Redfield left.
No farewells, no parting threats.
Redfield, who stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Roger and Whitebeard, now resembled a corporate drone forced into a 9-5 work schedule, plunging headfirst into the New World's raging waves with a heart full of frustration.
Where was he going?
No one knew nor did they need to know.
As long as he didn't want to die, as long as he held even a sliver of desire for that fruit that could restore youth, the Berries on those IOUs would flow into the G-5 Base's treasury like rivers returning to the sea.
Tatsuki withdrew his gaze, found a flat rock to sit on, and sank his consciousness into the blue screen only he could see.
[Violation Points: 631,800]
Looking at this number, Tatsuki's heart couldn't help but skip a beat.
This enormous sum was enough for him to undergo a complete transformation, shedding his old self.
Images of his battle with Redfield surfaced in his mind. He deeply felt the gap between them in Redfield's supremely refined Conqueror's Haki. Although he had won through shameless tactics of huge stamina, he had still been outmatched in the quality of his Haki.
Tensa Zangetsu could simulate the effects of Conqueror's Haki Infusion, but it was ultimately an external tool.
"Conqueror's Haki Infusion is an ability only a handful of the strongest can master."
This profound truth from Kaido echoed in Tatsuki's mind.
It was time to obtain that genuine ticket to the world's summit.
'System, exchange for Advanced Conqueror's Haki.' Tatsuki made up his mind.
[Exchanging for Advanced Conqueror's Haki requires 600,000 Violation Points. Confirm?]
Six hundred thousand—almost his entire fortune.
But Tatsuki didn't hesitate in the slightest.
'Confirm.'
[Confirmation received... Loading Advanced Conqueror's Haki module...]
[Warning! Detected significant disparity between Host's willpower and module. Forced synchronization will commence. The process may cause intense impact. Prepare!]
[3...2...1... Synchronization beginning!]
BOOM!
A terrifying will tore through dimensions, descending from the void and violently pouring into the depths of Tatsuki's soul.
In that instant, Tatsuki's consciousness was forcibly stripped from his body.
He "saw" a man laughing heartily, wielding two swords. With just a casual swing, black-and-red lightning tore through the sky and earth.
The scene shifted.
He then "saw" an enormous whale-shaped ship's bow. A white-bearded man infused his Haki into a naginata. With a single strike, space itself trembled, emitting a groan of unbearable strain.
Immediately after, the scenes shattered and reassembled.
A man with wild, dancing hair, resembling a demon, stood alone against the combined assault of several of the world's strongest beings. Facing a barrage of lethal attacks that could sink islands, he didn't dodge. Instead, he grinned, revealing a contemptuous, world-defying sneer.
Hum!
An invisible, intangible, yet indestructible barrier of will materialized out of thin air.
Whether it was slashes infused with top-tier Haki or world-shattering iron fists, the moment they touched that barrier, they shattered and disintegrated as if colliding with a forbidden zone, unable to even lift a corner of his clothing.
That was Roger! That was Whitebeard! That was Rocks!
It was the pinnacle scenery of this era!
The system had actually allowed him to personally experience that legendary power in this way.
[Synchronization successful!]
[Congratulations, Host. You have mastered the advanced application of Conqueror's Haki—Infusion!]
[Congratulations, Host. You have mastered the advanced application of Conqueror's Haki—Defense!]
Outside.
The three future Admirals, who had been pointing at blueprints nearby, discussing where to build the bathhouse and where to build the cafeteria, all stiffened simultaneously.
The originally clear sky suddenly darkened. Dark clouds gathered out of nowhere, winds howled, and the sea roared.
A terrifying, suffocating pressure, centered on Tatsuki, spread outwards in a ring with frantic intensity.
"Hmm?"
Sakazuki whirled around, his pupils contracting violently. He saw Tatsuki still sitting there, posture unchanged, but around his body, streaks of pitch-black lightning tinged with crimson light at the edges were spontaneously generating and wildly leaping.
Crackle!
The black-and-red lightning tore through the air, emitting a chilling, crisp sound.
"Hey..." Kuzan instinctively took half a step back, a fine layer of cold sweat appearing on his forehead. "This feeling is even more dangerous than Redfield."
"Conqueror's Haki? No... it's somewhat different." Borsalino's finger, pushing up his sunglasses, trembled slightly. "So scary."
Sakazuki, enduring this pressure, had magma churning on his arms, steam rising, as he gritted his teeth, refusing to show any hint of fear.
Tatsuki slowly opened his eyes and raised his right hand, fingers curling as if grasping something. Those violent black-and-red lightning streaks converged in his palm like obedient pets, condensing without dispersing, flowing like water.
"This is the power that stands above all else." Tatsuki murmured to himself, a satisfied curve forming at the corner of his lips.
Is this the feel of six hundred thousand points? So smooth.
As his words fell, he threw a punch towards the empty sea, striking from a distance.
No sound, no light.
One second later.
BOOM!
Far away, a kilometer out at sea, a massive water column dozens of meters high shot skyward without warning, as if struck by something invisible.
The seawater exploded, revealing the dark seabed below.
The pupils of Sakazuki and the other two shrank to pinpoints at that moment.
A long-range strike?!
No, that wasn't Armament Haki.
It was a power beyond Armament Haki, something they couldn't comprehend at all.
Tatsuki retracted his fist, feeling the new power within him, and nodded in satisfaction.
This was a ticket to Emperor-level combat power.