Drake has never doubted his potential to awaken Haoshoku Haki.
The so-called "King's Talent" refers to an unshakable will and fearless spirit. Only those with such qualities can become kings, which is why Haoshoku Haki is called the "King's Talent."
Because Haoshoku Haki is born from the most fundamental willpower.
If you doubt whether you have such a qualification, then you are already incompatible with that power.
So, Drake has always known he possesses that power, just not how to harness it.
Intense emotional fluctuations might be the key to unlocking it, but Drake has never encountered the opportunity to discover that power within himself.
However, after a powerful strike that forcefully resisted Whitebeard's Haoshoku Haki wrapping around him, Drake finally glimpsed the door to Haoshoku Haki.
"So it's controlling your own will, huh? No wonder so few people can master this power."
Drake said, as the black-red electric light emanating from his body shrank back into his palm, forming a black-red film over it.
Whitebeard narrowed his eyes and said, "You really always surprise me. You actually learned that move just like that!"
Drake's stamina, mental strength, and control ability had long since met the requirements—his experience points were already full, so mastering Haoshoku Haki wrapping was no surprise.
Whitebeard was intent on helping Drake hone his newly acquired power, and also curious about how far Drake could go. After Drake regrouped, Whitebeard attacked again.
Drake's eyes shone with fighting spirit, and he swung a punch.
His fist collided with the blade of the Conqueror's Haki-wrapped Sword Cloud, causing a huge impact without contact.
Let the battle continue!
Drake carried a large amount of supplies, and so, on this nameless island, Fairy Tail and Whitebeard's Pirate Crew began special training.
Initially, Whitebeard's Pirate Crew was only helping Fairy Tail, but as the training progressed, their views changed.
Whether in scale or the quality of members, Whitebeard's Pirate Crew could truly be called the strongest pirate crew. But they had a major problem.
Whitebeard himself always said, "Live freely under my flag," which reveals the essence of Whitebeard's Pirate Crew.
The main members of the crew were united around this phrase, in other words, the entire crew was under Whitebeard's protection alone.
Ironically, Whitebeard was the most unambitious among the emperors, which led the entire Whitebeard Pirate Crew to lack the obsession to become stronger.
But through the special training with Fairy Tail, both the astonishing growth rate of Fairy Tail's members and their will to protect their families inspired Whitebeard's crew.
So, eventually, the members of Whitebeard's Pirate Crew also started training themselves.
Whitebeard, noticing this change, felt relieved and thought that his "foolish sons" had finally grown.
But their practice was interrupted by a nonstop ringing of the Den Den Mushi.
Drake looked at the hat-wearing Den Den Mushi, whose face suddenly looked like Sabo's, and blinked.
Den Den Mushi are truly amazing creatures—how do they manage that "caller ID" imitation ability?
Thinking this, Drake picked up the receiver and saw it was Sabo's voice.
"Mr. Drake, the Navy fleet is approaching Gran Tesoro. There are twelve warships led by Vice Admiral, with Admiral Akainu on station. This is clearly a scale of a Devil Fruit purge order."
Drake said, "Calm down. Isn't this something that should have been anticipated long ago?
Just follow the prearranged plan: activate Gran Tesoro and move toward the target sea area. That's the territory of the Red Hair Pirates, and the Navy won't chase too deep."
Doflamingo's goal in having Vergo send warships to attack Gran Tesoro was to provoke conflict between Drake and the Navy. This plan was aimed at both sides.
And since Drake destroyed the G5 branch's warship, if the Navy didn't react at all, they shouldn't be messing around at sea.
What's most surprising is that it took so long for the Navy to act.
It's been over a month now, and they finally moved. Even though traveling across the sea takes time, their efficiency is really too low.
What Drake doesn't know is that there are many insider details behind this operation.
Gran Tesoro annually provides substantial funds to the Celestial Dragons and the World Government. When Drake overthrew him—after Drake refused the World Government's conditions—their attitude was actually inclined to take action against Drake.
The destruction of the warships also made many hardliners in the Navy want to settle scores.
But the Navy and the World Government are also smart. Their suspicion was already raised when the G5 branch acted unilaterally against Fairy Tail.
The situation in the New World is extremely complex; it's a pirate's domain, and every action must be taken with caution.
Then the news of Doflamingo, one of the Seven Warlords, being defeated spread. Those who left Dressrosa also spread the deeds of Doflamingo.
As a result, the Navy had to make every effort to quell the waves caused by Doflamingo's downfall, and only recently did they finally act.
Finally, the hardliners in the Navy organized a Devil Fruit purge against Fairy Tail, citing "we can no longer leave Fairy Tail unchecked" as an excuse.
A normal Devil Fruit purge involves ten warships, five vice admirals, and a large number of elite sailors launching indiscriminate, destructive attacks on the area signaling for help.
It can completely wipe out everything and everyone threatening the authority of the World Government in that region.
This time, the Navy not only deployed more ships and vice admirals but also sent even the Fleet Admiral.
But unfortunately, Drake had anticipated Navy action before setting out for Dressrosa, so he had already arranged an escape route.
Although Gran Tesoro is called the "Golden City," it is actually just a ship. Through its central mechanism, it can control two giant turtles to move Gran Tesoro to any sea area.
Drake entrusted the key to activate the mechanism to Sabo, planning that if the Navy really came, they would head to Shanks's territory.
The Navy's target is only Fairy Tail; they won't provoke conflict with the Four Emperors over places where their objectives aren't.
Before Drake could catch his breath, the Den Den Mushi rang again.
"Mr. Drake, agents of the World Government have arrived in Dressrosa! Besides taking Doflamingo and his subordinates, they are also looking for you!"
Drake said into the receiver, "Just give them the people. As for us, just give them the Life Paper I left earlier."
The Den Den Mushi mimicked the appearance of Whitebeard and asked, "Is that really okay?"
Drake smiled and said, "Some problems need to be solved!"
__________________
For more advance chapters visit patreon.com/bars45.
For 10$- All advance chapters.
"Schedule"
Monday - Friday - Update 3 Chapters a Day
Saturday - Sunday - Off