"So Observation Haki refers to the power to strongly perceive another's 'presence'."
"Once this power is mastered, one can read the location and number of enemies outside their line of sight, as well as their next immediate action."
"At the same time, Observation Haki is also a power closely related to emotions, requiring calm emotions to be utilized to its fullest extent. In situations of emotional excitement or loss of reason, Observation Haki will be greatly weakened or even rendered unusable."
On Robin's ship, Issho was teaching Naruto and Yamato about Observation Haki. The former listened very attentively, while the latter fell asleep—not only snoring, but also drooling!
Robin had no interest in Haki or cultivation, so she sat quietly on the other side, reading a book.
As for why they were on Robin's ship?
Of course, it was because Naruto and Yamato's small boat was too cramped for four people, and Issho didn't have a boat at all.
"Emotions? I see!"
After listening to Issho's explanation, Naruto suddenly understood and said, "No wonder I could sense other people's emotions after learning Observation Haki."
"Oh?"
Issho, hearing Naruto's words, showed a surprised expression. Then he said thoughtfully, "If Observation Haki is cultivated to a profound realm, it can indeed give rise to many incredible abilities—even precognition.
But Naruto, if you can perceive others' emotions just after learning Observation Haki, then your ability to perceive emotions may not entirely come from Observation Haki. Or rather, it may not be pure Observation Haki."
"Observation Haki can even predict the future?!"
Naruto's face immediately showed shock upon hearing Issho's earlier words. Then he tilted his head and asked, "What does that last part mean? Can you explain it more clearly?"
Issho, hearing this, felt slightly speechless. He thought he had explained it clearly enough, but sensing Naruto's confusion, he patiently clarified:
"In this world, there are some very rare natural awakeners of Observation Haki.
Among them, some are born able to sense others' thoughts and emotions—and even influence others' minds.
Others can perceive, or even read, other people's memories.
These types of Observation Haki are very difficult to obtain through cultivation. Instead, like Haoshoku, they are innate—perhaps even rarer than Haoshoku."
"I believe, Naruto, that your ability to perceive others' emotions might be an innate special Observation Haki," Issho concluded calmly, his tone certain. Ordinary Observation Haki would not come with special abilities upon awakening.
"I see!~"
Naruto suddenly understood, then laughed triumphantly and asked, "So, Mr. Issho, you're saying I'm actually a genius, right?"
Issho was silent for a moment, then nodded helplessly.
"Yes. That's what I mean."
"Hehe!~"
Naruto became even more pleased and immediately asked, "So how can I train Observation Haki to become stronger?"
"Hmm, well."
Issho organized his thoughts before speaking.
"In my understanding, besides being related to emotions, Observation Haki can also be seen as an extension of the five senses—what people often call the sixth sense.
However, the manifestation of Observation Haki is far more tangible than the sixth sense. Therefore, to train Observation Haki, one must hone the five senses. As the five senses improve, Observation Haki will naturally strengthen as well."
"Sixth sense?"
Naruto nodded, half-understanding, then asked, "So how can I train and improve my five senses?"
"It's simple."
Issho smiled and pointed to his eyes.
"Just cover your eyes."
"Eh?"
Naruto instinctively leaned back, then stared at Issho's closed eyes, thinking: Did Mr. Issho blind himself just to train Observation Haki?
Regarding Issho's eyes, the oblivious Yamato had already asked before. Issho's answer was that there were too many things in the world that were unbearable to behold—which was why he "closed his eyes."
In plain language: because there were too many unbearable things in the world, he poked out his own eyes.
When they first heard this answer, Naruto and Yamato both thought it was extremely cool.
But now, hearing Issho describe the method for training Observation Haki, Naruto suddenly felt that perhaps Issho's reason for blinding himself was not just as simple as he claimed.
"Naruto, you are too rude."
Issho seemed to sense Naruto's thoughts. He suddenly tapped Naruto's head with his cane sword and said in a displeased tone, "Arranging others in your mind is not a good habit."
"Ouch!~"
Naruto clutched his head and cried out in pain, then looked at Issho in shock.
"Mr. Issho, can you read my thoughts?"
"That's right."
Issho suddenly opened his eyes toward Naruto, revealing a pair of chillingly pale eyes.
"For someone as simple-minded as you, anyone with strong Observation Haki can easily perceive your thoughts. So if you fight someone in the future, it's best not to think too much."
"Is that so?"
Naruto nodded thoughtfully, yet felt something was slightly off.
"Alright!"
Issho didn't give him time to dwell on it. He took out a strip of cloth, threw it to Naruto, and said, "Since we have nothing else to do, I'll train you now."
"Oh!~"
Naruto immediately threw his doubts aside, excitedly caught the cloth, covered his eyes, and began training.
Why call it "training" instead of "cultivation"?
Because after covering his eyes, Naruto was simply taking a beating. Naturally, that couldn't be considered cultivation.
"Hahaha!~"
Yamato was woken up by the noise of Naruto's training. Seeing him covered in bumps from Issho's strikes, she couldn't help but burst into laughter.
And then—
There was one more person getting beaten.
"Naruto!"
After Naruto finished training, the Nine-Tails' excited voice suddenly rang in his mind.
"Your Observation Haki can indeed affect the growth of Yin-attribute Chakra! I can clearly feel the Yin-attribute Chakra in your body increasing—and very quickly!"
"Really?"
Naruto immediately sank his consciousness into the sealing space and looked excitedly at the Nine-Tails behind the gate.
"Doesn't that mean my Observation Haki is progressing rapidly?"
"That's right!"
The Nine-Tails nodded.
"If you continue at this rate, in just one month, the Yin-attribute Chakra in your body will rebalance with the Yang-attribute Chakra. Of course, this assumes your physical fitness and Armament Haki don't improve during this time."
"How is that possible?"
Naruto immediately shook his head.
"Armament Haki aside—it shouldn't improve if I don't train it. But regarding my body, you've already said it: my physical fitness strengthens even if I just eat and don't train. It's truly a headache."
According to the Nine-Tails, his physical growth was still limited by his age. Once he matured, his strengthening speed might become even more exaggerated.
Would his Observation Haki cultivation still keep up then?
Naruto had little confidence.
While Observation Haki seemed to have an upper limit, his physical strength appeared limitless.
What was originally a blessing had now become a headache.
"You don't have to worry."
The Nine-Tails spoke calmly.
"Although your physical fitness seems limitless, Chakra does have limits. As long as you raise your Chakra to the 'Six Paths' level before Yin and Yang become completely unbalanced, this problem will disappear."
"Six Paths level?"
Naruto's eyes lit up.
"What is that? Is it another Chakra realm?"
"Sort of."
The Nine-Tails nodded.
"The 'Six Paths' level isn't exactly a realm. It's a qualitative change that occurs when Chakra reaches a certain intensity. Because only the Six Paths Sage and a few others reached that level, I call that transformed Chakra the 'Six Paths' level."
"Six Paths Sage? Who is that?"
"The Six Paths Sage is the Six Paths Sage."
Naruto blinked.
"I think I've heard that somewhere... Isn't he the legendary ancestor of all Ninja? Did he actually exist?"
"Of course."
The Nine-Tails nodded firmly.
"But he is not the ancestor of Ninja. He founded 'Ninjutsu,' which has nothing to do with modern Ninja."
"Ninjutsu?"
Naruto looked puzzled.
"What is that? How is it different from Ninja?"
"Of course it's different!"
The Nine-Tails raised its head, agitation rising.
"Don't compare the 'evil' thing called Ninja with the Ninjutsu founded by the Six Paths Sage!"
Back then, Chakra was meant to connect hearts.
Now, it had become a weapon of war.
If the Sage returned and saw Tailed Beasts used as tools of battle, he would never acknowledge modern Ninja as his successors.
Absolutely not.
"...Alright."
Seeing the Nine-Tails agitated, Naruto changed the subject.
"So what do I need to do to reach the 'Six Paths' level?"
"Too early."
The Nine-Tails lazily replied.
"Ask again when you can perfectly master all of my Chakra."
"...Fine."
Naruto left the sealing space.
At least he now knew the imbalance had a solution.
Over the next three months—
Under Issho's relentless "beatings," Naruto and Yamato's Observation Haki progressed from the training stage to the cultivation stage.
According to Issho, Observation Haki has three stages:
Perception.
Prediction.
Precognition.
Perception allows sensing attacks, strength, and presence outside one's sight.
Prediction allows anticipating the opponent's next move.
Precognition allows glimpsing the future.
These form the orthodox path of development.
As for sensing emotions, reading thoughts, or peeking into memories—those were special derivative abilities, nearly impossible to cultivate.
After three months, Naruto and Yamato both reached the threshold of the second stage.
They could now avoid Issho's beatings very well.
"Very well"—because once Issho became serious, they still had no choice but to endure.
Even Haki of equal stage differs in mastery.
And Issho's was far beyond theirs.
This day—
Issho was about to continue their cultivation when he suddenly sensed something.
His hand tightened around his cane sword.
He activated his ability.
The small boat detached from the sea and began floating upward.
Naruto and the others were about to question him—
When a crackling sound erupted from the sea below.
Then came a chilling cold.
Robin, sitting at the bow, felt the cold.
Her face instantly turned pale.
---
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