Chapter 29 - Special Training

A/N: Work keeps getting busier, I'm going to change the release schedule. I'll try to put out more on the weekends to make up for the weekdays.

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The next morning after Terumi fell asleep underneath the tree, he awoke to find Ama sleeping next to him.

As he got up, he felt a little sore from last night's activities, but it wasn't at the level that would affect him greatly.

'Hmm. This new breath will take some getting used to, and although the overall performance is great, it's not complete just yet. I need to develop the accompanying sword style to use it with. The basis of the style is about using the momentum of swift attacks combined with my physical power to deliver devastating attacks. To that end, I need to work on two things.'

Terumi then raised his arm and flexed his muscles.

'My overall strength has improved greatly from the weight training Zephyr has been giving me. But what I need is endurance, my attacks take too much energy. The second thing I need is to improve my explosiveness for both my arms and legs, which will complement my new breathing style.'

Terumi looked overhead to check upon the position of the sun.

'Hmm, still a little bit before morning training. Let's check the shed.'

Terumi walked over to the shed at the end of the field. Inside were various dumbells, barbells, and weighted training shirts.

'Hmm. I can make do with endurance training with these, however, it'll be more effective if I had something like bracers and anklets. That way I can improve the explosive power of my arm and legs and train my sword skills at the same time.'

Terumi then picked up a 100-ton shirt and examined it.

'Hmm. Right now, my upper limit is about 200 tons before I become unable to move. 800 if I use Haki to support myself. But what I need is something lighter that I can wear at all times, and if use Breath of Star with Total Concentration Constant at the same time, it should be manageable. Though, I just hope my lungs won't explode.'

Terumi put on the 100-ton shirt and then closed the shed door. Afterward, he made his way over to the main grounds.

As Terumi approached the field, he saw Zephyr and the rest of the trainees. Hina noticed his approach and greeted him with her eyes, in which he nodded with a smile in return.

Zephyr also noticed Terumi's attendance and started the training for today.

"Good, you're all here. We have a little over four more months before field training starts. Starting today, every two weeks, I will be adjusting your training schedule."

The trainees all nodded in approval. Although Zephyr's training always seemed impossible, the results cannot be denied.

"Secondarily, I'm glad to announce that everyone has decided to take Rokushiki training seriously."

Zephyr said as he eyed Drake and Smoker.

"I will continue to work with each of you individually as much as I can. You will find the times on your new schedule."

As Zephyr announced the new schedule, he took out a stack of papers from his breast pocket and handed teach one to each of the recruits.

Terumi eyed his new schedule with some surprise.

'Hmm, it's basically what I had in mind as well, minus the weighted bracers. Zephyr-sensei understands what I need to work on, I'll ask him after morning training.'

Zephyr clapped his hands to get everyone's attention.

"Okay kids, you can review later. Let's get started."

"Yes, sir!"

A few exhaustive exercises later, Terumi found himself running side by side with Hina for the final part of morning training.

The two ran side by side at the end of the line as the group jogged in sync for their daily laps.

"Hina, how are your legs feeling? Did you get used to the movements from yesterday?"

"..."

Gion and Ain who were running in front of them immediately turned around and stared at Terumi and then Hina.

"Hmmm~?"

Gion hummed.

Hina coughed with a slight blush and then spoke.

"Hina has made some progress with the new Soru training we did yesterday."

Hearing that, Gion and Ain had a disappointed face and turned back to the front.

Terumi raised an eyebrow and then continued to his next question.

"Nice, that's good news. So actually today I'm planning on starting special training. I'm planning on getting Zephyr-sensei to make me some weighted bracers so I can increase my explosiveness. I think this will be helpful for you too Hina since right now your main way of fighting is hand-to-hand combat. Being able to close the distance quickly is important."

"Bracers?"

"Yeah, that's right. It's like the weighted clothing that Zephyr-sensei has us wear, except instead of building core strength as these clothes do, the bracers will be focused on developing your explosiveness. If you do your combat routines while wearing them, you'll find that it'll be very hard to do anything, as the added weight and imbalance will take some getting used to. However, the end results should be very helpful."

Hina nodded in understanding once she heard Terumi's explanation.

"It's true that as someone who's focused on hand-to-hand combat, this training does sound very helpful. Hina will join you as well."

"Hey, that sounds fun, Terumi-chan. Don't forget about me now that you have Hina."

"That does sound interesting."

Gion and Ain turned around once more and joined in the conversation.

Terumi nodded and smiled.

'I was thinking that Zephyr-sensei might integrate this into everyone's training anyway. It's nice to see that people see value in it as well. After all, I believe everyone here wants to get stronger. It's in our nature.'

"I'll let Zephyr-sensei know."

The rest of the jog went pretty smoothly as Terumi discussed his plans to utilize the bracers in his training. Gion was especially interested, as she is also a swordsman like Terumi.

"Hmm, that's quite an inspired training method, Terumi-chan. You don't mind telling me this?"

Terumi chuckled slightly and waved his hand.

"Yeah, it's no problem. I'm not sure if it'll fit your sword style or not, as I designed it for myself, but at the very least it should help your iai techniques."

Gion nodded happily.

"That's enough. I'll figure out my own path after."

Terumi nodded and then soon the group's jog came to an end.

After the morning exercise, Terumi went to talk to Zephyr.

"Zephyr-sensei."

Zephyr was in the middle of writing the group's next training schedule after their current one finished.

"Ah, Terumi. Did you come to tell me why you ruined my third training ground? Hahaha."

Terumi scratched his cheek in embarrassment and cleared his throat.

"I was just testing something new. I think I have an idea to improve my current training regime and possibly some of the other recruits as well."

Zephyr raised an eyebrow in interest.

"Oh? Let's hear it then."

"So, my new combat style has a heavy emphasis on speed and power. In order for me to be effective with it, I need to increase my explosiveness. I want to be able to go from unmoving to launching a swift attack in less than a second. To that end, I want some weighted training bracers for my arms and legs. The added weight and imbalance will make sudden movements very difficult, but once I get used to it, it should do wonders for my explosiveness."

Zephyr thought for a second with a pondering look on his face. A few moments later, he nodded.

"Yes, I can see how this would be effective for you, and everyone else as well. I'll get them made in various weights and add them to everyone's training schedule. You're free to use them however you like for personal training as well."

"Thank you, Zephyr-sensei."

"No problem, I still need to think a little bit about how to incorporate it into your current schedule, but you can leave it to me."

Terumi nodded with a smile and then went to go start his own training for today before Rokushiki training at night with Shuzo.