Chapter 6
Breathing Techniques
Naruto's heart pounded as he read Aizen's new reply.
Analyzing others? Seeing through others? Recording their weaknesses?
For some reason, he always felt that these suggestions had a cold undertone, and didn't seem like advice that a good person would give.
Is it just my imagination?
How could someone who is always so enthusiastic about teaching others how to dress be a bad person?
More importantly, a voice deep within Naruto's heart was telling him:
What this man said might be one of the true rules governing how this world operates.
"Let's give it a try first."
Naruto took a deep breath and memorized Tanjiro's "Water Breathing" training method and Aizen's "information gathering" mission.
"One makes my body stronger, the other makes my mind stronger... I want them both!"
……
The next day, early in the morning.
[Ding! Daily task: Health preservation, completed.]
[Obtained an E-rank treasure chest. Opening it yields: 1 Stamina Recovery Pill.]
Naruto glanced at the small blue pill in his hand, put it away, and then headed towards the school.
During the day, he put Inazuma's advice into practice at school.
No more shouting, no more sleeping in class.
He spent most of his class time reading the basic books provided by Iruka.
While reading, he wore his glasses, which were meant to make him less noticeable, and sat in the last row.
Like an outsider, silently observing everything.
Naruto's gaze first fell on the man—Uchiha Sasuke.
In Naruto's eyes, Sasuke used to be just an annoying guy who loved to show off and steal the spotlight.
But now, Naruto seems to see something different.
Sasuke seemed to be on edge at all times.
Even in the safe classroom, he was like a frightened cat, always ready to deal with unseen enemies.
Based on my vague recollection, I'd heard rumors that all his relatives had passed away...
Perhaps... Sasuke never truly emerged from that day.
Thinking of this, Naruto's initial jealousy towards Sasuke dissipated, replaced by a complex sense of pity.
Then he turned his gaze to Sakura Haruno.
Meanwhile, Sakura Haruno was secretly watching Sasuke's back while resting her chin on her hand.
Whenever Sasuke tilts his head slightly, she immediately adopts a ladylike demeanor.
When Sasuke turns his head, she will turn her gaze back to him.
Naruto was surprised to discover that Sakura Haruno only liked Sasuke's handsome appearance and genius label.
She never tried to understand Sasuke or the pain in his heart.
She merely did some superficial things that she thought would attract Sasuke's attention, which then annoyed him.
How similar this is to my former self...
Then, Naruto turned his attention to others.
Shikamaru hates trouble but is extremely intelligent, Choji has no resistance to food, and Ya is impulsive and competitive...
Finally, Naruto's gaze fell on Hinata Hyuga, the strange girl who blushed and fainted at the drop of a hat, diagonally in front of him.
At this moment, Hinata Hyuga was looking down, her fingers unconsciously drawing circles.
She would steal a glance at him every now and then.
Once eye contact is made, they will instantly dart back like a startled rabbit.
Naruto used to think she was a weirdo.
He even wondered if she was afraid to look at him because she disliked him.
But after observing for a while, Naruto was surprised to discover...
Hinata's gaze seems quite similar to Sakura's.
Naruto quickly shook his head, realizing he was overthinking things.
"I'm the village's most hated loser, and she's the young lady of the Hyuga family. How could she possibly like me?"
"Maybe... she was just looking at the scenery behind me."
…………
After school, at the grocery store.
"Boss, give me a hot water bottle, the thickest rubber kind, the sturdiest kind."
The grocery store owner looked at the blond boy with black-rimmed glasses, who looked refined and scholarly, with a strange expression.
Why do young people buy hot water bottles in the spring?
And for some reason...
He looked at the boy in front of him, feeling like he had seen him somewhere before, but he just couldn't remember where.
Normally, if the boss saw that loud and boisterous fox demon come in, he would have already chased him away with a broom.
But faced with this polite and neat young man, the boss couldn't reconcile him with that troublemaker at all.
After all, no one could have imagined that a person could undergo such a drastic change in just a few days.
"Ahem, 100 taels is the fair price."
Ultimately, for the sake of money, the boss rummaged through everything and found a red rubber bag in the warehouse:
"This rubber bag is very durable; it's difficult to puncture even with a kunai."
"I want this one!"
Naruto paid, picked up the hot water bottle, and went out.
He finally breathed a sigh of relief after leaving the store.
Actually, Naruto was feeling very nervous, unsure if he would be discovered, and afraid of being kicked out again.
But clearly, the glasses were more effective than he had expected.
"That's awesome! I won't need to use transformation magic to buy things anymore!"
Naruto felt a surge of joy.
In order to buy daily necessities and instant noodles, he was forced to practice his transformation technique into his most proficient ninjutsu.
But now, he can finally walk openly in the sunlight.
……
back home.
Naruto sat cross-legged on the bed, clutching the brand-new hot water bottle tightly in his hand.
Following the instructional video sent by the charcoal seller, he did not rush to blow air.
Instead, she closed her eyes and adjusted her breathing rhythm.
Then, following the breathing technique, Naruto began to feel the oxygen entering his lungs and expanding, and to feel the blood flowing in his blood vessels...
As Naruto focused his mind, he could clearly hear the strong beating of his heart.
Boom, boom, boom.
The immense life force of the vortex clan seemed to be activated by this unique breathing technique.
My body, which had become somewhat heavy from reading for long periods of time,
With the help of this breathing technique, I also felt a slight warmth, and the fatigue quickly subsided.
"Now!"
Naruto suddenly opened his eyes, put his mouth to the inlet of the hot water bottle, took a deep breath, and then blew it out.
call--
His cheeks puffed out instantly, and air from his lungs rushed into the rubber bag like a high-pressure water gun.
However, the rubber bag only bulged slightly, far from bursting.
Naruto, on the other hand, was so engrossed in his babbling that he nearly fainted.
"Cough cough cough."
He opened his mouth and coughed violently, his face turning a deep liver color.
"It's so hard, can this thing really be blown apart in one breath?"
Looking at the unmoving hot water bottle in my hand, and recalling the boy in the video who could blow apart even a harder gourd.
A surge of competitive spirit welled up within me.
"If he can do it, so can I! Let's try again!"
Naruto adjusted his breathing again and began practicing.
Once, twice, ten times...
By the time my cheeks were so sore they were almost numb, the hot water bottle had only inflated a little bit more.
But the system's notification sound brought him comfort.
[Long-Term Mission: Breathing of Water - Full Focus]
[Progress: Hot water bottle burst (0/1), Breathing Technique Proficiency (5/1000)]
"As long as there's progress, that's fine."
Naruto rubbed his sore cheeks and carefully put the hot water bottle away.
"To be continued tomorrow!"