Chapter 62: Naraku Explains Haki, Mifune Awakens Armament Hardening, and Swears Loyalty
Naraku stopped being cryptic: "The iron ball you just swallowed is called a Haki Seed. It gives you the potential to awaken Armament Haki and Observation Haki.
Observation Haki sharpens the five senses, allowing you to detect the presence and emotional changes of living beings around you, and use it to predict and evade danger.
Armament Haki boosts both your defense and attack power. Because Armament Haki is fluid, it has different application techniques, divided into 'Coating Hardening,' 'Flowing Emission,' and 'Internal Destruction.'
The techniques of Armament Haki vary in proficiency, but that doesn't represent the strength of the Haki itself, nor does it represent overall power level.
You can say this is a completely different strengthening path from chakra. Unlike chakra which depends on bloodline, Haki can grow continuously stronger through training!
At its extreme, Haki can split mountains with one slash or shatter them with one punch!
This path is also far more suitable for a swordsman or a samurai!"
Listening to Naraku describe the various Haki techniques and their immense destructive power, Mifune couldn't help feeling excited. He realized that if what Lord Naraku said was true, then the era of the samurai had arrived!
After all, he had never heard of any ninjutsu—besides Tailed Beast Bombs—that could shatter a mountain in one strike!
Perhaps one day he, Mifune, could confidently declare that the age of ninjas had ended!
Naraku looked at the daydreaming Mifune and said: "The Haki path has a lot of content, but that's for later. Without awakening Haki, everything is empty talk! Now pick up Toya Lake and fight me!"
Mifune was extremely surprised. Could it be that Lord Naraku, while possessing such superb forging ability, also had terrifying combat strength? But since he was using a wooden sword, it shouldn't hurt Naraku, so he also picked up Toya Lake and assumed a starting stance!
Naraku directly pulled a toy sword from an odd position.
Naraku knew full well that Mifune probably wouldn't go all out. So for his first strike, he displayed astonishing speed—like lightning.
Seeing Naraku coming with terrifying speed and power, Mifune could only instinctively raise Toya Lake to block.
He originally expected Toya Lake to be cut in half and himself injured, but the reality shocked him.
Although Toya Lake was merely an unsharpened wooden sword, its toughness exceeded imagination. Even when Naraku's chillingly sharp blade struck Toya Lake, the wooden sword didn't receive a single scratch.
At this moment, Mifune gradually began to build confidence in Toya Lake.
After landing one strike, Naraku didn't continue attacking. He simply stood still, calmly looking at Mifune with steady eyes.
"Mifune, fight with everything you have. You can't hurt me. You're my designated future general—do you intend to stay sheltered under my wings forever?" Naraku's voice was calm and powerful, carrying an unquestionable authority.
Hearing these words, Mifune's expression turned serious. He knew this was Naraku's test—and also his acknowledgment of Mifune's potential.
"Lord Naraku, I will go all out!" Mifune took a deep breath, determination flashing in his eyes. He assumed his stance again, his entire aura instantly rising to the peak.
With a light shout, Mifune flashed forward like lightning. Toya Lake in his hand carried a sharp aura as he slashed toward Naraku.
The corner of Naraku's mouth curved upward in a faint smile. He lightly sidestepped, easily dodging Mifune's attack. At the same time, his own blade swung out, clashing with Mifune's.
"Bang!" The collision rang out.
Their figures crossed in midair, then quickly separated. Their movements were fast as wind, every strike filled with power and skill.
Naraku's attacks were like a violent storm, making Mifune feel somewhat overwhelmed. But he didn't retreat—instead he gritted his teeth and fought with everything he had. Under the stimulation of Lightning chakra, Naraku's speed grew more and more exaggerated, each slash carrying the force of thunder. Wounds gradually appeared on Mifune's body, but he still persisted.
As time passed, Mifune's stamina slowly depleted, while Naraku maintained overwhelming combat power. Finally, under Naraku's fierce assault, Mifune was sent flying.
"It's over, Mifune." Naraku said softly. A trace of disappointment showed in his eyes.
Mifune panted heavily, looking at Naraku with unwillingness written all over his face.
At this moment, he seemed to comprehend something. Black Armament Haki coated Toya Lake, turning the wooden sword pitch black.
At the same time, Mifune slowly lowered his stance.
Naraku recalled hearing before that the lower a swordsman crouches, the stronger he is—so when Mifune was almost flat on the ground, Naraku quickly ran.
With Naraku's strength, he naturally didn't need to flee—but he became much more serious.
Mifune's expression was grave. He took a deep breath and silently chanted in his heart: "Sword Art: Iai Slash!"
His body shot forward like lightning. The sword in his hand slashed toward Naraku's hair at extreme speed.
A trace of surprise appeared on Naraku's face, but his movements didn't pause at all.
He also raised his weapon at extreme speed, blocking Mifune's attack.
But to block this slash so easily, Naraku activated his Sharingan.
"Clang!" A crisp metallic clash echoed through the space.
Mifune's eyes widened as he stared fixedly at Naraku's face.
This self-breaking strike of his had actually been easily blocked by Naraku.
At this moment he noticed that Naraku had only just activated his Sharingan when blocking his final attack.
This meant that throughout their earlier fight, Naraku hadn't used his full strength—he had only casually dealt with him.
Mifune felt even greater respect and admiration for Naraku!
Naraku said with satisfaction to Mifune: "Looks like your talent is quite good—you've already comprehended Armament Haki Coating Hardening on a weapon!"
Mifune replied to Naraku: "I dare not show off in front of my lord. My lord's strength is immense—I am not even one percent of it!"
At this moment, Mifune completely acknowledged Naraku as his lord!
Naraku felt a sensation similar to Dong Zhuo adopting a foster son—and Mifune was far more reliable in character than Lü Bu.
So Naraku nodded again with satisfaction and said: "In the future, you can continue training the intensity of your Armament Haki. I'll also tell you the other two techniques of Armament Haki.
'Flowing Emission' allows you to flow unnecessary Armament Haki around your hands or weapon and release it, directly manifesting as substantial attack or defense power.
'Internal Destruction' is actually a form of emission—projecting Armament Haki through the surface of an object to directly destroy its interior."
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