66 Conqueror Haki—That It?

"Hahahahaha… Conqueror Haki isn't something just anyone can awaken."

Chinjao immediately saw through Sherwin true intentions. He chuckled and shook his head.

"Although you've got a real talent for Haki training, kid, when it comes to Conqueror Haki... I don't see that kind of potential in you."

But he quickly added in reassurance, "Of course, don't be too discouraged. I might not be right either. Most people only awaken their Conqueror Haki after going through some intense trials. You haven't been through enough yet—so not seeing any signs of it now is perfectly normal."

Take his grandson Sai for example—Chinjao had sent him off to the Grand Line for that very reason.

Originally, the Happo Navy, even though they were considered 'official pirates,' could've just operated within the West Blue. But Chinjao wanted Sai and the rest of the Happo Navy to gain more experience, so he pushed them toward the far more dangerous Grand Line.

"Uh… honestly, not having Conqueror Haki isn't that big of a deal. What matters more is knowing how to deal with it. If I suddenly run into someone using it and get caught off guard, that'd be a disaster."

Sherwin didn't have any kind of obsession with Conqueror Haki. Even though after the version update, Ryou was considered the "strongest" technique, Garp, who could also use Ryou, still got kidney-shanked by Shiryu invisible blade. So yeah, having it is great, but not having it isn't the end of the world either.

What Sherwin cared about more was Conqueror Haki crowd-control effect—because besides making sure he could withstand it himself, he had to consider whether the cats could handle it too.

"Hehehe, if that the case, then you all better brace yourselves."

Chinjao understood Sherwin concern—and, having just been tricked by the kid earlier, he also wanted to use Conqueror Haki to save a bit of face.

So, after that brief warning, Chinjao eyes suddenly snapped open, and even his beard—which hung down from his chin—stood on end like a Super Saiyan hair.

At the same time, an overwhelming and soul-shaking aura erupted from his body, crashing down on Sherwin and the two Felynes.

"Meow!" ×2

Klee Meow and Sanji Meow practically jumped at the same time. All their fur stood on end, ears pinned tightly back, completely on high alert. Sanji Meow held up a bit better, but Klee Meow was clearly struggling under the pressure.

Sherwin also felt a sudden jolt in his chest, and then...

Hmm… that it?

He scratched his head—honestly, it didn't feel like much.

To be fair, in terms of sheer intimidation, Chinjao display of Conqueror Haki was indeed quite impressive.

However…

If we're only talking about intimidation, how far off could the monsters from Monster Hunter really be?

If Sherwin, who possessed the inherited memories of countless Hunters, were to judge, then the pressure Chinjao exerted was significantly stronger than a Brachydios, and about on par with a normal state Magnamalo.

But it still didn't compare to an enraged Magnamalo in its hellfire mode—and definitely couldn't match the likes of Fatalis, Crimson Fatalis, Dalamadur, or the massive Elder Dragons and Forbidden Monsters.

Even though Sherwin had never actually faced those monsters himself, even experiencing them secondhand through inherited memory—however diluted—made it clear their aura far surpassed Chinjao Conqueror Haki.

So…

Sherwin genuinely didn't feel much from it. That single little jolt just now was already the highest form of respect he could offer to Conqueror Haki.

Hmm. From that perspective, Conqueror Haki shouldn't be that much of a problem for the Felynes either.

Sure, Sanji Meow and Klee Meow had pretty intense reactions just now—but let not forget, one just a non-combat type chef cat somewhere between elementary and middle school level, and the other a preschool-grade bomb cat who hadn't even fully grown yet.

Before Sherwin summoned them, they basically had no hunting experience at all, so it was understandable that they didn't hold up too well.

Once he summoned those fully matured combat Felynes, there'd be no need to worry about them being crowd-controlled by Conqueror Haki.

The ones most likely to fit that bill were probably the cutting-type combat cats that could be summoned using the Weapon Codex featured summon tickets.

So… he really needed to keep collecting legendary blades!

While Sherwin was still rubbing his chin and analyzing all this, on the other side, Chinjao—who had just unleashed his Conqueror Haki—was feeling pretty crushed.

Sure, he had expected Sherwin to be able to withstand it. Once your strength reached a certain level, Conqueror Haki didn't have much effect.

But this… this was just weird. It didn't look like Sherwin had been affected at all! Could he really have the potential of a king? Even so, wasn't he being too unfazed?

And Sanji Meow managing to hold on, fine. But that soft and squishy little Klee also withstood it?

…Am I really getting old?

The disheartened Chinjao withdrew his Conqueror Haki and looked at Sherwin—who was still lost in thought—with a mix of gratification and melancholy.

"So this is Conqueror Haki? No wonder it called that-meow…" Sanji Meow said, staring solemnly at Chinjao, who had returned to his kind and gentle state.

Sherwin had told them before just how dangerous this world was. But their recent travels had begun to make Sanji Meow question that—after all, whether it was the mafia or pirates, they'd handled them all with ease. Nothing had really felt all that dangerous.

But Chinjao display just now had successfully shaken the overconfidence Sanji Meow had started to develop, bringing back his sense of caution.

"Wah! Grandpa Chinjao just got super scary, meow!" Klee Meow thoughts weren't complicated. The little plushie had just been frightened and now just wanted to dive into Sherwin arms for comfort.

"Hmm?" Sherwin was startled awake by Klee Meow pouncing onto him. While gently soothing the little plush, he looked toward Chinjao. "Is it over?"

Chinjao: "..."

"You... didn't feel anything at all?" Chinjao asked, unwilling to give up.

"Of course I felt it," Sherwin answered honestly. "When your Conqueror Haki first showed up, old man, my heart even skipped a beat."

"...And then?"

"Then? Then I just got used to it."

Chinjao didn't want to talk to him anymore.

After experiencing the full force of Conqueror Haki, there was only one thing left for Sherwin to do—

"Old man Chinjao, didn't you say that Haki training requires enough external pressure?" Sherwin drew the Longsword and issued a challenge to Chinjao. "Then, please give this junior a serious fight."

Although he had sparred with Chinjao before, that had been more like guidance and hadn't really put Sherwin under any pressure.

Chinjao nodded, then shook his head. "I don't mind fighting you, but don't get your hopes up too high. The gap between us is too great—the training effect won't be that good."

"That why I'm not planning to fight solo this time," Sherwin grinned, as two little cuties appeared at his sides. "Klee and Sanji are joining in too."

Fighting with your cats—that what being a true Monster Hunter is all about!