"That enough."
After pushing Huamei back with a bit more force, Shanks, who had been standing still, took two steps back and ceased his observation of her.
He didn't stop because of his crew persistent heckling, but rather because he had gained a fundamental understanding of her mastery over Conqueror Haki.
"Let start with Observation Killing. Overall, there nothing wrong with your execution there are just a few details that need adjusting..."
As the formal teaching began, Shanks became uncharacteristically serious, and the rowdy members of the Red-Haired Pirates nearby stopped their clamor.
The technique of Observation Killing was actually not that complex. After Sherwin used his knowledge to understand the core principles, the version Huamei had developed was not significantly different from the original.
Shanks merely added a few small tricks on using Conqueror Haki to disrupt the flow of Observation Haki, along with some practical experience.
Even if he hadn't taught her these things, Huamei would have eventually figured them out after using Observation Killing a few more times. Shank guidance simply allowed her to bypass a few detours.
Since the underlying logic of Observation Killing differed from the Void Soul Possession, Shank advice wasn't particularly helpful to Sherwin and the others, though Shermie Meow "Moonless Thundercloud" could draw some inspiration from it.
Additionally, it worth mentioning that under her guidance, Klee Meow and Purah Meow had already developed similar moves, following the naming convention with "Moonless Flamecloud" and "Moonless Snowcloud."
The subsequent instruction regarding Divine Departure was very helpful for Sherwin and the other combatants.
Besides the techniques involving Conqueror Coating, Divine Departure also contained elements of Armament Haki usage and a technique for instantaneous explosive speed. This could further enhance the effects of demon mode and Striker Style within the Hunter style.
As for the most powerful effect, Flurry Rush, it was actually not very suitable to integrate.
Firstly, stacking such extreme speed states placed too heavy a burden on the body. If the opponent could be finished instantly, it wouldn't matter, but if they weren't defeated, the impact on the rest of the fight would be significant.
Furthermore, if an opponent couldn't be killed instantly even with Flurry Rush active, further increasing that speed would likely still fail to take them down, making it quite impractical.
Another reason was...
This "full speed" state was a bit too fast, and Sherwin was unable to fully control himself in such a condition. From a practical combat perspective, it wasn't a very good choice.
Aside from Divine Departure and Observation Killing, Shanks also shared plenty of other combat experiences as he had promised. However, those things weren't of much use to Sherwin, who possessed a vast inheritance of Monster Hunter memories, and their fighting styles were also quite different.
Shanks was clearly aware of this, so he only mentioned those things in passing. He mainly focused on teaching Huamei how to better utilize Conqueror Haki—not just Infusion, but various techniques for using Conqueror Haki to pressure others.
Seeing that Shank research into Conqueror Haki seemed quite deep, Sherwin tried asking him about the awakening of Conqueror Haki.
"Unlike Armament and Observation, Conqueror Haki isn't something that can be awakened through training it depends on a person natural qualities..."
Shanks scratched his hair, offering an explanation similar to the one in the manga, before quickly adding:
"Lacking the quality for Conqueror Haki doesn't mean you aren't strong enough, it just means you aren't suited for it in certain aspects... um... it just like how some people are born as naturally heavy drinkers! Besides, there are people who possess Conqueror Haki but only have average strength, and there are people even I find troublesome who don't necessarily master Conqueror Haki..."
He explained clumsily to Sherwin, likely worried that this talk of natural quality would discourage him.
"Don't worry, I don't have an obsession with Conqueror Haki." Sherwin waved his hand, cutting off Shank consolation.
"What I want to ask is, if it known for certain that someone possesses the quality of Conqueror Haki, is there any way to facilitate their awakening?"
"While I'm not sure how you could be certain someone has the quality for Conqueror Haki, it usually awakens under some kind of stimulus.
Perhaps encountering a powerful enemy, or something that causes great anger even losing oneself in the heat of battle or obtaining a long-sought treasure could trigger the awakening. Exactly how it awakens is also related to that person own personality... for example, I awakened my Conqueror Haki because I saw my comrades in danger."
Shanks shrugged and then asked curiously, "Who is this person you mentioned with the potential for Conqueror Haki? Also, do you have some method to discern a person potential? Otherwise, how can you be so certain?"
Sherwin didn't waste words he beckoned over the oversized Felyne, Kaido Meow, who had been lying in Shirahoshi arms with a look of pure bliss.
"Hun—er... Hunter, what is it meow?"
(つ=ω=)つ
Kaido Meow ran over in a few quick steps, then hugged Sherwin and gave him a couple of licks on the face. The prickly barbs on his tongue felt like a brush, making Sherwin skin go numb. Sherwin rubbed Kaido Meow large, fluffy head and pushed him toward Shanks.
"What do you think of him?"
"What a majestic cat Mink!" Shanks praised sincerely, then asked, "He the one with Conqueror potential?"
Seeing Sherwin nod in confirmation, Shanks carefully looked Kaido Meow up and down once more.
"While he certainly looks like he has the air of a king, Conqueror Haki isn't something that awakens just because someone looks the part. If that were the case, with so many kings in this world, they should all be able to awaken it."
Thinking Sherwin had misunderstood the meaning of "kingly potential," Shanks explained again.
"However..."
He glanced at Kaido Meow a couple more times and muttered uncertainty, "For some reason, I can't help but feel he looks a bit familiar, but Nekomamushi doesn't look like him either..."
It was perfectly normal that Shanks failed to recognize Kaido Meow archetype. Sherwin intended to give the original Kaido a "surprise," and after receiving Klee Meow "revelation" while with the Whitebeard Pirates, he had been deliberately concealing information about Kaido Meow, even keeping Morgans in the dark.
Consequently, Kaido Meow currently kept his Mace tucked away in his spatial bag, and his attire had been swapped from a Japanese kimono to a high-fashion outfit designed by Shermie Meow. Although it was tailored to Kaido Meow appearance and temperament, Sherwin could still discern some clothing elements reminiscent of Yashiro Nanakase and Chris.
"His name is Kaido."
Sherwin stopped playing riddles with Shanks and told him Kaido Meow name directly.
Cooperating perfectly, Kaido Meow withdrew his Eight Disasters Mace and slammed it heavily onto the ground.
"That it! It Kaido!"
Shanks slapped his thigh. "The feeling he gives me is so similar to Kaido!"
But immediately after, he looked at Sherwin with a complicated expression. "Simply imitating someone who possesses Conqueror Haki doesn't mean one can awaken it themselves."
Clearly, Shanks had misunderstood Kaido Meow situation.
Before Sherwin could explain, Kaido Meow shifted into his hybrid man-beast Chinchilla form, raised the spiked club in his hand, and swung it toward the empty space beside them.
"Thunder... Thunder Bagua?! And you can turn into a dragon too?!!"
Shanks eyes widened so much they looked ready to pop out of his head.
"No," Kaido Meow leaned the Eight Disaster Precepts back onto the ground and deactivated his fruit ability, answering very seriously, "This is Thunder Meow Bagua."
(=ˇˇ=)