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Amidst the yelling, Luffy immediately used his rubber powers, stretching his arms to grab onto the Baratie's railing and pull himself back aboard the restaurant ship.
RUMBLE!
The terrifying storm generated by the clashing Haki lifted the wreckage of Don Krieg's galleon right out of the sea, tossing debris high into the air!
Thump! Thump! Thump!
As the tempest swept past, the remaining Krieg Pirate grunts' pupils constricted in terror. Their eyes rolled back, and they all collapsed, unconscious.
Then, they too were swept up by the raging vortex and blown away.
High above, even the clouds began to recede, frantically pulling away from the space directly above Rowen and Mihawk.
This was a clash between two Kings!
Nothing, not even the clouds, could presume to remain above them!
Conqueror's Haki... Clash!
"W-What's happening?!" Sanji braced himself against the buffeting winds, staring wide-eyed at the epicenter of the collision, cold sweat dripping down his face.
Many of the chefs around him couldn't withstand the impact either and had fainted.
What—is this power?!
"Conqueror's Haki! So this is the power of Conqueror's Haki?! Truly astounding!" Zeff, who had heard legends but never witnessed it firsthand, stared with undisguised shock.
"Conqueror's... Haki?" Sanji murmured the term.
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"Conqueror's Haki... So, it's not just for knocking out weaklings... it can be used as raw power too?! Is this what you wanted to show me, Rowen?!" Zoro gritted his teeth, his body shielded by Usopp, Johnny, and Yosaku from the worst of the tempest's effects due to his injuries.
But a feral grin spread across Zoro's face.
This power... He would obtain it too!
With power like this—he could challenge Hawk-Eyes again, right?
As for whether he could obtain it? Zoro had no doubts.
Rowen said he could—so he would!
Otherwise, how could he live up to Rowen's acknowledgment?!
"Hah..." The storm gradually subsided.
The intense crimson-black light in both Rowen's and Mihawk's eyes slowly faded.
Splash! Splash!
The wreckage of Don Krieg's ship rained back down into the sea!
"Astonishing Haki! To possess such 'Disposition' without even having sailed the Grand Line... 'Sky Sovereign' Rowen. I shall remember that name," Mihawk stated, a hint of surprise in his eyes.
Only after clashing could one truly gauge the depth of another's Conqueror's Haki.
This young man's 'Disposition'... felt far beyond what someone of his age and experience should possess.
There were undoubtedly individuals on the Grand Line with Conqueror's Haki far stronger than this young man's.
But considering his youth, the fact he hadn't yet ventured into the Grand Line, and had Trained Haki of this level solely within the East Blue, the weakest sea...
This young man's potential was limitless!
Furthermore, Mihawk felt he saw in this young man a faint shadow of the Pirate King!
Although this young man's Haki was far weaker than the Pirate King's, the resemblance, the potential, was definitely there.
The weakest sea, the East Blue—has produced such a young man.
For the first time in a long while, even Mihawk felt a tremor of genuine surprise ripple through him.
———
—[Clashed Conqueror's Haki with Pirate Faction iconic figure, Warlord 'Hawk-Eyes' Mihawk, causing slight mental fluctuation.]—
—[Faction Fortune (Apex Gold) hidden effect triggered. Plundering a portion of target's 'fortune'.]—
—[Awakened! Armament Haki, Observation Haki.]—
———
A series of notifications, visible only to Rowen, appeared.
And the gains didn't stop there.
———
—[Your words significantly increased bond with Zoro. Trait equipping progress increased.]—
—[Demonic Physique (Deep Purple) equipping complete!]—
———
Rowen looked at the notifications, his eyes flashing.
The completion of Demonic Physique's equipping was already part of his plan.
But he hadn't expected that clashing Conqueror's Haki could trigger Faction Fortune's (Apex Gold) hidden effect!
Causing a mental fluctuation in an iconic Pirate Faction figure through a Haki clash allowed him to plunder a portion of their 'fortune'.
Makes sense. After all, completely defeating such a figure allowed Faction Fortune to plunder their entire 'fortune'.
And causing mental fluctuation during a Haki clash could grant a tactical advantage in battle.
No wonder in the original story, Conqueror's Haki users, even those who hadn't mastered infusion yet, often clashed their Haki before engaging in a final life-or-death struggle.
However, this 'slight fluctuation' was negligible for someone like Mihawk; he would recover completely in moments.
This was only possible because Mihawk, respecting his connection to Shanks, had significantly restrained his own Haki release.
Otherwise, Rowen wouldn't have appeared to be evenly matched in that clash.
Shanks's connection really is useful.
Although it was just a slight fluctuation, it was enough for Rowen. That tiny sliver of plundered 'fortune' was sufficient to awaken his Armament Haki and Observation Haki.
As expected of one of the Pirate Faction's top figures, second only to the Emperors among the Warlords. Just a tiny fraction of his 'fortune' yielded such significant gains!
This power was exactly what Rowen needed most before entering the Grand Line.
Plus, Zoro's Demonic Physique (Deep Purple)... completed equipping at this very moment!
"Check Traits!"
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Rowen Traits: Superhuman Physique (Deep Purple), Demonic Physique (Deep Purple), Armament Haki (Deep Purple), Observation Haki (Deep Purple), Conqueror's Haki (Pale Gold), Faction Fortune (Apex Gold), Born of the Sea (Apex Gold);
Asura Aura (Special) (Equipping...): [|||....]
Anthem of Courage (Special) (Equipping...): [||.....]
Sun God (Apex Gold) (Equipping...): [||||...]
——
Armament Haki and Observation Haki—both had reached the Deep Purple tier!
Through the Trait System, the moment they awakened, Rowen gained a deeper understanding of Haki.
The strength of Armament Haki was related to the user's physique combined with their 'Disposition'.
The strength of Observation Haki was related to the user's spirit/mental fortitude combined with their 'Disposition'.
Rowen had already awakened Conqueror's Haki, and his 'Disposition' was constantly being enhanced by Born of the Sea. As a result, his Conqueror's Haki was already strong enough to cause tangible physical effects on his surroundings.
In terms of the 'Disposition' component influencing Haki strength, Rowen certainly didn't lack it.
However, the physique component required for Armament Haki strength was currently only at the Deep Purple level (from the Superhuman Physique Trait).
Therefore, Rowen's current Armament Haki Trait was also ranked Deep Purple.
Furthermore, Rowen received new information regarding the upgrade conditions for Physique-related Traits.
Below the Pale Gold tier, the rank of Physique Traits was still somewhat linked to directly demonstrated combat power.
But at the Pale Gold tier and above, the rank of Physique Traits became more closely tied to stamina.
After all, the minimum threshold for a Pale Gold combat Trait was equivalent to the strength of a Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral.
Powerhouses at that level almost universally possessed strong Armament Haki.
No matter how much one trained their physique, they were still carbon-based lifeforms. Except for special cases like Big Mom with her 'Iron Balloon' ability, or unique races like Giants...
How could other strong individuals, relying solely on their physical bodies—without using Haki, Devil Fruits, or techniques like Tekkai (Iron Body)—possibly exert strength equivalent to or greater than a Vice Admiral?
Consider Garp the Fist, one of the absolute strongest individuals on the seas. In the original story, when caught off guard while sleeping—not using Haki or Tekkai—he could still be injured by Morgan's axe.
Therefore, from the Gold tier onwards, the key factor determining the rank of Physique-type Traits was the amount of stamina they provided.
In the One Piece power system, stamina was the foundation of everything.
Whether it was Haki or Devil Fruit powers, the fuel driving these abilities came from the user's stamina.
Like Luffy in the original story—once his stamina was depleted, he couldn't use Haki or his Devil Fruit powers anymore.
Essentially, stamina was the fuel for powers like Haki and Devil Fruits.
So, the subsequent upgrades for Physique-type Traits primarily depended on the amount of stamina they contained.
For example, if the stamina provided allowed the user to exert Haki or Devil Fruit powers at the minimum Marine Vice Admiral level (Pale Gold), then the Physique Trait itself would be ranked Pale Gold.
If it provided enough stamina to exert powers at the minimum Marine Admiral level (Apex Gold), then the Physique Trait would be ranked Apex Gold.
'Very straightforward and easy to understand.' Rowen nodded.
But Rowen's gains weren't finished yet.
——
—[Identical type Traits detected: Superhuman Physique (Deep Purple), Demonic Physique (Deep Purple). Automatic fusion initiated.]—
—[Fusion complete. Acquired: Superhuman Demonic Physique (Deep Purple).]—
——
Superhuman Demonic Physique (Deep Purple): Possesses digestive capabilities surpassing Superhuman Physique (Deep Purple), allowing rapid absorption of vast nutrients for self-strengthening. Furthermore, no matter how extreme the training or severe the damage to muscles and bones, can utilize absorbed nutrients to recover completely at a speed surpassing Demonic Physique (Deep Purple), consequently growing even stronger.
——
The two Physique Traits—had fused!
Just as I thought! Superhuman Physique and Demonic Physique are perfectly complementary!
After fusion, Rowen's digestive ability now surpassed even Luffy's base Superhuman Physique, and his ability to repair damaged muscles and bones through training surpassed even Zoro's base Demonic Physique!
Furthermore, because the Demonic Physique was acquired through direct equipping from Zoro, its inherent quality (likely above base threshold, similar to Luffy's) was merged as well.
Now, Rowen's Superhuman Demonic Physique only needed five more base Deep Purple materials to evolve to the Apex Purple tier!
——
—[Physique enhanced. Born of the Sea (Apex Gold) Trait activated. Armament Haki strengthened!]—
—[Armament Haki upgraded to Apex Purple tier!]—
——
Another notification screen, visible only to Rowen, appeared.
Ordinarily, even if someone's physique improved, they would still need their 'Disposition' to increase and undergo dedicated training to strengthen their Armament Haki.
But thanks to the Born of the Sea Trait, Rowen's 'Disposition' was constantly being 'digested' and perfectly controlled. The Trait allowed him to directly enhance his Haki!
Therefore, as soon as Rowen's physical strength (stamina capacity) increased, his Armament Haki strength increased correspondingly!
Unlike others who needed arduous training.
Truly—the ultimate Haki training cheat code!
Looking at the Armament Haki (Apex Purple) Trait, Rowen felt extremely satisfied with Born of the Sea.
This was Rowen's first Apex Purple Trait.
Below the Gold tier for combat Traits, Armament Haki was incredibly powerful; after all, it was a power that only became commonplace in the New World.
Even though Rowen's Superhuman Demonic Physique (Deep Purple) was currently still ranked Deep Purple, the corresponding Armament Haki now displayed combat power at the Apex Purple level!
However, once combat Traits reached the Pale Gold tier (Vice Admiral threshold), the rank of Physique Traits would likely align more closely with the Armament Haki rank.
Because powerhouses at that level almost universally possessed Armament Haki.
At this moment, Rowen had acquired the most crucial piece for conquering the Grand Line: Armament Haki.
With Armament Haki unlocked, Rowen's strategic thinking became more active.
Before entering the Grand Line and confronting the Warlord Crocodile... there was one more Devil Fruit that might be worth acquiring—
The Logia-type Smoke-Smoke Fruit. Its user: Captain Smoker of the Loguetown Marine Branch.
Rowen's eyes glinted.
While the Smoke-Smoke Fruit was considered low-tier among Logias, it was still a Logia.
Possessing this fruit would give him more options when dealing with Crocodile.
In the original story, Luffy's victory over Crocodile relied heavily on plot armor.
Rowen preferred to hold his destiny firmly in his own hands.
Simply by being near Mihawk, he had plundered a minuscule amount of 'fortune', which triggered the awakening of his Armament and Observation Haki.
While Crocodile couldn't compare to Mihawk, he was still one of the Seven Warlords, an iconic figure of the Pirate Faction.
By thoroughly defeating him and plundering his entire 'fortune'... Rowen wondered just how much benefit the Faction Fortune (Apex Gold) Trait would provide.
Rowen eagerly anticipated finding out.
Although he had awakened Armament and Observation Haki, and his Armament Haki had even reached Apex Purple due to the physique enhancement...
Thanks to the Strongest Trait System and Born of the Sea (Apex Gold), this entire process had completed almost instantaneously.
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Rowen composed himself and looked towards Mihawk.
"Thank you for this, Hawk-Eyes Mihawk," Rowen said with a smile.
Although Mihawk had acted primarily out of respect for Shanks, without him, Rowen wouldn't have finished equipping Zoro's Demonic Physique Trait.
Nor would he have awakened his Armament and Observation Haki.
Since Mihawk had shown him 'Face', Rowen wouldn't begrudge a simple 'thank you'.
"I did not expect to encounter young people like you in the East Blue. I look forward to meeting you again on the Grand Line," Mihawk replied with a faint smile, assuming Rowen was thanking him for measuring his 'Disposition' and showing the young swordsman the nature of the sea's most domineering power.
He had been bored for far too long since Shanks lost his arm.
Providing some 'nourishment' for these budding sprouts of the new era—perhaps it would make the future more interesting.
With that, Mihawk turned to leave.
"Hey! Hawk-Eyes! Weren't you here to take my head?!" A furious roar suddenly halted Mihawk's departure.
"To take the head of me—Don Krieg—the Overlord of the East Blue!"
Seeing Mihawk interacting only with Rowen's group and completely ignoring him, the ruler of the East Blue... Krieg, whose pride had already been wounded by Rowen, erupted in rage.
"That was my original intention. However, I've had my fun. I'm going back to sleep now," Mihawk replied dismissively, not even turning around.
"You may have had your fun, but I've been taking a beating this whole time! Before you go back... DIE!" Krieg roared, deploying all the cannons hidden within his golden armor.
"Such an ignorant man," Mihawk sighed, feeling no goodwill towards such a fool who didn't know his place.
After his interactions with Zoro and Rowen, Mihawk now lacked even the slightest interest in cutting down such a weakling who couldn't recognize his own limitations.
With a single, effortless swing of his black blade, Yoru, Mihawk detonated all the incoming cannonballs and shells. Then, his figure flickered and vanished without a trace.
"Hmph! Running away?" Krieg spat contemptuously.
"Pfft!"
A sharp, derisive chuckle cut through the air, making veins bulge on Krieg's forehead.
"Brat! What are you laughing at?!" Krieg glared murderously at Rowen.
This brat... earlier, using that strange power, had made even him hesitate to look directly, and knocked out his subordinates!
'But!' A cruel smile spread across Krieg's face.
"How could a human cut a massive ship with just a sword?! That Hawk-Eyes must have used the power of one of those legendary Devil Fruits! And that strange power you and Hawk-Eyes used... that must be a Devil Fruit ability too, right?! Ability users like that are dime a dozen on the Grand Line! That Zeff guy managed to survive a year on the Grand Line; he must know how to deal with ability users like you! Once I get his logbook, I'll conquer the Grand Line again!"
Krieg looked at Rowen, who seemed less imposing now that his Haki had subsided, spread his arms wide, and roared with laughter.
"And you were foolish too! After using up all that power earlier, you must be completely exhausted now, right?!" Krieg leered at Rowen, his expression turning savage.
"Pfft... Haha... HAHAHAHAHA!" Hearing Krieg's words, Rowen couldn't hold back any longer. He burst into laughter, tears streaming down his face.
Krieg was just as idiotic in the original story... but to think, even after witnessing the clash of Conqueror's Haki between me and Mihawk, this fool still lumps Conqueror's Haki together with Devil Fruit abilities!
A frog in a well...
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