Haki! Awaken the Colors!

[Fox]

Haki

An ability dormant and possessed by all living things, Haki (lit. “Willpower” or “Ambition”) can be manifested by most characters (with Robots being the sole exception) on Bon Voyage as Aspect Sets once they have accumulated a total of 2,000 X-Poinz and shown a suitable number of moments of adversity throughout their story so far. Like all other Aspects, Haki follows the same price structure, but has its own unique requirements and specific Aspects, as explained below.

• ^{For tier one (1) Haki, a character needs to have a total of 2,000 X-Poinz.}
• ^{For tier two (2) Haki, a character needs to have a total of 3,000 X-Poinz.}
• ^{For tier three (3) Haki, a character needs to have a total of 4,000 X-Poinz.}
• ^{For tier four (4) Haki, a character needs to have a total of 5,000 X-Poinz.}

At tier one (1), a character’s ability to manifest and control these Aspects is limited, usually because they are unaware of the power they are awakening or because they have not yet fully grasped how to make use of it. We call this untrained state “Raw” Haki, as it has yet to be shaped into something the user can consciously make use of, instead triggering without control in exceptionally difficult and challenging situations where a character might still be expressing their spirit. The strength of each Aspect at this tier is the same as it would become in tier two (2), but is uncontrollable.

But what are these Aspects? Haki itself comes in three distinct forms (known as “Colors”), each with its own assortment of Aspects. The Color of Observation Haki (Kenbunshoku no Haki), the Color of Arms Haki (Busōshoku no Haki), and the rarer Color of the Supreme King Haki (Haōshoku no Haki). Different types of stressful situations, coupled with a character’s particular tendencies and spirit, can result in different degrees of proficiency with Haki of differing Colors.

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Awakening Haki

For a character to unlock the ability to use Haki, they must first have acquired 2,000 X-Poinz (total), but they must also have experienced enough stressful and difficult situations during their time to bring forth this latent ability. We call these moments of adversity, where a character is pushed to their limits—physically or emotionally—and still tries to power through. Like failing to water and care for a houseplant, those who shy away from dangerous situations and readily accept defeat are much less likely to have their Haki bud and blossom, while those who stand for their beliefs sooner awaken the power within them. Haki blooms in adversity!

As part of your application, you’ll need to provide links to at least three instances where your character has been exposed to extreme adversity that match with the conditions of a single Color of Haki. It doesn’t matter if the character in question succeeded or failed in their endeavors, just so long as they were heavily challenged in those moments of adversity. It’s also important to note that each Color of Haki has its own kind of awakening conditions, so some characters are more likely to awaken one Color before any of the others. Another thing to remember is that, while most people will experience some of these moments, the ones that count are the ones that test the character on a completely different level. If a character isn’t facing an obvious challenge in these trying times, then the moment probably isn’t going to count.

Observation Haki

Kenbunshoku no Haki tends to awaken sooner in people who have a strong sense of empathy. Your moments of adversity should reflect the character’s emotional struggles and personal tragedies, such as: The death or severe conditions of friends and loved ones; the stress and anxieties of battlefield casualties, or; extreme moments of overwhelming fear and terror. If a character is not clearly shown struggling under the weight of their own emotions, it may not be counted. Being completely calm and reserved about these situations doesn’t contribute.

Koby is a great example! For a good portion of his time at sea, he lived in fear of what Alvida would do to him if he disobeyed her, though ultimately conquered this fear thanks to Luffy’s intervention and charisma. His Color of Observation Haki awakened during the battle of Marineford, where he was under constant stress and anxiety from the overwhelming enemy forces (and allied ones, in the case of Sakazuki).

Armament Haki

It’s a bit less obvious how Busōshoku no Haki awakens, given it has never specifically been a focus of any one event in the series, but as it’s tied to a person’s ‘fighting spirit’, it makes sense that it is more likely to awaken in combat situations. The Color of Arms awakens when you have undergone enough physical hardship, such as: Suffering significant injuries in combat; having near-death experiences, or; being forced to push your body beyond its limits (with detrimental effects) to overcome an obstacle. If a character is not shown clearly struggling in conflicts, the moment might not be counted. One-sidedly stomping down an opponent doesn’t contribute.

Currently, no immediate canon example of awakening Armament Haki has been presented. However, a variety of events throughout the series are clear contenders for building up to it, including Zoro’s famous “nothing happened” moment on Thriller Bark, as well as Luffy’s defeats at the hands of Crocodile during the events of Alabasta. Luffy’s near-death experience due to Magellan’s poisons could also have been a significant contributing factor.

Conqueror’s Haki

This Color of Haki is one that we have more examples of, with Luffy demonstrating several key moments throughout his adventure, all of which generally tied to him not letting anything get in the way of his and his friends’ dreams. It awakens when you have faced significant opposition to your dreams and ideals, such as: Fighting against opponents who directly oppose your ideologies; standing up for your beliefs or the beliefs of others, or; defending your dreams. If your character is not clearly shown as standing up for their dreams and ideals, the moments may not be counted. If an opponent immediately submits to the character’s ideals, the moment may not count.

Luffy repeatedly showed examples of these throughout the majority of his major fights in the Grand Line, where he stood up against Crocodile for the sake of Vivi’s ideals during the Alabasta arc. He later picked up on the hardships of the people of Skypiea and was willing to face off against Enel. Perhaps most importantly, he not only actively fought against agents of CP9 to rescue Robin, but also openly declared war against the World Government, defying one of the greatest powers in the world for the sake of what he believed in.

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Your Choice

With the exception of the advanced applications, when you awaken a particular Color of Haki, the first Aspect you unlock is down to your choice. They are listed by Color below. Think about which Aspect would be better for your character given the experiences they’ve had, their own personality and beliefs, and more. Koby, for example, awakened his Color of Observation Haki with the Empathy Aspect.

[Fox]

Color of Observation Haki
A.K.A. Observation Haki or Kenbunshoku no Haki

This form of Haki enables a “sixth sense” in the user, pushing the limits of their senses beyond mere physical limitations in a multitude of ways. In Skypiea, it is known as Mantra. To be used effectively, the user needs to remain as calm and as focused as possible. An agitated mental state will interfere with, or even completely negate the user’s ability to harness this power. It has the following Aspects.

Presence Sensing

This application of Kenbunshoku no Haki allows the user to detect the presence of other beings by hearing their “voice” or seeing their “aura”. Highly proficient users of this Aspect can even sense individuals who are concealed or otherwise too far away to see normally. The ability is not foolproof, however, as sufficiently large presences can conceal smaller presences, as demonstrated when the gigantic snake Nola swallowed Luffy and Aisa, hiding them from the wide-ranging Mantra of Enel despite them still being alive (and Aisa being unable to sense anything outside of Nola).

Improving this Aspect improves its effective range. At tier two (2), the user can focus and sense the presence of creatures within their vicinity, such as within a building or aboard a ship. At tier three (3), the effective range of this ability increases to cover larger areas such as towns and cities. At tier four (4), the range increases further to cover several miles, allowing the user to detect the presence of creatures across an entire island.

Empathy

This Aspect allows the user to sense and empathize with the emotions and nature of others, effectively hearing their inner voice and learning of their leading emotional state and nature. Queen Otohime was able to sense the suffering of a thief and hear the screams coming from Fisher Tiger’s heart. However, people who are particularly good at acting and hiding their emotions can fool users of the ability, as proven when Sanji was completely incapable of detecting the twisted nature of Charlotte Pudding despite his high proficiency.

Improving this Aspect improves its effective range. At tier two (2), the user can focus and sense the prevailing emotions of those within their immediate vicinity, such as within a building or aboard a ship. At tier three (3), the effective range of this ability increases to cover larger areas such as towns and cities. At tier four (4), the range increases further to cover several miles, allowing the user to pick up on the emotional dispositions of creatures across an entire island.

Detecting Intent

This Aspect enables the user to sense the bloodlust and killing intent of those around them, allowing them to sense incoming danger and glimpse the intent of an attack a few moments before it is actually launched, functioning as a soft form of precognition. The more intense the intent, the easier it becomes for the user to sense clearly. This ability does not work if an attack has no actual intent behind it, such as random and indiscriminate actions, thoughtless assaults, or blows that lack conscious want to harm or injure, which is how Luffy was able to bypass Enel’s Mantra. It also does not help if the user isn’t fast enough to respond to an incoming attack.

Improving this Aspect improves its effective range. At tier two (2), the user will be alerted to the killing intent of those within their immediate vicinity, such as within a building or aboard a ship. At tier three (3), the effective range of this ability increases to cover larger areas such as towns and cities. At tier four (4), the range increases further to cover several miles, allowing the user to pick up on incoming threats originating from elsewhere on large islands.

Strength Assessment

Another application of the Color of Observation allows the user to sense the strength of individuals, especially in regard to their Haki, which can help in locating powerful allies or avoiding dangerous enemies. At Impel Down, Blackbeard was able to sense that Luffy’s strength had grown significantly since they last met at Jaya, while Rayleigh was able to inform him that there were at least 500 animals on the island of Rusukaina that were stronger than he was.

Improving this Aspect improves its effective range. At tier two (2), the user can focus and measure the relative strength of creatures within their immediate vicinity, such as within a building or aboard a ship. At tier three (3), the effective range of this ability increases to cover larger areas such as towns and cities. At tier four (4), the range increases further to cover several miles, allowing the user to scan an entire island for strong presences.

Future Vision

This is an advanced application. It cannot be developed until a character has reached at least tier two (2) in the Presence Sensing and Detecting Intent Aspects.

The most advanced form of Kenbunshoku no Haki allows the user to see into the future, viewing a precise mental image of events that will happen in the next few seconds. This vision is perceived through the user’s normal senses, meaning that while a user might be able to foresee an event, they might not be able to gather the specifics if they were too far away. In addition, the future the user sees still has time to change if something unexpected happens or the situation changes due to external influence.

Improving this Aspect improves its potency. At tier two (2), the user can focus and perceive the coming future to predict incoming attacks and more. This ability can be countered by an Observation Killing Aspect of equal tier derived from the Color of the Supreme King Haki.

[Fox]

Color of Arms Haki
A.K.A. Armament Haki or Busōshoku no Haki

This form of Haki is likened to an “invisible armor” that coats the user, enhancing their offensive and defensive abilities in several ways. In Wano, it is known by the name Ryūō (“Flowing Sakura”). This form of Haki is more closely tied to the user’s vigor and life force and the most common form used in combat due to its effects, but it can also be depleted, much like the user’s stamina. Most notably, this type of Haki allows the user to bypass the supernatural defenses of Devil Fruit eaters, striking the true body of certain Paramecia and Logia users. It has the following Aspects.

Hardening

The most basic application of the Color of Arms concentrates the user’s Haki into a coating of force, usually appearing as a mostly black layer over the desired body part. This increases one’s attack power by a considerable amount, as well as safeguarding the user from enemy attacks (particularly those that are not also coated in Haki). Luffy was able to intercept and shatter Rebecca’s sword by applying his Haki to his forehead. Users can cover their entire body, but this runs the risk of depleting their Haki reserves much more rapidly.

Improving this Aspect improves its effective strength. At tier two (2), the user can consciously form a layer of Haki over part (or all) of their body, but the higher the tier the more potent the coating becomes.

Imbuement

An extension of the Hardening application allows the user to apply their Haki to any object that they touch, thus allowing the user to apply the same benefits to weapons, projectiles, and even parts of one’s body detached via Devil Fruit powers. Dracule Mihawk strongly believes in the use of this ability to prevent one’s sword from being damaged.

Improving this Aspect improves its effective strength. At tier two (2), the user can consciously form a layer of Haki over part (or all) of an object they are holding, but the higher the tier the more potent the coating becomes.

Nullification

One of the greatest strengths of the Color of Arms is its ability to interact with Devil Fruit powers, and this Aspect allows the user to exert their Haki in order to protect from or cleanse themselves of the effects of certain Paramecia class abilities that would directly influence their body. Though ultimately unsuccessful (likely due to a difference in Haki), Vergo suggested that his own Haki was enough to prevent Trafalgar Law’s Devil Fruit from affecting him directly. Later, Law demonstrated the use of this application to rid himself of the effects of Doc Q’s Shiku Shiku no Mi.

Improving this Aspect improves its effective strength. At tier two (2), the user can consciously channel their Haki throughout their body to reduce the effectiveness of hostile Devil Fruit abilities that are directly influencing their body. At tier three (3) and above, the user’s ability to shrug off these effects increases further, to the point where they can even entirely prevent abilities from influencing them (unless the opponent’s Haki is sufficient).

Emission

This is an advanced application. It cannot be developed until a character has reached at least tier two (2) in the Hardening or Imbuement Aspects.

An advanced application of Armament Haki allows the user to concentrate the flow of their Haki through their body (usually an open palm or fist), discharging it as an invisible field of force that can strike opponents with substantial force without actual physical contact. This ability is especially useful against foes who would be hazardous to come into direct contact with, such as some types of Logia. This was first demonstrated as early as the Sabaody Archipelago, where Sentomaru struck Luffy at range with a palm thrust.

Improving this Aspect improves its effective strength. At tier two (2), the user can consciously channel the flow of their Haki into a projected field of force. As the tier increases, so too does the amount of force this projection has.

Internal Destruction

This is an advanced application. It cannot be developed until a character has reached at least tier two (2) in the Emission Aspect.

This Aspect is a step above the Emission technique used by proficient users of the Color of Arms, allowing them to not only project their Haki, but also direct it to flow into the target’s body and damage it from the inside out. When Luffy trained and developed this application, he tested it against a tree, causing his Haki to flow through the trunk and blast a large chunk out of the opposite side.

Improving this Aspect improves its effective strength. At tier two (2), the user can consciously channel the flow of their Haki into a target’s body to inflict internal damage. As the tier increases, so too does the amount of power this effect has.

[Fox]

Color of the Supreme King Haki
A.K.A. Conqueror’s Haki or Haōshoku no Haki

It is said that only one in several million people are born with this ability, making it the rarest of the Colors of Haki. Those who possess it are said to have the ‘qualities of a king’. It allows the user to unleash waves of Haki to intimidate and overwhelm those around them with sheer force of will. Because not all creatures are capable of using it, it is not an easy form of Haki to train, instead requiring that the user learn to control it. It has the following Aspects.

Domination

A relatively simple demonstration of Haōshoku allows the user to temporarily overwhelm the will of others through intimidation, triggering a fearful response or enforcing obedience for a brief period of time. This is most effective against animals, which may completely submit to or flee from the user for the duration, while more intelligent creatures and other people may simply be intimidated or become cautious. It seems that with some degree of proficiency, the user can convey a particular warning to all affected targets. This ability was first used by Shanks to send the Lord of the Coast fleeing, and would later be awakened by Luffy, who was able to subjugate Duval’s pet bison, Motobaro.

Improving this Aspect improves its effective range. At tier two (2), the user can consciously channel their Haki to intimidate chosen creatures in their immediate vicinity. At tier three (3), the user can extend their field of influence across a larger area, such as a town or city. At tier four (4), the user can intimidate targets from across several miles (an entire island), such as how Shanks was able to target Aramaki despite being quite far away.

Pressure

This Aspect allows the user to exert their will upon not just other creatures, but upon the very environment itself, causing structures and terrain to crack and even stirring up a shock wave that can be felt and blow away others. Luffy’s first demonstration of this effect was when he clashed with Don Chinjao in the Corrida Colosseum, as the two exerted their Haki upon one another and damaged the arena. When particularly powerful users of Conqueror’s Haki clash (such as Whitebeard and Shanks), the pressure itself can even split the sky, though this has only been demonstrated in a few cases, all of which involving at least one of the Four Emperors.

Improving this Aspect improves its effective power. At tier two (2), the user can consciously channel their Haki to lightly damage their immediate environment. At tier three (3), the user’s presence can be channeled to deal more substantial damage to their immediate surroundings and apply pressure at an extended range. At tier four (4), the user’s Haki is capable of dealing significant damage to their immediate vicinity and lighter damage at an extended range.

Incapacitation

One of the main uses of this ability is to exert one’s will in a sudden burst and knock out opponents in the immediate vicinity. Individuals with weaker willpower than the user will often be disoriented and light-headed, if not completely knocked unconscious by the blast, while those of notable willpower will either resist the effects to some degree or be completely unaffected if their will is significantly stronger. Users with greater proficiency can control who they knock out, whether it be a large group or a single target. Luffy used this effect indiscriminately when attempting to rescue Ace at Marineford, incapacitating several Marines who had surrounded him. After the time skip he used this to effortlessly knock out 50,000 of the New Fishman Pirates in one go.

Improving this Aspect improves its effective power. At tier two (2), the user can consciously release or channel their Haki to incapacitate weaker willed individuals in their immediate reach. At higher tiers, the potency increases, as does the number of potential targets the user can incapacitate in one go.

Infusion

This is an advanced application. It cannot be developed until a character has reached at least tier two (2) in the Pressure and Incapacitation Aspects.

An advanced application of Conqueror’s Haki allows the user to concentrate their Haki into parts of their body or weapons they hold, causing discharges of Haki to accompany their attacks and release black lightning. While similar to Armament Haki in many respects, this Aspect is significantly different due to its almost exclusive offensive usage, and can even be combined with proficient use of the Color of Arms to further augment one’s attack power. This ability was first revealed and demonstrated during the Raid on Onigashima, where Luffy unlocked it to fight against Kaidō, who also used the ability.

Improving this Aspect improves its effective power. At tier two (2), the user can consciously infuse their Haki into their attacks. At higher tiers, the potency of this effect increases further.

Observation Killing

This is an advanced application. It cannot be developed until a character has reached at least tier two (2) in the Domination Aspect.

This advanced application of Conqueror’s Haki allows the user to fully control their own presence and aura, though very little else is known so far about it. What is known is that Shanks is the only confirmed user, and that the effects of this ability allow one to hide from the advanced Future Vision techniques of skilled Color of Observation users. Whether or not it influences more basic uses of Kenbunshoku no Haki is, as of yet, unknown.

Improving this Aspect improves its ability to counteract Future Vision. At tier two (2), the user can consciously suppress their presence. An Observation Killing Aspect that is at least of equal tier to an opponent’s Future Vision Aspect will counteract the effects while in use. However, actively using another Haōshoku no Haki ability will temporarily disable this Aspect, as you are actively exerting your will.