One Piece - Heaven Defying Comprehension!

"Boom!"

Violent black and purple lightning crackled ferociously above the palace of Kuja City. Rayleigh and the others, who were resting just outside, immediately sensed the terrifying surge of Conqueror's Haki.

"This… Is this Hancock's Conqueror's Haki?" Shakky's eyes trembled as she gazed at the overwhelming force roaring over Kuja City.

"It's growing stronger... Hancock's Conqueror's Haki is becoming even more powerful. This strength far surpasses that of an ordinary Shichibukai."

The shock in Shakky's eyes deepened as the intensity of Hancock's Haki continued to rise. Among the Shichibukai, only Doflamingo and Hancock were confirmed to possess Conqueror's Haki. Although the Shichibukai, the Naval Headquarters, and the Four Emperors were regarded as the three great powers of the sea, the true purpose of the Shichibukai was to use their infamous reputations to intimidate other pirates and assist the World Government in maintaining the balance during the Great Pirate Era.

However, when it came to raw combat power, the only Shichibukai who could truly stand at the pinnacle of the sea's power was Dracule Mihawk, the world's greatest swordsman. Even Kuma, despite the incredible abilities of his Devil Fruit, the Nikyu Nikyu no Mi, which could eject anything, including himself for "teleportation" over vast distances or even expel memories, lacked the destructive power of other top-tier Devil Fruits like the Goro Goro no Mi (Thunder Fruit) or Gura Gura no Mi (Tremor Fruit).

As for Hancock, she had awakened Conqueror's Haki, as well as Armament and Observation Haki. Although her abilities and beauty made full use of the powers granted by the Mero Mero no Mi (Love-Love Fruit), a lingering shadow from her past had hindered her growth. Her Haki, which had surged during the awakening of her Conqueror's Haki, had since stagnated.

If Hancock were to engage in a life-or-death battle, the unresolved trauma from her past might even prevent her from defeating Doflamingo. But now, everything was different.

Hancock, having shed the burden of her past, had seen a tremendous boost in her Conqueror's Haki. It wasn't just that—her Armament and Observation Haki were bound to follow suit.

Shakky's heart swelled with joy. To her, Hancock was more than just an empress; she had come to view her as a daughter. Hancock's newfound strength was secondary—what truly mattered to Shakky was that Hancock had finally freed herself from the shadows of her past.

"It seems Ace has helped Hancock overcome her past," Rayleigh remarked, a slight smile playing at the corners of his mouth as he observed the growing force of Hancock's Conqueror's Haki.

Rayleigh's expression softened with paternal pride. The fact that Hancock had fallen in love with Ace seemed like a wonderful thing. His smile deepened as he thought of the young girl he, Shakky, and Gloriosa had brought back to Amazon Lily. Hancock had become like a daughter to them, and seeing her find happiness with someone like Ace filled Rayleigh's heart with joy.

Suddenly, Rayleigh, Shakky, and Fujitora, who were resting in the adjacent room, were all startled.

"Buzz!"

The violent black and purple lightning crackling above Kuja City began to twist and condense as if guided by invisible hands. The chaotic energy of Conqueror's Haki, the most ferocious force on the sea, started to form a black-purple film, slowly converging above the palace.

Rayleigh and Shakky immediately recognized what they were witnessing—this was a power they were all too familiar with.

"Conqueror's Haki—Entanglement?!" Shakky gasped, watching in disbelief as the black-purple film dissipated into the palace.

Hancock had mastered Conqueror's Haki—Entanglement?!

Her strength had grown immensely since overcoming her past, but mastery over Entanglement? That should have taken far more time.

Shakky's eyes filled with awe. This was the power of Conqueror's Haki—Entanglement! 

"It seems Ace's power has played a role in helping Hancock," Rayleigh murmured, a slight smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Is this the effect of Ace's unique power combined with the influence of 'Nika'?"

When it comes to the fighting prowess of the other women in the Entei Pirates, aside from Nami and Robin, their talents were not initially exceptional. Yet, after joining Ace, their strength increased dramatically. Now, each of them is a formidable commander within the infamous Entei Pirates.

In recent days, Rayleigh and Shakky had fully understood the reason behind their transformation: the 'Realm of Comprehension'. This power, unique to Ace and combined with the mysterious influence of the "Nika" form, could elevate the comprehension and abilities of its recipients to extraordinary levels. It could even attract powerful Devil Fruits.

Kaya's healing fruit, Conis's sound-based fruit, and Raki's Bird-Bird Fruit—model Phoenix—were all results of this phenomenon. Additionally, the power could act on ordinary fruits, allowing them to absorb demonic factors released upon an ability user's death, turning into new Devil Fruits.

Nami's Thunder Fruit, Vivi's Sand-Sand Fruit, Tashigi's Clear-Clear Fruit, Nojiko's Door-Door Fruit, and even the ship spirit Merry's Shadow Fruit had all originated from this power. The ability to hunt Devil Fruits stemmed from the same source.

Upon learning the truth of Ace's powers, Rayleigh was deeply moved. With such abilities, Ace could indeed bring about a world where "everyone has enough to eat, and everyone can enjoy a grand banquet."

This was the first time Rayleigh had ever heard someone link concepts like productivity, resources, and warfare to such a dream, even after years of traveling across the sea.

Having reached the Final Island, Raftel, and seen what Joy Boy left behind, Rayleigh knew of the "D" Clan's will and believed it to be the key to addressing the world's problems. Yet Ace had offered a completely different perspective, suggesting that what truly solves problems are objective realities, not some will that can be hidden or manipulated by men.

Ace called this '"the thing."'

After his conversation with Ace, Rayleigh found his worldview entirely upended. He was stunned, as if his understanding of the world had been refreshed. Ace's approach to the inheritance of will was completely opposite to what Rayleigh had always believed. But the more Rayleigh pondered it, the more he felt that perhaps Ace's view was closer to the truth.

After countless nights of contemplation, all Rayleigh could do was look at the sky and sigh. If Ace's power and ideas were ever to reach the revolutionary army, it would likely ignite a new wave of change in the world.

Sadly, even though Dragon, Garp's son and the leader of the Revolutionary Army, was capable and had sparked numerous waves of liberation across the world, Rayleigh couldn't help but wonder how things would evolve if Ace's ideas were added to that mix.

In comparison to Ace's Realm of Comprehension, there exists an undeniable gap. Ace has completely surpassed the limitations of this sea. As he once declared, he will one day stand above all, seated in the heavens.

The throne of the world, Rayleigh realized, rightfully belongs to Ace.

At that moment, Rayleigh discovered his true purpose. He wanted to make Ace the king of the world—seated upon the heaven throne. And without a doubt, Ace 'would' become the ruler of the world.

As Rayleigh watched the black-purple aura slowly fade into the palace of Kuja City, hope filled his eyes. In his mind, he could already envision Ace on the throne, reigning as the king of the world.

Shakky's eyes gleamed with emotion after hearing his thoughts. "Yes, I can already picture Ace as king."

Rayleigh, looking toward the Kuja Palace, allowed a small smile to form at the corner of his lips.

And then, without warning—

'Boom!'

A terrifying wave of energy erupted from within the Kuja Palace, shaking the very ground and thundering through the sky.

"Conqueror's Haki?! What an incredible aura!"

Rayleigh, who had fought alongside Kizaru and was familiar with the presence of Nami's Haki, immediately sensed something extraordinary. He and Shakky exchanged a glance, disbelief washing over them.

"Nami… could she possess the potential of a king?! What kind of monster is this?!"

——

Hancock Abode 

"Ace… I can feel myself getting closer to you," Nami thought, her heart swelling with determination. Though her Conqueror's Haki was not as potent as Hancock's, it carried a similar energy to Hancock's Haki in its earlier stages.

Before Rayleigh and Shakky could fully grasp what was happening, their shock turned to sheer horror.

Rayleigh's eyes narrowed sharply, stunned, while Shakky was equally speechless.

The Entei Pirate fleet now boasted 'four' wielders of Conqueror's Haki. This was beyond anything Rayleigh had ever witnessed—even more monstrous than Bullet, whom both he and Roger had once feared on their own crew.

Another Conqueror's Haki… Nami had awakened the ability to wield it, and—unbelievably—she had learned the art of Conqueror's Haki-Entanglement!

As the black-purple lightning twisted and converged, it formed yet another film of energy, slowly descending over the palace of Kuja City. The ground itself seemed to reverberate with violent black and purple electricity.

In that moment, Nami lifted her head, her beautiful face glowing with newfound power. She gazed toward Ace and smiled sweetly.

"Conqueror's Haki—Entangled?!" Rayleigh and Shakky gasped in terror.