With the natural awakening brought about by talent concentration, Kaito Arisawa not only mastered Armament Haki but also gained a special ability he called "Shock."
The effect of this ability was strikingly similar to the power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit once wielded by Edward Newgate. In addition to strengthening attack and defense in the usual way, Kaito's Armament Haki could now generate concussive force.
Of course, the current level of "Shock" was nowhere near comparable to Newgate's fruit.
The reason was simple.
Kaito's Armament Haki itself was still relatively weak.
After all, the "Shock" ability only manifested when he concentrated his Armament Haki talent. And under that concentrated state, his physical stamina could not match the overwhelming output he achieved under Constitution concentration.
Without sufficient physical endurance, he could not sustain high-intensity Armament Haki for long.
Observation Haki Concentration: Mind Reading.
Just like Armament Haki, Kaito had also become a natural awakener of Observation Haki when concentrating its talent.
Much like the infamous "Red Earl," Patrick Redfield, Kaito's awakened Observation Haki possessed the ability to read minds.
Not merely surface emotions.
He could perceive thoughts—and even fragments of memory.
This meant that even if Robin had failed to extract the cultivation methods for Haki and the Eight-Impact Fist from Sai, Kaito could have obtained them himself through mind reading under Observation talent concentration.
Conqueror's Haki Concentration: Submission.
In the outside world, Conqueror's Haki was widely regarded as the "qualification of a king"—something one was born with and could never acquire through training.
But that rule did not apply to Kaito.
It was possible he had always possessed the seed of it—his base talent was 1.1, after all.
But regardless of origin, once concentrated, the Conqueror's Haki talent brought about astonishing changes.
The moment it awakened, it caused a tremendous disturbance. Nearly everyone within the manor had fainted from the pressure.
And the special ability tied to this concentrated state was even more remarkable.
Submission.
Like Armament and Observation, Conqueror's concentration unlocked a unique trait possessed only by natural awakeners.
Under Kaito's talent concentration, Conqueror's Haki no longer merely intimidated.
It compelled surrender.
Those affected would feel an overwhelming instinct to submit to him, as though acknowledging a sovereign.
In simple terms—
When true kingly aura was released, subordinates from all sides would bow willingly.
Among all the concentrated effects, Kaito valued this ability the most.
It was simply too convenient for recruiting followers.
For a future pirate captain aiming to build a formidable crew, such an ability was priceless.
Overall, Kaito was deeply satisfied with the effects of talent concentration.
Each category had its own strengths.
However, there was one limitation.
His total base talent pool was still too modest.
As a result, to fully activate the unique ability of any one category, he had to concentrate nearly all talent points into it.
The moment he redistributed them elsewhere, the special effect vanished.
Fortunately, testing had confirmed something crucial.
The improvements achieved through concentrated cultivation did not disappear once the talent returned to normal levels.
Take swordsmanship as an example.
After breaking through into the realm of cutting steel, even if his Weapon talent returned to its base value, the skill itself remained.
Only the bonus amplification and the Innate Sword Heart effect would fade.
Similarly, once Haki had been awakened, it did not vanish when talent concentration ended.
From this, Kaito concluded that talent concentration acted as an additive state.
It accelerated growth and unlocked special abilities—but it did not erase the foundation once that foundation was established.
That meant he could use concentrated talent to rapidly cultivate skills—and then retain the gains permanently.
With that understanding, Kaito formulated a training plan.
During cultivation, he would concentrate talent into the relevant category to maximize efficiency.
During normal life and especially in battle, he would default to Constitution concentration.
Among all concentrated states, Constitution brought the most direct and overwhelming enhancement.
Physical stamina underpinned everything.
And the "Man of Steel" defense provided unmatched safety.
As long as he remained wary of unusual Devil Fruit abilities, conventional attacks posed little threat.
…
Night fell.
In his room, Kaito leaned back against the headboard and took a slow drag from a cigarette, savoring the aftertaste in silence.
The only minor inconvenience was that the bedsheets beneath him were damp.
Water had accumulated.
"Even though I've known for years that we would eventually go to sea," Robin murmured lazily, turning toward him with a seductive gaze, "now that it's actually happening… I do feel a little reluctant."
Her posture was relaxed, her expression softened by lingering warmth.
Physical fatigue lingered after their "game of poker," but mentally, it was refreshing.
High-quality relaxation had that effect.
"It's only natural," Kaito replied calmly. "We've lived here for years. A little reluctance is expected. Once we're at sea, you'll adjust."
He turned toward her and draped his free arm around her waist, pulling her closer.
Robin leaned against his chest.
Her weight pressed warmly against him.
A sensation most men would find more than welcome.
Though sweat still clung faintly to their skin, the closeness reignited a spark within him.
Last night, he had been too preoccupied with studying the Infinite Talent System to indulge in leisure.
Now that his research had reached a stable phase, some relaxation was justified.
The cigarette burned down to its end.
Even without activating Constitution concentration, Kaito felt more than capable of another round.
"Wait—why again?" Robin protested lightly. "I'm about to fall apart."
"I told you to work on your stamina," Kaito replied with mock seriousness. "Your physical fitness is too poor. You need more training."
Without hesitation, he stubbed out the cigarette in the bedside ashtray.
Then he moved.
Amid Robin's half-annoyed, half-laughing protest, the night continued.
And somewhere beyond the quiet walls of the manor—
The sea awaited.
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