ＮｅｇｌｅｃｔｅｄＮａｒｕｔｏ Ｕｃｈｉｈａ Ｓｅｎｊｕ

Chapter 34

A gentle breeze ruffled the leaves of the lush trees surrounding a secluded clearing. Shanks leaned against a massive oak, his griffon sword propped beside him. Naruto, his usual orange jumpsuit replaced with a simple white gi, sat cross-legged a few feet away, brow furrowed in concentration.

"All right, Naruto," Shanks boomed, his voice surprisingly light for such a large man. "You've gotten the hang of Busoshoku Haki – imbuing your attacks with your will – faster than I expected. Let's explore the world beyond your senses with Kenbunshoku Haki, Observation Haki."

Naruto's eyes snapped open, a spark of determination glinting within. "Observation Haki, huh? Sounds awesome! So, how do I do it?"

Shanks chuckled. "It's not quite like learning a jutsu, believe it. Kenbunshoku Haki lets you perceive the world around you on a deeper level. Imagine feeling the emotions and intentions of everything around you – the chirp of a bird warning of danger, the rustle of leaves masking an approaching enemy."

Naruto's eyes widened. "Feeling... emotions?"

"Not directly," Shanks shook his head. "Think of it like sensing a presence, an aura. Here, you're tuning into the subtle whispers of the world itself. Close your eyes, Naruto. Focus on the clearing around you. Can you hear the heartbeat of the earth?"

Naruto closed his eyes, a determined scowl replacing his usual grin. He focused, trying to push his senses beyond their normal limits. At first, all he heard was the familiar rustling of leaves and the distant chirping of birds. However, a faint rhythm emerged, a deep, steady pulse beneath the surface noise.

"Whoa..." Naruto breathed, eyes still shut. "It's faint, but there is something there. Like a giant drumbeat... but slower."

Shanks grinned. "Excellent! That's the earth's tremor, barely noticeable normally. Now, try to sense beyond that. Imagine a spiderweb of energy connecting everything in the clearing."

Naruto concentrated further, picturing the scene in his mind. Gradually, a new sensation arose. A faint tingle, almost like static, spread across his awareness. It seemed to intensify in one particular direction.

"There's something... over there?" Naruto pointed towards a cluster of bushes at the edge of the clearing.

Shanks raised an eyebrow, impressed. "Open your eyes slowly."

Naruto did as instructed, his gaze falling on the bushes. A tense silence filled the air. Then, with a rustle, a small rabbit hopped out, ears twitching nervously before disappearing into the undergrowth.

A wide grin spread across Naruto's face. "Observation, Haki! I felt it! I felt the little guy hiding!"

Shanks laughed, ruffling Naruto's hair. "Well done, kid! You're a natural. Kenbunshoku Haki takes time and practice to master, but you've already taken the first step. Now, close your eyes again and try to sense something with a bit more... malice."

Naruto closed his eyes, anticipation tingling in his gut. This world of unseen feelings was a new battlefield to explore, and he couldn't wait to master it.

The weeks that followed were a whirlwind of focused training. Shanks pushed Naruto relentlessly, honing his newfound ability to sense the world around him. Gone were the days of simply feeling the earth's tremor. Now, Naruto could distinguish the presence of individual creatures by gauging their size and emotional state. He learned to filter out background noise, focusing on the faintest flicker of malice or hidden intent.

One particularly humid afternoon, they stood facing each other in the clearing. Sweat beaded on Naruto's brow, a testament to the intensity of their session. Shanks, ever the playful teacher, had a mischievous glint in his eyes.