I have been thinking a while what could be the criteria of getting CoC.
Literal meaning of Haoshoku:
The literal meaning of Hao is supreme rulers. Stephen Paul in his earlier script called it "overlord". So the word literally means lord of the lords, king of the kings.
Merigold says in chapter 519 =>
ViZ missed half of her quote which can be found from Stephen's scripts =>
"He has the quality of a king, meant to stand on the shoulders of other men!!"
Based on haoshoku's literal meaning and Marigold's statement, a CoC wielder has to be =>
(1) a natural born leader
There is another interesting meaning of haoshoku which I found from wiki =>
"Though the "Haō" is translatable to king, it refers to a warring king or conqueror, one who rules by power and conquest"
Based on this translation the second requirement can be =>
2) a king of warriors - extraordinary fighter
Rayleigh's statements:
The most important information about haoshoku haki came from the dark king in chapter 597. The first thing Rayleigh says about Haoshoku, "it is the power to overwhelm -- the color of the supreme king"
Cnet128's translation is a little more clear: "This is the ability to overpower the opponent's will"
An exceptionally strong willpower to the point it can overwhelm opponent's will is the core of CoC. Thats why CoC intimidates weaker opponents and break their wills to fight back. We have seen several times how fierce animals ran away because of CoC. So the third quality of a king =>
3) exceptional willpower
Rayleigh also said, "It can often be found in the type of people who make a name for themselves on a global scale" (cnet128's scripts)
So the next criteria can be =>
4) fame on a global scale
Chinjao and King's statements:
Chijao asked Luffy, "What king do you seek to be?"
This statement implies the CoC users are typically aiming for a title/throne. Thats why the next criteria can be =>
5) ambition to be a king
UPDATE:
In Chapter 1033, King said it again once Zoro unlocked his AdCoC:
Some scanlators were more direct with their translation. They translated, "So you also have kingly ambitions?"
Doberman's statement:
Doberman said, "He is the son of Dragon, little wonder he possess this inner power"
- which implies lineage can play a role in CoC. We also saw how Ace and Katakuri had parents with CoC. The case for lineage will be stronger if Momo or Yamato has it. So the next condition is =>
6) lineage factor
UPDATE:
Yamato also has CoC. We have 3 confirmed CoC users (Ace, Kuri, Yamato) whose parents also possess the same power. If Dragon has CoC that will make a total of 4.
UPDATE 2:
Garp has CoC which also supports lineage being important
In summary, the main six criteria for CoC that I could think of are =>
(1) a natural born leader
(2) a king of warriors - extraordinary fighter
(3) exceptional willpower
(4) fame on a global scale
(5) ambition to be a king
(6) lineage factor
Chosen by heavens - Fate - destiny:
Does any of these qualities really matter? Unlike armament and observation haki, the CoC cannot be attained through training. Doesnt it mean someone can achieve fame or learn leadership through trial and errors, but will never achieve CoC unless they are born with it? Thats why Trebol says to Doffy, "you were chosen by the heavens" =>
Kuja pirates call it, "the haki of the chosen ones" =>
Garp also confirmed you have to be born with it =>
Is CoC essentially a lottery ticket? Will Oda give CoC randomly to characters whenever it suits him? Or will the aforementioned qualities play a part for characters getting CoC in the future?
Some tags (anyone I can remember now):
Literal meaning of Haoshoku:
The literal meaning of Hao is supreme rulers. Stephen Paul in his earlier script called it "overlord". So the word literally means lord of the lords, king of the kings.
Merigold says in chapter 519 =>
"He has the quality of a king, meant to stand on the shoulders of other men!!"
Based on haoshoku's literal meaning and Marigold's statement, a CoC wielder has to be =>
(1) a natural born leader
There is another interesting meaning of haoshoku which I found from wiki =>
"Though the "Haō" is translatable to king, it refers to a warring king or conqueror, one who rules by power and conquest"
Based on this translation the second requirement can be =>
2) a king of warriors - extraordinary fighter
Rayleigh's statements:
The most important information about haoshoku haki came from the dark king in chapter 597. The first thing Rayleigh says about Haoshoku, "it is the power to overwhelm -- the color of the supreme king"
An exceptionally strong willpower to the point it can overwhelm opponent's will is the core of CoC. Thats why CoC intimidates weaker opponents and break their wills to fight back. We have seen several times how fierce animals ran away because of CoC. So the third quality of a king =>
3) exceptional willpower
Rayleigh also said, "It can often be found in the type of people who make a name for themselves on a global scale" (cnet128's scripts)
So the next criteria can be =>
4) fame on a global scale
Chinjao and King's statements:
Chijao asked Luffy, "What king do you seek to be?"
5) ambition to be a king
UPDATE:
In Chapter 1033, King said it again once Zoro unlocked his AdCoC:
Doberman's statement:
Doberman said, "He is the son of Dragon, little wonder he possess this inner power"
6) lineage factor
UPDATE:
Yamato also has CoC. We have 3 confirmed CoC users (Ace, Kuri, Yamato) whose parents also possess the same power. If Dragon has CoC that will make a total of 4.
UPDATE 2:
Garp has CoC which also supports lineage being important
In summary, the main six criteria for CoC that I could think of are =>
(1) a natural born leader
(2) a king of warriors - extraordinary fighter
(3) exceptional willpower
(4) fame on a global scale
(5) ambition to be a king
(6) lineage factor
Chosen by heavens - Fate - destiny:
Does any of these qualities really matter? Unlike armament and observation haki, the CoC cannot be attained through training. Doesnt it mean someone can achieve fame or learn leadership through trial and errors, but will never achieve CoC unless they are born with it? Thats why Trebol says to Doffy, "you were chosen by the heavens" =>
Kuja pirates call it, "the haki of the chosen ones" =>
Garp also confirmed you have to be born with it =>
Is CoC essentially a lottery ticket? Will Oda give CoC randomly to characters whenever it suits him? Or will the aforementioned qualities play a part for characters getting CoC in the future?
Some tags (anyone I can remember now):
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