One Piece: Starting with Breathing Techniques

The next moment, Kiro's Conqueror's Haki suddenly surged, spreading and expanding uncontrollably in all directions.

The sharp, black-and-red domain expanded instantly, covering an area of ​​several hundred meters around Kilo in the blink of an eye.

The most obvious difference between Kiro's Conqueror's Haki and other Conqueror's Haki is that Kiro's Conqueror's Haki is not only domineering, but also full of sharpness and fierceness, giving people a sharp feeling like a fishbone stuck in their throat.

Conqueror's Haki erupted, surging wildly around him.

Kilo closed his eyes and concentrated, his aura surging and rising, pressing down on the surrounding sea.

Fortunately, being on the open sea, there is no need to worry about innocent people being affected.

As Conqueror's Haki continued to expand, Kiro's aura gradually reached its peak, with countless black and red lightning-shaped sparks sweeping around him accompanied by violent air waves.

boom!

At the very moment he was on the verge of his limit, Conqueror's Haki suddenly stopped and rushed back into Kiro's body like a receding tide.

Swish!

As the terrifying Conqueror's Haki was completely withdrawn, the surrounding scene, which resembled a natural disaster, gradually calmed down, with only the surging sea reflecting everything that had just happened.

Kiro felt the refined Conqueror's Haki within his body, and with a sudden inspiration, he lightly grasped the Dragon Slayer with his right hand and drew it from its sheath.

Swish!

Visible to the naked eye, black and red electric arcs jumped and flickered.

An invisible aura surged forth and instantly enveloped the dragon-slaying beast.

This is not Armament Haki, but it possesses an even more terrifying and fierce pressure.

As the Dragon Slayer swiftly struck down, an invisible slash detached from it and flew straight forward.

boom!

The sea, which had just calmed down, was suddenly cleaved open by a huge whirlpool that was hundreds of meters deep.

Even though the dragon-slaying attack didn't actually hit the sea surface, the destructive power it caused far exceeded Kiro's expectations.

Looking at the void in the sea that occupied most of his view, Kilo maneuvered the small boat to avoid the swirling currents and eddies, his gaze complex as he looked at the invisible flames swirling around his hands.

This……

Is this what they call Conqueror's Haki?!

Even though he only used 70-80% of his strength, the power of this attack was completely equivalent to his full-force attack under normal circumstances!

This attack does not require any physical contact, but the amplification from the Conqueror's Haki makes his slash even more threatening!

Kiro withdrew the Conqueror's Haki that was wrapped around his longsword and then conducted a simple test.

He can imbue his weapons and body with Conqueror's Haki whenever he wants, not only to enhance his attacks but also to form a defensive barrier to withstand powerful attacks from the enemy.

Furthermore, if Kiro combines Conqueror's Haki and Armament Haki together, its power can be further enhanced.

"As expected of someone shrouded in Conqueror's Haki!"

Kiro's eyes lit up with surprise, and he was extremely satisfied with his newly acquired ability.

If 500 points of Conqueror's Haki is this strong, then wouldn't 800 points of Dragon Slayer Sword Manual be incredibly powerful?

After taking a deep breath, Kilo adjusted his state and made a firm decision.

【"The Dragon-Slaying Sword Manual (Complete)"】

[Upgrading to 'Perfect' proficiency requires 800 points]

[Confirmed, points being deducted]

[Current points remaining: 32]

In an instant, the surrounding noise—the sound of waves, the wind, the cries of seagulls, and so on—seemed to be shut out by an invisible barrier.

He closed his eyes, and everything around him suddenly went dark.

A dazzling white light appeared, and Kiro "saw" a figure formed from shimmering white light spots in front of him. The figure was identical to him in height, appearance, and even aura. The figure was practicing the Dragon Slayer Sword Manual in the void, and the passage of time seemed to have lost its meaning.

Slashing, thrusting, horizontal cutting, vertical parrying—multiple movements are repeated and varied, with endless variables contained in the simple transitions, and the figure's movements become faster and faster.

An extremely pure and refined sword intent rose from the figure, and every minute detail of its rhythm was clearly captured by Kiro's perception.

After an unknown amount of time, the figure finally stopped and raised his long sword to slash at Kiro.

Everything in the universe has a rhythm, and the art of swordsmanship requires perceiving this rhythm.

"A basic grasp of rhythm allows one to cut through iron like mud, becoming a legendary swordsman. Complete mastery allows one to sever whatever one desires, yet cannot sever anything one does not wish to sever."

"If you want to go further..."

"One must also reflect on oneself, understand why one wields the sword, draw upon the strengths of all schools, and forge one's own path."

The sharp blade pierced straight through Kilo, yet it poured countless insights into the way of the sword into Kilo's heart in an instant.

This time, the memories are no longer about the techniques of the past, but about countless insights into the way of the sword.

Although this did not make Kilo's swordsmanship more formidable, as countless insights into swordsmanship emerged in his mind, the rudimentary form of Kilo's sword intent continued to expand and improve.

Kilo suddenly opened his eyes and instinctively drew his sword, the Dragon Slayer.

My own path?

A gleaming sword flashed by, the movement slow and ordinary, yet it was none of the sword techniques he had ever used before.

Kilo's demeanor gradually changed, as if he were a grandmaster who had immersed himself in the way of the sword for countless years, and a unique aura emerged.

Heavy, sharp, extremely fast, and intensely hot.

Four distinct temperaments gradually merged into a unique and sharp temperament.

Deep in his consciousness, Kilo seemed to "see" a shimmering white ray of dawn.

That is the meaning of wielding the sword, the reason for wielding the sword.

To protect what we want to protect, to overthrow injustice, to rebel against corrupt rules...

After arriving in this world, he saw countless wronged and suffering souls who could not find peace under the dark and corrupt rule.

He could no longer tolerate the corrupt rule of the world government.

"I will wield my sword to change this world!"

A concentrated and resolute sword intent suddenly rose, like the first ray of dawn tearing through the long night on the sea.

The sword intent was initially as subtle as a wisp of silk, but then it expanded and grew at an astonishing speed, wrapping around the Dragon Slayer Sword.

"This is my sword intent!!"

The sword hummed softly, its blade vibrating and emitting a deep, dragon-like roar.

All his memories from the first time he grasped the sword until now are engraved in his pure will, transformed into the most intense and fierce flame in his sword intent.

The pure belief that overturns the corrupt world becomes the unshakable cornerstone of sword intent, indestructible and unyielding.

Finally, the ever-rising and expanding sword intent came to a halt, suddenly converging like countless rivers flowing into the sea, and all of it was absorbed into the long sword that displayed its sharp edge.

Kilo opened his eyes, and the confusion in his dark eyes was gone.

Instead, there was an unprecedented clarity and steadfastness.

Kilo let out a long sigh of relief, feeling that the world had never been so clear.

He gripped the hilt of the Dragon Slayer Sword, countless techniques and moves surging in his mind. At the same time, the presence of sword intent allowed him to focus without distraction, his sword mind clear and lucid.

At this moment, he was confident that he could attack and counterattack based on his sword intent instincts without needing to memorize any moves.

Opening my eyes, a blinding flash of lightning seemed to appear on the dark sea, extremely sharp.

"Sword intent... complete!"