A majority of fans agree that there is a level of haki above what Luffy and Zoro currently have. If such a level of haki exists, then surely haki masters like Shanks, Roger, and Mihawk would have access to it. That is what I shall be discussing in this thread.
In Zoro's flashback, Koshiro explained that the pinnacle of swordsmanship is to cut what one wishes and protect what one wishes. A concept that Hyougoro later revealed to be based on haki. I believe that this is the concept behind Shanks and Roger's signature move, divine departure.
In both instances of divine departure, the recipient of the attack suffered no external cuts, despite taking serious damage. imo this technique is the highest stage of conqueror's haki, beyond even the ACoC barriers that Luffy is currently able to create.
At the moment, Luffy's ACoC merely creates a barrier, allowing him to attack/defend without making contact. This can be seen here, where he blocks Kaido's club with a barrier. While there is surely some internal element to Luffy's attack, especially since he has internal destruction CoA, the CoC at the very least has some external component to it.
But with divine departure, you have an attack that does purely internal damage with little to no external damage. This is why Kid could get one shot, and yet seemingly have no slash mark on his chest from Shanks's attack.
I believe a power that rivals divine departure in strength but with opposite effects is that of the black blade. With a black blade, you have a sword that by some means, has had its physical composition permanently changed by haki. This makes a sword like Yoru the strongest sword in the world. I believe that this is the pinnacle of CoA. With the black blade, I believe that Mihawk can cut anything he desires. Whereas divine departure is a technique that cuts nothing and does purely internal damage, a black blade, when wielded by its creator, is capable of cutting anything.
Think of Zoro's words as he flew towards Pica. "There is nothing I can't cut". By creating a black blade, Zoro will make this wish a reality.
Overall, I see divine departure and the black blades as parallel power ups, both of which represent the pinnacle of haki mastery. As such, I see Luffy mastering divine departure and Zoro getting his black blades both in the same arc, signifying that the duo now stands at the top of the One Piece world.
Obviously, as a brawler, Luffy's divine departure won't look the same as Shanks's. Rather, I believe that it will be very similar to the ACoC techniques used by Garp.
I believe Garp is most likely using the same tier of CoC as Shanks and Roger. His move, like those of Shanks and Roger, appears to be a sort of shockwave. I believe this shockwave-like characteristic will be what separates the final tier of ACoC from the current tier that Luffy uses, which is merely a barrier.
In Zoro's flashback, Koshiro explained that the pinnacle of swordsmanship is to cut what one wishes and protect what one wishes. A concept that Hyougoro later revealed to be based on haki. I believe that this is the concept behind Shanks and Roger's signature move, divine departure.
In both instances of divine departure, the recipient of the attack suffered no external cuts, despite taking serious damage. imo this technique is the highest stage of conqueror's haki, beyond even the ACoC barriers that Luffy is currently able to create.
At the moment, Luffy's ACoC merely creates a barrier, allowing him to attack/defend without making contact. This can be seen here, where he blocks Kaido's club with a barrier. While there is surely some internal element to Luffy's attack, especially since he has internal destruction CoA, the CoC at the very least has some external component to it.
But with divine departure, you have an attack that does purely internal damage with little to no external damage. This is why Kid could get one shot, and yet seemingly have no slash mark on his chest from Shanks's attack.
I believe a power that rivals divine departure in strength but with opposite effects is that of the black blade. With a black blade, you have a sword that by some means, has had its physical composition permanently changed by haki. This makes a sword like Yoru the strongest sword in the world. I believe that this is the pinnacle of CoA. With the black blade, I believe that Mihawk can cut anything he desires. Whereas divine departure is a technique that cuts nothing and does purely internal damage, a black blade, when wielded by its creator, is capable of cutting anything.
Think of Zoro's words as he flew towards Pica. "There is nothing I can't cut". By creating a black blade, Zoro will make this wish a reality.
Overall, I see divine departure and the black blades as parallel power ups, both of which represent the pinnacle of haki mastery. As such, I see Luffy mastering divine departure and Zoro getting his black blades both in the same arc, signifying that the duo now stands at the top of the One Piece world.
Obviously, as a brawler, Luffy's divine departure won't look the same as Shanks's. Rather, I believe that it will be very similar to the ACoC techniques used by Garp.
I believe Garp is most likely using the same tier of CoC as Shanks and Roger. His move, like those of Shanks and Roger, appears to be a sort of shockwave. I believe this shockwave-like characteristic will be what separates the final tier of ACoC from the current tier that Luffy uses, which is merely a barrier.
