My interpretation turns "cause and effect" around for haki. Most people interpret haki as making one strong. During this part of the manga, readers hoped that Luffy and the others would "learn haki" so that they would survive in the New World, as if haki was the basis for techniques.Originally Posted by Splash!
I see it the other way around. You only have a strong presence (haki) if you are already strong. Haki is a sign of strength, not a source of it. A barking puppy might be determined to keep a burglar out of your house, but it isn't strong enough. A sleeping pitbull isn't going to be much help either. A barking pit bull will stop everyone in their tracks (or make them run the other way). That is "strong haki", in real life.
(On the other hand, determination is necessary to TRAIN to be strong. And the stronger that determination is, the stronger you should get, because you "should" be training harder)
I don't think haki is a physical substance, like chakra or chi. I don't think Zoro is literally putting a magical energy into his sword, like how Sasuke molds chakra to make his electric sword. I think he is just concentrating, and drawing out his "true strength". I don't mind calling this "imbuing", especially since Zoro described it as "transferring his thoughts through his sword." Both "imbuing" and "transferring" sound like metaphorical descriptions of the same idea. Especially since "to imbue" primarily means "to inspire". I do not mind the idea of Zoro "inspiring his sword with his determination".Clearly, the ability to be able to cut through steel is not an everyday skill. Being able to accomplish it is indeed a super power born through the manifestation of Zoro's haki (I do agree with you that Zoro is imbuing his sword with haki). I also agree with you that haki is probably something all individuals possess to a certain degree, though some have a much stronger 'ambition' than others. How is it any different from Chi (thinking of the Spirit Bomb)?
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