Griffin's path to obtaining power wasn't through direct infusion from some system cheat.
Even auxiliary tools like the Shaped Magic Puppet would only transmit experience after being shattered six times, rather than granting the puppet's experience synchronously.
From childhood to adulthood, every ounce of his power had been accumulated through his own learning.
...
If this were among other transmigrators, being nearly nineteen without awakening the Mangekyo would be absolutely laughable.
Those with sign-in systems or similar would probably be piloting Gundams by age nine...
Dismissing these chaotic thoughts, Griffin began to organize his insights.
...
He had seen the Uchiha Style Swordsmanship scroll and barely grasped the basics through his battles with Kari.
This was the swordsmanship most suited to the Uchiha clan, the culmination of Uchiha Sasuke's adulthood as the "World's Strongest."
Its essence could be simplified to one phrase:
Directly perceive the opponent's Death Line, and kill with one strike!
Before even swinging the blade, the opponent's death is already determined!
...
This shared the same principle as the spear techniques Griffin had used before, but the realm was completely different.
Only after truly awakening Observation Haki did he vaguely touch the level of Uchiha Style Swordsmanship.
In the later ninja world, this swordsmanship had only two practitioners: Sasuke and Boruto, both sharing the common trait of supreme Eye Power.
Though not from the Uchiha clan, Boruto possessed the Pure Eye capable of seeing through space—likely why Sasuke was willing to teach him the style.
According to Griffin's speculation, he might only meet the basic requirements after awakening his Mangekyo and enhancing his Eye Power.
For now...
It could barely be considered a clumsy imitation.
...
——
Observation Haki.
Its principle involves enhancing the five senses to perceive biological presence, emotional changes, and predict and evade attacks.
This is relatively the easiest Haki to master, originating from living beings' instinctual anticipation of danger.
Some special individuals naturally possess top-tier Observation Haki, like the Mermaid Island Princess who could transmit consciousness to others—essentially a limited version of Infinite Heavenly Gods.
Others, like Katakuri, achieve brief future prediction through training.
The manifestation of this ability varies by individual, with no uniform standard.
Like Griffin, after awakening the Sharingan, he could be considered a natural Observation Haki user.
...
Griffin linked it to his Sharingan's Eye Power. Although he hadn't awakened the Mangekyo this time, his Three Tomoe's Eye Power had strengthened.
To be specific, he previously belonged to the mid-stage Three Tomoe phase, but now he had reached Three Tomoe perfection.
What he lacked for advancing to Mangekyo wasn't physical conditions, but an external catalyst.
...
Finally...
The greatest gain from this battle.
Conqueror's Haki!
...
Griffin had never imagined he possessed Conqueror's Haki. In all his previous life-and-death struggles, only his Sharingan had responded.
This time, he had pinned all his hopes on the Sharingan, attempting to obtain the Mangekyo.
Yet his body responded instead, erupting with Conqueror's Haki.
Only after the event did he realize:
Conqueror's Haki isn't exclusive to those who seek to conquer or rule.
...
Believing in yourself wholeheartedly, convinced that you can achieve it, and that only you can achieve it!
This is the key for those with the qualifications to awaken Conqueror's Haki.
Facing King's lethal strike, Griffin knew he wouldn't die.
He wasn't pinning his hopes on Marine reinforcements or Hawkeye's intervention.
Rather, he firmly believed...
Someone like him couldn't possibly end here!
Therefore...
The Conqueror's Haki that had remained dormant until now answered Griffin's call.
...
Compared to Observation Haki, Conqueror's Haki possessed clearer numerical values and advancement standards.
The initial eruption of Conqueror's Haki was triggered by intense emotions, capable of delivering spiritual impacts to surrounding individuals but lacking precise control.
The base value of Conqueror's Haki depended on one's physique and experiences, meaning starting points differed for everyone.
In King's view, the purity of Griffin's Conqueror's Haki was already comparable to when he first witnessed the young Kaido's.
This was precisely why he felt such rage and disgust.
He simply couldn't accept that a man possessing the same Haki as Lord Kaido would serve as a lapdog for the Celestial Dragons, fighting to protect those wretched beings!
...
The second stage of Conqueror's Haki involved freely controlling its activation timing and range through sheer willpower, making it an excellent crowd-clearing skill.
At this point, Conqueror's Haki still held limited significance in battles between top-tier fighters.
Upon reaching the third stage, it could be considered advanced usage of Conqueror's Haki.
Namely, eliminating opponents through sheer intimidation!
By elevating one's presence to impose comprehensive spiritual suppression on enemies, even battle-hardened veterans could collapse instantly when passing by.
The man later renowned as the most dominant figure, Red Hair, possessed Conqueror's Haki so potent it could affect Captain-level fighters in Whitebeard's Pirate Crew.
His Haki clashes with Whitebeard's even caused the heavens to split!
...
Users who reached the third stage of Conqueror's Haki would continue developing its practical applications - what's known as Haki Infusion.
By wrapping Conqueror's Haki around weapons or physical attacks, they could dramatically increase offensive power.
This also served as one of the hallmarks of top-tier fighters, signaling entry into the ranks of sovereigns who mastered mind, body, and technique.
...
Naturally, Griffin remained at the initial stage.
The volume of his first Conqueror's Haki eruption was too immense - forget precise control, he couldn't even retract it properly.
However, compared to others who unconsciously unleashed Conqueror's Haki for the first time, his uniqueness lay in...
Maintaining complete composure while observing the surge of Conqueror's Haki.
In truth...
Fundamentally, the nature of Conqueror's Haki closely resembled Chakra.
Just as Chakra combined spiritual and physical energy, so did Conqueror's Haki.
It similarly consumed the user's mental and physical strength, which explained why novice users often fell unconscious after releasing it - this being the body's protective mechanism.
Like Chakra, excessive use of Conqueror's Haki carried the risk of death.
Ultimately, both followed the same principle: everything required moderation, lest one exhaust themselves completely...
...
Griffin recalled several instances in the ninja world where mere Chakra outbursts alone could suppress opponents.
The most notable examples were Tailed Beast eruptions, where ordinary genin couldn't even move.
And when Hashirama Senju unleashed his Chakra, even ninja of Orochimaru's caliber broke out in cold sweat.
Chakra pressure similarly imposed simultaneous physical and mental suppression.
From this, Griffin deduced that due to this world's unique properties, individuals born with powerful spiritual and physical energy awakened Conqueror's Haki - a force analogous to Chakra.
So couldn't one reason conversely...
Those possessing Conqueror's Haki could also learn to use Chakra!
Delving deeper...
The fusion of spiritual and physical energy might represent the evolutionary path of power systems across most worlds.
The ninja world had accelerated the formation of this power due to the intervention of the Ōtsutsuki clan, while this world was still in its primitive era of power development...
...
...
Never mind, such matters were too distant and not something my current strength needed to consider.
Griffin calmed his mind and took advantage of this recovery period to familiarize himself with the improvements in his various attributes while developing new techniques.
The only power he hadn't revealed yet was Fire Release. Fire Release was too closely associated with Kari, and revealing it all at once would bring unnecessary trouble.
When his strength grew to a certain level, Fire Release would no longer need to be kept secret.
After all...
Which powerful individual in this world didn't know a few fire-based abilities? He could just attribute it to the all-purpose Devil Fruit when the time came.
——
——
Three months passed quietly like this until one early morning when Tenma pushed open the door.