To understand the difference between Shisui’s practice of Total Concentration Breathing and ordinary breathing, think of it as eating food continuously to gain sustained strength with ordinary breathing. In contrast, Total Concentration Breathing is like taking a big bite to gain energy.
The difference is that mastering Total Concentration Breathing is much more complicated than just taking a bite of food. While the latter only requires opening your mouth wide and controlling your jaw muscles, Total Concentration Breathing is not simply about taking a deep breath.
Training in Total Concentration Breathing is akin to sprint training, gradually increasing explosive power through practice.
On Friday, when Shisui first started learning it, he couldn’t feel any difference from normal breathing. He tried hard to concentrate on his breathing, but nothing significant happened.
This changed on the fifth day.
“Flame Breathing, Total Concentration Breathing, Phoenix Flower Claw Crimson!”
Shisui held four kunai in his right hand, concentrating chakra in his palm. In an instant, all four kunai were engulfed in flames, then quickly thrown by Shisui.
Boom! Boom!
The flaming kunai struck the ground and exploded, creating small craters.
“Releasing jutsu without seals? How did you do that?” Obito couldn’t help but ask.
During the practical exam, Obito used his palm to create flames against Might Guy. Technically, this could be considered a seal-less jutsu involving chakra nature transformation.
However, Obito’s technique was an essential nature transformation, creating simple flames without additional effects. Adding more chakra couldn’t increase his power, as it might burn him.
Obito’s technique would be ranked at most D-rank using the ninja world’s standard for learning levels, unlike Shisui’s seal-less Phoenix Flower Claw Crimson.
“It’s not true seal-less release; I used Total Concentration Breathing to cheat,” Shisui explained.
“Generally, using the throat to gather chakra for Fire Style jutsu is safer and easier. Using the hands is more dangerous and slower.”
The ninja world’s chakra network and its 361 chakra points are complex. Different body parts have varying difficulties in gathering chakra for natural transformation.
That’s why many Fire Style jutsu involve breathing out fire. Using hands or feet could be more efficient and safe.
Different nature transformations vary as well. For example, many Lightning Style jutsu gather chakra in the hands or arms.
“Flame Breathing can solve the problem of nature transformation speed. I also reduced the number of shuriken to lower the total flame requirement. And, I actually formed one seal with my left hand,” Shisui said, showing his left hand.
The essence of forming seals is to guide the release of jutsu. Shisui managed to release Phoenix Flower Claw Crimson with one-handed seals by reducing the steps and enhancing them with flame breathing.
“You can form seals with one hand?” Obito was amazed.
Smack!
Mokutsuki flicked Obito’s forehead again.
“It seems you forgot what I taught before,” Mokutsuki said, ruffling Obito’s hair.
“The essence of forming seals is to guide the release of jutsu. If you understand a jutsu well enough, you can form seals with one hand, reduce the number of seals, or even release jutsu without seals,” Mokutsuki reminded.
Mokutsuki’s words brought back memories for Obito. Mokutsuki had previously explained the concepts of one-handed and reducing seals, demonstrating a complete sequence and a single-seal version of the Great Dragon Fire Technique.
Obito had enthusiastically tried practicing afterward but found that one-handed seals were neither faster nor successful. After several days with no progress, he stopped trying, thinking that mastering the basics was more practical since he had yet to hear of any renowned ninja excelling in one-handed seals.
“Hehe, I was just testing Shisui to see if he remembered what you taught, Mokutsuki-sensei,” Obito said, trying to cover up.
Shisui remained silent, understanding his friend’s attempt.
“The idea is good. Though the power and range are smaller than the normal Phoenix Flower Claw Crimson, the release speed is faster. At close range, it might be unexpectedly effective,” Mokutsuki said.
If an enemy thought Shisui didn’t have time to perform a jutsu due to proximity, his sudden single-handed seal Fire Style jutsu could catch them off guard.
“Mokutsuki-sensei, can you explain again how to perform one-handed seals?” Obito asked eagerly, hoping to achieve the same feat as Shisui.
Obito imagined how cool it would be in battle. He would calmly pull out four kunai, perform a single-handed seal before the enemy could react, and throw the flaming kunai. The enemy would be obliterated, and he would walk away with hands in his pockets.
“Seeing such a cool scene, Rin would definitely admire me,” Obito fantasized.
“I’ve explained it before, but I’ll go over it again. Ultimately, you need to practice and familiarize yourself with the jutsu. Just listening won’t help much,” Mokutsuki said.
One-handed seals are like teaching a right-handed person to write with their left hand or with both hands. The teacher can’t do it for you.
However, one-handed seals are efficient in battle. Hidden in long sleeves, a ninja could stealthily form seals and release jutsu.
It may seem sneaky, but in combat, it’s beneficial. If opponents can’t see your seals, they won’t know what jutsu you’re using.
Experienced ninjas can identify jutsu types by observing seals, as different natural transformations have characteristic seals. For example, Fire-Style jutsu usually end with the Tiger seal.
“I’ll practice a lot,” Obito nodded vigorously.
“Shisui, can you share your experience with me?” Obito asked, looking at Shisui.
“There’s no secret experience; it’s just practice,” Shisui replied.
“Haha, I forgot. Shisui, you couldn’t have forgotten Mokutsuki-sensei’s teachings since you just used it,” Obito quickly corrected himself.
Shisui was just joking. Seeing his friend’s eager expression, he couldn’t refuse.
“To improve in forming seals, practice is essential. You also need to use the breathing technique for support at your current level,” Mokutsuki began teaching.
Obito started his journey of practicing one-handed seals.
His first attempt could have been more comfortable. Obito managed to form the seal with one hand, but the shuriken was thrown without flames.
Obito and Shisui consulted Mokutsuki for advanced advice.
Looking at the scattered shuriken on the ground, Shisui remained silent. He encountered a knowledge gap, wondering why the shuriken was thrown without flames. Typically, flames are generated before the shuriken are thrown.
After pondering for a while without figuring out how this mistake happened, Shisui suggested, “Obito, maybe you should practice with both hands first before trying one-handed.”
“Good idea!” Obito agreed.
He smoothly performed the jutsu using both hands, with multiple flaming shurikens hitting the ground.
Obito recalled the memory of the two-handed seals and tried to perform it with one hand.
His second attempt resulted in flames, but the fire erupted from his hand, nearly burning himself.
“Haha, I was thinking about how Shisui used his hand and forgot the steps,” Obito laughed, explaining.
Shisui began to understand why Obito struggled with one-handed seals.
“One-handed seals are more challenging than two-handed, requiring more concentration. Keep your mind focused,” Mokutsuki reminded.
After two hours, Obito improved in concentrating chakra in his palm but failed to succeed in one-handed seals.
After practice, everyone returned home, though only Shisui went home. The others regrouped at the Southern Forest.
At home, Shisui poured himself a glass of water.
He didn’t have the habit of announcing his return, as no one else lived with him.
Glancing at the calendar on the wall, Shisui realized it was already October 18th.
His birthday was the next day, October 19th.
However, Shisui planned to skip celebrating. The only person who knew his birthday was his uncle, who was away on a mission.
He didn’t want to trouble Mokutsuki with something as trivial as a birthday, believing that Mokutsuki would help if he knew. But Shisui didn’t want to add to Mokutsuki’s already busy schedule.
Mokutsuki was constantly busy, teaching Class A all day at the academy, tutoring during lunch, training in the Southern Forest after school, and recently forging ninja tools at night, resulting in injuries.
Seeing Mokutsuki so busy, Shisui didn’t want to burden him with a birthday celebration. Celebrating wouldn’t increase his strength or benefit either of them.
“It’s just another year older,” Shisui said, sitting in his yard and gazing at the moon.
After some random thoughts, Shisui chose to practice his jutsu.
His distracted mind caused him to fail, with two of the four shuriken lacking flames.
“So that’s how it is,” Shisui thought, understanding Obito’s earlier failure.
Meanwhile, Mokutsuki gathered his other disciples.
“Do you know what day tomorrow is?” Mokutsuki asked.
(End of chapter)
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