Chapter 3: Chapter 3- Family and Breathing technique
**Mom's POV (Sakura):** In our humble fishing village, life is woven with the rhythms of the ocean and the stories of generations before us. From the moment Akira came into our lives, I felt like he brought a fresh breeze into our tiny home.
He has this adorable habit of stretching his tiny limbs every morning as if reaching for the sun, an innocent gesture that evokes laughter from both Hiroshi and me. It's a delightful ritual we look forward to, watching him arch his back and kick his little legs, his face alight with joy as he embraces the day ahead.
Despite the troubles we face, these mornings fill my heart with hope. Akira's stretching reminds me to breathe and stretch my limits as we navigate the challenges of our lives here. The sea offers sustenance, but our connection as a family gives us strength. Yet, lately, I can't shake off the worries that have settled over us like a shadow. News of bandits and ninjas from the surrounding nation has spread through the village, fostering fear and whispers that drift like smoke on the evening breeze.
As I care for Akira, I remind myself that he is surrounded by love, and we will do everything we can to keep him safe. Watching him explore, his little hands reaching for the world with such innocence, makes me wish to shield him from any potential danger.
The village is becoming more vigilant; fishermen are now alert even as they mend their nets, their laughter tinged with a nervous edge as they share stories of strange figures lurking beyond the woods.
**Dad's POV (Hiroshi):** Every day, as I return from the docks, I usually look forward to the sight of Akira stretching in the morning light. There's something reassuring about it; his instincts to reach out into the world remind me of my own journey, and I'm filled with hope for what lies ahead for him.
That little stretch says to me, "I'm ready for today," and I find strength in that. Akira's delight in simple things helps keep my worries at bay, if only briefly. But the looming threat from outside our village weighs heavily on my mind. Tales of ninjas from the neighboring nation have started to circulate, filling the air with tension.
Fishermen are working harder to stay vigilant, and tensions run high among the families, fearful of what might come. Despite the peaceful facade of our village, even the children's laughter has taken on a nervous quality, casting a shadow of unease. I want nothing more than to protect Akira, to shield him from any harm that might come our way. It pains me to think that a life filled with exploration and joy might be overshadowed by the dangers of the world beyond our shores.
But as I watch him stretch and reach for the ocean breeze, I remind myself that he is our future. No matter how dire the threats might seem, I promise to instill in him a sense of resilience and bravery — the same qualities that our ancestors thrived upon.
In these moments, I cling to the hope that by teaching Akira about our village's strength and the importance of community bonds, he can grow up knowing he is never truly alone. Together, we will face whatever challenges lie ahead, all while cherishing the simplicity of our life along the sea. With each stretch he takes, I'm reminded that he is already discovering the world in his own beautiful way, extending his spirit like a beacon of hope against the encroaching shadows of fear.
**Akira's Perspective:** Every morning, as the warm sunlight spills into our home, I wake up with a sense of excitement humming in my little heart. The gentle sound of waves crashing against the shore calls to me, promising new adventures. With each stretch, I feel the energy within me fluttering like a tiny bird, eager to take flight. I've come to discover that this feeling isn't just joy; it's the beginning of something special—my journey into understanding chakra.
I hear my parents, especially Dad, talk about it often. They say that chakra is the life force that flows through everyone, like the currents in the ocean. I want to learn how to harness it, to use it to grow stronger and explore the world around me.
With Great Sage's guidance, I start learning to channel this energy. I sit cross-legged on the floor, feeling the warm sunlight on my face and the cool ocean breeze kissing my skin. I close my eyes and focus on my breathing, inhaling deeply — in through my nose and out through my mouth.
At first, it was hard to quiet my mind and thoughts of looming threats in the future. But I practice, letting each breath wash over me like the waves. With every inhale, I imagine filling my tiny body with the bright, warm light of chakra. And with every exhale, I release any worries or doubts, like the clouds drifting away in the sky.
Soon, I start to feel a tingling sensation in my fingertips, as if I'm charging up with an invisible energy. Each stretch I make is now infused with intention. When I reach out to touch the morning sun, my body feels lighter, and I'm filled with a kind of strength I never knew I had. It's exhilarating! I can almost see the colors of my chakra swirling around me—a dazzling display of blue hues that dance like the shimmering surface of the sea.
As I practice this Chakra refinement, I realize how my body responds. The more centered I become, the more I can control my movements. I can stretch higher, run faster, and even leap with more grace! The worries I sometimes sense in my parents seem to fade a little; I feel stronger and more confident. If I can master this power within me, maybe I can help empower my little village and lead them to greatness.
As the sun began to set behind the waves, painting the sky in shades of orange and pink, I found myself wandering toward the old, gnarled tree on the outskirts of our village. This tree was unique; it felt like a guardian of our secrets and dreams.
Today, I had a bold idea brewing inside me. I wanted to ask Great Sage If I could ask the Great Sage for guidance; I believed it could help me create a breathing technique inspired by the techniques I had seen in tales of the Demon Slayer world—an art that could enhance my abilities and cultivate strength within me.
Great Sage, I called out softly, my voice carried by the breeze. "I want to learn a breathing technique that will allow me to harness my chakra more effectively," I continued, my heart racing with anticipation. "I've seen how strong and powerful the Demon Slayers are, and I believe that with the right technique, I can show even greater power with the power of chakra.
**Sage,** To create a technique, you must first connect deeply with your chakra and understand its flow." With every word, I felt the spark of inspiration ignite within me. To emulate their art, you must learn to synchronize your breaths with the rhythm of nature. Start with the basic forms: inhale deeply to gather strength, hold to cultivate it, and exhale powerfully, releasing your energy into the world. Visualize your chakra as a flowing river, shaping and shifting with your will."
I nodded, understanding washing over me like the tide. "Let it be known as the 'breath of the tide,' for just as the ocean ebbs and flows, so too shall my energy rise and fall, empowering me to become a beacon of hope." I could feel glimmers of excitement lighting up my heart. As I left my quiet spot beneath the tree, I felt the anticipation of my journey unfolding before me.
With the Great Sage's guidance, I was ready to transform my practice. Each breath I would take from that day on would be infused with purpose, a dance between chakra and nature, preparing me to face whatever challenges lay ahead. The ocean's waves sang a melody of possibility, and I promised myself that I would not only learn this new technique but also share it with others—so they, too, could join me in the fight to protect their loved ones in this world shadowed by endless conflict.