Chapter 21: Madara Touches the Truth

"So this is using the ability to sense natural energy in Sage Mode to let one's chakra connect with nature, then transforming it into a technique?" 

It wasn't just Shanks who was training—Madara was also studying Shanks' training method. 

Most people wouldn't be able to understand what Shanks was doing, but considering Kakashi's title… Do people even realize what it means to be the "Copy Ninja"? 

Madara... no, Uchiha wasn't called the Copy Ninja, but that didn't mean they lacked that ability. In fact, their skills were far superior. Also after Madara fusing with part of Hashirama's power, he could see even more. 

"A transformation technique… He took an ability that originally required the Uzumaki Clan's bloodline and turned it into something that anyone can use, without any special requirements." 

"But using natural energy… This kind of transformation is actually even harder than Kekkei Genkai in some ways. The only advantage is that it removes the limits of Kekkei Genkai, making it possible for anyone to train and use this power." 

Madara suddenly realized something. If this was true, then Shanks might really be trying to create a whole new era. 

At this moment, Madara felt like he was getting a glimpse of Shanks' real plan. 

What? He just wants to be the freest pirate on the sea? 

Come on, I might be old, but I'm not stupid. 

The Uzumaki Clan was wiped out, betrayed by Konohagakure, and the entire Land of Whirlpools was destroyed. 

It's obvious how much Shanks is carrying on his back. 

But there's one thing Madara was sure of—Shanks held no hatred. There wasn't a trace of resentment toward Konohagakure in him. 

People like them… They don't just look at the surface. They see the truth underneath. 

If everything Shanks was doing was to break the limits of Kekkei Genkai, then his target was clearly the ninja clans. 

Most of the strongest ninjutsu and secret arts in the ninja world were controlled by the major clans. 

As a member of the Uchiha Clan, Madara knew this very well. And as someone from another great clan, Shanks surely understood it too. 

"He's using himself as an experiment. He's been exposed to Sage Mode, but he didn't train in it. Instead, he's forging a different path on his own." 

"He's using Sage Mode to completely erase all traces of the Uzumaki bloodline from himself… then training from there?" 

"What a prideful guy." 

At that moment, Madara finally understood. 

He could sense that Shanks had encountered Sage Mode, but had deliberately avoided mastering it. 

Instead, he took the Uzumaki Clan's special power and transformed it into something anyone could use. 

In other words, he had erased the uniqueness of the Uzumaki Clan itself.

Even so, Shanks still stood at the very top of the ninja world. 

Even without the power of the Uzumaki clan, he remained one of the strongest. Even without using his Kekkei Genkai, he was still stronger than the so-called elites of the great ninja clans. 

That was Shanks' pride. His strength didn't come from his bloodline or the fact that he was born into the Uzumaki clan. He was strong simply because he was Shanks. 

This kind of pride, the kind that came from deep within, was something Madara knew all too well—because it was the same pride he had as Uchiha Madara. 

Even if he hadn't been born an Uchiha, Madara believed he still would have risen to the top of the ninja world. 

Madara and Shanks had chosen the same path because Madara had lost all his power more than ten years ago. Now, he was only relying on the remnants of Hashirama's strength. 

His strength was never in question. The only thing holding him back was his aging body. 

That was why he understood Shanks' pride. 

And when he thought about what had happened to the Land of Whirlpools and the Uzumaki clan, the reason behind Shanks' actions became clear. 

Shanks wanted to break free from the limits of the ninja clans. 

If ordinary ninjas could train and master this kind of power, then the influence of the clans would shrink more and more. 

The secret techniques of the ninja clans? Sure, they were strong. 

But unless they could reach the same level as Haki, they were destined to be left behind by time. 

What Shanks inherited wasn't the Uzumaki clan's hatred—it was something far greater. 

He wanted to destroy the old ninja world, erase the rule of the clans, and create a new era. 

A New World.

"New World..." 

Madara muttered to himself, thinking about Shanks' grand ambition. 

Shanks, who was in the middle of training, froze for a moment. 

"New World? Did Madara-senpai come back from the New World?" 

"Well, that makes sense. With Madara-senpai's strength, he's more than capable of surviving in the New World." 

Shanks thought about it. Madara was far from weak. 

Back when they fought, even though Shanks had used his Conqueror's Haki, Madara barely seemed affected. In fact, it was safe to say that the suppressive power of Conqueror's Haki had no effect on him at all. That alone was proof of Madara's overwhelming strength. 

"The New World, huh? Forget it. I'll check it out later. I can't just go rushing in and die on the way." 

Shanks knew he wasn't weak. 

But considering his future—becoming the youngest of the Four Emperors—he was still too far from that level. 

If some random pirate could master all three types of Haki and also be decent with a sword, that would be insane. 

But he wasn't just some random pirate. 

The straw hat sitting in his room was a constant reminder. 

If he set sail with that hat on, the opponents waiting for him wouldn't just be ordinary pirates. 

They would be the strongest remnants of the old era. 

Monsters who had what it took to rule the seas. 

Facing them with his current strength was out of the question. As long as he could still grow stronger, it wasn't time to set sail yet. 

Of course, Shanks had no idea that the "New World" he was thinking of was completely different from the "New World" Madara was referring to. 

But... it made sense. It all made perfect sense. 

Madara thought so too. 

After all, it had only been a single day, and he had already grasped the basics of Observation Haki. 

This was the difference between a genius and an ordinary person. 

"By sensing the ever-present natural energy, I can perceive things..." 

"This kind of perception is completely different from Chakra-based sensory jutsu. No wonder when Shanks sensed me before, I could only detect it through instinct, but I couldn't actually sense him in detail." 

"But training this power is really tough." 

Madara sighed. 

Even though he had managed to touch the surface of Observation Haki, with his experience, he could already tell—this power was highly dependent on natural talent. 

If someone lacked the talent, the only way to improve was through constant battle. 

Fighting was the best teacher. 

Even for a genius like Madara, this truth remained the same. 

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