NOVPUB
Chapter 76 - 76: Newgate Joins the Crew
Brook watched the sparks fly between Redfield and Newgate—perhaps this was the natural attraction between powerful individuals.
"Haha~ From now on, Newgate is one of our fighters, same as Redfield. You two will be the strongest warriors of the Hell Pirates!" Brook declared with a wide grin.
He stepped forward, attempting to lift their hands in celebration. However, standing at only 2.7 meters, Brook was just a bit too short, managing only to reach Newgate's hand.
"We'll have to spar sometime," Redfield said, his interest in Newgate evident. Brook had already mentioned that Newgate's talent and Devil Fruit abilities were top-tier—there might come a day when even he wouldn't be able to defeat him.
The thought only fueled Redfield's fighting spirit. He wanted to prove to his captain that he was—and would remain—the strongest combatant of the Hell Pirates.
"Gurararara~ No problem!" Newgate responded, sensing Redfield's battle intent. The pressure he exuded made it clear—at his current level, he wasn't Redfield's equal just yet.
"Newgate hasn't awakened Haki yet, has he? Redfield, you'll be in charge of training him in Armament and Observation Haki. And when the time is right, I'll help him awaken his Conqueror's Haki as well," Brook announced.
Future Four Emperors' captain, Edward Newgate, would undoubtedly possess Conqueror's Haki!
"What?! Captain Brook, are you saying that I have the potential to awaken the legendary Conqueror's Haki—something only one in a million can achieve?" Newgate's eyes lit up in excitement. He had seen Conqueror's Haki users from a distance in the New World before, and their overwhelming presence was awe-inspiring. However, his former captain, Lyon, had always chosen to flee at the first sight of such displays.
"Yes, I'm certain of it. And Redfield has already mastered all three types of Haki. You'd better not fall behind—both of you will be the twin war gods of the Hell Pirates!" Brook declared confidently.
Newgate was exhilarated at the thought. Three types of Haki? A war god? Meanwhile, Redfield became even more interested in his potential rival—anyone capable of awakening Conqueror's Haki was bound to be extraordinary.
"Captain Brook! What about me?!" Shakky suddenly raised her hand, eager to make her presence known. "I'm an exceptionally talented young woman, after all. When we met at Sabaody Archipelago, wasn't it my natural brilliance that made me stand out in the crowd? Doesn't that mean I have Conqueror's Haki too?!"
"Shakky, weren't you the one who insisted on joining us? And didn't Captain Brook scare you so much that you fell from the second floor to the first?" Antonio interjected from the side.
Laughter erupted among the crew, even causing the usually cold and composed Redfield to crack a smile.
"Shut up!" Shakky pounced on Antonio, ruffling his hair aggressively. The poor guy scrambled behind Brook for cover, dodging her relentless assault.
"C'mon, Captain, tell me!" Shakky whined, pressing him for an answer.
"I don't know... maybe?" Brook shrugged. "If you want to find out, you need to study the world's strongest warriors, train hard, and keep an open mind. The most important thing is to have an unshakable will."
Shakky pouted. "Wait, so there's training involved? But I'm already fearless! Why hasn't my Conqueror's Haki awakened yet?"
"Fearless? If a Celestial Dragon appeared in front of you right now, would you strike them down without hesitation?" Brook challenged, recalling her reaction just a few days ago upon hearing news of a Celestial Dragon being killed. He doubted she had the necessary resolve.
"W-What?! So killing a Celestial Dragon awakens Conqueror's Haki?!" Shakky's train of thought derailed completely.
Even Newgate's mouth twitched slightly. Was this really how it worked?
"Ahem, no," Brook corrected. "Killing a Celestial Dragon won't necessarily awaken it, but someone who has awakened Conqueror's Haki would definitely have the courage to do so. If the day comes when you can face them without fear—even willing to strike them down—then maybe you'll awaken it."
Brook's explanation was vague, but it was enough to push Shakky into deep thought. After all, according to Oda's lore, Conqueror's Haki was an innate talent, present in only one in a million individuals. While some might inherit it, there were also those who awakened it through sheer determination, like Whitebeard and Big Mom—pirates whose ancestors weren't particularly notable.
Some who possessed the ability awakened it at an incredibly young age—Donquixote Doflamingo, the son of a former Celestial Dragon; Ace, the son of the Pirate King; Katakuri, the son of a Four Emperor; and Luffy, the son of the Revolutionary Army leader...
...
"So, if I kill a Celestial Dragon, that means I have no fear, and that could help me awaken Conqueror's Haki?" Shakky mused aloud.
The rest of the crew overheard her. Among them was an eight-year-old boy, Fisher Tiger, who wasn't the sharpest yet, nor did he have much life experience. But at this moment, his eyes gleamed with newfound determination.
From this day forward, he swore to never feel even the slightest fear toward the so-called World Nobles—the Celestial Dragons.
"I'll do it! One day, I'll kill a Celestial Dragon and awaken my Conqueror's Haki!" Fisher Tiger declared, his expression filled with unwavering resolve.
The crew members exchanged glances, their eyes brimming with excitement. Could this really work?
Brook rubbed his temples. His crew had just developed a rather terrifying collective belief—'Kill a Celestial Dragon to awaken Conqueror's Haki.'
He imagined a system message appearing before him:
'Kill a Celestial Dragon to awaken Conqueror's Haki' Buff Unlocked.
Every successful Celestial Dragon kill grants a 50% chance to trigger Haki awakening. Work hard, kill more, increase your odds, and aim for a crew full of Conqueror's Haki users!
Brook shook his head violently, dismissing the ridiculous thought.
"Impossible. Absolutely impossible. My crew can't be that overpowered!"
But the seed had already been planted in their minds. Sooner or later, they were bound to test the theory.
He could almost see it now—his crew lining up to execute Celestial Dragons, turning it into some kind of twisted initiation ritual.
Maybe, just maybe, he should consider teaming up with the Rocks Pirates in the future.
After all, a Celestial Dragon raid in God Valley might just be the perfect opportunity to farm for Conqueror's Haki awakenings...
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+100 Chapters on p@treon/tambeerg
