After learning all three types of Haki, Hashirama Senju was undoubtedly like a fish in water, his strength rising to an entirely new level.
By applying Haki to his ninjutsu, the power of his techniques would become even greater, while his defensive capabilities would also improve tremendously.
"Haki… really is an incredibly practical power." Looking at the results, Hashirama could not help but sigh in admiration.
As for Is, after Hashirama had learned the basics, he went off to continue his own training.
Leaving Hashirama standing there alone, secretly overjoyed.
"Boom! Boom…"
"Boom! Boom…"
With every punch Is threw, the mountain trembled violently. Eventually, it could no longer withstand the force. The mountainside began collapsing as rocks of every size tumbled down and clouds of dust filled the air.
Is quickly moved away to avoid getting caught in it.
"Haa…"
Letting out a light breath, he muttered to himself,
"The target's destroyed. Time to find another mountain for Armament Haki training."
Just as his words fell, Hashirama's voice sounded from behind him.
"If you don't mind, I can train with you instead."
Is turned around and glanced at him.
Although Hashirama's Haki control was still immature, his physical foundation was overwhelmingly strong, making him a pretty decent human punching bag.
"That works. Your rules?" Is asked casually.
"Haki sparring."
"Fine."
The moment his words fell, a terrifying pressure erupted outward from Is as the center.
Without question—
It was Conqueror's Haki.
"Crack! Crack!"
The surrounding trees instantly split apart as though crushed by invisible pressure. Even the rocks on the ground were the same. Though they didn't shatter completely, cracks rapidly spread across them.
Hashirama froze in shock, staring at the cracked trees and fractured rocks.
"This is… Conqueror's Haki?!"
"That's right."
"But didn't you say Conqueror's Haki only had intimidation effects?" Hashirama was completely baffled. "This already has physical destructive power!"
Of course, his reaction was normal. Earlier, Is had only given him a basic overview of the three types of Haki without explaining them in detail.
"At the time, I didn't think you needed to know so much yet. But since you asked, I'll explain it properly now. Haki also has levels."
"First is Armament Haki—hardening, emission, and internal destruction."
"Then Observation Haki. It sharpens the five senses, allows you to sense the presence of living beings around you, and can also be used to predict and avoid danger. At its highest level, it can even see the future."
"And finally, Conqueror's Haki. Besides intimidation and causing a certain degree of physical damage, it also has another application…"
"It can be coated onto your body or weapons."
Hearing Is's explanation, Hashirama visibly became excited.
He truly hadn't expected the three types of Haki to possess such incredible effects.
"Conqueror's Haki can be coated onto weapons and the body just like Armament Haki?" Hashirama asked immediately.
"That's right."
Is nodded.
"Alright then, let's continue!"
The moment Hashirama finished speaking, Armament Haki covered both his hands. He burst forward at high speed, charging straight toward Is.
Although his Armament Haki was still rough, his physical foundation was monstrous. Much like Charlotte Linlin, he possessed absurd brute strength.
Boom!
Their fists collided, unleashing a violent shockwave.
The ground shattered instantly as black lightning burst into existence around them.
After several dozen seconds of deadlock, Hashirama was blown backward.
His raw strength was indeed immense, but his character progression had not yet reached its peak, meaning the power he could currently unleash was still heavily limited.
And just like that, their Haki training officially began.
By the time dusk arrived, Is had no idea whether the training had benefited Hashirama much, but one thing he was certain of—
A human punching bag was far better than a mountain.
"Ding! Hashirama Senju's unlock progress has reached 30%. Congratulations, Host, for inheriting Sage Mode."
In the middle of training, those words suddenly rang out in Is's ears.
He froze slightly.
Hashirama immediately seized the opportunity and sent Is flying backward with a strike.
After retreating dozens of steps, Is straightened himself without launching another attack.
At the same time, a brand-new panel appeared before him.
Host: Aurelius D. Virel Is
Excavation Level: 2 (0/200)
Excavation Attempts: 0 (7/15)
Can increase as Excavation Level rises.
Physique:
Advanced Taijutsu (100%)
Creation Rebirth (10%)
Increasing progress grants stronger recovery abilities, cell activation, and enhanced vitality. Upon reaching 100%, regeneration ability can be obtained.
Characters:
Uchiha Madara (50%)
Tatsumaki (30%)
Acnologia (35%)
Unohana Retsu (25%)
Yoriichi Tsugikuni (25%)
Hashirama Senju (30%)
Abilities:
Paper-Paper Fruit · Awakening (Burn Attribute) (1668/5000)
Flame-Flame Fruit (1023/2000)
Conqueror's Haki (/2000)
Armament Haki (360/2000)
Observation Haki (980/1000)
Inherited:
Susanoo, Sage Mode
Excavation Location:
[Insufficient Excavation Attempts, unable to locate]
Storage:
None.
(Sorry, I forgot to include this on the previous status panel. The author only noticed it now!)
"Sage Mode, huh…"
Is muttered inwardly.
This was another incredibly powerful ability.
In the original Naruto series, Sage Mode was a state achieved by absorbing natural energy and creating senjutsu chakra, greatly enhancing the power of ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu.
Of course, after directly inheriting it, there was no concept of chakra involved anymore.
But even so, this ability was still extremely practical for Is.
Once entering Sage Mode, his physical abilities, Haki, Devil Fruit powers, and everything else would receive an all-around boost.
An incredibly useful enhancement.
"What's wrong? Not training anymore?"
Seeing Is standing there motionless, Hashirama didn't attack again and simply asked.
Is smiled faintly and shook his head.
"It's still early. Let's continue."
"Just what I wanted."
However, after fighting for a little while longer, something unexpected happened.
The moment Is sensed an ominous presence, a figure had already descended from the sky.
Holding a naginata in hand, the man forcefully separated Is and Hashirama.
"Edward Newgate?"
The moment Is saw Whitebeard, he instinctively spoke his name.
The island Is currently occupied was located within the New World, not too far from the Holy Land Mary Geoise.
Meanwhile, Whitebeard was heading toward the first half of the Grand Line, meaning he had to pass through this area.
Perhaps fate was favoring him, because while sailing nearby, he noticed the commotion and observed it through a telescope.
The instant he saw Hashirama and Is, excitement surged within him. Without hesitation, he rushed straight over.
His objective was very clear—
Invite Hashirama aboard his ship.
Naturally, Whitebeard still didn't know the relationship between Is and Hashirama.
Seeing them fighting, he assumed they were enemies.
"Aurelius D. Virel Is, we meet again." Whitebeard planted his naginata into the ground and stared directly at Is.
Is grinned.
"Everyone said you were dead. Seeing you suddenly appear in front of me really is surprising."
"You two know each other?"
Standing beside Whitebeard, Hashirama looked between the two curiously before asking.
"You could say we've crossed paths once," Is replied casually.
Whitebeard then turned toward Hashirama and spoke.
"My name is Edward Newgate, one of the officers of the Rocks Pirates."
Hashirama smiled warmly, not thinking much about it as he answered casually,
"Nice to meet you, nice to meet you. I'm Hashirama Senju."
After all, when Hashirama first arrived in this world, the Rocks Pirates and Roger Pirates had already vanished without a trace. Everyone believed they were finished, so Is and the others never really mentioned them to him afterward.
That was why Hashirama showed no reaction at all upon hearing the name Rocks Pirates.
"So Rocks is still alive too, huh?"
Is suddenly asked.
After all, under normal circumstances, if Rocks had truly died, Whitebeard would have already started building his own pirate crew. He wouldn't still be introducing himself as an officer of the Rocks Pirates otherwise.
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