Re: Chakra Basics: Transhumanism in the Age of Science [Open
"Hello Yoshinaga-san," Gaburieru replied quietly. He nodded to the girl.
Well, I guess that's a good omen. Classes with more girls seemed to go more quietly. As terrifying as women could be, they typically, for some unfathomable reason, tended to be good students. Actually, maybe that was even more terrifying. They were absorbing unknowable information that probably had nothing to do with the official class topic and were instead formulating strategies for the complete subjugation of mankind... No one was safe.
A second girl followed the first. Gaburieru greeted her as well, and then nodded to the newcomer who quickly bobbed and gabbed out an introduction. He was followed by a still younger boy who lingered in the doorway, staring at everything.
"Ah, hey, kid," Gaburieru said, "Aren't you going to take a seat?" The boy was a little underdeveloped to be a student, but what did the courier know? Maybe the school was grooming 'em younger these days.
The previous kid's attention had been directed to the boy, though, and after a scolding, the little kid slunk off. Gaburieru felt kinda bad, but then again, someone so young probably wouldn't have been safe during the practice part of the day...
"It's nothing, Suzaku-san," Gaburieru waved the boy's apology off. Chatter picked back up. He checked the clock--it would be time to start, soon. He'd probably have some latecomers like every other time, so some basic questions would be the best way to start...
He'd been about to begin when a few other kids came in, filling in the rear seats. They were tailed by a dashing looking figure--dashing for a shounen manga, maybe. An awkwardly-applied wrap spoke to self-treatment of something, probably quite painful wounds from the stiff way the boy bowed. Before Gaburieru could respond, the boy had insinuated himself among the students.
Another boy walked in, introducing himself as Uki Eji. Gaburieru hastily replied with a simple greeting before leaving his desk and approaching Shisou where he was trying to engage in small talk with the others.
"Kagatsuchi-san," Gaburieru said quietly. "Hold still a moment. I am going to demonstrate a more advanced technique." The jounin sensei flicked through some handseals until his chakra coalesced in green fire around his hands. He wasn't a med-nin, but few jounin reached that rank without some understanding of first aid techniques. The healing hand technique wasn't especially robust, but it could heal most simple abrasions and reduce swelling, which was often the greatest source of pain. "I would like to see you after class."
Without waiting on further comment, Gaburieru returned tot he front of the room.
"Today, I will be your instructor on chakra and its use. Some of you may have already begun learning how to harness your life energies, but many of you haven't yet, which is what we're here to practice.
"We will discuss the more academic side of chakra energy, including its nature and its history, as well as the various types of techniques which use harnessed chakra. Then we will have some demonstrations, and then we will practice harnessing our chakra and maybe learn a simple jutsu or two. We may have a guest as well.
"Before we start, I want to caution you all that chakra energy is not just a tool like any other. Every living thing depends on its energy for survival. You can kill yourself by channeling too much energy--so be careful and do not push your limits too far. Likewise, you can hurt others by trying to do too much too quickly. Take your time and learn your limits before you try to surpass them. I know that our histories are full of tales of prodigies who were Sennin by age ten, but most of us will never be prodigies, and honestly, that's probably for the best."
With a few more handseals, Gaburieru filled the board with notes on chakra, including an illustration of a human body. "There are various types of techniques which use life energy. This energy collects in various centers of the body which we call chakra. Over time, the term 'chakra' has become synonymous with that energy, but today, I will be talking about 'chakra' in the technical sense, so that you learn channeling properly.
"You all know about ninjutsu, which mainly use elemental energies by using handseals based on the twelve zodiac beasts. There are some non-elemental ninjutsu as well. Ninjutsu simply means 'ninja techniques.' Then there are genjutsu, which use illusions to help or hinder. Genjutsu are, you could say, the opposite of ninjutsu--ninjutsu are real regardless of whether the target believes in them, whereas a genjutsu is most powerful when its target believes them--either from the placebo effect or from being tricked. Taijutsu are 'body techniques,' and they are used to optimize your physical potential. Taijutsu can make you faster, stronger, can release your inner power, and make you an even fiercer opponent in battle. Taijutsu are the easiest to learn because you can feel the effects, but the most difficult to master. They consume less chakra energy, but they fatigue you more quickly because you are relying only on your own body to create these effects. Many kinjutsu, or 'forbidden techniques,' are taijutsu. They are forbidden because of how they harm the user's body, often permanently, and how they can forever alter the user's mind.
"In time, many of you will learn kekkei genkai, 'bloodline limits,' which you have inherited from your parents, who inherited them from their parents, and so on. These bloodlines have been strengthened and preserved through selective breeding, and those techniques are held in secret by every clan. Kekkei genkai techniques are taught mainly within families and are extremely secret. Most famous among them are doujutsu, eye techniques, such as the Sharingan, or strong bonds with complex elements, such as the Santaru and storm-type techniques. Actually, in legend, Santaru also commanded doujutsu of sorts, though I don't know if such techniques still exist.
"Fuuinjutsu, 'seal techniques,' are much more complex. They require both exquisite chakra control and excellent skills in calligraphy and timing. Of all skills, fuuinjutsu seem to be the most difficult to learn."
"That is simply an overview of how ninja use energy from our chakra... So, if anyone would like to step up... Who here has already been able to channel chakra? Have any of you learned a jutsu? Also, if you have any questions, feel free to ask. I may ask you to wait if it is something I plan to cover in today's class."
