The morning mist had not yet dissipated, but Sasuke was already standing on the open ground behind the house, clutching the wooden sword Yoriichi had specially made for him.
Dew drops wet his pants, but he paid no mind, his obsidian-like eyes fixed on the tall figure in front of him.
"Father, I'm ready." Sasuke's voice was much steadier than when he had first arrived a month ago.
He had completely adjusted his accent to match this world.
Yoriichi turned around, his eyes, always as calm as still water, observing Sasuke. In his hand was an ordinary wooden sword, with a few marks on its blade from chopping firewood.
"I tried to refine chakra using the methods you described, but I couldn't. I also observed your body and memorized the specific refining steps. It truly is a miraculous energy. But from my judgment, it seems only you can extract it."
Yoriichi said this, having already seen the entire process of Sasuke refining chakra through his Transparent World over the past month.
He had tried to imitate it, but simply couldn't grasp it.
"Is that so?"
Sasuke was a little disappointed. Now he was completely convinced that this world was not his original world.
"From your description, your original world had all sorts of miraculous abilities, sounding like gods. Mortals could even wield power that could destroy the world."
Yoriichi said expressionlessly:
"But you are too young, and you probably haven't been exposed to all the cultivation systems of your entire world before. Even if you want to find your original world in the future, you will need strength."
"Although I don't possess those incredible powers, I do have a set of self-created training methods. Though weak, they should still help you become stronger. From now on, you will learn from me," Yoriichi said.
"Yes, I will work hard, Father!" Sasuke nodded vigorously.
He could sense a very strong aura from this adoptive father. This was a ninja's intuition, and this aura made him feel that the man in front of him was even stronger than his own biological father!
"Watch my demonstration first." Yoriichi's voice, like himself, contained an indescribable power within its calmness.
Sasuke held his breath. Over the past month, Yoriichi would go up the mountain without fail and bring back large game.
Deer, wild boars, wolves, and even bears—none of these powerful creatures in nature were a match for Yoriichi.
Moreover, whatever animal Yoriichi brought back from the mountain depended entirely on his mood, and on Uta and Sasuke's appetite that day.
It seemed no creature could threaten him... Sasuke thought to himself.
Yoriichi stood before a boulder that was two people high. This stone occupied a corner of the field, perfect for use as material for expanding the house.
"Sun Breathing, First Form: Dance."
As Yoriichi's deep voice resonated, Sasuke witnessed a display of power he had never seen before.
There were no hand seals, no chakra flow, only a pure and ultimate "breathing."
Yoriichi's chest rose and fell slightly, and a puff of white air exhaled from his mouth.
In an instant, Sasuke felt the surrounding air become scorching hot.
Even more shocking was that the ordinary wooden sword in Yoriichi's hand actually ignited with a blazing flame!
It wasn't a flame formed by chakra, but a real, pure flame, brighter and hotter than any Fire Style Sasuke had ever seen, as if it could purify all impurities in the world.
Yoriichi's movements were so fast they were almost imperceptible, the wooden sword tracing a perfect arc.
Sasuke didn't even hear any sound, yet the giant boulder had already been neatly split in half, its cross-section as smooth as a mirror.
"This... how is this possible..."
Sasuke murmured, his eyes involuntarily widening. Even the Uchiha clan's most proficient Fire Style couldn't split rock!
Yoriichi didn't stop. His breathing rhythm was perfectly steady, and the flames on the wooden sword grew even more vigorous.
"Sun Breathing, Second Form: Clear Blue Sky."
This time, Yoriichi's sword light was like the rising sun, striking upwards. The split boulder divided again, becoming four pieces.
Then eight, sixteen, thirty-two pieces... until this human-sized rock was completely transformed into palm-sized square stones, only then did Yoriichi stop his slashes.
Sasuke was utterly stunned. In his world, there were indeed ninjas who could split rocks with their bare hands, but without exception, they relied on chakra to strengthen their bodies.
But Yoriichi, he used only pure physical strength and that peculiar "breathing"!
"Did you see clearly?" Yoriichi stood with his sword sheathed, the flames on the wooden sword gradually extinguishing, not even leaving a trace of scorching.
Sasuke nodded vigorously, his heart pounding: "Father, is this the 'breathing technique' you mentioned?"
"Yes, Sun Breathing."
Yoriichi walked over to Sasuke and placed his hand on his shoulder:
"I've observed your method of refining chakra; it requires a special physique. But breathing is an innate ability every person has."
Sasuke looked down at his wooden sword, then up at Yoriichi: "Can I really learn it?"
Yoriichi, for once, showed a barely perceptible smile: "Your physical talent is excellent; there should be no problem. Now, follow my rhythm as you breathe."
An hour later... "Ha... ha..."
Sasuke lay on the ground, his eyes blankly staring at the sky.
In that hour, Sasuke had endured unprecedented painful training.
Yoriichi's breathing method was completely different from ordinary people's, requiring precise control over every muscle, every expansion of the lungs.
Even just imitating it, he felt like his lungs were about to explode.
"Inhale... hold... slowly exhale..." Yoriichi's voice echoed in Sasuke's ears like a bell.
Fine beads of sweat permeated Sasuke's forehead, and his lungs burned with pain.
But he gritted his teeth and persevered, his black hair soaked with sweat and clinging to his cheeks. He remembered the strict training of the Uchiha clan, his father's cold gaze, his brother...
"Focus." Yoriichi's finger lightly touched Sasuke's back, correcting his posture. "Breathing is not about tormenting yourself; it's about communicating with your body."
Sasuke forced himself to concentrate, adjusting his breathing according to Yoriichi's guidance. Gradually, he felt a faint warm current rise from his dantian, flowing through his limbs and bones.
"Very good." Yoriichi praised, a rare occurrence. "Now, try to guide this power to the wooden sword."
Sasuke gripped the sword with both hands, breathing and exerting force according to Yoriichi's teaching. The wooden sword remained still, showing no sign of flames appearing.
"Don't rush." Yoriichi pressed Sasuke's shoulder. "The essence of breathing techniques lies in the unity of 'form' and 'heart.' Your heart is not calm enough yet."
Sasuke closed his eyes, trying to calm his restless mind. He thought of Uta's gentle smile, of the warmth he had felt in this home over the past month.
Unconsciously, his breathing became steady and deep.
"Try again," Yoriichi said.
Sasuke opened his eyes and swung the wooden sword. This time, the tip of the sword seemed to flash with a fleeting, weak spark of fire, gone in an instant.
"I saw it! Father, I saw it!" Sasuke exclaimed excitedly, his eyes sparkling with a long-lost brilliance.
Yoriichi nodded: "You're progressing quickly. But remember, breathing techniques cannot be mastered overnight. Starting today, practice for two hours each morning and evening."