At The Peak of One Piece

Victor told Rebecca about his visit to the Elite Camp that afternoon. Curious about how strong the elite trainees were, Rebecca listened intently. 

"Rebecca, you'll be almost sixteen by the time the recruit training ends, right?" Victor mused. 

"The recruit program lasts six months, so I'll still be fifteen—just barely. Why bring that up all of a sudden?" 

"Close enough. Here's what I'm thinking—you're still young, and your body isn't ready for high-intensity training yet. So I won't teach you the Six Powers for now. I've already learned the essentials from the Elite Camp." 

"First, focus on mastering a practical skill for life on a warship. At the same time, prioritize physical conditioning. Build your foundation step by step. By the time recruit training ends, your body should be ready to handle the Six Powers." 

This was Victor's "main quest" plan for her. 

"Then, use your free time to awaken Observation Haki. That'll depend on your talent, but I'll help train you. We'll practice by the shore—when we're exhausted, we can hunt Sea Kings to replenish our energy. Maybe even build a cabin there as a temporary base." 

Observation Haki was the priority for now. 

"But how do I even train Observation Haki? I have no idea where to start!" Rebecca groaned, though she envied how effortlessly Victor dodged attacks with it. 

"Remember what I said about Belief and will? They're abstract concepts—invisible, intangible—but when applied to the body, they can unleash tremendous power." 

Seeing Rebecca's confused look, Victor sighed and elaborated. 

"Belief has strength. When it's strong enough, it can manifest the power to fulfill that Belief." 

"For example, if you focus your Belief into your sword—truly believing it can cut steel—that belief will synchronize every ounce of your strength into a single point. That's how you achieve the 'steel-cutting' realm. Of course, your combined strength must actually be capable of cutting steel first. Hence, physical training can't stop. The body is the foundation." 

He broke it down step by step. 

"So… like making dreams come true?" Rebecca ventured. 

"Similar, but not quite. Belief isn't just random thoughts that change daily. It must be unshakable—something you never doubt, not even subconsciously." 

"Only then can it unify your entire being, focusing all your power to realize that Belief—or to break through whatever stands in its way. For swordsmen, the ultimate Belief is to cut down all obstacles. That's the grand purpose, the highest belief." 

"Under that, there are smaller milestones—cutting steel, splitting rivers, shattering mountains, parting seas. These aren't contradictions; they're steps toward the greater goal." 

Rebecca pondered, then declared firmly: 

"Then my Belief is this—I'll become a mighty swordswoman. I'll wield my blade to uphold justice." 

Victor smiled. "Good. That's the core. Now that you understand, the rest will follow." 

He was relieved she grasped it. His explanations borrowed from abstract theories he'd encountered in his past life. He himself had broken through in life-or-death battles—he knew the feeling, but putting it into words was harder. 

Now, it was time to bridge that understanding into actual swordsmanship training.

"Then how do we swordsmen wield the power of Belief?" Victor began. "When we swing our blades, much of our sword aura dissipates, failing to concentrate on the edge. This leakage weakens our strikes." 

"Furthermore, the body instinctively traps a significant portion of this power within itself—power we cannot consciously access. But when our Belief reaches a critical intensity, we can command this force." 

"We use this Belief to gather the leaking aura back onto the blade. We also compel the body to release its stored energy into the sword. Then—the ultimate edge manifests." 

"This blade can sever obstacles previously unbreakable. This is the fundamental application of Belief for swordsmen." 

Victor spoke from experience. Mastering "Steel-Cutting" involved precisely this process: Belief channeling sword aura. 

Rebecca frowned in concentration. Victor's explanation was crystal clear—both the concept of Belief and its application to swordsmanship. Now, mastery depended on her. 

Seeing her deep in thought, Victor quietly turned the roast, sprinkled seasonings, then returned to her side. He gathered his thoughts on Observation Haki. 

"Understanding Belief makes explaining will easier. Will is the stream of thoughts—intentions—flowing through us constantly." 

"Right now, for instance: 'What dishes for tonight's drinks? Stir-fry? Braise? Fry? Deep-fry? Stew?' Each option is a flicker of will. Superficial, perhaps." He defined it simply. 

"Once you grasp will, apply it to the body. Macroscopic control is easy: 'I want that Sea King meat.' I command my legs to walk, my hand to grab the roast, my arm to bring it back, my mouth to chew. If it's hot, I will it to blow, cooling it. Simple for humans. But deeper control? Impossible." 

"Can you will your heartbeat to slow? Your stomach to digest faster? Your intestines to contract?" 

"That's not even the deepest layer. Go further: Control blood flow? Bodily fluid circulation? Blood vessel constriction? Hair growth?" 

"Still not the limit. Go microscopic: Cellular metabolism? Movement of substances 'within' cells? The waves cells emit? 'That' is the true frontier." 

Victor outlined the spectrum of possible and impossible control for ordinary will—a journey from macro to micro, demanding exponentially finer, stronger command. 

"An ordinary person's will is weak—limited to moving limbs. The next level? Like Life Return (Seimei Kikan), the ultimate Rokushiki secret: controlling body fat, hair growth, even making hair 'dance'; instantly digesting food; accelerating blood flow..." 

"And if will grows stronger still? It can awaken and command the body's Haki. 'This' is what I wanted you to understand." 

Victor paused, letting Rebecca absorb it. 

"Armament Haki resides within every cell—I learned this only today. To awaken it, your will must become strong enough to gather this cellular Haki, concentrating it to defend or attack." 

"Observation Haki requires using will to control your 'own' emanating waves, touching the waves emitted by other beings or objects. Analyze the world through this resonance. Stronger will equals wider perception and faster feedback." 

"This is how will masters both Haki types. Contemplate this power deeply. I will help you grasp it." Victor shared his systematic understanding of Haki—far deeper and more accessible than the fragmented knowledge common in this world.