"Next, I'm going to formally teach you about Haki."
"Konohamaru, you continue training. You're still far from being able to master Haki."
With a light tap on Konohamaru's head, Naruto successfully made the kid abandon his plan to eavesdrop and instead honestly continue physical training with his two companions.
Having been through Naruto's special training several times, the stone block on his back was much larger than what the other two kids carried.
This was the enhanced training Naruto had designed for Konohamaru after witnessing his rapid progress.
This kid had considerable potential not only in ninjutsu but also in physical conditioning.
It's just that his previous teachers had never considered this aspect.
Perhaps in their minds, as the grandson of the "Professor of Ninjutsu" Hiruzen Sarutobi, Konohamaru was naturally meant to fight using various ninjutsu.
Turning back, Naruto continued speaking to Sasuke, who was quietly listening.
"Where was I... oh right, Haki."
As he spoke, Naruto casually picked up a withered branch. Instantly, black Haki wrapped around it like liquid metal.
With a light flick at a nearby rock, the branch pierced deep into the stone as if it were made of steel.
This scene made Sasuke's eyes narrow with intense focus.
"Haki is the materialization of a person's spiritual power and willpower. You can simply think of it as the manifestation 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 strengthen objects is called Armament Haki."
Seeing that Sasuke seemed about to say something, Naruto anticipated his question.
"Just as you're thinking, Armament Haki can naturally strengthen our bodies as well, giving them strength far exceeding steel."
Getting his answer, Sasuke recalled how Naruto had crushed the metal gauntlet of that ninja who attacked them with just his bare hands. Now it seemed that wasn't just because Naruto was physically strong enough.
"Although Haki is a power generated by the human spirit, it still cannot be separated from a strong physique."
"Physical strength also determines the upper limit of Armament Haki you can deploy."
With that explanation, Naruto beckoned to Sasuke.
"Come, try attacking me."
Without a moment's hesitation, Sasuke immediately drew a kunai and thrust forward.
Naruto simply turned his head slightly to dodge.
No matter what taijutsu or ninjutsu Sasuke used, everything was precisely avoided just before touching Naruto's body.
Clang.
Naruto caught the tip of the kunai again, his fingertip producing the sound of metal collision.
"This ability to predict enemy attack trajectories through sensing is called Observation Haki. The training I had you do before was for this."
He released the kunai with a casual flick.
"When you master Observation Haki to a certain extreme, you can even achieve something like 'predicting the future.'"
"Are you serious?"
"Are you serious?"
Hearing Naruto say the exact same words as him simultaneously, nothing could be more convincing than this demonstration.
Sasuke gripped his kunai tighter, two emotions arising in his heart simultaneously.
One was excitement about having this power to take revenge on that man.
The other was curiosity about Naruto's mastery of unheard-of powers, along with a hint of frustration.
But having been thoroughly humbled during their trip to the Land of Waves, Sasuke wasn't too dejected now.
"So then, what is this 'Conqueror's Haki'?"
Hearing Sasuke's question, Naruto scratched his head with some difficulty, seeming unsure how to explain.
"Conqueror's Haki... this type of Haki cannot be obtained through training—it's more like some kind of innate talent. Either you have it or you don't."
"As for its effect—let me have you experience it firsthand."
As his words fell, Naruto released a trace of Conqueror's Haki, with a very small range that only covered Sasuke.
Sasuke's face immediately stiffened, feeling as if he had suddenly lost control of his body.
He had felt this sensation before, in the classroom during the ninja team assignments.
But now it was much more obvious.
Naruto's figure seemed to expand infinitely before his eyes, while he couldn't move a single finger.
Sasuke gritted his teeth, exerted all his strength, trying to break free from this state, veins even popping on his forehead.
At the same time, his two-tomoe Sharingan reappeared.
The moment he "opened his eyes," Sasuke felt the pressure on his body suddenly lighten. Although he still felt restricted, he could now move freely.
Seeing this, Naruto simply withdrew that trace of Haki.
After breaking free from control, Sasuke immediately collapsed to the ground, his chest and back soaked with sweat, clearly having used all his strength in those few seconds.
"Can I... also master this power?"
Sasuke looked up, his crimson pupils gazing at Naruto, wanting a definitive answer.
Unfortunately, Naruto wasn't certain about this either.
After all, no one could really say who had Conqueror's Haki potential and who didn't.
This talent was like... well, you only know for sure when it manifests.
In the end, Naruto chose to give Sasuke confidence.
"Of course, I believe you also have this qualification."
His tone was sincere, his words genuine.
This was adult social courtesy.
Unfortunately, Sasuke was still young.
After getting his answer, Sasuke seemed to think of something, pondered for a moment, and then asked Naruto another question.
"Are you... planning to do something?"
Hearing this, Naruto was somewhat surprised and raised an eyebrow.
"Why do you ask?"
"Because the feeling you give me is like you're saying goodbye."
Sasuke's eyes didn't blink, staring intently at Naruto.
They seemed filled with complex emotions.
Being looked at like this, Naruto couldn't say what he had planned to say, deflecting instead.
"You're overthinking it. I just think your training efficiency is too low... Alright, alright, stop being verbose and go train. Try to get good results in the upcoming Chunin Exams."
"Chunin Exams?"
"Oh, I forgot to tell you."
So Naruto honestly explained that Team 7 would participate in the Chunin Exams, along with many ninja from other villages.
He added at the end:
"This time our Team 7 will participate together. Don't hold us back."
The provocation method was still too effective against Sasuke.
He who had just been somewhat confused was immediately stimulated to start training.
After watching for a while, Naruto suddenly grinned mischievously.
"Come on, let me add some spice."
As his words fell, that precisely controlled trace of Conqueror's Haki once again enveloped the training Sasuke, almost making him lose his balance and get crushed by the stone on his back.
"Go for it, go for it, I believe in you."
Naruto found a tree stump to sit on, pulled out round-framed sunglasses from somewhere, and put them on, looking quite annoying.
Meanwhile, two uninvited guests also appeared at the border of the Land of Fire.
They wore matching black robes with red clouds, and the ninja headbands they wore had scratches across them, marking them as rogue ninja.
"So, Itachi-san, you're saying the leader wants us to head to Konoha early?"
Kisame Hoshigaki, with gray skin and gill-like marks on his cheeks, grinned widely as he asked his partner.
"Plans have changed. Kakuzu died at the hands of Konoha ninja, apparently related to the jinchuriki."
Beside him, Itachi Uchiha, whom Sasuke obsessed over, replied flatly, seemingly unwilling to explain further.
"But that's still the Konoha ninja stronghold, with that Hiruzen Sarutobi guarding it..."
"No matter. Our target is only the jinchuriki. Someone will help divert attention."
The two figures continued toward Konoha while chatting casually.
[Chapter Complete]
***
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