Chapter 199: Perfect Armament Haki (Part 1)
...
Daytime, in front of the Poneglyph.
As usual, Luo Han sat cross-legged on the ground, immersing his mind into his spiritual sense, fully focused on perceiving that "perfect field."
That was the name Luo Han had given it, because in his view, Haki within that field was the most flawless version possible.
After sensing for a while, Luo Han stood up and summoned Armament Haki in both hands, letting them collide—clang, clang!—the sound grew clearer and sharper.
"Still not quite there."
He frowned. His Armament Haki had grown much stronger over this period, but it was still far from the seamless, unified sensation of the perfect field.
"In fact, the density of my Armament Haki has already hit its limit."
Shaking his head, Luo Han realized that relying solely on breath control and willpower to guide Haki toward the perfect field had reached a dead end.
After all, Haki itself was a type of force field, and mere breath control couldn't fully replicate that structure. Just like how Luo Han had used Charlotte Linlin's innate aura to enhance his physical body—it still couldn't make him exactly as strong as Linlin herself.
There were always subtle differences, and while those might not matter much in physical terms, the perfect field was different.
To achieve the truly perfect, unified Haki field, Luo Han's Armament Haki had to match that exact structure. Without reaching that stage, the gap was massive—like comparing 99 and 100, a difference that shifts you from two digits to three. A qualitative leap.
"At the very least, I need to understand its structure."
So next, he needed to dive into the interior of that perfect field—understand its construction—to reshape his own Haki.
"Let's keep going. I don't believe I can't break in!"
Clenching his jaw, Luo Han sat down again and tried to penetrate the perfect field with his spiritual sense.
But as its name implied, the perfect field was seamless. His spiritual perception couldn't get through.
It was like trying to see through a flawless mirror—smooth and unblemished. Luo Han's spiritual sense, like a ray of light, was always reflected back.
And so the day passed, alternating between testing his Haki and attempting to break into the field's inner structure.
...
Nightfall.
This marked the sixth day since they'd arrived at the Sea Forest. Luo Han and Aishi had also completed their "transformation" the night before.
During dinner, Luo Han absentmindedly ate while his mind remained preoccupied with how to break past the perfect field's spiritual barrier.
"Ugh… I still can't figure it out."
"What's wrong?"
Ellis asked curiously, sitting beside him. Her sharp senses picked up on his subtle frustration.
"It's nothing..."
Luo Han turned toward her—and the more he looked, the brighter his eyes became. Maybe Ellis could offer some inspiration.
After all, Armament Haki originated from internal strength. Everyone possessed it, but only those with a strong enough body could awaken it.
And to awaken it, strong willpower was essential. Without it, Haki wouldn't even manifest.
But Ellis's willpower was exceptional. Her first use of Armament Haki had shattered Luo Han's own. He'd overlooked that part.
"That's it! It's the will!"
Smack! Luo Han slapped his thigh, startling everyone around him. They all glared at him.
But he ignored them. He'd figured it out. He had mistakenly believed Ellis's Haki had shattered his—but in truth, it had been her powerful will that broke through the will embedded in his Haki. Without its guiding will, his Haki had crumbled like loose sand.
"So... willpower is the key! It's the central component in forming the perfect Haki field!"
With that revelation, Luo Han turned to Ellis. "Ellis, tomorrow let me join your training with Cole. My Haki needs improvement too."
Only by personally experiencing Ellis's will-infused Haki could Luo Han understand how willpower truly controlled and shaped it—and only then could he apply that insight to himself.
"Sure," Ellis smiled, then added, "but no hitting back."
"No problem."
Luo Han grinned. He hadn't intended to hit back anyway—he only wanted to feel her will and how it influenced Haki.
...
Soon, dinner was over.
Luo Han stood up once again—and this time, no one stared.
"Aishi , meet me in the forest for sparring after you eat. I'll be waiting."
He sent her a quiet message via Kyoka Suigetsu and headed to their usual clearing.
Behind him, Aishi blushed as she heard his voice. She looked around—nobody seemed to notice—then let out a breath of relief and casually stood to follow.
Everyone silently exchanged glances. They could guess what was going on, but no one said a word.
"Young love is nice," Sister Spoon muttered again.
Ellis, meanwhile, debated whether to eavesdrop. "No! I'm not eavesdropping... I'm just communing with nature."
That's right. With that rationalization, she sat cross-legged somewhere nearby and resumed her "spiritual meditation."
She was genuinely curious. Why did the "origin act" feel different now that she wasn't a tree?
"Mm! Ah! Mmm! Ah!"
Soon, Ellis heard strange noises in her mind again.
Her body once more reacted strangely, as if some kind of energy wanted to burst out—but couldn't. It was incredibly uncomfortable.
...
Time passed.
Luo Han and Aishi spent another satisfying night, while Ellis spent another uncomfortable one, finally resolving never to eavesdrop again.
The next morning, after breakfast—
Luo Han, Ellis, and Cole gathered in a clearing.
Ellis stood on one side, facing off against Luo Han and Cole.
"Cole, how's your Armament Haki coming along?" Luo Han asked before they began. "It should be strong now, right?"
"Uh..."
Cole glanced around awkwardly. "I'm not sure, Luo Han... it should be, I guess?"
"..."
Luo Han was speechless. If you don't know, just say so. No need for the extra fluff.
Turning back to Ellis, he nodded. "Let's begin."
He took a firm horse stance. Clang! His entire body became coated in refined Armament Haki.
"I'm ready too, Ellis!" Cole followed suit, mimicking the stance and activating his Haki.
The two of them—one three meters tall, the other ten—stood less than five meters apart. It looked like a child facing off against a grown-up.
"Here I come!"
Ellis's eyes flashed with excitement. She clenched her fists and summoned her Haki. It was time to vent her frustrations from the previous night.
Her Haki seemed even more refined now.
Shave! she vanished, appearing in front of Luo Han in an instant—one of the Rokushiki techniques she'd learned from Cole.
She didn't hold back. Her first punch aimed straight for Luo Han's face.
Luo Han flinched. Wait... aren't we supposed to be hitting arms or legs? Why go straight for the face?!
Clang! Ellis's fist, bigger than Luo Han's whole face, landed squarely.
"Hm…?"
She frowned. She hadn't broken through his Haki.
His training with the perfect field had made his Haki incredibly durable.
Still, she didn't give up. A full combo followed.
Clang clang clang! Sparks danced across Luo Han's face from the flurry of punches.
"This... isn't enough willpower. It's not like when she first awakened Haki. It's not helping much," Luo Han thought.
He could feel that Ellis was holding back.
"Ellis, where's your willpower? At this rate, you won't break my defenses."
"Tch…" Ellis cursed mentally. Why's his Haki so much stronger now? He's like a different person.
But aloud, she retorted, "I'm just holding back so I don't hurt you. Aishi said I hit too hard."
"..."
She remembered that? Luo Han was speechless. Aishi had only mentioned it once.
"Alright then. I'll go all out."
Ellis's expression turned serious. Her full willpower poured into her Haki.
She locked eyes with Luo Han. You wanted it—let's see how your face holds up now.
"Bring it on."
Luo Han's reply was short. He infused his own Haki with full willpower and stood ready.
Their auras surged.
Cole, watching from the side, suddenly felt very out of place.
Why am I even here? I'm just being ignored...
He quietly stepped aside to spectate.
As the energy reached its peak, Ellis disappeared again—Shave!—and reappeared in front of Luo Han.
"Haah!"
She unleashed a powerful punch with all her will behind it.
Luo Han didn't use his face this time. He met it with a punch of his own.
CLANG! A piercing sound rang out, followed by a massive shockwave.
Crack... crack...!
Luo Han's Haki began to shatter.
"Yes! That's it!" Luo Han's eyes gleamed with excitement. He could feel how willpower affected the structure of Armament Haki.
Haki alone was like loose sand—raw force without shape.
Willpower was the net that bound it. The stronger the will, the finer the net—the tighter the cohesion of the Haki.
Stronger will meant tighter control and denser, more durable Haki.
Weaker will meant bigger gaps—more leakage, easier to break.
In a clash, the one with stronger will always held the advantage.
Because more willpower meant tighter, stronger, and more abundant Haki.
(END CHAPTER)
Thank you for the support, friends. If you want to read more chapters in advance, go to my Patreon.
Read 20 Chapters In Advance: patreon.com/Bankai10