Chapter 88 Luffy's Modified Chakra Shocks ZoroThe essence of chakra training is essentially a simplified, youthful version of Armament Haki and Conqueror's Haki.
Going a step further, chakra nature transformations, such as Asuma's Flying Swallow Wind Release capable of cutting through rock, are practically identical to the effects of Armament Haki and Conqueror's Haki.
Not only can they double a weapon's hardness and increase its sharpness, but they can also imbue it with elemental attributes, even allowing for attacks from a distance.
The only difference might be the energy density, leading to variations in destructive power.
Everyone's spiritual energy limit is innate, which determines the upper limit of chakra extraction. This is why most ninjas, even after a lifetime of training, remain only genin.
Simply put, they lack the aptitude and spiritual energy to extract enough chakra.
However, this theory is a devastating weapon in the world of One Piece. Chakra extraction techniques can be seen as a shortcut to cultivating Armament Haki while simultaneously unlocking potential Conqueror's Haki.
The only drawback might be luck; the upper limit of chakra that each person can extract varies.
Kakashi-sensei once said that everyone possesses spiritual energy, which increases with accumulated combat experience and honed willpower.
Those with exceptional talent grow it faster, naturally producing more chakra by mixing it with physical energy. This is the fundamental difference between a Kage-level fighter and a perennial genin.
The same principle applies to Conqueror's Haki in One Piece. Many strong fighters initially couldn't withstand its impact, but after countless life-or-death battles, they could remain unfazed.
This shows that everyone possesses latent Conqueror's Haki, but due to average talent, most people are unable to awaken or control it in their lifetime.
Luffy's current chakra extraction technique is actually a "modified version," not the original from Naruto.
He simply and crudely combined Conqueror's Haki and Armament Haki based on his understanding of chakra principles, creating this "pseudo-chakra."
Therefore, Luffy is currently facing a major headache; he has no idea how to teach those who haven't yet awakened Conqueror's Haki to refine it.
This is why he's been keeping this incredible technique a secret from his crew.
Based on the information currently available, Zoro possessing Conqueror's Haki is a certainty; the suffocating aura emanating from him is essentially a manifestation of overflowing spiritual energy.
Once Zoro awakens his Conqueror's Haki, Luffy can personally teach him chakra refining.
Then, by helping Zoro master chakra nature transformation, a super-powered, otherworldly version of "Konoha's White Fang" will be born—the thought alone is thrilling.
The only thing that frustrates Luffy is that, until the end of the Wano Country arc, besides Zoro, Sanji hasn't shown any signs of awakening Conqueror's Haki.
To get them to learn chakra refining, he can only hope the system will have mercy and grant him a template skill with a built-in "Chakra Refining Technique" tutorial.
But none of the Naruto characters he's drawn along the way have brought this most basic skill with them.
Luffy was furious. Was it because this skill was too common and the system didn't even notice it? This was so unfair!
"Hey, Zoro, have you figured out any new techniques lately?"
Luffy approached Zoro, who was staring blankly at his sword, and asked with a mischievous grin.
"Huh?" Zoro looked completely bewildered, staring at Luffy like he was an idiot. "New techniques? What kind?"
You see, Zoro's naming conventions are always whimsical, basically just whatever animal he sees. His swordplay is even more spontaneous; sometimes even he doesn't know what kind of slash he'll unleash next.
Luffy stroked his chin, gesturing with feigned profundity, "It's that kind of... technique where you can scare the enemy unconscious just by your aura before you even hit them."
Zoro's eyes widened, looking at him like he was an idiot. "Scare them unconscious? I'm a swordsman, I use a killing sword technique, not some Usopp who lies and deceives. How could I possibly scare someone unconscious?"
Usopp, innocently caught in the crossfire, twitched his lips: "..."
"Hey! I feel like someone's attacking me personally!"
Luffy sighed, looking exasperated. "Isn't that enough? I was even thinking of passing on my unparalleled swordsmanship to you."
"What?!"
Upon hearing the words "unparalleled swordsmanship," Zoro's eyes instantly lit up like two light bulbs. "Then hurry up and teach me! Stop dawdling!"
Seeing Zoro's eager expression, Luffy casually used the gravity of his Rinnegan to pull the Sandai Kitetsu from Zoro's waist into his hand.
Luffy flicked his wrist, and a visible surge of blue chakra instantly enveloped the sword.
He pointed the tip at Zoro and asked, "Can you feel it?"
Zoro's expression instantly turned serious, his eyes fixed on the sword. "This is... Armament Haki? No, it feels different."
Luffy didn't explain. With a thought, he channeled his Wind Release nature transformation into the sword, instantly creating a ring of sharp wind blades around the Sandai Kitetsu, the air slicing and hissing.
Just then, a deafening roar suddenly echoed from both sides of the riverbank. Countless massive iron axes, like swinging pendulums, crashed down from both sides with a whooshing sound.
"Ah! Help!"
Usopp, Nami, and Chopper huddled together in terror, their screams piercing the sky.
Luffy, however, remained calm. Holding the Kitetsu, his eyes instantly sharpened like blades: "One-Sword Style!"
"Basic Attack!"
Swish—!
A flash of azure light streaked across the sky, and the gigantic iron axe, powerful enough to smash a large ship to pieces, was cleanly and silently sliced in two like tofu!
The cut was as smooth as a mirror, without even a spark.
"Wow! That's so cool!"
Zoro was so shocked his jaw nearly dropped, his eyes wide with disbelief.
Ever since Luffy explained "the breath of all things" in Alabasta, he had barely scratched the surface of cutting iron.
But he could only manage to cut ordinary steel at best. A giant, solid iron axe like this, especially with Luffy's effortless, almost air-cutting technique, was something he simply couldn't do.
"Teach me! I want to learn this!"
Zoro was as excited as a child who had received a new toy. He snatched back the Kitetsu sword and swung it around in the air several times, but he couldn't recapture the mystical feeling Luffy had just achieved.
Luffy chuckled and began his charade: "First, you need to master an aura that can scare people senseless even if you don't actually hit them."
"Is that all?" Zoro nodded earnestly, as if he'd grasped some profound truth.
Then he abruptly turned to Usopp, his eyes burning with fervor: "Hey, Usopp, teach me how to make up a lie that can scare people senseless!"
Usopp screamed in despair: "...How could such swordsmanship even exist in this world?! Are you an idiot?!"
Nami covered her face, staring despairingly at the giant axe trap still swaying overhead, tears welling in her eyes: "Why did we come to this godforsaken place to die...?"
"By the way, Luffy, why did you bring Conis along? This is a fight, not a vacation! It's so dangerous!"
Sanji, kneeling before Conis, produced a flower from nowhere, his face filled with infatuation: "My dear Conis, please entrust everything to me. I am the knight of love..."