Chapter 5: Migthy Guy

In the back yard of the store, balancing on his hands, Ren mentally counted as drops of sweat ran down from his forehead to the tips of his hair.

'Ninety-eight...ninety-nine...one hundred.'

He got back to his feet in a fluid motion, shaking his arms to ease the burning. Four months of constant practice were paying off.

'Mighty Guy was right,' he reflected, wiping his face. 'Walking on the hands is not just an eccentric exercise. The arms develop a different strength when they are forced to support the full weight of the body.'

His routine had evolved considerably. In addition to her morning run and swim, he now devoted at least an hour a day to exercises on his hands: balancing, walking, even some timid attempts at doing push-ups in that position.

'If legs are naturally stronger than arms, it's because we're constantly using them to walk,' he reasoned as he prepared for another set. 'So if I want arms as strong as legs...'

'"Again with that weird exercise?"

Ren turned around. His father was watching him from the courtyard entrance, a half-smile on his face.

' He is right, I would think so too, especially if a 5-year-old is doing it.'

"I saw that in a book," Ren replied, trying not to sound too defensive.

" What kind of book? " Toshiro approached, sitting down on an empty crate. "

"The Supermega Exercises of the Force", Ren said, trying to be as childish as possible.

' I could have chosen a different name though'

" Ahahahahahah" his father burst out laughing." What a child!".

After composing himself he added " Actually I noticed that your balance has improved a lot. Maybe we can start with something more... interesting."

Ren's heart sped up, but he maintained a composed expression. "Like feeling the chakra?"

Toshiro nodded. "Sit down," he pointed to the floor in front of him. "First of all, close your eyes."

Ren obeyed, assuming the lotus position.

"The chakra flows in us like water in a riverr",Toshiro began. "Like water, it can be calm or turbulent. It can be a trickle or a waterfall. But unlike water, chakra responds to our will -- and our emotions."

Ren felt his father's hands rest on his shoulders.

"Now, try to concentrate and tell me what you feel," Toshiro continued, "Don't force yourself. Let the feeling come on its own, like when you are immersed in the lake and feel the movement of the water around you."

Ren concentrated. At first he felt nothing, then-a sensation. Like a tingling sensation on his skin, but deeper.

"I can feel it," he whispered. "It's like ... waves?"

"Good," his father's voice was approving. "What you feel is my chakra interacting with your body. That's how ninjas start their path. Some develop it naturally, others work on it for years."

"What about me, can I become a ninja?"

"Anyone can become a ninja," Toshiro replied. "The question is how much time and dedication you are willing to invest in it. For now, focus on this exercise. Try to feel your chakra, but without forcing it. Like when you let yourself float in the water."

That evening in the store, Ren was still reflecting on his father's words when the bell rang. His heart leapt when he recognized the figure of Tatsumi.

"Ah, the young scholar," smiled the Sealmaster, noticing him. "Still interested in fuinjutsu?"

'Of course, it will be one of the key elements of my style'[Ren]

Ren nodded vigorously. "I've been studying the basic seals on the scrolls we have in the store," he said quickly. "And I tried to copy some patterns..."

He pulled out some sheets from under the counter where he had meticulously reproduced the simplest conservation seals.

Tatsumi took the sheets, examining them carefully. His eyebrows arched slightly.

"Your handwriting is surprisingly precise for your age", he commented. "And I see that you numbered each stroke, noting the correct order."

"I noticed that the order of the strokes seems as important as the shape," Ren explained. "As if each line builds on the previous one."

Tatsumi studied him for a long moment. "Do you know why explosive seals are so dangerous to create?"

"Because if you miss a line, the energy is not channeled properly and the seal can explode prematurely" Ren answered promptly.

"And do you know why preservation scrolls must be charged with specific chakra?"

 ' No my friend, now you want too much...I'll try with sincerity'

"I don't know, I wouldn't want to hazard a wrong answer" Ren said, hoping his bet was right.

Not too convinced, Tatsumi stroked his beard, exchanging a glance with Yuki.

" A Sealmaster expert must also know when not to go over," Tatsumi replied.

"Sunday morning," he finally said.

"At dawn. If you want to learn, we'll start with the basics. And I mean the real basics: how to prepare the ink, how to hold the brush, how to breathe while drawing a line."

Ren's heart almost exploded with joy, but he kept a serious expression. " I'll be there, Tatsumi-sensei."

"Don't call me sensei yet" muttered the elder.

"We'll see if you have the patience for it. Fuinjutsu is not for those who seek shortcuts."

'If only he knew, Ren thought as the Sealmaster walked away to talk to his mother.

'In the next life let me reincarnate as an actor!'