"Are you sure it's really gone?"
In the forest, Naruto looked at Wukong suspiciously. If he hadn't sensed Wukong's sincerity, he might have thought the monkey was playing a trick on him.
"It's definitely gone this time," Wukong said seriously.
Come to think of it, he had never directly taught anyone how to feel the energy within their body. Whether it was his son Gohan, his granddaughter Xiaofang, or Oob, everyone had learned to sense their Qi on their own. At most, he gave them guidance on using it or in combat techniques.
"Okay, I'll try again."
Naruto closed his eyes and began to search for the hidden energy Wukong had mentioned. After a long while, he opened his eyes, excitement shining through.
"Is it this?"
A faint, light-blue aura appeared in his palm.
Wukong leaned forward, studying the energy carefully. After a moment, he pinched his chin, his expression a mixture of curiosity and uncertainty.
"It's kind of like it… but I don't think it's exactly right."
At first glance, this energy resembled Qi, but in Wukong's perception, there were subtle differences he couldn't quite define.
"Huh? Isn't it?" Naruto asked, confused.
"But this is the energy I feel in my body!"
"Really? Hahaha… then I guess I don't quite understand." Wukong smiled, scratching his head.
Then he remembered what Shenlong had told him: this world had its own unique system of energy and training. His eyes lit up.
"Could it be because of that? This world has its own energy in addition to Qi."
Naruto's face twisted in frustration."So I have two kinds of energy in my body? That's so annoying!"
"Which one should I practice?" He folded his arms, closed his eyes, and thought hard.
After a moment, he seemed to reach a decision and opened his eyes, firm and determined."I've made up my mind! I'm going to practice Qi!"
Despite the fact that chakra training was the conventional method in this world, he decided to follow the energy he already understood. Slapping his palm on his thigh, he declared,"Within fifteen minutes, I will sense the Qi!"
He closed his eyes and resumed searching for the hidden energy.
Suddenly, Wukong placed his hand lightly on Naruto's head for a few seconds before removing it.
"?" Naruto looked at him, puzzled.
"It's okay. Keep going," Wukong said with a reassuring smile.
What Naruto didn't know was that the dragon had told Wukong that the rules of this world prevented creatures from independently perceiving the energy within their bodies. To sense it, they needed external guidance. That was why Wukong had briefly touched Naruto's head.
Meanwhile, after a few words with Sasuke and Sakura, Kakashi followed the trail left by Naruto and Wukong. He had confirmed that Wukong harbored no ill intentions—in fact, he seemed very friendly—but his sudden appearance and mysterious identity kept Kakashi cautious.
He wanted to see what Naruto was planning and, more importantly, to protect him. Naruto wasn't just a student—he was the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki and the child of his former teacher. In the past, Kakashi had failed to safeguard his teacher's children; now, this was his chance to make amends.
"Hmm? What are they doing?" Kakashi muttered as he climbed a tree, crouching to observe.
From above, he saw Naruto and Wukong sitting cross-legged on the ground. Naruto jumped and moved slightly, then sat back down, chakra flickering in his hands. Wukong spoke, and Naruto shouted that he wanted to practice Qi.
"Gas?" Kakashi whispered, confused. What exactly was Qi?
Minutes passed… half an hour… another half hour. Naruto opened his eyes, frustrated, gritting his teeth.
"Damn it! Why can't I feel it?"
For an hour, he had searched his body, but nothing emerged. With his impatient nature, this was already a huge effort. He paused, trying to calm himself.
"There's no rush," Wukong said calmly, sitting opposite him. "It took me a long time to master it too."
"Is that so…" Naruto exhaled deeply, remembering why he was doing this. "I won't give up! I'm going to be Hokage—how can I quit over something so small?"
He closed his eyes again and focused, feeling his energy flow. Time slipped by.
Two hours later, Kakashi, still hiding in the tree, felt numb in his legs and feet. He squinted at the setting sun.
What on earth are they doing?Why am I wasting all this time watching them meditate?
He reminded himself that Zabuza could attack at any moment. Only Sasuke, Sakura, and a shadow clone remained in the village. The clone could delay Zabuza but couldn't stop him completely.
Deciding he'd waited long enough, Kakashi stood, ready to intervene—when suddenly a loud voice rang out.
"I feel it!!"
Naruto opened his eyes, staring at his palm. A wisp of white energy rose and hovered above it.
"Wukong! Look! Isn't this it?" Naruto exclaimed, holding out his hand. He had finally sensed the Qi in his body, though he waited for Wukong's confirmation.
Before Wukong could speak, the energy dissipated—Naruto had lost focus.
"Ah? Why did it go?" Naruto scratched his face, panicking.
"You need to concentrate to channel it properly," Wukong reminded him.
Naruto closed his eyes again, gathered his focus, and guided the Qi into his palm. This time, it lingered.
"Yes… this is Qi." Wukong observed, nodding.
"I succeeded?" Naruto whispered in awe.
"Yes," Wukong confirmed.
The energy disappeared once more, but Naruto didn't despair. He jumped three feet into the air, placing his hands on his hips, laughing triumphantly."I did it! Hahaha!!"
Just then, a figure appeared—Kakashi, who had been hidden in the tree all along.
"Hey! You finally came down," Wukong greeted, smiling.
Kakashi staggered, stunned."You… you saw me this whole time?"
"Yes."
"When…?"
"When you first came."
Kakashi froze, speechless. Then why did I waste three hours squatting in that tree?!
Note/Setting Reminder:
The dragon is a supreme being in this world, allowing Wukong to travel freely and enabling creatures here to sense Qi, which they otherwise couldn't due to the world's rules.
In this world, Qi fluctuations can appear in the external environment; most inhabitants mistake it for Chakra.
—End of Chapter