Shanks continued, "Finally, it's your turn, Ace. Can you release your Conqueror's Haki now?"
Ace said, "After that time, I tried to release that same presence a few times, but I failed every time. I feel like I'm always just a little bit short."
Shanks said, "I have a way to help you master this power, but if I help you, you'll only have one chance. If you are overwhelmed by my presence, your Conqueror's Haki will never be able to awaken again."
Beckman said in surprise, "Hey, isn't this progressing too fast? Even if he's that man's child, he's still just a kid right now."
Shanks said, "It's precisely because he's that man's child that he needs to become stronger faster. His father's enemies won't wait for him to grow during his voyage; he must have greater strength the moment he sets out to sea."
Then he said to Ace, "I won't force you. If you're not ready yet, then let's forget about today."
Ace had also witnessed Shanks' strength from the side. Hera, the strongest among them, was not much different from a child to Shanks. But Ace's heart told him that he couldn't back down. If he took a step back today, there would never be a day when he was truly ready, and this power would leave him forever.
Ace gritted his teeth and said, "Today it is. I believe my determination to become stronger will not let my presence lose. But I have one condition."
"Let's hear it, Ace."
"I want to know who my father really is. Whether it's Dragon or Garp, why do all of you know that man but none of you dare to tell me?"
Shanks said, "I promise you, whether you can endure this or not, I will tell you everything about your father."
Ace nodded, and Shanks said, "Then let's begin. Remember, you must stand here and use your will to resist; you cannot retreat. If you feel like yielding, then you've failed."
After saying that, Shanks watched as Ace stood before him, ready. Shanks' presence gradually climbed, and an invisible field spread out from him. Shanks' Conqueror's Haki carried an overwhelming pressure that seemed to swallow everything. Not far away, the waves on the sea surface came to a standstill under this aura, and the sky behind him was cast in black shadows.
Ace felt the Conqueror's Haki directed at him. A powerful pressure weighed down on his head, as if trying to make him bow in submission. Blood seeped from the corners of Ace's mouth, and his bones creaked throughout his body. The Conqueror's Haki within Ace felt Shanks' provocation and began to resist instinctively.
With a roar, Ace threw his head back and looked directly into the Red Hair's eyes. His short black hair danced in the air, and his eyes, locked in a confrontation with Shanks, seemed to burn with two flames. His Conqueror's Haki pressed frantically toward Shanks, and invisible shockwaves erupted between the two. The sky seemed to turn red and black as their Conqueror's Haki manifested.
Beckman stood in front of Hera and Luffy, helping them block the aftershocks of the impact.
Shanks said, "It's not enough! You need to completely master this power. Focus! Concentrate your strength!"
The black sky pressed forward step by step, swallowing Ace's territory. The pressure on Ace gradually increased. He thought of Luffy, who had been seriously injured in the battle against Brujam, and Sabo, who had left to pursue his ideals. He roared, "My spirit can't possibly be limited to just this much!"
Ace's Conqueror's Haki gradually condensed, forming a giant fist that struck toward Shanks. Shanks was stunned by this sight; a trail of blood appeared on his face where he was hit. He then quickly dispersed his aura and looked at Ace.
Ace remained in his punching posture and fainted.
Beckman blurred in front of Ace, checked his condition, and said, "He's fine. He just overexerted himself and fainted."
Luffy was relieved to hear that Ace was okay and asked curiously, "Did he succeed?"
Shanks said with emotion, "Yes, not only did he succeed, but he also gave me a huge surprise. As expected of his child, he inherited a talent for Haki."
Then he said to Luffy and Hera, "That's all for today. I need to organize my training thoughts and talk to Dadan as well. When Ace wakes up, just have him come find me. I'll tell him everything."
Luffy was a bit disappointed. "What about the adventure stories you promised? How can it be over already?"
Shanks smiled and said to Luffy, "If you want to hear stories, go to Makino's Tavern. My crewmates will tell them to you."
Hearing this, Luffy was so excited he wanted to run there immediately, but before he could start, Hera gave him a hard thump on the head.
"You idiot! Even if you want to hear stories, you have to carry Ace back first. He's fainted from exhaustion; you can't expect me to drag him back to the Secret Base by myself."
Luffy quickly nodded after hearing Hera's words, and together they carried Ace and ran toward the Secret Base.
Seeing this, Shanks also sighed, "What a lively trio. Especially Ace—his Conqueror's Haki feels exactly like Roger's."
Beckman said, "You went too far with the test. You should have stopped the moment he called forth his Conqueror's Haki."
Shanks replied, "I never expected him to actually compress his Conqueror's Haki into a fist. I just wanted him to be able to concentrate his Conqueror's Haki on a specific target. Young people these days really are monsters."
He continued, "With talent like his, it's even more important not to keep things from him, otherwise it'll cause problems with his mindset. Regardless of what Dadan and Garp think, the Pirate King's child shouldn't be kept in the dark about who his father is. I'm going to go convince Dadan."
With that, he left and headed toward the bandits' mountain to find Dadan.