The training ground.
When Kuina arrived, she saw the young man extending a single finger, with a wisp of purple gas coiled around it.
Before this wisp of purple gas was a blade wrapped in a vast amount of Haki.
The auras of the two seemed completely different, and the amount of purple gas and the Haki on the blade were incomparable. Yet, the blade could not break through that wisp of purple gas.
It was as if the purple gas was not gas at all, but the most solid wall in this world, unable to be harmed by any sharpness of the blade, protecting the person behind it.
"Haki?"
Seeing that resistance was futile, Isshiro performed a flourish with his right hand and sheathed his sword with a "ding."
He looked at Kouta, who had not retracted his right hand, and asked with a face full of shock, "Is this Haki?"
Koshiro could sense the gas on Kouta's finger was indeed Haki, but its color and hardness made him uncertain.
"It is Haki."
Before Kouta could answer, Kuina transformed into a blue arc of lightning once more, instantly appearing to Kouta's right. She then hugged Kouta's right arm and looked up at Koshiro, a hint of pride on her face.
"Father, Kouta's Haki has completely surpassed the limits of this world, reaching another level that you simply do not understand."
"Another level?"
Koshiro's eyes beneath his glasses widened like lightbulbs, wider than they had ever been in his life.
"Yes!" Kuina nodded. After a moment's hesitation, she spoke, "The level of gods."
"Gods??"
"Yes, gods."
Kuina nodded again.
Seeing Kuina's conviction, Koshiro stood frozen, a state he had never imagined, a realm that did not exist in this world.
Koshiro did not remain in his daze for long. Recovering his senses, he looked at the young man and woman before him, a sigh of emotion in his eyes.
Kouta and his daughter's experiences over the past year must have been unimaginably magnificent, or they would not have grown to this extent.
When Kuina appeared, he knew that his current strength was likely no match for even his daughter.
However, he felt no loss, only relief and immense pride.
Koshiro first inserted his left hand holding the sword into a nearby sword rack, then took off his glasses and used his chest cloth to wipe the dust that had just settled on the lenses. While doing so, he asked the two, "Tell me what you've experienced this past year, what this 'god' is, and why you intend to go to Mary Geoise?"
"The experience is a bit long."
Kouta took Kuina's hand and they walked to a nearby pavilion built by the stream and sat down.
He glanced at the small stream to his left, leaned his back against the railing, and turned to look at Koshiro, who had put his glasses back on. He smiled and said, "We can talk about the gods and experiences slowly. Let me tell you about Mary Geoise first!"
Then, in the pavilion, Kouta told Koshiro about his decision to go to Mary Geoise, as well as his observations and experiences along the way.
Koshiro was not only his master, but the first person he had met in this world. It was Koshiro who had fished him out of the sea and brought him back to the Isshin Dojo.
Furthermore, Koshiro was Kuina's father, his father-in-law, and his father in this world.
Therefore, Kouta had no secrets from Koshiro. Apart from omitting the exaggeration of the starry sky, he told Koshiro everything, even about the Other Shore.
"So, after breaking through the world's constraints, the upper limit of Haki reaches another level, which is why your Haki is so strong."
After listening to Kouta, Koshiro pondered for a long time before speaking, "Can this still be considered Haki?"
"It should be!"
Kouta shook his head and thought for a moment before replying, "The essence of the power is still the same, and the way of applying it is also the same. However, since I am likely the first person in this world to break through, and my Haki followed suit, I cannot be certain if it can still be called Haki."
After his breakthrough, he discovered the difference in Haki and asked the Other Shore. But because the Other Shore was born with the realm of gods, the power they used was inherent to their bodies, not Haki at all.
The breakthrough of the ancient giant god, Elbaf, was also merely physical strength. Kouta did not know if the giants' strength counted as Haki, as neither at Little Garden nor during his encounter with Moria was there a definitive answer.
If the giants' strength was not Haki, then he would be the first person in this world whose Haki broke through the world's constraints.
This power, originating from the human body and mind, was a concrete manifestation of human will and body in the external world. Theoretically, the stronger the body and the stronger the will, the infinite the enhancement of this power would be.
Therefore, even after breaking through, it should still be called Haki.
"No matter what it is, I am the first to break through. Whatever I say it is, it is."
Shaking his head, Kouta took a sip of sake and then glanced at the sunset, which had long since sunk into the sea.
"Master, let's stop here for today! We haven't eaten yet!"
"Haha! I forgot, I forgot."
Koshiro laughed, stood up, and said as he walked out, "Let's go. I'll let you off for today. You've grown up, and your strength has far exceeded my imagination."
As he said this, he paused slightly, waiting for Kouta and Kuina, before continuing forward.
"You want to be heroes, overthrow the World Government, and go to the Holy Land Mary Geoise. I cannot stop you, so go if you wish!"
Behind Koshiro, hearing his words, Kouta and Kuina exchanged glances, smiles appearing in their eyes simultaneously, both relieved.
"But remember one thing."
Just then, Koshiro ahead stopped. He turned around, looking sternly at the two.
"Please tell me, Master."
Kouta looked at Koshiro, his eyes flashing with blue light in the extreme darkness that flickered between day and night, his expression gradually becoming serious.
"The human heart is a very complex thing. Today you are a hero, and tomorrow you might become like the Celestial Dragons, becoming one of those high and mighty gods..."
"Mhm!"
As he said this, Koshiro seemed to recall something and paused before continuing, "No, you are already a god. Perhaps you will become another Im. Therefore, I hope, I hope you will always maintain your original intentions. Even if you cannot, do not become the person you detest."
"Hoo~"
Seeing Koshiro's serious expression, Kouta thought he was going to say something important.
He let out a soft breath, then his lips curled upwards, and he let out a hearty laugh, "Master, my dear Master, you don't know my personality yet? Even if I overthrow the World Government, do you think I would want that position? Do you think I would covet that position?"
As he spoke, he looked up at the full moon rising from the sea, and an indescribable aura burst from him, "To me, this world is too small, so small that I could travel to any part of it in half an hour."
"And to me, this world is like a world within a well. Do you think I would care?"