Chapter nine:Six months

It had been six months since Ethan awakened Haki. Now, he could use Presence Sensing, Strength Sensing, and recently, he had achieved Intent Sensing of Kenbunshoku Haki. This Intent Sensing was a variant of Kenbunshoku Haki that allowed the user to sense another person's intent to act in the immediate future, especially through bloodlust or killing intent within combat. This ability, resembling a pseudo-form of precognition, was something his master Kael had explained to him when he unlocked that skill three months ago.

Flashback: Three Months Ago

Ethan and Vice Admiral Kael were sparring in the training grounds, surrounded by the towering trees and high walls of the estate. The sun cast dappled shadows on the ground as they moved.

"Focus, Ethan. You need to clear your mind and feel my intent," Kael instructed, his voice calm but commanding.

Ethan nodded, trying to center himself. He could feel the familiar rush of adrenaline, his senses heightening as he faced his mentor. Suddenly, Kael's killing intent spiked, and Ethan felt a sharp pang in his mind, almost like a premonition.

Kael lunged forward, his blade aimed directly at Ethan. Instinctively, Ethan sidestepped, his movements fluid and precise. He parried Kael's strike and countered with his own, a burst of Haki flaring from his blade.

Kael stepped back, a satisfied smile on his face. "You did it. You sensed my intent before I even moved. That's Intent Sensing, a crucial part of mastering Kenbunshoku Haki."

Ethan smiled, panting slightly. "Thank you, Master Kael. I'll keep practicing."

Present Day

Ethan's Busoshoku Haki had also improved significantly. His skills were much better than his Kenbunshoku Haki. He dominated all the basic skills, first learning how to Hardening, the most basic application of Busoshoku Haki. He clad his desired body part with a coating, which was mostly black. It was the first Busoshoku Haki technique taught by Kael. He also learned how to imbue his Hardening onto any object he touched, giving his weapons the same boosts as his own body. Imbued weapons gained a new degree of offensive power. These were the basic skills he had mastered.

He had also learned some advanced Busoshoku Haki techniques under the stern tutelage of his grandfather, Marcus. Ethan remembered how much more rigorous his training had been with Marcus compared to Kael, but the progression was much faster and better.

Flashback: Four Months Ago

Ethan stood in a vast training hall, its walls adorned with tapestries depicting great battles and powerful warriors. Marcus Mars, his grandfather, stood before him, his presence imposing and authoritative.

"Your training with Kael has made you proficient, but you need more than proficiency. You need power," Marcus said, his voice echoing in the hall.

Ethan nodded, his expression determined. "I'm ready, Grandfather."

Marcus stepped forward, his hand enveloped in a visible aura of Haki. "This is Emission. It allows you to let your power flow out from your body and emit it over a short distance without a medium to carry it. Watch closely."

Marcus punched the air, and an invisible force burst forth, slamming into a nearby training dummy and sending it flying across the room.

"Now, you try," Marcus commanded.

Ethan focused, feeling the Haki flow through him. He concentrated it into his hand and punched the air. A burst of energy shot out, less powerful than Marcus's but enough to knock back the dummy slightly.

Marcus nodded, a rare smile touching his lips. "Good. Now, let's move on to Internal Destruction. This is a step above Emission."

He demonstrated by placing his hand on a stone pillar, and Ethan watched in awe as the pillar cracked from the inside, crumbling to pieces.

"With this technique, you can destroy an opponent from the inside out," Marcus explained. "It's the most destructive known Busoshoku technique. Try it."

Ethan hesitated for a moment, then placed his hand on another pillar. He focused his Haki, letting it flow into the stone. A moment later, the pillar cracked and shattered, much like the one his grandfather had destroyed.

"Excellent," Marcus said, his pride evident. "Remember, Ethan, power without control is useless. You must master both."

Present Day

Reflecting on his training, Ethan felt a surge of confidence. His Kenbunshoku Haki allowed him to sense and anticipate his opponents' moves, while his Busoshoku Haki gave him the strength and power to defeat them. He felt ready for whatever challenges lay ahead.

Conversation: Training Grounds

Ethan and Vice Admiral Kael stood in the training grounds, the air buzzing with the energy of their recent sparring session.

"You've come a long way, Ethan," Kael said, clapping him on the shoulder. "But remember, mastering Haki is a lifelong journey. There's always more to learn."

Ethan nodded. "I understand, Master Kael. I'll keep pushing myself."

Kael smiled. "Good. Now, show me what you've learned from your grandfather."

Ethan took a deep breath, focusing his Haki into his hand. He punched the air, sending a powerful burst of energy toward Kael. The Vice Admiral blocked it with his own Haki, nodding in approval.

"Impressive. Your Busoshoku Haki has become very strong," Kael said. "But never forget the importance of balance. Both Kenbunshoku and Busoshoku Haki must be mastered equally."

"I won't forget," Ethan promised, determination burning in his eyes.

With his skills honed and his resolve strengthened, Ethan felt ready to take on the world. His training had prepared him well, and he knew that his grandfather's ambitious plans for him were within reach. As he looked ahead, the path to becoming a powerful military leader seemed clearer than ever.