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Chapter 40 - Training Protocol

Although Kaiji described his training plan as totally experimental, he had quite a degree of confidence.

He believed that he would be able to recreate the Seven Heavens Breathing Method and successfully unlock and activate the Breath technique during a real battle, once he completely followed this plan.

He had structured it into 4 main parts.

Out of these, the first two steps were foundational and he intended to practice them soon, as they were necessary before learning to activate the core technique.

The FIRST STEP was building the absolute foundation.

One phase of this step, achieving peak physical conditioning, he was already doing consistently through his morning training with weights and calisthenics.

Its objective was to make his body strong enough to handle the strain and allow for longer use of the technique.

The another phase he added in this step was exercises specifically for increasing his baseline lung capacity and breath control.

Since for this technique, the body needed to be incredibly strong, strong enough to handle the strain, and the breathing techniques required massive lungs to draw in enough air and perfect control to use it effectively.

For physical strength, he was already doing calisthenics with weights.

For increasing lung capacity, he had thought of two specific ways.

The first way was Breath-Holding under exertion.

This practice included holding his breath during strenuous physical activities.

This built tolerance for oxygen deprivation and helped increase lung volume over time.

The second way was simple Deep breathing practices, focused solely on slow, deep diaphragmatic breathing exercises, gradually increasing the duration of inhales, holds, and exhales.

Then came the SECOND STEP, which was making the connection between breathing techniques and Chakra flow.

The objective was to create a link between them to produce the desired physical enhancement.

The practice he thought of for this step was Chakra-Integrated breathing.

It included experimenting with channeling chakra while performing breathing exercises, trying to push out and pull in chakra with exhales and inhales following the breath rhythm.

Another practice was Focusing Chakra with breath.

This involved attempting to concentrate chakra in specific body parts by coordinating it with forceful breaths.

The next practice he thought of was Stance and breathing coordination.

This involved combining breathing and chakra experiments with basic Taijutsu stances and movements.

These first two steps were designed for creating a solid foundation before experimenting in Unlocking and Activating the Technique itself.

The THIRD STEP was experimenting with Unlocking Breathing Activation.

Its objective was to consistently try to activate the First breath of the technique and understand its mechanics and immediate drawbacks.

This was the main step in learning the Seven Heavens Breathing Method.

Training practices for this step included, first, Recognising the activation pattern and the sensation.

This involved repeatedly practicing the specific sharp inhale, hold, and forceful exhale combined with the discovered subtle outward chakra push that caused the activations.

It also included learning to identify the specific internal feeling that signaled successful activation.

Once he was able to activate the First Breath, he would practice holding that activated state for longer periods, understanding when and how it disengaged naturally or through conscious effort.

And testing the enhancement, using the First Breath during basic combat drills and physical tasks to gauge the actual increase in strength and speed it provided.

The FORTH & LAST STEP was Mastering the higher breaths.

This involved understanding their escalating power, recognizing their visual cues, and crucially, comprehending their increasing strain and danger to the body.

Currently, Kaiji could only practice the first two steps without much worry.

But the later steps were full of experimentations, which also included the risk of damage, strain, and pain.

And for that, he needed at least some basic medical and healing abilities himself to mitigate the risks.

"I need to visit Ninja Library Archive now," Kaiji said, finalizing his plan for the immediate future.

Reasons were multiple.

"To find how much of help I can get from there in Iryo Ninjutsu and Fuinjutsu, aside from Hospital and Sealing Department." He listed.

He also needed to know if there were any scrolls regarding increasing perception and sensory abilities and basic Kenjutsu, Swordsmanship techniques that he could start practicing.

He now had two decent swords, so starting Kenjutsu was possible for him.

"Ah!"

He suddenly remembered something else crucial.

"I also have that Earth Nature Familiarisation Scroll that I needed to return within a week and I am already late in returning back!" He realized with a jolt.

He then got up from the chair.

He picked up the Earth Nature scroll he needed to return.

He said, "With returning this scroll, I can also ask about other things."

He took the scroll and got out of the Genin Corps department facility.

...

He moved towards the direction of the Ninja Library Archive.

It was evening time outside and the air was slightly cool, a pleasant change from the normal warm air that pervaded Sunagakure throughout the day.

While moving towards the Ninja Library Archive, Kaiji saw a young ninja walking towards him.

His eyes widened in surprise at the sight.

'Is he Sasori?!' he thought, recognition flickering from his past life memories.

The young man had short, messy red hair and wide, greyish-brown eyes, which looked calm but void or empty at the same time.

He was wearing a standard Chunin vest, despite the fact his true status was that of a Special Jonin.

He was indeed Sasori, of the Red Sand.

He was walking and passed by Kaiji, probably going towards his own place.

Kaiji also walked past him, keeping his expression neutral and don't looks towards him.

'I shouldn't meddle with someone like Sasori for now.' He thought firmly.

He continued to walk towards the Ninja Library Archive, the encounter a stark reminder of the dangerous world he inhabited.

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