Chapter 70 - Ch 69 - Path to Awakening

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The early morning sun filtered through the dense canopy of trees around their secret base, casting dappled shadows over Luffy as he sat cross-legged on the grassy ground.

A thick journal lay open in front of him, its pages filled with his messy but enthusiastic handwriting.

For days, Luffy had been pouring over his system's extensive knowledge about Conqueror's Haki, cross-referencing it with what Shanks had shared and adding his own speculations.

Luffy's Conqueror Haki had been a reward from his system, and with it had come a trove of theoretical knowledge. Yet, even with that, Luffy had felt there was more to uncover—something deeper, more profound.

His discussions with Shanks had been eye-opening, and now, piecing everything together, Luffy felt he had finally grasped a greater understanding.

Ann, Sabo, and Uta approached, curious about what their captain had been so engrossed in. Luffy looked up from his notes, his eyes alight with excitement.

"You've been at this for days, Luffy," Ann said, crossing her arms. "What's got you so fired up?"

"Yeah," Sabo added, sitting down beside him. "You've been so quiet it's almost weird."

Uta plopped down next to Ann, her curiosity evident. "You've got that look, Captain. Spill it!"

Luffy's grin widened as he closed the journal with a resounding thud, the sound reverberating through the room like the echo of a bold declaration.

"I've figured something out about Conqueror's Haki," He announced, his voice carrying a weight that immediately pulled all attention toward him.

Sabo, Uta, and Ann leaned in instinctively, their interest piqued by the uncharacteristic gravity in his tone.

"First off," Luffy began, his hands resting firmly on the journal, "Conqueror's Haki isn't hereditary."

Sabo's brows shot up, his lips parting in disbelief. "What? But isn't it supposed to be super rare? Like, one in a million people rare?"

"Exactly!" Luffy nodded enthusiastically, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "It is rare, but not because it runs in families or bloodlines. That's just a myth people believe because a few big-shot families have it. The truth is, it's something every single person is born with."

Ann's brow furrowed deeply, skepticism written all over her face. "Then why doesn't everyone awaken it? If everyone has it, wouldn't it be more common?"

Luffy's grin softened into something more reflective, his voice lowering as he leaned forward.

"Because," He said, the words heavy with conviction, "most people lose it before they even get the chance."

The trio exchanged bewildered glances, the weight of Luffy's statement sinking in like a stone in still water.

"Think about it," Luffy continued, his tone growing more impassioned. "When we're kids, we're fearless. We dream big—huge! Nothing feels impossible, and we don't care what anyone thinks. We laugh when we're happy, cry when we're sad, and fight when something feels wrong."

He paused for a moment before continuing. "But then, as we grow up, the world starts to push us down. It tells us to shrink, to stop dreaming, to follow rules, to compromise. Little by little, people forget who they really are. They let go of their true selves. That's why most people can't awaken Conqueror's Haki—they've already lost the spirit it comes from."

The words hung in the air, a quiet storm building in the room. Each of them felt the truth of Luffy's words, like a spark igniting something dormant within their hearts.

Uta's voice broke the silence, soft but curious. "Then… how do people awaken it? How do they hold on to that part of themselves?"

Luffy's grin returned, broader this time, a flash of his unshakable confidence. "By staying true to who they are, no matter what. By chasing their dreams so hard that nothing—not fear, not pain, not the whole damn world—can make them stop. Conqueror's Haki isn't about strength or bloodlines. It's about your will—the unbreakable core of who you are. If you give up on that, you'll never awaken it."

"But that's not all," Luffy added, his voice dropping an octave, the weight of his words pressing into the moment like a captain declaring his oath. "Even if someone holds on to their true self, that's not enough. Conqueror's Haki doesn't just show up because you want it. It needs something bigger—an emotional explosion, a moment of pure, raw determination. A point where your very soul screams, 'I refuse to lose!' It's a fire that only ignites when the world tries to crush you, and you stand up and say, 'Not today.' That's what it takes."

The room was silent again, but this time it was a charged silence, alive with the electric hum of unspoken thoughts.

"So," Luffy said, leaning back with a satisfied smile, "Conqueror's Haki isn't just rare because of how few people are born with it. It's rare because most people forget how to hold on to who they are. It's rare because it takes guts—real guts—to keep your dreams alive and fight for them with everything you've got."

Sabo nodded slowly, his face a mix of awe and contemplation. "So it's not just power—it's proof. Proof of someone's spirit."

"Exactly," Luffy said, his grin breaking into a full-blown laugh. "It's proof that they're a king in their own right, even if they never wear a crown."

Ann and Sabo nodded thoughtfully, their expressions serious.

"Shanks told me something similar," Luffy said. "He said Conqueror's Haki is the power of kings, but not because it makes you a ruler. It's because it shows you're willing to bet everything on your dreams. That's what sets people with Conqueror's Haki apart—they don't stop, no matter what."

Luffy looked at his friends, his gaze steady. "And you three? I'm sure you all have it."

Ann's eyes widened. "You think I have Conqueror's Haki?"

Sabo chuckled nervously. "I mean, I don't think I've ever done anything that screams 'king material.'"

Uta tilted her head, looking uncertain. "Are you sure, Captain?"

Luffy nodded confidently. "Yeah, I'm sure. The reason it hasn't awakened yet is that you're still figuring yourselves out. You haven't fully accepted who you are or what you want. But I know you will, eventually."

"How can you be so sure?" Ann asked, her voice soft.

"Because I know you," Luffy said simply. "And because you're my crew. My family. You've got the same fire in you that I do."

The sincerity in his words silenced any doubts they might have had.

Luffy's grin softened as he continued. "You know why mine's already awakened? Because I've always known what I wanted. To be free. To chase my dreams, no matter what. That's never changed, not even for a second. And as long as I stay true to that, my Conqueror's Haki will keep getting stronger."

"That's amazing," Uta said, her admiration clear.

"But it's not just about strength," Luffy said, his tone growing serious again. "Conqueror's Haki is limitless. It grows with you. The stronger your beliefs, your dreams, and your desires, the stronger it gets. There's no cap, no limit. But the moment you start doubting yourself, it weakens. That's why you can't afford to hesitate—not for a second."

Ann clenched her fists, determination lighting up her eyes. "Then I'll awaken mine. I'll figure out who I am, and what I want, and I'll make it happen."

Sabo smirked, his competitive spirit flaring. "Guess I've got some catching up to do. But don't think I'll let you beat me, Ann."

Uta laughed, her confidence growing. "Looks like we've got ourselves a little competition."

Luffy grinned, his heart swelling with pride. "That's the spirit. Just remember—never stop chasing your dreams. Never stop believing in yourselves. Because without that, you're no better than the living dead."

The three of them nodded, their resolve solidifying.

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