Chapter 478: A Lesson in Haki: The True Strength of Legends

After hearing Rayleigh’s warning, Luffy and Zoro only frowned harder, trying with all their might to unleash the force of Conqueror’s Haki a second time. Rayleigh couldn’t help but knit his brows slightly at this.

“Don’t push yourselves before you can control it. Using it recklessly could drag innocent bystanders into trouble.”

“Ah, sorry!”

“If I’m not mistaken, you must be Pirate King Roger’s crewmate—the first mate, Dark King Rayleigh, right?”

Ever since the old man with white hair came aboard, Robin felt like she’d seen him somewhere before. It wasn’t until Rayleigh unleashed his Conqueror’s Haki that it clicked—the same back she’d glimpsed in some old photos on Skypiea. Those pictures captured none other than the Pirate King’s right-hand man: Dark King Rayleigh.

“Whoa, Gramps, are you really one of the Pirate King’s crew?”

“I never imagined a living legend would end up on our ship.”

“What? Pirate King Roger?!”

Franky wasn’t the least bit unfamiliar with that name. Years ago, his master Tom built a pirate ship for Roger, and after that, the World Government strong-armed him—forcing Tom to use the sea train to protect Iceburg and himself.

Franky never really held a grudge against Roger’s crew, but learning that the old man before him was actually the Dark King Rayleigh still left him unsettled. No one else seemed to notice his discomfort.

“So, Gramps—what kind of person was Roger, really?”

Luffy couldn’t help his curiosity about Roger. Sadly, he’d set out to sea long after Roger had died. Not meeting the Pirate King in person was his one big regret.

“Roger, huh?”

Rayleigh seemed to drift into memories of the past. He recalled how, back in East Blue on a tiny island, Roger had traded a rickety little boat for the home Rayleigh had painstakingly built.

Every time he remembered that, Rayleigh couldn’t help but smile wryly. How’d he end up on that idiot captain’s ship in the first place?

“Roger was certainly someone unforgettable—a truly fascinating man.”

That’s what he thought deep down, but he still spoke of Roger with nothing but respect.

“Sugee!”

“I can’t believe one of the Pirate King’s crew could take down such a massive sea monster without even lifting a hand.”

Johnny and Yosaku leaped onto the deck, hauling a huge chunk of sea serpent meat. After the Sea King on the surface had been knocked out, the two already had their eyes on it—it’d be dinner tonight.

“Hahaha!”

“Looks like you all have a little more respect for me now, huh?”

That was exactly what Rayleigh had planned. If he didn’t show a bit of real power, why would Luffy and the others ever learn Haki from him seriously?

Sometimes, you have to let your skills do the talking.

“I’ve seen Haki in many corners of the world.”

Rayleigh lifted a finger, giving his praise.

“True, but mastering Haki is no easy task. You’ve managed to awaken both Armament and Observation Haki, but you haven’t really grasped them just yet.”

“So next, I’ll teach you how to dig deeper and fully master both Observation and Armament Haki.”

“Roast is ready!”

Sanji brought out a massive round table, followed closely by Johnny and Yosaku, each carrying platter after platter piled high with grilled meat. As everyone took their seats, Rayleigh chatted with Luffy and the others while they ate.

“I’ll be giving all of you the basics on Observation Haki, Armament Haki—and Luffy, Zoro, you two will also get a foundational lesson in Conqueror’s Haki.”

“But since everyone’s got their own strengths, you’ll find yourselves leaning more toward one type of Haki. That’s the area you should focus on in the future.”

With his mouth full of meat, Luffy never took his eyes off Rayleigh, laser-focused on his every word.

He couldn’t wait to dig deeper into this power called Haki and master Conqueror’s Haki—he needed to rescue Ye Fan and Ace from Impel Down without a hitch.

“I know what you mean. At first, under First Mate Ye Fan’s guidance, I was the first to awaken Observation Haki. But my Armament Haki only covers my hands. It’s nowhere close to covering my whole body,” Usopp said.

Rayleigh glanced over—sure enough, it was Usopp speaking.

“For a sniper like you, perception is the key. So it’s only natural Observation Haki came easiest to you. Down the line, your main focus should be honing Observation Haki’s power to even foresee the future.”

“You two should focus on Observation Haki as well. And if I’m not mistaken, one of you is a Devil Fruit user.”

Rayleigh’s gaze shifted to Nami and Robin. His last words were clearly meant for Robin.

Truth was, Rayleigh had already learned everything about the crew aboard this ship. Nami, able to sense the weather at will and wield Observation Haki, would have a powerful edge in future battles.

Robin was in the same boat. With the Hana Hana no Mi, if she could train her Observation Haki further, she could take out her foes before they even realized what hit them.

Nami and Robin nodded earnestly. The man before them was the Pirate King’s first mate—his advice meant everything.

“Aside from those three, the rest of you should focus on sharpening your Conqueror’s Haki.”

Usopp, Nami, and Robin were the only exceptions; everyone else was clearly the muscle type.

Rayleigh hesitated for a moment before glancing at Brook, who was quietly sipping milk to the side.

“It looks like Laboon is finally going to be reunited with his crew.”

Back then, Crocus only agreed to join Roger’s crew and head to the New World because he wanted to find Laboon’s old crew—Brook and his group.

“Yohohoho, I made poor Laboon wait so long. I’m so full of guilt I could cry—but, well, I’m a skeleton now, can’t even shed tears! Yohohoho!”

Even though Brook was laughing, everyone could feel the heaviness in his heart.

“As for you, your path is all about Observation Haki. Armament Haki is tied to physical power—and you obviously don’t have a body anymore. Other than Observation Haki, you’ll have to rely on your Devil Fruit abilities.”

And why was Rayleigh so sure Brook had a Devil Fruit power?

Who wouldn’t, after seeing a talking skeleton, immediately know something unusual was going on?

“Back to the main topic—when your Haki grows stronger, the area it covers will expand as well.”

“Once you can clearly sense your Haki pushing beyond your previous limits, you’ll know you’ve reached a new level.”

As time passed, the mountain of grilled meat disappeared, leaving only heaps of empty plates.

“Since you’re ready for real training, I won’t be going easy on you.”

“Time’s running out.”

“Alright, just what I wanted!”

“Please take care of us, Gramps!”

“Whoosh!”

“Gramps, that’s a sneak attack!”

“On the sea, you’ve got to be ready for surprise attacks at any moment. Consider this your first lesson!”

Luffy stared at Rayleigh, rubbing the bump on his forehead where Rayleigh’s wooden block had nailed him.