officer with other prominent figures in the Marines.

–

After that day, the three of them started their intense training like Zed had promised. If before their training was rated a 9 out of 10, then this was a 20 out of 10, and they were just starting.

Cain was a natural at Observation Haki. His progress in it was significant, and with the help of his Goro-Goro no Mi, soon he was able to find a new application much to Zed's surprise. Connecting his fruit with his active Observation Haki, he was able to eavesdrop on the entire island at maximum range. Though for that range, he had to sit down and really concentrate.

Similarly, after getting the proper feel of Haki, his training in Armament Haki also progressed steadily. Turns out Cain was very talented in both types of Haki, which was very rare to have as the only other person known to have such a high level of talent was Garp, Roger and Newgate.

In just a month, the gap between him and the others was apparent. After a few days of sparring, he was easily able to avoid Borsalino's kicks and lightsaber while also punching him back.

Sakazuki, on the other hand, also made progress in Armament Haki, but he seemed rather lacking in the other. This made him unable to catch up to Cain, which cemented his position as 'Mister Second Place,' much to Cain's amusement.

While the ever-lazy and carefree Borsalino made progress in Observation Haki, he still didn't take the training too seriously, much to Zed's disappointment. But still, except for those two, no one was able to overtake him and take his place as the third ranker. Though after Zed's constant yelling, he eventually joined Issho and T-Bone in sword classes.

In between their training, they were assigned some fieldwork too, but only in the Four Blues. During this training, they were made to wear rings containing small amounts of Seastone, which would disable their abilities and force them to focus on fighting using Haki and martial arts.

Cain was assigned to North Blue and Paradise, where he caught quite a number of pirate crews, alone collecting up to 1 billion+ Belly. With his talent in Haki, it was an easy task to complete.

And just like that, a year passed.