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Chapter 34 - Chapter 34: Mastering Conqueror’s Haki Coating

After upgrading "Divine Departure" to Level 3, its power had multiplied several times over. With just a single slash, Ethan Sugawa could now split mountains and force the sea to surge backward.

"It's a shame I haven't learned Conqueror's Coating yet. If I could, the power of Divine Departure would rise several more levels."

Ethan pondered silently.

To truly master Divine Departure, the prerequisite was not just possessing Conqueror's Haki, but being able to wield it in its advanced form Conqueror's Coating.

At present, Ethan could only unleash shockwaves of Conqueror's Haki. He still couldn't coat his sword with it the way Gol D. Roger could.

"Learning Conqueror's Coating will have to wait for the right opportunity. For now, it's time to leave the Roger Pirates."

Having made up his mind, Ethan packed his belongings and stepped out onto the deck.

The moment word spread that Ethan was leaving, the deck was already crowded with the crew.

At the front stood Roger himself, his big grin tinged with reluctant sadness.

"Has it really been a whole year? I really wanted you to stay on this ship a bit longer."

There were still several historical Poneglyph rubbings left untranslated. Without Ethan, Roger would need to find someone else to help him.

"No need. I've stayed on this ship long enough. It's time for me to go."

Ethan quickly declined, "Besides, I still have many unfinished tasks waiting for me."

"In that case, I won't force you to stay."

Roger's expression turned serious as he looked Ethan in the eye.

"You've helped us so much. I truly have nothing to offer you in return."

Just as Ethan was about to politely wave it off, a powerful burst of Conqueror's Haki suddenly erupted from Roger's body.

Ethan was confused. He couldn't understand why Roger would suddenly release his Haki.

"Wait, does he not want me to leave? Is he planning to knock me out with his Conqueror's Haki?"

Just as Ethan suspected Roger might physically stop him, Roger's next words completely dispelled his doubt.

"I can see your potential. You will definitely become a mighty force in the future. But with your current strength… it's still not enough."

Roger didn't leave him guessing and continued bluntly.

"Since you already possess Conqueror's Haki, you should know about Conqueror's Coating, right?"

"It's the advanced application of Conqueror's Haki." Ethan nodded.

"That's all you need to know." Roger unsheathed his sword, Ace, his voice turning cold.

"I'm going to strike you with my full power. How much you can comprehend will depend entirely on your own talent."

Ethan instantly realized this was his golden chance to learn Conqueror's Coating. Without hesitation, he agreed.

Roger was satisfied. "Good. But be careful, Ethan. Don't die by my blade."

As he spoke, Roger's Conqueror's Haki exploded, manifesting as tangible black lightning crackling around him.

Gradually, the black lightning wrapped around his sword, exuding a terrifying aura.

"Divine Departure!"

Without further warning, Roger unleashed a full-powered slash that shot toward Ethan like it could tear the sky apart.

"Bring it on!"

Ethan didn't flinch. He roared, "White Bone, Black Abyss!"

With his call, his black and white twin swords instantly shed their disguises and appeared in his hands.

At the same time, he unleashed his own Conqueror's Haki. Though his Haki hadn't yet condensed into black lightning, the sheer pressure it radiated was immense.

Facing the full force of the future Pirate King's strike, Ethan didn't dare to hold back. He activated his Devil Fruit's power, instantly transforming into a towering three-eyed giant with four arms.

"Great Kingdom! Divine Departure!"

Before Roger's slash arrived, Ethan simultaneously unleashed his two top-tier sword techniques. Two massive sword waves clashed head-on with Roger's attack.

Boom!

The sword energies collided with such force that they tore the sky apart, creating a massive crater in the sea below. The shockwave flung nearby pirates dozens of meters into the air.

Seeing Ethan's sword techniques, Roger grinned with satisfaction.

"I didn't expect you to not only master my Divine Departure but also perfectly inherit Big Mom's Great Kingdom."

Judging from the power of the strike, Ethan's mastery of Great Kingdom was already on par with Big Mom.

If Ethan had spent more time refining Divine Departure, perhaps his combined attack could have fully blocked Roger's strike.

But Roger's Divine Departure, backed by his mastery of Conqueror's Coating, easily shattered Ethan's sword waves and continued hurtling toward him with unstoppable force.

"Ethan, savor the power of this strike. Whether you can master Conqueror's Coating will depend on whether your body can withstand it."

Roger's gaze locked onto Ethan, full of curiosity.

On the deck, Shanks and Rayleigh watched closely, ready to step in if things went wrong.

Just then, Buggy suddenly spoke up.

"Seeing Ethan unleash two top-tier sword techniques just now, I thought he might fight Roger to a standstill. But it looks like Captain Roger's still got the edge."

"Of course!"

Shanks, Roger's number one fan, answered without hesitation.

"Captain Roger defeated Rocks at God Valley. Even Rocks couldn't stand against him. Ethan was just one of Rocks' crewmates how could he possibly be on Roger's level?"

Though Buggy and Ethan often butted heads, Buggy couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration.

"I heard from Rayleigh that before Ethan set out to sea, he was just an ordinary person. It's only been four years since he joined the Rocks Pirates."

"In just four years, he's reached the point where he can clash with Captain Roger. His talent is truly terrifying."

Both Buggy and Shanks had only been picked up by Roger four years ago.

Yet Ethan had already become this powerful. In the future, there would surely be a place for him among the world's strongest.

Meanwhile, the two of them were still grinding away, training their swordsmanship and Haki, unsure how many years it would take to catch up to Ethan's current level.

Shanks clenched his fists, his eyes full of determination.

"Give me another four years, and I'll definitely surpass Ethan."

"Yeah, well… I'll pass on that." Buggy waved his hand, looking completely deflated.

"Even if you gave me ten years, I'd never beat Ethan."

Buggy knew his own limitations. He wasn't as talented as Shanks or Ethan and had no interest in competing for power.

He didn't crave strength, but he was obsessed with treasure. One day, he vowed to become the richest man in the world.

On the other side.

Ethan saw his own sword energy shatter under Roger's strike and instinctively activated his "Iron Body" to resist.

Slash!

The sword energy, powerful enough to cut through mountains, sliced across Ethan's chest. Black lightning, like tiny snakes, burrowed into his body and rampaged through his internal organs.

Ethan spat out a mouthful of blood, his mind racing.

"So this is the power of Conqueror's Coating?"

"Truly incredible!"

If not for his body's extraordinary resilience, he would've died on the spot.

Feeling the black lightning raging inside him, Ethan immediately focused his mind, attempting to comprehend the sensation.

"I've got to seize this opportunity. Let's see if I can master Conqueror's Coating right here and now!"

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