number18.livejournal.comSomething has been bothering me pretty badly, and I really can't be one hundred percent sure that I'm right. I've been seeing this a lot recently in some RPs and in a few fanfictions.
We all know that when Naruto's kyuubi overtakes him, others can notice the change in his chakra. Or perhaps I should say, others notice that this chakra is much different than what they would expect Naruto's to be, since it is so powerful.
Now, aside from these instances when the other shinobi gasp at the change and the power from the kyuubi's chakra, are there ANY other instances of shinobi sensing another shinobi's chakra? I want to say no. I am aware that there have been times when someone's chakra is manifesting itself (aka it's visible to the naked eye), and those nearby can sense the power behind it... But sensing another person by sensing their chakra?
To me, this seems like an old Dragonball ability that people have mistakenly carried over to Naruto. I don't think chakra works the same exact way as ki does in DB. I don't like the idea that ninja can by default sense chakra in other beings, and use it as a means to detect someone a la Dragonball. It cheapens everything and makes you wonder how anyone gets around in secret if everyone can detect you by your chakra alone. However, as in DB, maybe ninja are just trained to conceal their chakra... which really doesn't sit well with me.
Ki and chakra may be very similar in that they are a life force energy that one can manipulate and empower one's self with... but they are used differently in either series. I mean...maybe they are exactly the same in both series, and Kishimoto just hasn't expanded on the subtleties of chakra yet. It's just the whole RP/fanfic thing of a character automatically sensing someone by their chakra that is annoying me. A ninja always remains hidden, m i rite?!
Thoughts and comments welcome!