theory about chakra and magic, re: "Lemonade"

[edenfalling]

Beta responses for my remix story are in. I shall finish editing it tonight and send it off tomorrow. *basks in the rush of finishing something*

Okay. Now for something completely different.

This is a theory, not really meant to work for Naruto on its own, but to integrate Naruto world special effects into BtVS world special effects. Canonically, chakra is composed of two things: physical energy (or stamina) and spiritual energy. Clearly, though, this spiritual energy stuff is not the same as the 'ki,' 'chi,' 'reiki,' or what have you that shows up in a lot of other fighting manga series. Chakra simply produces too many effects that have nothing to do with traditional martial arts.

Therefore, suppose the spiritual component of chakra is actually magic? Magic, channeled in a very specific way so it melds with physical, bodily energy (or 'ki'), instead of being used on its own? Jossverse magic is already a vague, amophous thing, which responds to chanting, gestures, and will as much as it does to more organized, traditional spells, so I think this might actually work.

Thoughts, anyone?

(This isn't going to come up for several chapters, but it fits together in my mind, and ties in nicely with the way Faith relates Willow's magic-induced changing eye color to Sasuke's chakra-induced changing eye color.)

Comments

[karit.livejournal.com]

Hm, interesting proposal. I think it's absolutely plausible, and you could easily make it work. Looking at all the Harry Potter crossovers, it seems a lot of people have the same idea. I'm not sure it's ever been done with a BtVS crossover, but it will be very exciting to see what you're going to do with it!

[edenfalling]

I think it works better with BtVS magic, though, since I think in Jossverse, most people can learn to do at least a little magic, though some people are naturally much better at it than others. And it seems to me that most people in Naruto can learn to use chakra, if they're willing to put in the time and effort, and can find someone to teach them -- otherwise, I think the classes in the ninja academy would be much smaller.

I may be way offbase, but that's the impression I get from the manga. (Also, it goes along with the sort of 'equalization' of martial arts, and with Lee's example, where effort can make up -- somewhat -- for a lack of natural talent.)

[elfiepike.livejournal.com]

seems plausible to me. :)

the interesting thing about naruto, though, is that it also factors in genetics. you are genetically capable of doing certain things with chakra--or not. (i mean, not that this relates in anyway to your theory, but yeah.)

[edenfalling]

Yeah, but the thing about bloodline limits is that they're bred for, rather than cropping up out of a non-chakra-using population (like Muggleborn wizards in Harry Potter), so it would be like Willow having children with funny eyes. I think.

I am not explaining myself well. Um. Bloodline limits aren't really like 'normal' uses of chakra. They depend upon channeling chakra through special organs or genetic quirks... but they don't preclude the use of 'normal' chakra techniques either. So Sasuke can use chakra to activate his Sharingan, or to cast fire jutsu. A bloodline limit is more like having an extra weapon than like having a totally different way of using chakra.

I'm still not making sense. Damnit.

[elfiepike.livejournal.com]

no, i think it makes sense. what i was kind of going for was that, really: is buffy-style magic something that you have to be genetically capable of, too?

or not. i'm not quite sure what i was going for, there. hm.

basically, i think your theory is sound. the chanting/will in jossverse could be the same thing that guides basic techniques that everyone knows?

[(Anonymous)]

I've always read it as physical and mental energy because I remember thinking about how different Naruto!energy is with Yu Yu Hakusho!energy, because in Yu Yu Hakusho deals with energy of the spirit (evidenced by the increase in powers even when the spirit is severed from the body.)

As Sakura explained, it the the result of a harmony between the mind and the body. That is why strenthening the body as well as honing the mind and will result in increase of the chakra.

[(Anonymous)]

Read as 'honing the mind and will', not as 'will result'. If I weren't half dead with sleep than I would be able to structure my sentences better.

[edenfalling]

Yes, I know chakra's a combination. I'm talking specifically about the mental/spiritual component, not the resulting fusion. Sorry if I didn't make that clear.

Please do not take badly. Am tired. Am therefore snappish.

[(Anonymous)]

And I'm saying that the mental component is not the same as a spiritual component. I'll have to look up the reference, yay manga slumming, but I don't think it was ment in any spiritual sense and thus your idea wouldn't work.

Don't get me wrong, I worship the ground you walk on and I wish you much happiness and many more stories. But I honestly think that your conclusion is based on flawed data. Its a good conclusion but can you back it up with info from the source?

[(Anonymous)]

"Chakra is the source of energy used by every Shinobi in the great series of Naruto. In fact, there are two energy sources used by them; Stamina, which could also be called physical energy, and Chakra, which could be called mental energy. As a result, each ninja style uses a different energy source; Taijutsu uses pure stamina, while Ninjutsu and Genjutsu use Chakra."

From http://www.narutofan.com/index.php/content-Ninja%20Guide,chakra%20control

Yet the picture below also mentions spiritual energy...so now I'm just befuddled and you could probably convince everyone else who's not as stubborn as I that what you say is the unequivocal truth.

[edenfalling]

Hmm. Okay, executive decision: for purposes of writing "Lemonade," chakra has a physical component (stamina) and a mental/spiritual component ('magic'), regardless of Kishimoto's exact intentions, which he hasn't made terribly clear in any case. If this is not canon, so be it. I allow myself one free contradiction of canon in every story, just as a failsafe, and that will therefore be my contradiction of Naruto canon in "Lemonade." (Kakashi's age is my contradiction in "Apartment Manager" and "Guardian" for example. I try not to use the free contradiction, but it's a useful way to keep myself from going insane trying to contort within the occasionally nonsensical and self-contradictory rules of canon.)

This will have no bearing on any straight Naruto stories, but I really wanted a way to sort of tie the overarching 'laws of magic' together among the three worlds involved in "Lemonade." Crossovers are easier if you can make the respective worlds play nice with each other.