"This is Haki?" Daz Bones and the others had sensed Haki before, but now, under Hathaway's guidance, they were slowly able to manifest Armament Haki.
Unlike MR.5, Rosen had mastered both Armament and Observation Haki.
Now, with his arms covered in jet-black Armament Haki, he could feel the surging power and the solid defense, as if clad in armor.
Unbelievable—such power existed within the human body.
"Huh… it's like having an extra eye. It feels instinctive, yet more real… though still unstable," Valentine said, floating with her umbrella, eyes closed, feeling it. She excelled in Observation Haki, like Robin.
Everyone's potential was being drawn out…
"Uncle! Uncle, watch this!" Natalie, sweaty and carrying her small round shield, walked up and stood firmly in front of Rosen.
Rosen, controlling the sandstorm in his hands, looked at her curiously. Natalie took a deep breath and threw a straight punch, hitting Rosen's thigh with a thwack.
"Hit! Hit! I learned Haki too!" Her fist didn't pass through his leg but landed solidly on flesh and bone.
"Holy—!" Rosen was incredulous.
No surprise with Daz Bones or MR.5 mastering Haki—it was expected. Even slightly stronger soldiers in the New World could manage it. With the right guidance, mastering Haki was natural for those of their caliber.
But Natalie, a hyperactive little kid who ran around and babbled all day, had mastered Armament Haki too?
Her Observation Haki was innate and strong—Rosen knew that—but Armament Haki? How could a kid grasp it?
"What's with that face, Uncle?" Natalie frowned and kicked Rosen's foot, hitting again.
"You little demon," Rosen looked up at the sky. This wasn't just learning it—it was mastery. When he had awakened Conqueror's Haki, he hadn't gotten this skilled so quickly. Only a few days had passed.
Apart from some basic crew, all Dawn officers had entered the Haki era—even a sea cow almost had it.
For Rosen, this was excellent news—so much so that he respectfully asked Hathaway for guidance.
"Fight time! Fight time! Selling grilled meat, beer, juice, cupcakes…" Natalie shouted. As the only unpaid crew member, she had to earn her keep.
On the training ground's nearby open space, Daz Bones and the others stepped aside. In the center were Hathaway and Rosen.
"Why do they learn without fighting? You weren't waiting for this chance, were you?" Rosen asked Hathaway, who was brimming with combat intent. He had come to learn Haki, not to fight—though it didn't matter.
"Yes. I want to see how strong you are, and how strong I am," Hathaway said calmly, nodding.
"Give me a large beer and ten skewers of sea king meat," MR.5 called to Natalie, carrying a large tray.
"Coming! That'll be ten thousand Berries total," Natalie said, running over happily.
"You're robbing me! That's way more expensive than outside!" MR.5 frowned.
"But if you go outside to buy it, Uncle and sister might finish fighting before you get back. Want it?" Natalie asked innocently.
"Yes."
"I'll get some too."
"Then I'll have a cup as well," Robin said, lounging with sunglasses, reading and sunbathing, having applied sunscreen—a rare move. A fight between BOSS and Hathaway? Very interesting.
"Shraa!" A bolt of lightning struck from above—it was Enel.
"I heard Captain Hathaway and the captain are fighting, so I came to watch," Enel said, barefoot, handing a stack of Berries to Natalie as intel payment.
Natalie happily accepted.
Watching the busy Natalie, Rosen had the urge to toss her into the air and let her free-fall. No wonder she was so eager for the fight when Hathaway mentioned it.
"Wanna bet on who wins?" Natalie seemed naturally adept at making money.
"Sure. I bet BOSS will win."
"I'll bet BOSS too."
"I'll bet Hathaway."
"Idiot, BOSS will definitely win!"
"You're the idiot. Didn't you hear? At first, it's only hand-to-hand and Haki—Haki is the key. I think Hathaway is stronger in that regard."
"Hmm, makes sense."
The crew discussed eagerly, excited for the fight.
"I bet on Hathaway," the Empress said, joining Natalie.
"Should I attack first?" Rosen asked Hathaway. The fight would be in two rounds: first, just hand-to-hand and Haki; second, weapons and abilities could be used. This way, they could assess weaknesses.
"Fine," Hathaway said calmly, her flawless, almost translucent face revealing undeniable fighting intent, her eyes burning like fire.
"Soru. Lightning Shadow. Finger Gun. Cannon Fist." Rosen moved instantly, disappearing and reappearing in front of Hathaway, raising his Haki-covered fist and striking.
"Blade Style! Cross Distance." Hathaway sidestepped, lowered her body, struck Rosen's lower abdomen, then twisted, hitting him with her shoulder.
Rosen's body was covered in Haki.
"Too slow," Hathaway's speed surged. Her Haki flowed naturally through her strikes, without apparent use.
Boom!
Rosen's Haki had just formed when Hathaway's shoulder hit with massive force. Staggering several steps, he regained balance.
"Already? The captain's been pushed back just from the first clash?" a crew member gasped.
"Your body is ridiculously tough," Hathaway thought—but she wasn't satisfied. She had pushed Rosen back because her attack struck before his Haki fully deployed.
Rosen was testing, not trying to win. Being hit didn't affect him.
"Our attacks were simultaneous. Why did your Haki strike first?" Rosen asked.
"Feel it with your body," Hathaway said, seizing the rare chance to fight rather than teach.
"Fair enough." Battle was the most effective lesson—Rosen agreed. Hathaway was growing stronger.
Soon, Dawn might gain another vice-admiral-level fighter. It wouldn't be easy, but Rosen had no doubt.
Seeing Hathaway strike first and push him back proved her potential.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Fists and Haki collided, with both controlling their power precisely.
The surroundings were largely unharmed, but the shockwaves and lightning-fast movements were almost impossible to track.
"I can't see them! Is this humanly possible?" ordinary crew members were stunned. All they saw were shockwaves in the air—bodies disappeared at the instant of attack.
So fast, beyond the naked eye.
"Impressive," the Empress's expression grew serious. She knew Hathaway and Rosen weren't ordinary, but even just hand-to-hand Haki was challenging, possibly enough to lose.
Hathaway excelled in swordsmanship, and Crocodile still hadn't used his Devil Fruit ability, as far as she knew.
(End of Chapter)