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The original article can be found on Narutopedia at Seven Heavens Breathing Method. |
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Seven Heavens Breathing Method | |||
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Name | |||
Kanji |
七天呼法 | ||
Rōmaji |
Shichi Tenkohō | ||
Literal English |
Seven Heavens Breathing Method | ||
English TV |
Seven Heavenly Breaths | ||
Debut | |||
Appears in |
Anime only | ||
Data | |||
Class |
Supplementary | ||
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Originally a technique created over a millenium ago by the now effectively extinct Lantean civilization, the Seven Heavens Breathing Method is its modern day taijutsu based adaptation. Although the method differs quite drastically in execution from the Eight Gates, the end result can still be similar enough that some have mistaken it for an off-shoot of the kinjutsu, or simply someone with unordinary chakra utilizing them; in truth the method stimulates the respiratory system and lungs in particular, enabling the user to intake and process roughly quadruple (4x) their usual capacity for air. After lacing it with power, the chakra-rich air is then infused into the body in doses referred to as "activations", bolstering its physical prowess well above the norm; potentially quite considerably above.
Drawbacks exist however, for just like its perceived counterpart the technique takes considerable training and focus to learn, much less master, to be able to even think of safely using it in combat. Additionally, despite incurring less physical strain as no gates are opened, since the physical boosts are powered by air they naturally will wear off fairly soon lest the user pauses at regular intervals to recharge. While in theory one could utilize the breathing method simultaneously with the inner gates, attempting to do so would be foolish at best, lethal at worst. As anyone with a lick of common sense could imagine, the combined strain on the body would very quickly result in crippling, if not outright lethal levels of self-harm.
The last detail one ought to remember is that although the activations are divided into separate levels, 'skipping' them is a plain biological impossibility; they must always be engaged in order. This is due to a core difference between the techniques; while the inner gates are physical parts of the body one can learn to control several of at once, the activations do not manipulate them at all and instead infuse the body directly with chakra enriched oxygen. Due to the significant amount of air each 'activation' requires, the human body's lungs simply can not hold enough for more than one activation without a new breath, in fact without the quadrupled capacity from the breathing method the technique wouldn't even be possible to begin with.
Activations[]
Much like the Eight Gates, the method is divided into several stages or "activations" (活性, kassei):
- The first activation (第一活性, daiichi kassei) turns the user's eyes completely white as their body gains a yellow aura, though this doesn't actually affect their vision and color variations of the aura based on the individuals chakra can exist. With the bolstered physique dulling sensations of pain and ones instinctive fear of self-harm, it becomes far easier to push towards the body's natural limits, much like the first gate of Hachimon. This by no means actually prevents self-harm however, so going all out will still severely damage the body from over taxation.
- The second activation (第二活性, daini kassei) causes the users body to expand slightly, even normally faint if not invisible musculature gaining visible (if temporary) definition. In this stage the user will also begin to recover faster, as the activation stimulates the body's natural healing above the normal rate. Though minor wounds such as, but not limited to, cuts, bruises, and scrapes will heal within moments even mid-battle, more dire ones such as gashes and broken bones remain unaffected. Other sources of recover/healing are also unaffected by this, remaining at their usual potency.
- The third activation (第三活性, daisan kassei) turns the user's skin red, much like when the Gate of Life is opened. In this stage more severe wounds will now heal faster as well as natural recovery rises further, bleeding stemmed while gashes and the like will gradually close, provided they are clean enough to not require outside help (e.g stitches). Minor fractures can be mended as well if the user remains stationary, but compound ones and other more major, potentially lethal injuries will require proper medical attention. The most the technique can do against such heavy damage is improve chances of survival, if it can be upheld; further activations (4-7) can not boost the body's recovery rate any higher. Due to this quickened recovery rate, the user can now reach 100% of their physical potential, but only in brief, sporadic spurts. Prolonged and too frequent usage alike will overwhelm the hastened recovery, resulting in significant self-harm.
- The fourth activation (第四活性, daiyon kassei) sharpens the user's eyesight to allow complete clarity even at a distance, though by no means distances the Byakugan can see to, and will not restore degradation (much less blindness) brought on by advanced age or disease. By now the physique is so notably improved ones maximum power exceeds their body's normal 100%, the brains risen performance having also reached a level the users reflexes have been similarly heightened to keep up with the new-found prowess as well. As the power grows, so does the aura expand to take on a fiercer appearance.
- The fifth activation (第五活性, daigo kassei) further increases the user's speed and strength, the aura now fierce as a bonfire from how much air has been infused into the body. With practice it is possible to control this blazing radiance of power from ones cells to a degree, by it by focusing to specific points for release in bursts to make even simpler strikes explosively powerful, or wrapping it around the body to protect it from attacks. Both measures do however require a draining, focused expenditure of power, thus naturally shortening the duration of the state.
- The sixth activation (第六活性, dairoku kassei) may initially appear weaker than prior ones, but is far from it; the uncontrolled bonfire-like aura now compresses around the body visually akin to wind release armor, though as one might guess from the sporadic eruptions imperfections still remain. This new density of power gives rise to a lesser passive version of the prior focusing techniques, the ongoing breeze shrouding the body not only capable of somewhat hindering strikes and redirecting projectiles, but also slightly expediting the user's attacks for greater impact. The actual focusing techniques can still be used and at far greater potency too, the offensive one in particular as it may also opt for a cutting force instead of an explosive one due to the auras windy nature, though as one might guess from the imperfections they remain as taxing to perform as before. A final outwardly invisible effect is improving the brain's perception of time; the user views the world in slight slow-motion akin to a massive adrenaline overload, but due to lack of sharingan-like foresight it is still up to him/her to respond in time. If the user overwhelms the granted recovery rate of the method with over-usage, besides the usual muscle/bone damage one may also experience painful breath from exhausted lungs and fractured ribs, extreme lightheadedness, even patches of skin littered in bleeding cuts if not peeled away altogether.
- The seventh activation (第七活性, dainana kassei) is the final breath, set apart from the others even by its activation. While still enhanced by the sixth breath, the user strikes two specific pressure points near the lungs simultaneously, triggering a chain reaction that stimulates every tenketsu in the body. This enhances the chakra network's activity to the point it draws the aura's outwardly radiating power within the body completely, which when coupled with a last lungful of air elevates the body to super human levels; a state known as "Zentai Kaigan [full body awakening]". The aura now reforms with deadly calm and absence of outbursts, wreathed around the user as if they were a furious wind elemental due to their blazing eyes and steaming flesh still visible beneath the shroud. Besides contributing to their monstrous speed and power, it turns throwing weapons largely useless as most are simply blown spinning away, melee hits no easier to land due to the brains improved ability to view the world in slow-motion. Focusing techniques even more potent as well even if no easier to perform, with the option for even higher form of offense available; by releasing a large portion of the aura shroud during a punch or sufficiently straight kick, a blast akin to a highly concentrated horizontal hurricane is fired. A method of destruction never named, for anyone who faced the devastating air cannon comparable to 'Evening Elephant' of the inner gates is typically left hoping to never encounter it again. Unsurprisingly this incurs a significantly higher cost, not only weakening the aura considerably for a time but also draining so much power 3-5 uses will use up anyone's supply, forcing the user back to base state if every bone in their arm breaking from such rapid multi-usage did not give them pause first. Lastly, significantly skilled users may utilize the shroud to slow their fall or temporarily halt it entirely; coupled with high leaps and bursts of air for directional change, a measure of flight is attained [not as free-form nor sustainable as the Light-weight rock technique however]. Despite everything, the final breath always comes with inevitable consequences, with even shorter usages causing severe dizziness if not loss of consciousness, large areas of skin littered in cuts and gashes if not peeled away or burnt from friction. Majority of the rib cage is also bound to fracture if not shatter, along with any number of bones overwhelmed by ones own strength. Needless to say the final breath should never be attempted twice without a period of significant recovery in between, or it will deal crippling harm to the body and severely over-taxed chakra network.
Variations []
- Keitō Uzumaki utilizes the vapors and smoke from cannabis to help ease the physical taxation, as well enhance the ability's duration by expanding alveoli to increase lung capacity.