Chapter 206: Beginning of Constant State Training
"Every time a Breathing Technique reaches a new level, it undergoes a qualitative change. The next stage after mastering Total Concentration Breathing is to maintain it continuously—to keep your body in that state every minute and every second."
Mugetsu began guiding Shisui and Obito through their Constant State Breathing training.
In the world of Demon Slayer, mastering Constant State was the foundation of a Hashira's strength, an essential discipline that greatly enhanced physical capability.
In the shinobi world, this adapted version of Constant State was just as critical. Mastering it permanently elevated one's Nature Transformation speed and efficiency, strengthening the user's chakra control and body alike.
Mugetsu's own powerful physique was largely thanks to the Constant State of Rock Breathing.
"All day? You mean maintaining Total Concentration Breathing all day?" Obito exclaimed. "I'd die from exhaustion before I even made progress."
Shisui looked at Mugetsu curiously, clearly puzzled. "Sensei, how can a technique that requires such focus be maintained for twenty-four hours straight?"
"It's not as hard as it sounds. With enough practice, it becomes natural," Mugetsu said with a calm smile. Given Obito's compatibility with Flame Breathing, he had confidence the boy would manage it.
"But right now, I can only hold it for about four minutes," Obito said, grimacing. "If this is 'just more practice,' I'll be training for ten years."
"The Constant State doesn't require you to maintain perfect Total Concentration all the time," Mugetsu explained. "Think of it as a stable state—if your full power boosts your strength by a hundred, this state only needs seventy or eighty."
"So that's how it is… but wouldn't that drain too much chakra?" Obito asked. In the shinobi world, Breathing Techniques gained their greatest effect when chakra was infused.
"When you're not in combat, you can keep chakra output minimal—or skip it entirely. There will be specific drills for that," Mugetsu replied.
In truth, full chakra infusion was best. But since his disciples still had limited chakra reserves, they would start with a "youth version" of Constant State training.
Shisui nodded in understanding. Constant State training was essentially a method to raise the ceiling of their technique. If they could maintain eighty percent power all day, their true limit would increase exponentially.
"Alright, first, enter Total Concentration Breathing without using chakra," Mugetsu instructed.
Obito and Shisui immediately began, inhaling and exhaling in rhythm.
Slap!
Obito's head was lightly struck. Mugetsu retracted his hand and said evenly, "No chakra."
Through the Byakugan, Mugetsu had seen Obito channel chakra instinctively.
"Hehe, sorry, habit. I didn't mean to," Obito said with an embarrassed grin. Using chakra had become second nature whenever he performed the technique.
Rumble!
Suddenly, a loud crash echoed. Obito and Shisui turned to see Mugetsu's Shadow Clone carrying several large stones of varying sizes—the smallest as tall as Obito, the largest over three meters high.
"Let's begin. Hold these stones and do squats until you can no longer maintain Total Concentration Breathing," Mugetsu said with a mischievous smile.
"Wait, we're starting that hard?" Obito stared at the stones, stunned. When he first learned Breathing Techniques, training had been limited to standing still and controlling his breathing. This looked like pure torture.
Shisui calmly examined the stones and chose one roughly his height before beginning to squat.
Though heavy, the stone was manageable under the effects of Total Concentration Breathing. Even without chakra, their enhanced bodies could bear far greater loads.
Not wanting to seem weak, Obito picked up a stone slightly larger than Shisui's and followed suit.
At first, the stone felt lighter than expected. But after five minutes, strain began to build. His breathing faltered, his chest burned, and maintaining focus grew difficult.
After five and a half minutes, Obito finally set the stone down, panting heavily. Shisui followed thirty seconds later.
"You maintained Total Concentration for five and a half minutes. See? Longer than you thought," Mugetsu praised with a smile.
Obito instantly perked up, beaming despite his exhaustion. Mugetsu's praise always hit just right.
"Shisui, you also did well. You're still a bit younger, so your stamina will catch up with time," Mugetsu said gently, patting the boy's head.
Shisui smiled faintly, encouraged.
But Mugetsu didn't allow them to rest long. Three minutes later, he had them reenter the Breathing state.
"This time, run. Stop only when you can no longer maintain the technique."
The essence of Constant State training was to make the body remember the breathing rhythm—to engrain it so deeply that even sleep wouldn't break it.
Because of that, the intensity was far higher than beginner training. Without the aid of special recovery elixirs, this pace would have been unsustainable.
By the time the session ended, Obito's legs trembled uncontrollably. His vision swam, and his soul felt halfway detached from his body.
"So tired…" he groaned.
He realized that compared to this, all his past training had been child's play. He couldn't even count how many times he had entered Total Concentration Breathing before his body went numb.
Weighted squats, running, push-ups—combined with breathing maintenance, every movement became a mountain to climb.
Even Shisui, usually calm and composed, showed clear signs of fatigue.
Mugetsu smiled faintly, saying nothing. This was only the beginning—mere foundation work. The real Constant State training was still far ahead.
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