6 Physical Training

After we finished eating, my father brought me back to the same training ground we had been in before.

"So, Shiran, I'm just going to get you started on the basics, and it'll be up to you to do whatever you want with it," my dad spoke to me in his business voice, which I've heard plenty of times before when he talks about serious matters.

"Sounds good, Dad. I won't let you down with this."

"Good, I know you won't," my dad smiled down at me, looking into my eyes seriously.

"So, what are you going to have me start on then?"

"How about we start with this? You have to do 20 laps around this 1.1-kilometer training ground without stopping, and then I'll tell you what you have to do next."

I nodded with a resolute expression in my eyes and took off.

The first 10 laps were a breeze; it felt like I could keep going forever. That feeling didn't leave me until about halfway through the 12th lap. As the 14th lap came into view, I felt exhaustion start to build up. By the 17th lap, my lungs felt like they were exploding. Not for a second did I think about stopping, though.

The feeling of not wanting to lose the couple bonds I have now and also the ones I will inevitably make in the future, because of a lack of power, keeps me going.

The last lap came upon me, and with sweat streaming into my eyes and my face flushed red, I sprinted across the place where I started from and dropped to the ground, on my knees, breathing heavily.

"That was really good, Shiran. You showed some great perseverance towards the end when you could have easily given up. I'm very proud of you right now," my dad said, delight and satisfaction peeking out from behind the serious tone he's put on since we walked back into the training ground.

"Next up is 100 push-ups. I will allow you one break in this exercise. Though, it will only be a minute and a half. Start whenever you want."

With a big breath, I leaned forward into a push-up position. Before I could even start, though, my dad stopped me.

"Keep your back flat and space your arms out a little more," my dad corrected me in a stern tone.

I corrected my posture and launched into my push-ups, going as fast as my little arms would take me. The whole time, my dad looked at me with a pleased expression on his face, seeing me so eager to improve and dedicate myself wholly to a path.

Overall, I did really well and didn't need the break. I started struggling towards the end, with about 15 push-ups left; other than that, I went pretty fast.

"Alright, next I want you to do 150 squats and crunches. The difference here is that you will alternate every 30 of each exercise. 30 crunches, 30 squats, 30 crunches, 30 squats, and so on. Got it?"

I nodded my head in affirmation and got to work. The difficulty of alternating between the muscle groups made itself obvious after the first 3 times of switching. As I started to become more and more fatigued, I continued to plow through each set like a man possessed.

'128... 129... 130... 20 more, I can do this.'

'145... 146... 147... 3 more, just have to push through it and I'll be able to take a break,' I thought with determination, as my muscles were on fire. I had never experienced something like this before; it hurt, but the feeling of accomplishment I was deriving from it was nothing I'd ever experienced before.

My father must have sensed my emotions because just as I thought that, he started talking again.

"That is your mother shining through you right now. For as long as I've known her, the determination she's shown to go above and beyond anything that stands in her way never ceases to amaze me. She could be staring down the threat of a Madra Uchiha Great Fire Annihilation and she would still feel as though she had a chance against it."

I smiled through the pain at that; my parents really were amazing people.

'148... 149... 150...'

"Gah," I gasped for air as I lay on the ground, looking at the sky with a trace of accomplishment.

"Great job. From today onward, you are to use this training ground and do the following exercises: 23 laps around the perimeter of the training ground, 125 pushups since 100 was too easy for you, and 150 squats and crunches alternated. Any questions?"

"No, sir," I looked back at him with unblinking eyes, showing just how much pain I was willing to endure to see my goals completed.

"Good. Now let's go; your mother is probably getting dinner ready as we speak, and we can also chat about something else on the way home."

As we started walking, my dad took the initiative to tell me what he was thinking.

"I'm going to start training you on how to use throwing weapons as well. We will start tomorrow after your training for the day."

My eyes immediately lit up at the idea of this. Ninjas regularly use both kunai and shuriken during battles. Normally they won't do anything to a good ninja who can easily dodge and deflect them, but it's still another step towards the path of strength. How could I not be excited at that prospect?

My dad smirked when he saw my eye because he knew he got my attention with that.

"Just so you know, they won't be sharp ones; they will be just enough to stick into targets and get a feeling for the weight of them, but you won't be doing anything else yet."

Not being easily deterred, I didn't mind it a whole bunch. After all, we all have to start from somewhere.

We arrived back at the clan compound with the fragrant smell of wisteria and lavender wafting about in the late spring air.

Walking back to our house, we got a lot of head nods and greetings, which we returned in earnest. That is the one great thing that I've noticed about the Uzumaki clan we live in and the Uzumaki that I've seen in the anime: every single one has their heart on their sleeve and is very upfront and blunt about everything.

If they don't like something, they'll tell you. If they thoroughly enjoy something, you won't hear the end of it. If they love you like family, they'll do anything to see you smile happily and laugh like nothing is wrong in the world.

"We're back, Mom!"

"Oh, welcome back, boys. I just got dinner all set up and it's ready to eat."

"Yes!" Never one to turn down a lovely home-cooked meal, I ran up to the table to eat my food as if someone would take it from me.

"So, how was training?" My mother whispered to Dad just out of earshot from me.

"I'm honestly shocked. He did a 20 km run and still looked like he could go for another 2 kilometers even if he looked tired. He got through 100 pushups without even needing a break, and only when I told him to alternate the exercises did the kid start to feel the burn."

My mom stood there astonished, yelling in whispered tones. "He could pass for an academy student physically right now, and he's only 2 and a half years old at this point!"

"I know, that is abnormal even for us in the Uzumaki clan."

"I think it might be time to admit that he is a little prodigy in the making. We have to make sure we can do everything we can to help him reach his potential in the future." She stood there rooted in place with a determined expression on her face.

"Yes, I agree. I might have to make some plans with the elders to see how we can go about this in the future. Right now, we have to keep pushing his limits so he doesn't get complacent. When ninjas become complacent, they lose their drive and become average, and we don't want that to happen to him, especially if another war were to break out."

Both my parents nodded in agreement at this. However I had no idea this conversation was happening, and I was just enjoying the delicious Takikomi.