Chương 42: The Weight of Training
Haruto stood in the quiet training grounds, the late afternoon sun casting long shadows across the field. Today was the day he would push his limits with the Weighted Fūinjutsu Seal. His body buzzed with anticipation, a mix of excitement and nerves. The seal, applied to the inner lining of his training vest, pulsed gently with chakra, ready to activate.
He had already studied how it worked—how it would increase the resistance of his every movement by manipulating his chakra pathways. This wasn't just about carrying weight. It was about making his entire body, and even his chakra, work harder with each movement. He was about to start at 1.5 times his normal resistance, a setting that should challenge him without being too overwhelming.
Taking a deep breath, Haruto activated the seal, sending a small pulse of chakra into it. Immediately, the familiar weight settled over him. His limbs felt heavier, like a thick fog had wrapped around him, making every movement slow and deliberate.
This is what I need, he thought, adjusting to the sensation.
Warm-Up: Jogging and Movement Drills
Haruto began his warm-up with simple jogging. He set off at a steady pace around the perimeter of the training grounds. Almost immediately, he felt the resistance in his legs, each step requiring more effort than usual. His feet sank slightly into the ground with every stride, as though gravity had increased. The seal wasn't just adding weight to his body; it was making his muscles work harder with each step.
After a few laps, Haruto switched to side shuffles, forcing his legs to move laterally. The added resistance made his muscles burn faster than they usually would. His calves and thighs strained with the effort, but he pushed through, focusing on maintaining his balance. His chakra flowed through his legs, adjusting to the increased difficulty.
Once he finished his lateral movements, Haruto transitioned into high knees and butt kicks. These movements demanded more from his legs and core. His knees felt like they were dragging through thick water, and his back tensed with the effort of pulling his legs high enough. But that was the point. Every movement under the seal forced his body to work harder, to adapt.
Shuriken Throwing with Resistance
After his warm-up, Haruto moved to the target range to test his shuriken throwing. This was where he would feel the true test of the seal, as shuriken accuracy required precision, speed, and control—all things the seal would complicate.
He pulled a handful of shuriken from his pouch and squared his stance. Already, his arms felt heavier than usual, the muscles in his forearms and shoulders straining slightly under the resistance. He took a deep breath, adjusted his aim, and threw the first shuriken.
The metal projectile sailed through the air but landed just off-center from the bullseye. Haruto frowned. The added resistance had slowed his throw, making it less accurate than usual. He wasn't surprised, but it was still frustrating to see the drop in precision.
He took another breath, focusing on compensating for the resistance. He adjusted his chakra flow to stabilize his arm, making sure to balance his energy evenly throughout his throw. The second shuriken flew closer to the target's center, though still not perfect.
Haruto gritted his teeth and continued throwing, forcing himself to adapt to the added resistance. Each throw felt slightly better than the last. He was learning to adjust his chakra in response to the seal, refining his control to maintain accuracy despite the added difficulty.
Taijutsu: Forms and Combinations
With the shuriken practice complete, Haruto moved to the open area to focus on his taijutsu. This was where the seal would really test him. His martial arts background had always been one of his strengths, but now, with the resistance slowing his movements, he would have to push harder to maintain his form and speed.
He started with basic stances and movements, running through the forms he had practiced for years. His arms felt heavier with each punch, and his legs dragged slightly during his kicks. He could feel his muscles straining to keep up with the demands of the seal, but he pushed through, focusing on keeping his movements clean and precise.
After a few minutes, Haruto increased the intensity, working through combinations of punches, kicks, and blocks. Sweat dripped down his forehead as his body worked harder to execute each movement. His strikes were slower than usual, but his control was improving with each repetition. His chakra flowed through his body, compensating for the increased resistance.
He threw a rapid series of punches, each one feeling heavier than the last, then spun into a kick. His legs wobbled slightly, but he caught himself before losing balance. The seal was making him focus on every detail of his form—no movement could be wasted, no energy lost.
Next, Haruto transitioned into evasive drills. He practiced dodging and weaving, working on his footwork while under pressure. The resistance made his legs sluggish, but he pushed through, determined to keep his agility intact. The seal forced him to plan his movements more carefully, rather than relying on instinct alone.
Bodyweight Training: Push-Ups and Squats
After finishing his taijutsu drills, Haruto moved into bodyweight exercises. These were essential to building strength, and under the weighted seal, they would push him even harder.
He dropped into a push-up position, his arms trembling slightly as they adjusted to the resistance. He lowered himself slowly to the ground, feeling the weight press down on his shoulders and chest, then pushed back up, his arms shaking with the effort. Each rep felt like lifting twice his normal body weight.
Haruto continued, gritting his teeth as he completed set after set. His chest and arms burned, but he refused to stop. The seal was forcing him to engage every muscle, making sure he wasn't relying on momentum or shortcuts.
Next, he moved into squats. He stood with his feet shoulder-width apart and lowered himself into a squat. His legs screamed in protest as they fought against the resistance, but Haruto kept his movements slow and controlled. The seal made even the simplest exercises feel like a grueling challenge.
He completed set after set of squats, his legs trembling by the time he was finished. The burn in his muscles was intense, but he welcomed it. This was the kind of training he needed to break through his limits.
Finishing With Core Training
Haruto finished his workout with core exercises—sit-ups, leg raises, and planks. The seal made these exercises particularly difficult, as every movement engaged his core muscles to maintain balance and control.
He dropped into a plank position, his body shaking as he held the pose. The seal made it feel like his entire body was being pulled downward, forcing his core to work overtime to keep him steady. He focused on his breathing, trying to maintain a steady rhythm as his muscles screamed in protest.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Haruto collapsed onto his back, panting for breath. His body ached, every muscle burning from the strain, but there was a sense of satisfaction in that pain. He had pushed himself harder today than he had in weeks, and the seal had forced him to find new limits.
Reflection
As he lay on the ground, staring up at the darkening sky, Haruto reflected on the day's training. The Weighted Fūinjutsu Seal was more challenging than he had expected, but it was exactly what he needed. It wasn't just about strength or speed—it was about control, precision, and the connection between his body and chakra.
He could feel his muscles trembling with exhaustion, but his mind was clear. He had only just begun to understand the potential of the seal. In time, his body and chakra would adapt, and he would push the resistance higher.
Tomorrow, he would do it all over again. Stronger. Faster. Better.
This was how he would grow.
Tình trạng nguồn điện hàng tuần
-- Xếp hạng
Quyền lực 
-- Đá
Quyền lực