"Since Jūgatsu (October) has started, it's time for Manipura training." Hanzo stared at the ocean and sipped his saké. "From now onwards, the regimen will get more intense and the cold is only going to make things worse."
The trio were in awe of how he did not look drunk.
"I hope you guys are ready!"
"Yes, sensei!"
"Right. This time we'll focus on endurance which will include aerobic exercises. You'll run ten kilometres every morning and evening. During daytime you'll swim for five kilometres." He turned to the Inazuma prince. "Kazuo-kun, you should be able to retrieve Sūijin by the end of the month."
Hanzo took another sip. "I shall also introduce bujutsu (martial arts) and Budō Seishin (Spirits of Budō) which is made up of five states of mind. The levels from lowest to highest are Shoshin, Zanshin, Mushin, Fudoshin and Senshin (Beginner, Lingering, Empty, Immovable and Enlightened mind)."
"What a minute sensei..." said Mikoto, furrowing her eyebrows. "What does bujutsu have to do with opening the chakras?"
"Bujutsu is the ratio of a user's strength to speed. It is the original martial art developed by ancient masters. The Budō states correspond with the chakras. For example, you cannot open Anahata without learning Shoshin."
Mikoto nodded, trying to follow. "I see."
"So, with the mastery of each level, your speed and your mental fortitude increases tenfold. Shoshin is fairly easy to achieve, it refers to the openness and eagerness you showed when you started training.
Zanshin is a state where you're fully aware of yourself and environment. It requires practice and mindfulness meditation to master. Next is Mushin–"
"Mushin?" Takumi queried before adjusting his glasses. "I doubt I can ever be in a state of no mind."
"Mushin is about being able to act without thought. It can't be understood with intellect, it's an experience. You simply act—almost out of instinct." Hanzo explained and paused to clear his throat. "Sorry, but I had reserved Mushin and Fudoshin for Kazuo in the last two months."
"What will we be doing during that time?" asked Takumi.
Hanzo looked at Takumi and Mikoto in turn. "You guys will work on your elemental affinities."
Kazuo grinned from ear to ear, unable to hide it.
"But why sensei?" Mikoto protested with a frown. "That's not fair!"
"Those states require at least one year to learn–"
"Ehhh!" Mikoto gasped, eyebrows raised. What makes him special?
Hanzo almost read her mind. "Not only does Kazuo-kun possess more prana than you two thanks to Kazuro-sensei's Kundalini awakening, he's already been to the shadow plane."
Kazuo's eyes widened. "Yes! Time moves waaay faster there! An hour inside, is a minute outside."
"Ten points for you, Kazuo-kun!" Hanzo applauded. "That's for today's lecture… let's begin."
The group started jogging with Hanzo at the lead. Halfway through the run, he looked like as energetic as he had started. Kazuo and Mikoto followed from a close distance while Takumi dragged a bit further. At the end of the ten kilometres, the Lightning trio were drenched in sweat.
Hanzo gave them an hour's rest before they started the second round of training. After the five kilometre swim, their limbs felt like tentacles. Hanzo cackled during lunch, seeing how they struggled to use their chopsticks.
However, as the days progressed, they grew accustomed to the pain that came with the hardcore regimen. With their endurance increasing as fast time went by, they trained without easily succumbing to fatigue.
The month went on and dread turned into enjoyment. Towards the end, they looked forward to each day of running and swimming. The calmer evenings focused on Manipura meditation. It required them to visualize a yellow sphere located just above the navel as they made the Agni mudra.
"Your Manipura is now open and balanced." Hanzo told them and they jumped in excitement. "Which also means you can use Shoshin. So, in whatever you do, approach it with an open mind." He then faced Kazuo. "I think you're ready to retrieve Sūijin."
Hanzo led them to the beach and they stopped before the shoreline. "Kazuo-kun, if you swim straight ahead and follow that current for about twenty metres, dive deep and search for a shiny katana with a blue saya. Understood?"
"Got it!" Kazuo tossed his clothes aside, leaving only his underwear and ran barefoot until he started swimming. As he swam, he left a stream of splashes in his path and reached the twenty metre mark in record time. When Hanzo signaled to him, he took a deep breath and dived into the sea.
As the water reflected the sky, searching for a blue saya proved to be a challenge. Kazuo noticed something shiny at the bottom and swam even deeper, passing several critters readying the coming winter.
Meanwhile, Hanzo and the others began worrying. Six minutes had elapsed and Kazuo was still underwater. Tension started mounting. However, their faith did not waver.
Two minutes later, Hanzo decided to go after Kazuo. He approached the sea and was stopped in his tracks by Mikoto's scream. He saw a purple head emerging from the sea and sighed.
"Ahh!" Kazuo gasped, splashing water everywhere. He raised the blue katana in the air. "I found it!" As he tried swimming back, his limbs failed him.
Hanzo dove in and swam towards his pupil. Once he reached the spot, he carried Kazuo and Sūijin back to shore.
"You had us worried there for a second." Mikoto stared at Kazuo with concern in her look.
Kazuo coughed up a bit of water and smiled.
☯
Air elemental training was reserved for Jūichigatsu (November). It involved balance, rigorous breathing exercises and Heart chakra meditation. For Anahata, they focused on a green sphere located at the chest while making the Vayu mudra.
Jūichigatsu came and went like a gust of wind. The trio had opened Anahata and reached Zanshin. They had become stronger and able to react faster. By month's end, numerous tree leaves stood leafless—bidding the fall season farewell.