Chapter 40

It would be more practical to hurry up and train a batch of reliable medicine makers, or simply set up a production line.

As he mulled it over, Xunjing led Minato to the small training ground in his backyard.

He began teaching him the Shadow Clone Technique.

First, he explained every step from beginning to end.

Then he demonstrated it slowly, one step at a time, for Minato.

As it turned out, Minato got the basics down on his first try.

"Not bad. I knew I had a good eye." Xunjing gave him a thumbs-up.

Minato scratched the back of his head and smiled a little sheepishly. "You're too kind. It's because you taught me well."

"Practice a few more times to make sure you've really got it, and that'll be it for today's lesson." Xunjing gestured for him to continue.

Minato immediately dispelled his Shadow Clone.

Then he practiced another four or five times.

Only when Minato's control grew increasingly steady did Xunjing call a halt.

"All right, you've got it. Just keep practicing on your own to cement it."

He paused, then added, "As for training both systems, I'll arrange a time once things are settled with Kushina tomorrow."

"I'll take you home first."

"Okay."

Minato nodded. Once Xunjing had escorted him outside the Uchiha Clan Compound, he immediately raised a hand to stop him.

"This is far enough. I can walk the rest of the way myself."

"See you later, Xunjing."

"And... thanks."

With that, Minato turned and ran, his steps quick.

Watching him go, Xunjing's lips curved slightly.

"That kid."

He turned around, slipped his hands into his pockets, and strolled home.

Once home, Xunjing formed hand seals and created three Shadow Clones.

One went to study Sealing Arts.

One went to hone his chakra control and hand seals.

The last went to practice ninjutsu.

His original body headed straight to the Pirate World, met up with Mikoto, and began sparring.

Their method of practicing Observation Haki was simple-they threw snowballs at each other, making the throws as tricky as possible.

Jiri had mentioned before that anyone hoping to awaken Haki had to come to the Pirate World.

The Ninja World lacked the necessary conditions.

Xunjing figured it probably had something to do with the worlds having different rules.

Interestingly, though, once it had awakened, training it back in the Ninja World was no problem.

Their snowball fight grew increasingly wild.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh-

The sounds of snowballs slicing through the air came nonstop.

An occasional cry of pain mingled with them.

Inside the house, Dr. Kureha frowned at the noise, until all she could do was shake her head and sigh.

What sins had she committed in her previous life to get stuck with these two clowns?

The two grew more engrossed in throwing, their speed increasing.

They became completely absorbed, body and mind.

At one point, Xunjing suddenly felt himself enter a peculiar state.

Everything felt utterly clear.

Every movement within several hundred meters registered distinctly in his mind.

The incoming snowballs in particular seemed as though someone had pressed pause on them.

He had awakened Observation Haki.

Xunjing easily dodged every snowball hurled at him.

As he continued throwing at Mikoto, who had yet to awaken hers, he summoned his Attribute Panel with a thought.

Sure enough, a new line had appeared in the skills section.

[Observation Haki (1/1000, beginner)]

Huh? The beginner proficiency cap is actually one thousand? That's a full ten times higher than my other techniques.

Does that mean the requirements for each later stage will also be at least ten times higher?

Perhaps even more.

How long would it take to reach perfection, or even break past its limits?

Xunjing rubbed his temples, feeling a little helpless.

But on second thought, the skill itself was difficult and rare, so a higher cap did make sense.

"Hm?"

At that moment, Mikoto also noticed the change in Xunjing.

His evasive movements had suddenly become effortless. He could even let his thoughts wander without getting hit once.

She spared a sliver of attention to call out to him. "Xunjing, did you awaken Observation Haki?"

"Yep!"

Xunjing nodded as he dodged. "It just awakened. Want to keep going?"

"Keep going!"

Mikoto gritted her teeth, her resolve firm.

Xunjing had already awakened it. How could she let herself fall behind when she was the older one?

As she dodged, she couldn't help asking, "Are there any tricks to it?"

Ultimately, Xunjing's success had gotten to her and broken her concentration.

"Stay calm and focus all your attention on dodging. That's the only trick."

"Mikoto, there's nothing wrong with your mental strength or talent. Believe in yourself."

"I'm going to throw the snowballs faster now, and from trickier angles, so be careful."

"I know you can do it. Here they come!"

"Okay!"

His words eased much of Mikoto's impatience. She drew a deep breath, forced herself to calm down, and answered him.

The next second-

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!!!

Countless snowballs rained down on her from every direction.

They were more than twice as fast as before, and their angles were outrageously tricky.

She couldn't even spare the effort to throw snowballs back.

Even so, she kept getting hit.

But Mikoto gritted her teeth and endured.

She kept pushing herself, kept concentrating.

Her eyes even began to turn red-a sign that her Sharingan was activating.

But she forced it back down.

According to the experience Uchiha Chisato had shared, relying on the Sharingan to dodge would not help awaken Observation Haki. It would actually have the opposite effect.

Focus. Focus harder. Keep focusing.

Mikoto felt as though only the thinnest barrier remained between her and awakening Observation Haki.

She kept going like that for who knew how long, until she completely lost track of time.

Then, at one moment-

Bzzzt!!

A sudden roar filled her mind, and her consciousness seemed to ascend to a higher plane.

Immediately afterward, the whole world changed.

Everything became unbelievably clear.

She could distinctly sense even the slightest movements within dozens of meters around her.

The snowballs flying at her from every direction all seemed to slow down.

She, too, had successfully mastered Observation Haki.

Swish, swish, swish-

Mikoto shifted her body, effortlessly avoiding every attack.

Then the incoming snowballs suddenly stopped.

Clearly, Xunjing had noticed her success and stopped on his own.

"Congratulations!"

Xunjing walked over with a smile to congratulate her.

"Huff... huff..."

Mikoto braced her hands on her knees and took a few panting breaths before smiling. "Thanks! Without your help, I probably would've been stuck for ages before figuring it out."

"Your method really works."

Creak-

Just then, the door opened, drawing their attention.

They turned to see Dr. Kureha emerge from the house, looking astonished. Her gaze swept over the two of them, and her voice held disbelief. "You both actually awakened Observation Haki? That's ridiculous!"

"How little time was there between the two of you? How did you do it?"

Observation Haki was not easy to master.

Even in the Pirate World, people who could awaken this ability were exceedingly rare.

The vast majority would never even come close in their entire lives.

Even some experts who had mastered Armament Haki might not be able to grasp Observation Haki.

Unlike Armament Haki, which could be developed through rigorous physical training, Observation Haki involved mental strength and a sixth sense beyond the five ordinary senses.

The difficulty of awakening it was on an entirely different level, and it demanded exceptional talent.

"Heh!"

At that, Xunjing and Mikoto exchanged a glance and laughed together.

Xunjing said, "We have a special trick."

Dr. Kureha rolled her eyes. "Do you think I didn't hear what you were talking about earlier?"

"If concentrating on dodging were enough to awaken it, Observation Haki wouldn't be so rare."

"All I can say is that your Uchiha Clan really does have a gift for mental strength and perception."