Naruto: Mixed Heritage

Chakra Training

'No pain, No gain!'

Renjiro clung onto that phrase to enable him to complete his workout.

He already had decided on a workout plan. He would be doing a hundred pushups, pullups and squats. He would also run laps around his yard.

He did not have any way of measuring the distance but by his approximation, one lap around his yard was around a hundred meters so a hundred of such laps would result in ten kilometres (6.21 miles).

Renjiro knew that starting this from the get-go was a tall order. He opted to start with a fraction of the numbers and then gradually increase the reps and sets.

Renjiro took a break since he was spent after the workout. It was now time for his chakra control training.

Early on in the series, the concept of chakra control is introduced through the training exercises. Leaf balancing, Tree Climbing and Water Walking become the foundation for building precise chakra control.

These exercises require shinobi to employ a precise amount of chakra to hold the leaf in place and use their chakra to scale trees without their hands and to tread on the water's surface.

Renjiro concluded that the criteria for a solid foundation in chakra control was having mastery in all three exercises. He was about to begin with the leaf-balancing exercise.

Renjiro had already visited both libraries and already gotten basic information on the exercises.

The deceptively simple yet challenging task focuses on enhancing a ninja's precise control over their chakra. Its objective is to stick a single leaf, usually a dry, fragile leaf, on a specific part of the body, often the forehead or the tip of the nose, using nothing but chakra. The leaf should remain in place without falling.

Easy right?

Wrong.

The troubling part is the mental focus required. Successfully balancing the leaf requires intense concentration and focus. The ninja must channel their chakra with unwavering intent and maintain that concentration to prevent the leaf from falling.

Under the shade of a towering tree, Renjiro sought a moment of stillness.
Seated in the traditional cross-legged position, Renjiro closed his eyes and began to calm the turbulence of his thoughts. All his worries vanished, replaced by a singular focus on the present moment.

With each measured breath, his mind settled into a state of serene clarity. He visualized the turmoil dissipating like ripples on a pond, leaving only the core of his being.

In the palm of his hand, he held a fragile leaf. With a few slow breaths in and out, he channelled his focus onto the leaf, his fingers brushing against its surface with a gentle touch.

Then, with deliberate care, Renjiro raised the leaf to the centre of his forehead. It quivered against his skin. He felt the connection between his chakra and the leaf a subtle dialogue between energy and life.

Renjiro concentrated his chakra on that precise spot, the very centre of his forehead, and he felt the subtle movement of his energy. The chakra flowed, guided by his intent and purpose. Within moments, the leaf, which had once teetered on the precipice of his skin, adhered firmly to his forehead.

The achievement filled him with a sense of satisfaction and accomplishment. He had harnessed his chakra, channelled it and achieved the desired result.

However, Renjiro's elation was short-lived. As he repeated the process again and again, the leaf's adherence became inconsistent.

'It's like I'm getting worse with every try.'

Frustration set in, overshadowing his earlier success. What frustrated Renjiro even more was that he was losing significant amounts of chakra in the process.