Breathing styles

Following the situation partly, Akane yawned as she drowsily looked at Shinobu. She had apparently experienced the same situation as Ban. From time to time Shinobu would glance at her with a gentle smile on her face, yet for somre reason shivers were going down her back everytime Shinobu was smiling at her. When it happened, Akane would rub her eyes fervently, but when she looked up the shivers were nowhere to be felt. It was always the moment she glanced at Shinobu once, after that the shivers would be gone.

Feeling her mind become clearer, Akane freed herself from Ban's jacket and turned back into her half human form, her ears drooped slightly as a red intoxicated blush still colored her cheeks.

Yawning slightly, Akane joined the conversation.

"So, you're in the same boat as Ban. Any plans on what to do from now on?"

Akane said, coming straight to the point. The moment Akane had met Shinobu, she could catch the faint scent of medicinal herbs on her, along with the sweet smell of blood. That said, it must mean Shinobu dabbled in the use of medicine and was fairly capable at fighting as well, or so she hoped.

Shinobu continued to smile as she leaned her head on one of her hands.

"Oh my, what 'should' I do? I suppose there isn't anyone that would help me, isn't there? I would be glad to go back, but I don't know how. Maybe some kind person would help me?"

Laughing loudly from the charade Shinobu was putting up, Ban returned the smile.

"Well, I guess it wouldn't be a problem, right little fox? You were looking for another crew mate and it is a girl. Would be strange if you were the only girl on board, now would it~"

Akane smiled as well, but still questioned Shinobu on her capabilities.

"I am well versed in the used of medicine and poison. I can fight as well, mainly with the application of poison."

Shinobu responded curtly.

Nodding in satisfaction, Akane was happy to let Shinobu join her crew. And about her fighting power? That could be remedied with training or if she wanted, a devil fruit. (If they could acquire a decent one that fitted with Shinobu's wishes and requirements.)

Leaving the explanations about haki and their current situation to Ban and Laffitte, Akane yawned and dozed off against Ban's chest. In the meantime while Akane slept, Ban and Laffitte got Shinobu up to speed on their situation.

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Waking up completely refreshed, Akane joined the others to partake of some breakfast. It was the one thing she looked forward to evey day. Ban was just so good at cooking that Akane even considered keeping him all to herself. Too bad he already had a girl he liked called Elaine.

Filling herself with a savory omurice, Akane began to start on her usual morning workout. She carefully and meticulously stretched her limbs to their utmost limit. When she executed a split, Akane could bend her chest straight against the ground.

When her muscled were stretched and warmed up enough, Akane began to execute her routine sword strikes, increasing the weighted sword in her hand whenever she became adjusted to it. When more then four hours had passed, sweat was dripping down her face as massive boulders were being lifted and lowered at a fast pace.

Having done that more than enough, Akane switched to feet up push-ups. First it was with her hands, then her fingers until she switched it between one finger every hundered puch ups. Following that, she let Ban add weights to her ankles to increase the difficulty.

The whole time she was doing this, Shinobu was watching from the side. She seemed interested in the training Akane was doing and was staring intently. When Akane was done, Shinobu approached.

"I see you have done this often." Shinobu said as she handed Akane a bowl.

Akane nodded as she splashed a bucket of water over herself to rinse of the sweat before she accepted the towl.

"Then have you considered using breathing techniques?"

Not having heard of it before, Akane tilted her head in confusion.

"Then let me explain. Breathing styles as techniques we in the demon corps use to increase our strength and concentration to be able to defeat demons. The breathing patterns increase the amount of oxygen, air, in the blood and increases metal capabilities. There are multiple stages, such as focused breathing which is able to clot wounds from severe injuries and slow down the speed of poisoning."

Looking at Akane to see if she still followed, Shinobu smiled and continued her explanation.

"Then there is Total Concentration Breathing, an advanced form of focused breathing in which you inhale the maximum amount of air in the lungs to increase your maximum physical and mental prowess to the utmost limit. It can be quite taxing once you've tried it, but once your lung capacity increases it will be easier to maintain.

To that end there is the technique Total Concentration Breathing: Constant. It is an application in which you use the Total Concentration Breathing constantly, even during sleep hours and meals. Once mastered it will raise Stamina, Strength and Mental capabilities to the extreme. To be able to use it, we train by blowing into super durable gourds until they explode. They range from this size till this size." Shinobu indicated from about ten centimeters, to the size of her whole body.

Intrigued by this strange technique, Akane was ready to try it. Shinobu chuckled at the intent eyes cast her way as Akane couldn't wait to hear more about these strange techniques and how to start the training in how to use it.

Giving in to the staring eyes, Shinobu began to explain about the different breathing styles there were and the few she knew how to teach. Amongst those techniques, Shinobu could teach her own style, Insect breathing style and Water breathing style. The first wasn't compatible with Akane so she opted for the latter, one she had memorized from a colleague of hers, Gin and his master Urokudaki.