Flow Like Water

You can read up to 10 chapters ahead on my patréon:

"https://www.patréon.com/MoneyBall683"

Please change the 'é' in the link with 'e' to get the correct address.

___________________________

Gai shifted his attention back to Rai and composed himself before asking in a more serious tone, "Aside from agility and balance, what other types of training do you engage in?"

Rai responded, "In addition to those, I also place a significant emphasis on body conditioning and endurance exercises. My endurance training takes place in the morning, while my agility and balance training is scheduled for the evening."

Gai acknowledged Rai's response with a nod of approval. "It's impressive to see that you have such a comprehensive training routine at your age," he remarked.

After a brief moment of contemplation, Gai continued the conversation. "Have you already begun your basic taijutsu training?" he asked in a curious tone.

Rai shook his head. "No, not yet. My mother has been extremely busy for the past few days so we couldn't get started on my taijutsu training."

Gai nodded in understanding. "I see," he said. "Well, if you ever want to learn some basic taijutsu, I would be happy to teach you. It's important to have a solid foundation in all aspects of shinobi training."

Rai looked at Gai with a hint of doubt and asked, "Is it okay for someone as young as you to teach me, Gai?"

Gai chuckled and patted Rai on the back reassuringly. "Age doesn't always equate to experience, Shikarai. While I may be young, I have trained rigorously and have a lot to offer in terms of Taijutsu. And as a genin, I have already been taught the basics thoroughly, so I can easily show you what you need to know."

Rai's face lit up at the offer. "I see, Gai. Thank you for explaining that to me. I am grateful for your offer, but I don't want to be a burden on your schedule or hinder your own training in any way," Rai expressed.

Gai responded with his characteristic smile, reassuring Rai about his offer. "Please don't worry about that, my young friend," he said warmly. "I have ample time to dedicate to my own training, and I am happy to teach you some basic taijutsu katas. It won't take too much of my time."

Rai expressed his gratitude towards Gai's offer with a nod of appreciation. "Thank you so much, Gai! I can't wait to get started," he replied eagerly.

Gai responded with enthusiasm, mirroring the eagerness he saw in Rai's expression. "Great, I'll ensure that I give you a thorough understanding of the basic katas, so that you can continue to practice them and hone your skills," he said, giving Rai a thumbs up and a wink.

Gai cleared his throat before continuing, "Taijutsu is considered a crucial component of shinobi training, alongside ninjutsu and genjutsu. Taijutsu requires utilizing one's body to attack, defend, and maneuver in combat, without any tools or weapons."

Gai took a brief pause before carrying on. "However, Taijutsu is not solely reliant on brute force," he explained. "It also demands precision, timing, and control. It's about understanding when to strike and how to move, anticipating your opponent's actions, and utilizing your own movements to outmaneuver them."

Rai paid close attention to Gai's words, acknowledging them with a nod. "I understand," he replied thoughtfully. "So, it's not just about physical strength, but also being intelligent and strategic in combat."

Gai smiled at him, "Exactly," he said. "In addition to mastering the physical techniques, taijutsu also involves sharpening one's mental and spiritual faculties. This means developing the ability to read an opponent's movements, using intuition to anticipate their next move, and maintaining a calm and focused mind even in the midst of chaos.

That's why taijutsu is such an important part of being a shinobi. It is not only for combat but also for cultivating discipline, concentration, and self-restraint."

Rai looked at Gai with curiosity and asked, "How much time and effort does one need to invest to become proficient in taijutsu?"

Gai took a moment to think before replying, "Becoming proficient in taijutsu requires a significant amount of time and dedication. It can take several years of consistent training and practice to master the various techniques and hone your skills.

However, the time required can vary depending on various factors such as the individual's natural abilities, their starting level of physical fitness, and the intensity of their training regimen."

It's also worth noting that proficiency in taijutsu is a lifelong journey. Even the most skilled taijutsu practitioners continue to train and refine their skills throughout their lives. So while it may take time and effort to become proficient in taijutsu, the journey itself is just as important as the destination."

Gai's voice took on a serious tone as he spoke. "There was once a shinobi in our village who was revered for his incredible skill in taijutsu. His name was Chen, and he was known for his unparalleled speed, power, and agility."

Despite his remarkable abilities, he never relied on ninjutsu or genjutsu, choosing instead to defeat his opponents through his mastery of taijutsu alone. Chen's techniques were said to be so formidable that even the most skilled and experienced shinobi found it challenging to match his prowess." Gai's admiration for Chen's skills was evident in his words, and he appeared to hold the shinobi in high esteem.

Gai's demeanor turned grave as he spoke further. "Regrettably, Chen's life was tragically cut short during a battle a year ago while defending our village from an enemy attack." he said with a hint of sorrow in his voice.

"Chen was a genuine taijutsu master. His proficiency and unwavering commitment to his art were unmatched. He was a model for all aspiring taijutsu practitioners," Gai added, his tone conveying respect and admiration. Sadly, his only pupil also perished in battle, leaving his techniques lost to time."

Gai took a moment to collect himself before continuing his explanation to Rai. "As I mentioned earlier, taijutsu training requires discipline and perseverance. It is a challenging practice that tests not only your physical abilities but also your mental fortitude," he explained. "But with dedication and hard work, anyone can become proficient in it."

"To aid in the learning process, taijutsu is often taught through katas. Katas are a set of pre-arranged movements designed to help practitioners perfect their techniques," Gai continued. "Each kata consists of specific movements that require precision and fluidity. By repeatedly practicing these movements, you can enhance your speed, power, balance, and coordination."

He continued, "Katas can help practitioners develop muscle memory, which is crucial in high-pressure combat situations. When a shinobi has trained their body to execute the movements instinctively, they can focus their mind on strategic thinking, which can be the difference between victory and defeat."

Gai took a brief moment to allow Rai to process the information before proceeding. "Taijutsu offers a wide range of katas that cater to various combat situations. Each kata emphasizes a different area of combat, such as striking, footwork, throws, joint locks, or evasive techniques. As you advance in your training, you will learn more complex katas, building on the skills you have already mastered."

He finished with a smile. "While katas may be demanding, they can also be enjoyable. There's a sense of accomplishment in executing a sequence of movements with accuracy and fluidity, acknowledging that you have attained a small yet significant piece of taijutsu's mastery. As you continue your training, you'll come to appreciate the beauty and elegance of taijutsu and the depth of its potential."

"I will be teaching you the 'Water Flow Kata'," said Gai. "This kata is a fundamental taijutsu form that emphasizes the fluidity and grace of movement. It is named after the flowing motion of water, which symbolizes the nimbleness and versatility of a shinobi. Through practicing this kata, you will learn to move with greater ease and control, and develop a deeper understanding of the principles of taijutsu."

The Water Flow Kata is a fundamental form in taijutsu that focuses on smooth and graceful movements inspired by water. The kata incorporates various strikes and movements that simulate the swaying of waves and the rushing of a river. The technique emphasizes the use of fast, fluid movements for both evasion and offense, along with the proper use of momentum to generate power.

The Water Flow Kata is commonly used as a warm-up exercise for taijutsu training. It aids in loosening up the muscles, enhancing agility, and increasing flexibility. Moreover, the technique is also utilized as a training tool to improve a shinobi's coordination, balance, and mastery over their movements.

To execute the Water Flow Kata, the practitioner must begin in a low stance with their legs spread apart and their knees slightly bent. They must then position their arms in front of their chest, their elbows bent and their fists clenched.

The kata commences with a series of smooth and flowing circular movements of the arms and torso, imitating the fluidity of water. This is followed by a sequence of swift kicks and strikes, employing the legs and arms in rapid succession to both attack and dodge adversaries.

As the practitioner becomes more proficient in the Water Flow Kata, they can add variations and combinations of movements to make it more challenging and effective."

Gai took Rai to a nearby clearing, "Let me demonstrate the Water Flow kata for you first," he said, going through the motions of the kata slowly and deliberately. "Observe how I execute each movement and how I coordinate my body to flow seamlessly from one stance to another," he instructed.

Rai observed Gai's demonstration with a keen eye, taking note of his movements. Once Gai finished, he nodded to Rai. "Now it's your turn. Try to mimic my movements as closely as possible."

Rai took a deep breath and nodded. He began to mimic Gai's movements, but struggled to replicate the fluidity and grace that Gai demonstrated.

Gai observed Rai's technique closely, "Excellent effort, Shikarai. It's normal for the movements to feel awkward at first, but with practice and concentration, you'll find that the fluidity will come more naturally. Remember to be mindful of your breathing, as it helps with your balance and control," he instructed.

Rai was determined to master the kata, and so he continued to practice tirelessly. He paid close attention to Gai's feedback, making adjustments to his movements as needed. Gradually, he became more comfortable with the fluidity and gracefulness required by the kata, his body moving more confidently with each repetition. Rai's dedication and persistence paid off as he began to notice significant improvements in his balance, coordination, and control over his movements.

His mind became clear and he felt completely in tune with his body, as if every movement came naturally to him. He also noticed that his breathing became slower and deeper, which helped him stay calm and centered.

After several minutes of practice, Rai finished the kata, feeling slightly out of breath but pleased with his progress. "Thank you for teaching me," he said to Gai with a smile.

Gai was pleasantly surprised as he observed Rai performing the kata almost flawlessly on his first attempt. He had anticipated that the boy would have difficulties with the movements, but instead, Rai showed a natural aptitude for taijutsu.

Gai maintained his composure and kept his emotions in check, not wanting to let his surprise show. He gave Rai a nod of approval and a small smile, acknowledging his performance.

"You did an excellent job, Shikarai," Gai said. "You seem to have a natural talent for taijutsu, but don't become too complacent. But don't let that make you complacent. Keep practicing this kata until it becomes second nature to you.

Gai continued, "In order to improve, you must practice regularly. I recommend that you incorporate this kata into your daily training routine, preferably in the morning after your endurance training.

As you become more proficient, try to increase your speed and focus on refining your technique. While I cannot train with you every day, I can still offer guidance once a month. Whenever I am free, I'll come to this training ground and check on your progress."

Rai nodded, absorbing Gai's words of wisdom. He understood that mastering taijutsu would require dedication and a strong work ethic. He thanked Gai once again and promised to continue training hard.

Gai grinned, pleased with Rai's attitude. "I have faith in you, Shikarai. Keep up the hard work and you'll be a skilled shinobi in no time." With a final nod of encouragement, Gai took his leave, leaving Rai to continue his training.