Highlights

Haki is a key power in One Piece, crucial for survival in the New World, with various types and advanced abilities.
Armament Haki provides invisible armor for defense and offense, Conqueror's Haki overpowers opponents effortlessly.
Oda's depiction of Haki, especially Conqueror's Haki infusion, can be unclear, with distinguishing indicators needed.

Haki is one of the most incredible powers in the One Piece world and it is an ability that has proven to be necessary In a New World. This ability was properly introduced to the fans towards the end of the first half of the series, and ever since then, it has been incorporated into the story in a very interesting fashion.

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As Haki has grown in terms of importance, many different characters have shown themselves to be users of this power. Fans have enjoyed this ability being incorporated into the series, however, a big problem that has often confused quite a few is Oda's depiction of Haki in many instances. While Haki which can be easy to tell apart in some instances, in others, it is quite hard for some to make out what is exactly being used.

The Introduction To Haki

Haki Was Properly Explained By Rayliegh

One Piece Luffy leaves his hat behind to go train with Rayleigh

The proper introduction of Haki in One Piece came on the cusp of the 2-year timeskip. While the ability had been demonstrated on many occasions before the timeskip, it was only through Rayleigh that fans got a proper explanation of what Haki was, and what all of its types were. As explained by Rayleigh himself, Haki is an ability that exists within everyone in the One Piece world, at least for the most part. Generally, Haki is divided into two types, and that is Observation Haki and Armament Haki. When it comes to Observation Haki, this is an ability that allows the user to tap into a sixth sense of sorts, and use it to see incoming danger in the mind's eye, sense the presence of someone else, sense emotions, power levels, and feel the voices of others. Of course, there are also advanced usages of Haki. Observation Haki is a very important ability for anyone to survive in the New World. Advanced usages of this technique allow one to see into the future itself, and that is truly a monstrous ability that only the elites can utilize.

The second type of Haki is known as Armament Haki, and this is a power that, just like Observation, can be utilized by anyone. Armament Haki allows the user to summon their spirit and utilize it both offensively and defensively. Essentially, Armament Haki is an invisible armor that the user can coat their body in. This armor is incredibly tough And it offers great protection, but at the same time, also a great increase in attack power. Above all, Armament Haki allows one to bypass any protection offered by the Devil Fruits and make contact with the real body of a Devil Fruit user.

There is also a third type of Haki, however, this type is only present within one in a million people. This is Conqueror's Haki, and only those who wield kingly ambition possess this type of Haki. This Haki allows one to exert their willpower and overwhelm others. When the difference in power is way too great, the opponent simply gets knocked out without the user even doing anything. Advanced usage of Conqueror's Haki allows one to infuse it just like Armament Haki, and this grants a great boost both offensively and defensively in battle. Undoubtedly, Conqueror's Haki is one of the greatest abilities that fans have seen in One Piece, and its infusion can only be utilized by the elites of the One Piece World.

Invisible Haki In One Piece

Armament Haki Can Be Portrayed In Many Ways

One of the biggest confusions that fans have had in One Piece pertains to the usage of Armament Haki. After the timeskip, Oda started depicting Haki by blackening the part on which it is used. This is known as Armament: Hardening. While hardening is a concept that a lot of the people in the One Piece world use, there are many who do not utilize this power. In fact, even those who do utilize this power choose not to on some occasions. Armament Hardening does not necessarily mean that the Haki used is stronger. It is simply another depiction of Haki by Oda, however, this is something that should not cause any confusion among fans.

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As a rule of thumb, every person who can utilize Armament Haki most likely uses it in combat, regardless of whether they are shown using hardening or not. A great example of this is Luffy himself. When Luffy faced off against the Pacifista on Sabaody, he took it down in a single shot without using Hardening. Still, he was making use of Armament Haki. Later down the line, fans could even other the characters demonstrate very powerful Haki without the hardening effect. For instance, when Luffy was fighting against Cracker's Biscuit Soldier, he was showcasing tremendous levels of Armament Haki, without even utilizing hardening.

Essentially, as long as a character possesses Haki, it should always be assumed that they are using it, and that it is just invisible. A similar example can be put out for Rob Lucci. Recently, Rob Lucci fought against Zoro, who was utilizing his King of Hell mode. Lucci was not even seen using hardening on his fists, yet, strong enough to block Zoro's Haki-empowered swords. This is only possible by making use of powerful Armament Haki.

Conqueror's Haki Lightning

Conqueror's Haki Indicators Can Be Complicated To Understand

Another aspect that Oda has recently introduced in One Piece is Conqueror's Haki Infusion. Essentially, Conqueror's Haki Infusion allows the user to infuse Haki in their body similar to Armament Haki, only with much more devastating effects. Usually, when someone uses Conqueror's Haki, it produces giant black lightning streaks. When a body part is empowered with Conqueror's Haki, it emits streaks of black lightning that are very thick and potent. Similarly, weapons that are empowered with Conqueror's Haki display a similar ability. However, this isn't always the case. At some points, the body part of the weapon will not show streaks of lightning, but instead, generate giant lightning bolts when the attack is launched.

A good example of this is Kaido's first Thunder Bagua that he landed on Luffy. Despite this attack being incredibly powerful, Kaido did not produce any giant streaks of lightning emanating from his club. Even the second time he launched this technique on Luffy, it did not produce the giant lightning streaks on the club. Only after the attack landed were the streaks visible. Similarly, when Oden utilized Togen Totsuka, similar large streaks of lightning were seen, which signified the usage of Conqueror's Haki.

More recently, when Zoro launched the Leopard Hunt technique on Lucci, similar lightning streaks could be observed, which signify the usage of advanced Conqueror's Haki. However, at some point, fans often find it confusing as to whether Conqueror's Haki is being used in battle or not. For instance, there are moments when Armament Haki sparks look just like Conqueror's Haki sparks. This, naturally, raises quite a lot of confusion. As a rule of thumb, fans should remember that Conqueror's Haki sparks are thick, potent, and, generally, larger. Armament Haki sparks are smaller, thinner, and on most occasions, not produced without a clash.

All this is to say that Oda's depiction, especially that of Conqueror's Haki infusion, has been somewhat unclear at times. While there are indicators that can help one distinguish between Armament and Conqueror's usage, it would've been much better had there been better indicators of these two types of Haki being utilized in One Piece.

One Piece is available to read via Viz Media. The series can be read by the fans officially and for free on the Shonen Jump and the Manga Plus app. The release date for the next chapter of One Piece, One Piece 1112, is set to be April 21, 2024.