"Next, I will formally teach you about Haki."
"Konohamaru, you three keep training. You're still far from being able to master Haki."
Giving Konohamaru a light tap on the head, Naruto successfully made the kid give up on eavesdropping and obediently continue his physical training with his two companions.
However, since he had undergone several special training sessions with Naruto, the weight of the boulder on Konohamaru's back far exceeded that of the other two kids.
This was part of the intensified training Naruto had designed for him after noticing his rapid progress.
He found that Konohamaru not only had talent in Ninjutsu, but also showed remarkable potential in physical conditioning.
It was just that none of his previous instructors had ever considered this possibility.
Perhaps in their eyes, as the grandson of the [Professor] Sarutobi Hiruzen, Konohamaru was naturally destined to fight using various Ninjutsu.
Turning back, Naruto continued speaking to Sasuke, who had been listening quietly.
"Where was I… Oh, right, Haki."
As he spoke, Naruto casually plucked a withered branch, and a black Haki instantly enveloped it.
With a light flick toward a nearby rock, the branch pierced deep into the stone as if it were made of steel.
This sight made Sasuke's eyes narrow sharply.
"Haki is the materialization of a person's spiritual power and willpower. You can simply think of it as the embodiment of one's 'presence' and 'fighting spirit'."
"We can divide it into three types: Armament Haki, Observation Haki, and Conqueror's Haki."
"This ability to reinforce the strength of objects is called Armament Haki."
Seeing that Sasuke seemed to want to say something, Naruto immediately anticipated his question.
"Just as you're thinking, Armament Haki can also reinforce our bodies, granting them durability far surpassing steel."
With this answer, Sasuke recalled how Naruto had crushed the metal gauntlet worn by the Ninja who ambushed them with his bare hands. Now, he realized that it wasn't just due to Naruto's physical strength.
"Although Haki is a power born from the human spirit, it still relies on a strong body."
"The strength of your body also determines the upper limit of the Armament Haki you can wield."
After saying this, Naruto beckoned to Sasuke.
"Come on, try attacking me."
After hearing Naruto's words, Sasuke didn't even hesitate, and instantly took out a kunai and stabbed at Naruto.
Naruto simply tilted his head slightly to dodge it.
Then, no matter what Taijutsu or Ninjutsu Sasuke used, Naruto would dodge them just before they landed.
Clang.
Naruto pinched the tip of the kunai between his fingers, producing a metallic clinking sound.
"This ability to perceive and predict an enemy's attacks is called 'Observation Haki'. The training I had you do earlier was for this purpose."
After saying this, he let go of the kunai in his hand.
"When you master Observation Haki to its extreme, you can even achieve something akin to 'foreseeing the future'."
"Are you serious?"
"Are you serious?"
Hearing Naruto say the exact same words simultaneously, there was no better proof than this.
Sasuke's grip on the kunai tightened slightly, and two emotions surged within him.
One is the excitement, the thought that with this power, he could take revenge on that man.
The other was curiosity about Naruto's mastery of this unheard-of power, mixed with a hint of frustration.
However, having already been thoroughly humbled during their mission in the Land of Waves, Sasuke didn't feel too disheartened this time.
"Then, what about that [Conqueror's Haki]?"
Hearing Sasuke's question, Naruto scratched his head, seemingly unsure how to explain.
"Conqueror's Haki… This type of Haki isn't something you can acquire through training… it's more like an innate talent. You either have it or you don't. There's no other option."
"As for its effects… I'd better let you experience it yourself."
As soon as he finished speaking, Naruto released a faint trace of Conqueror's Haki, but the range was very small, covering only Sasuke.
But Sasuke's expression instantly stiffened, as if he had suddenly lost control of his body.
He had felt this feeling in the classroom that day.
Only now, it was far more intense.
Naruto's figure seemed to loom infinitely large before him, while he couldn't even move a finger.
Gritting his teeth, Sasuke strained with all his might to break free from this state, veins bulging on his forehead.
At the same time, the Two-Tomoe Sharingan also reappeared.
The moment he 'opened his eyes', Sasuke felt the pressure lessen abruptly. While he still felt restricted, he could now move freely.
Seeing this, Naruto simply withdrew that trace of Haki.
Once freed from the pressure, Sasuke immediately collapsed to the ground, his chest and back drenched in sweat. Clearly, those few seconds had pushed him to his limits.
"Can… I also master this power?"
Sasuke raised his head and looked at Naruto with his scarlet pupils, seeking confirmation.
Unfortunately, Naruto wasn't entirely sure either.
After all, no one could definitively say who had the talent for Conqueror's Haki and who didn't.
This kind of aptitude was like letting out a fart but released something else… you only knew for sure when it happened.
When things are still in the body, who could tell the difference?
Getting sidetracked, Naruto ultimately chose to give Sasuke some confidence.
"Of course, I believe you have this talent too."
His tone was sincere, his words convincing.
Such was the art of adult diplomacy.
Too bad Sasuke was still young.
Having gotten his answer, Sasuke seemed to think of something else. After a moment of silence, he finally asked Naruto another question.
"You… are planning to do something, aren't you?"
Naruto raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised by the question.
"Why do you ask?"
"Because the way you're acting… it feels like you're saying goodbye."
Sasuke's eyes didn't waver, staring intently at Naruto.
There was something complicated in his gaze.
Under that stare, Naruto swallowed the words he was about to say and changed his response.
"You're overthinking it. I just think your training efficiency is too low… Alright, alright, stop dawdling. Get back to training. Aim for good results in the upcoming Chunin Exams."
"Chunin Exams?"
"Oh, I forgot to tell you."
So, Naruto explained that Team 7 would be participating in the upcoming Chunin Exams, alongside many other Ninjas from different villages.
At the end, he added, "This time, Team 7 is participating together. Don't drag us down."
It can only be said that provocation worked wonders on Sasuke.
His earlier doubts were instantly replaced by the urge to train harder.
After watching for a while, Naruto suddenly grinned.
"Here, let me spice things up for you."
After saying that, that precisely controlled Conqueror's Haki once again enveloped Sasuke mid-training, nearly causing him to lose his balance and collapse under the weight of the boulder on his back.
"Keep it up, I believe in you~"
Naruto plopped down on a tree stump, pulling out a pair of round sunglasses from who-knows-where and putting them on… looking utterly punchable.
…
On the other side, two uninvited guests had appeared at the border of the Land of Fire.
They all wore black robes with red clouds, and the forehead guards they wore also had a mark, which represented Missing-nin.
"So, Itachi-san, the leader wants us to head to Konoha ahead of schedule, huh?"
Hoshigaki Kisame, who has gray skin and fish-like gills on both sides of his cheeks, grinned and asked his partner beside him.
"There's been a change of plan. Kakuzu died at the hands of Konoha's people. It seems to be related to the Jinchuriki."
Next to him, Itachi, who was being 'thought about' by Sasuke, replied indifferently, and didn't seem to intend to explain too much.
"But Konoha Village is their stronghold, and the Third Hokage is still there..."
"It doesn't matter. Our target is only the Jinchuriki. Someone will divert their attention for us."
And so, the two figures continued toward Konoha Village, their idle chatter fading into the distance.