Lowering his head once more, Carlo looked at the black streaming light floating across his palm, a spark igniting in his eyes.
This was far beyond ordinary Coating—it was the external release of Armament Haki, achieved by honing both the quality and quantity of Haki to an advanced level far surpassing ordinary men.
It was the most prominent sign that his Armament Haki attribute had broken through 70 and reached Seven Stars.
Aside from the significant improvements to his Physique and Armament attributes, the gains in his other stats were much smaller.
Observation Haki had increased by about four points.
Meanwhile, Conqueror’s Haki—which was just as difficult to raise as Physique—had increased by less than a single point.
It was unavoidable.
Even though Carlo knew Kaido possessed Conqueror’s Haki, Kaido hadn’t displayed it during the battle at Rocky Port.
He wasn’t sure if Kaido simply hadn’t mastered the technique of actively releasing it yet.
Without sparring against Kaido in a true clash of Conqueror’s Haki, raising his stat by even one point was already a solid achievement.
Garp had once told him that Conqueror’s Haki—a special power symbolizing innate potential and spirit—could not be strengthened through active training.
But was that really true?
After long periods and numerous trials, Carlo, possessing his attribute panel, had discovered it wasn’t.
Conqueror’s Haki could indeed be strengthened through cultivation!
Although Conqueror’s Haki was invisible and had little direct correlation to physical strength, if it was a symbol of one’s spirit, then wouldn’t strengthening one’s spirit indirectly boost the intensity of one’s Conqueror’s Haki?
And spirit was ultimately tied to a person’s mind and willpower.
To temper an intangible mind and will, the first thing Carlo had thought of was a line of classical prose he had learned in his past life:
*Therefore, when Heaven is about to confer a great responsibility upon a person, it first exercises his mind with suffering, toughens his sinews and bones, starves his body, leaves him destitute, and confounds his undertakings, so as to stimulate his mind, temper his nature, and supply his shortcomings.*
Based on this, Carlo had undertaken a series of insane acts to hone his spirit and willpower.
Including, but not limited to:
Starving himself in the Headquarters cafeteria for a month without food or water, watching others feast and gorge themselves daily.
Voluntarily going to Impel Down to undergo interrogation and torture by the guards.
Allowing himself to be locked away for a year in the Six Levels of Hell—Crimson Lotus, Wild Beasts, Starvation, Blazing Heat, Freezing, and Eternal Hell—sharing a cell with condemned death-row inmates.
Undergoing celibacy training in the most prosperous and high-end Pleasure Street in Sabaody.
Engaging in Conqueror’s Haki clashes with Garp and Sengoku until he bled from all seven orifices and passed out.
After undergoing these training methods that outsiders viewed as utterly insane and borderline suicidal, Carlo had successfully raised his Conqueror’s Haki attribute to over 70 points!
Yet once his Conqueror’s Haki surpassed 70, Carlo realized that those suicidal training methods could no longer make it any stronger.
The only method that still had some effect was direct Conqueror’s Haki clashes.
Therefore, when Konggu had suggested that he go to Hachinosu as an undercover agent, Carlo had genuinely been tempted.
There were simply too few Conqueror’s Haki users in Marine Headquarters.
Currently, there were only three: Garp, Sengoku, and himself.
At Hachinosu, the stronghold of the Rocks Pirates, Conqueror’s Haki users were everywhere you looked.
The moment he thought about how he was about to face a crowd of lawless monsters who would fight to the death at the slightest disagreement, a wild grin spread uncontrollably across Carlo’s face.
In his eyes, there was not a trace of fear toward the unknown or danger.
There was only longing and an unbearable eagerness for battle, slaughter, and that thrilling lifestyle!
Perhaps Konggu was right.
He really was far more suited than Garp or Sengoku to be an undercover agent—to be a pirate!
***
Several dozen minutes later.
“Hachinosu is here.”
Whitebeard’s voice awakened Carlo, who had been resting with his eyes closed.
He stood up and looked ahead.
A massive island filled his field of vision.
In front stretched a harbor spanning several thousand meters.
Dozens of pirate ships of all sizes were berthed inside.
Some belonged to the Rocks Pirates, while others belonged to different crews.
Although this island was the territory of the Rocks Pirates, it was also the most famous pirate island in the New World.
Just like Rocky Port, countless pirates visited every day to engage in entertainment, trade, and other activities.
Beyond the harbor lay an urban district.
Buildings of various architectural styles were arranged in a chaotic, disorderly fashion, yet they possessed a strangely wild aesthetic.
The most eye-catching feature was a mountain several hundred meters tall shaped like a human skull.
Supposedly, the main base of the Rocks Pirates was located behind that mountain.
Before their pirate ship had even fully docked in the harbor, Carlo instinctively felt an overwhelming sense of oppression radiating from the direction of the island.
His mind tightened involuntarily.
It felt as though he were facing a colossal, ravenous beast!
The island before him was the stronghold of the most powerful pirate crew in the New World at present: the Rocks Pirates’ base.
*Buzz!*
Two red glints flashed in Carlo’s eyes.
It wasn’t lasers; he had released his Observation Haki.
His Observation Haki, which was close to Seven Stars, swept across the island in an instant.
In a split second, Carlo detected numerous powerful life signatures within his perception.
The impression they gave him was not a bit weaker than the officers and generals of Marine Headquarters.
Some were even stronger than Marine Vice Admirals.
His Observation Haki continued probing forward.
It quickly crossed the town ahead and swept toward the foot of Skull Mountain.
Right then!
A life signature that could only be described as terrifying appeared in Carlo’s perception!
It made him feel as if he were standing directly before the ocean, the sky, or a blazing, roaring sun!
The sheer vastness and vigor of this presence was even stronger than what he had felt from Garp!
And the moment his Observation Haki sensed the other party, the other party seemed to notice as well.
The very next second!
An intangible deterrent exploded from the foot of Skull Mountain, crashing down toward him!
Like a tsunami threatening to swallow all creation, it swept over with overwhelming, savage fury!
In an instant, Carlo, standing behind Whitebeard, felt as though he had been locked onto by something immensely dangerous.
The white hair on his head stood on end, and the fine hairs across his body bristled.
His muscles tensed as a reflex, his fists clenched tight, and he dropped into an offensive stance.
However, the expected attack did not come.
The massive pressure that had brought cold sweat out on his back lasted for only a brief moment, sweeping over him before vanishing into thin air.
This wasn’t Conqueror’s Haki.
It was a pure, sensory suppression.
Or rather, this intangible deterrent was also Observation Haki!
That’s right—Observation Haki!
It was the same sensory ability used to detect life signatures, yet the opponent had completely dominated Carlo in its application.
It was like two creatures making eye contact: one was a Tyrannosaurus rex standing at the top of the food chain, fierce and brutal, while the other was a feeble chick, weak and helpless.
“So this is…
Rocks?”