Clarity of Breath, Purity of Mind (Solo Training)

[Benjiro Hiroto]

Benjiro sat in his small room within the Squad 10 barracks, surrounded by the silence of the early morning. He gazed inward, reflecting on his journey as a Shinigami thus far, and the progress he had made in his training. He recalled the countless tomes and scrolls of Bakudo that he had painstakingly memorized and learned in an attempt to make up for what he lacked in Zanjutsu, Hakudo, Hado, and Kaido. Despite his dedication and hard work, he still felt like he had much to learn and improve upon, and this realization weighed heavily on his mind. He was only utilizing a small margin of what made a Shinigami strong and capable, leaving him lacking. The feeling of inadequacy built up inside of him, but he knew he had to shake it off. There was a long day ahead, and now was no time to be paralyzed. He took a deep breath, trying to calm his thoughts and find peace within himself, a principle he had learned through his studies of Zen Buddhism at the Kiyomizudera Temple.

Zen Buddhism taught him the importance of the present moment, and how to find peace within one's self through meditation and introspection. He remembered when Eshin had taught him about it, the importance of silence. It was only in silence that one could truly face themselves, and that was both the greatest relief and the greatest challenge. Facing oneself in their entirety, acknowledging both flaws and strengths, ideals and shortcomings, it was a freeing yet terrifying notion. It was only through this that true growth could be made, and it was through this that Benjiro had affirmed his iron will. In this quiet moment, Benjiro sought to understand his place in the world and the purpose of his journey. He had always been drawn to the idea of defending others, preventing pain and undertaking the burdens of the world as his own, and that was exactly why he had chosen to become a Shinigami, to protect the people of the Soul Society from all threats that it may face. 

But his abilities were severely limited, and despite all of his hard work up until this point, he still struggled to protect those around him. He didn't have the makings of a Shinigami right from the get go, his Spiritual Pressure being absurdly low and just barely passing the minimum required to be accepted into the Shino Academy. Despite his large size and his innate bodily strength, he was clumsy and he lacked basic martial ability. He had always learned basic forms and stances quickly, but his training could never progress passed that, due to his sheer stubbornness to hurt others, even for training. The same thing happened with his understanding of Shorinji Kempo in his life, which was why Kazuo surpassed him so quickly and was proclaimed Eshin's successor. He remembered how he felt back then, the twinge of shame, the fear of disappointing the man he saw as his father, but he knew deep down that he couldn't sacrifice his ideals.

Nirvana was a long and arduous road, one that was paved with many obstacles, and one that was different for everyone. It took a lot for Benjiro to stick to his ideals and beliefs, but it was the central foundation of his identity. He was not one to deceive himself or others, he knew that his true strength came from the clarity of his purpose. Why, it wasn't until recently when he had trained with Father Gestalt did he learn to utilize his Zanpakuto properly, and it was only due to the man's gracious teachings about the true purpose behind the martial arts. Having a weapon and using one were two very different things, and swinging a blade in offense or in defense were vastly different. Since then, he realized more than ever that he needed to get better at that.

His mind flashed to the time when he was launched off of the roof during an attack by a hollow on Furinji, and he felt a twinge of guilt for not being able to do more. He knew that growth was a long process, but his impatient nature made it difficult for him to accept. He closed his eyes, reciting a mantra to himself, as he sought to find balance and harmony within himself, as he continued on his path to becoming a defender that was worth the title of the Guardian of the Soul Society, someone who could truly bear the weight of the lives of everyone that came before and everyone that came after. With that, he had opened his eyes, the cloudy gaze of his directly matching the emptiness of the ceiling. He had always made sure to empty his mind of all distractions, until it was as blank as the ceiling was whenever he awoke. 

Today was different though, as if his mind refused to listen, that nagging inadequacy fringing at the edge of his mind, urging him to hasty action. He needed more drastic measures. He quickly got up out of his bed, standing at his full height of 7'3 for only a second before sitting down on the floor. As Benjiro sat cross-legged in his room, he had urged his mind to calm itself and he had tried his best to focus. He had to complete his morning rituals now to recenter himself for the long day ahead. As a practitioner of Zen Buddhism, he believed in the importance of self-reflection and self-improvement, and so he had decided upon three aspects of himself that he wanted to reflect upon today: his growth as a Shinigami, his understanding of the world, and his relationships with others.

With a deep sigh, Benjiro closed his eyes and bowed his head in thanks to the Buddhas for their continued guidance. He felt the weight of his responsibilities as a Shinigami, burdened even further by the capability he had craved yet sorely lacked in, but also the understanding that came with knowing that he was not alone in his journey. It only took a few moments to recall the hustle and bustle of the recent recruitment day, with many fresh-faced and talented Shinigamis joining their ranks. He knew that some of them were stronger than he was, while others would catch up to him quickly, which meant that he had a lot of support and competition in developing himself. After all, he was determined to use this day to the best of his abilities, to continue to grow and to become the best Shinigami he could be. The only question was how.

As that question plagued his mind, Benjiro decided to prepare himself for the day. Internally, he searched his memories for any technique he could train or work on. He thought about developing his Zanjutsu further, but he was worried that the techniques were shifting out of the realm of defense into that of offense. Aside from that, his internal capacity for reiatsu was nowehere near high enough for the more advanced applications of Bakudo, and he lacked the will to learn Hado in any means. Outwardly though, Benjiro adjusted his Shinigami uniform, feeling the weight of the fabric and the crispness of the creases in the Shihakusho. As he looked upon the other personal items he had, he decided not to wear his green haori today, feeling that it would be too cumbersome for the training he had planned. He wanted to be free himself from his own ego, wanting to experience the day in a fresh and humble perspective. With that decided, he only had one thing left before he faced the day, his commune with his Zanpakuto.

As he reached for his Zanpakuto, Benjiro took a deep breath and closed his eyes, listening for the voice of his inner spirit. He had heard it speak to him a few times before, but he had never been able to make out its words, the meaning lost to him, as if he was not yet ready to receive his soul's guidance. Still, he was determined to keep trying, to keep meditating and to keep listening. "I humbly implore your guidance, O reflection of my soul. Be my guide on the road to Nirvana." He repeated that a few times, focusing his mind on the blade, his wrist wrapped in the prayer beads attached to the hilt. After a few long silences, he knew that his Zanpakuto was not ready to unveil its true name. It only made sense, as the Zanpakuto reflected Benjiro's strength as well. As such, he knew that the journey to uncovering his true strength was a long one, but he was willing to walk it, no matter how many steps it took. It all began with one, as he took a step outside of his room.

[Benjiro Hiroto]

Benjiro struggled to navigate the complex labyrinth of his thoughts and emotions as he left his room to begin his special training. He felt lost, adrift in a sea of uncertainty, his mind awhirl with questions and doubts. Despite his accomplishments as a Shinigami, he was still searching for something better, something that would help him to become a Shinigami that the people of the Soul Society could rely on. He had known what it was like to be a soul in the Rukongai, looking up to the Shinigami who could defend and aid them. He had relied on them for so much for the past 70 years, and with the recent invasion from hell, so many of them had died. He wanted to give back, to be a bastion of hope for those that could not defend themselves. Still, he longed for guidance, for a sense of direction, but so far, that guidance had eluded him.



His Zanpakuto, which he had hoped would provide the answers he sought, remained stubbornly silent. He had tried countless times to hear its voice, to unlock its secrets, but to no avail. The more he tried, the more frustrated he became, but he told himself to be calm and patient, as rushing might even cause his Zanpakuto to further lock itself up. He couldn't just do nothing for the day though, so his mind ran through what he could have done for the day. He had even considered practicing Shorinji Kempo, his old Buddhist Martial Art, but it no longer felt like a true fit for him, especially without the guidance of Eshin or Kazuo.



His thoughts were interrupted as he rushed from the barracks to the courtyard of the 10th Squad, suddenly bumping into a broad-chested and only slightly shorter Shinigami. It didn't take long for the stern man's gaze to cause Benjiro to bow in apology, as he was in the presence of the 13th Seat of the 10th Squad, Seijuro. The older Shinigami looked down at him with a mixture of amusement and surprise. "Well, well, look who it is," he said with a smile. "I must admit, I wasn't expecting to see you here today, Benjiro."


Despite his initial confusion and frustration, Benjiro couldn't help but feel a sense of comfort and familiarity in Seijuro's presence. He looked up at the older Shinigami with a mixture of hope and apprehension, eager to hear his words of wisdom. "Good day, Seijuro-san! I apologize for my lack of awareness, I shouldn't have bumped into you so carelessly!" Benjiro's comically deep bow as he said this had only made Seijuro laugh more. "It's alright young one, I can tell an honest mistake from a purposeful one. Anyways, what brings you here today, Benjiro?" Seijuro asked. "Is there something on your mind?" The older Shinigami asked, a look of sympathy clearly on his face.


Benjiro hesitated for a moment, unsure as to whether it was right to burden him with his own troubles, but he decided that Seijuro was probably the best person to ask on the squad about it. The older Shinigami had been very helpful to a lot of the newer members, usually looking up to him as a mentor. With that in mind, he then took a deep breath and began to speak. "I'm not sure," he said, his voice unsteady. "I feel lost, aimless, like I'm trying to see with a blindfold on. I thought my Zanpakuto would provide the answers I seek, but it refuses to respond to me. I feel like I'm searching for something, but I don't know what that something is."


Seijuro listened attentively, his eyes never leaving Benjiro's face. When Benjiro was finished speaking, he placed a hand on the younger Shinigami's shoulder and looked at him with a kind expression. "Don't worry, Benjiro," he said. "It takes time to find your true path. It's normal to feel lost, especially at your age. But remember, your Zanpakuto is not just a weapon, it's a part of you. It will reveal its secrets to you when the time is right. In most cases, it knows you better than you know yourself." The older man placed a large palm on Benjiro's shoulder, instilling a sense of calm and faith that Benjiro had needed.


Benjiro nodded, a soft smile appearing on his face as a sense of peace wash over him with Seijuro's words. He felt a renewed sense of hope, a feeling that he was not alone in his journey. With a smaller bow, he asked the man a question that had been on his mind the whole day. "Seijuro-san, how can I improve myself without sacrificing my ideals? I don't want to hurt anyone, but I still want to defend the Soul Society with all of my ability... I just feel lacking as I am." he said, visibly shrinking with the tone of his voice. "Hmm. Aside from uncovering your Shikai, the only thing I can think of is developing either your Zanjutsu, Kido, or Hakuda abilities, but those seem too aggressive for you. Have you taken a look at the other Martial Arts in the archive? Some of the squad like to practice and utilize Martial Arts from the World of the Living as a basis for their fighting style now, maybe there's something there that fits you better."

Benjiro was utterly shocked. Seijuro truly was a font of wisdom and an inspiration as a Shinigami, for with a single conversation, he had managed to provide direction for the inexperienced Shinigami. His eyes widened, processing what he had just heard. When everything finally sunk in, a giddy smile formed on his face. "Thank you thank you thank you! May the Buddhas forever guide your path, Seijuro-san!" He yelled as he immediately took off towards the Squad 10 Archives, dedicated to the written records of the techniques utilized by the 10th Squad. 

Unable to contain his sheer excitement, Benjiro began to circulate the reiatsu within him. Fortunately, it seemed as if his frequent use and circulation of reiatsu had allowed his reservoir to expand somewhat, as if the true extent of his soul was yet to be unleashed. He wondered if that had something to do with his path ot Nirvana being interrupted upon his death, and perhaps his 70 year stagnation was to blame for his current weakness. Nevertheless, it did not matter now. Benjiro was content with who he was and where he was headed, and with the guidance provided by Seijuro, he was on his way towards becoming a better Shinigami. 

As he made his way towards the archive, he funneled his reiatsu down into his legs, a familiar feeling by now that reminded him of the aches and pains that he received when he had raced with Gestalt. The familiar sensation of energy gathering and pooling at his feet and extending to the bottom of his toes before expelling it all at once, flashing forward with great haste as he landed on his other foot, breaking the momentum immediately. In truth, Benjiro's Shunpo was slowly becoming more and more like second nature, and he had to admit that the ability to travel greater distances in fewer steps was almost miracle-like. As he landed, he looked up towards the heavy-set doors with the symbol of the 10th etched into it in kanji. 

[Benjiro Hiroto]

As Benjiro pushed against the massive doors to the Archives of the 10th squad, his heart was pounding with anticipation. He had heard whispers of the vast wealth of knowledge contained within, and he was eager to see it for himself. Despite the majority of the 10th Squad being more martial in nature, there were a few that had visited the archives in their time with the squad, some even contributing with some knowledge of their own. Finally, the doors creaked open, revealing a vast chamber filled with books, scrolls, and other ancient tomes. The room was dimly lit, with shafts of light filtering in through the high windows, illuminating the shelves and casting long shadows across the floor.

Every inch of the room was covered in knowledge, waiting to be discovered by Benjiro. The shelves were lined with books, each one filled with information on the techniques and tactics used by the Shinigami to protect the world from evil, from techniques developed in the Soul Society to the few that spoke of techniques developed in their past lives, undoubtedly written by the few that remembered their lives. Most of the scrolls were tattered and yellowed, their ink faded with time, but the knowledge contained within was still as potent as the day it was written.

In the center of the room was a large wooden table, surrounded by comfortable chairs. On the table, a single book lay open, its pages filled with illustrations of various martial arts techniques. He wondered who began their research here and left the book alone, untouched for who knew how long. Still, Benjiro used the opportunity to skim through the pages, taking note of what was within it. Unfortunately, there were no actual descriptions in this tome, only names and illustrated demonstrations. The illustrations were meticulously crafted though, each one a work of art in its own right. If only he understood what techniques they truly were.

In all honesty, Benjiro was in awe. He had never seen anything like this before, not even in his life as a monk. The Kyomizudera temple did not have a lot of literature, especially not outside of Buddhist philosophy. In comparison to that, the Archives were massive and seemingly endless in its own right. Despite its size though, Benjiro knew that this library was only a fraction of the knowledge contained within the Soul Society. The libraries of the 12th squad were said to be even more vast and all-encompassing, filled with knowledge from all across the centuries... Well, at the very least, they were rumored to be. Benjiro himself had never set foot near the 12th Squad, maybe he should visit one day. 

Anyways, he approached the shelves and began to peruse the titles. Some of the books were dedicated to specific martial arts, like his own Shorinji Kempo or Kendo. Benjiro pulled out the tome for Shorinji Kempo, wondering if his master Eshin or if Kazuo had somehow authored the rome, but alas, it was not. Instead, it was attributed to one Doshin So, but a lot of the techniques seemed altered from what he remembered. Perhaps this Doshin So had completed the martial art and claimed to found it? It was an interesting tome that he would like to examine further, but he knew it was not what he was looking for. His previous training in life serving as proof of the art's philosophy not matching up to his own. So instead, he began to peruse the other tomes. The others were more general in nature, filled with advice on how to fight and defend oneself.

Benjiro was particularly drawn to the teachings of the martial arts, acknowledging his own weakness in physical prowess. He was also very fascinated by the philosophy behind each one, the way it approached the idea of defense and protection being vitally important to Benjiro's own interest and understanding of the arts. He realized that each martial art was like a different facet of a diamond, each one shining with its own unique brilliance, but a part of him knew that he couldn't settle for just any martial art, he needed to find the facet that shone to reflect his own soul.

As he delved deeper into the tomes and scrolls, he discovered various styles that spoke to him. There was the philosophy of Aikido, which emphasized using an opponent's momentum against them and promoting a sense of reciprocity. It was unique in the sense that the opponent was only taking on the same amount of harm they aimed to cause, but Benjiro didn't feel comfortable to fight using Aikido. There was something about it that made him feel as if his large frame was incompatible with the martial art. There was also the graceful movements of Tai Chi, which emphasized the use of slow, flowing movements to improve health and wellness, with some practical applications being used to redirect energy and promote recovery in the Soul Society. Each one of these styles was unique and had its own philosophy, but none of them seemed to be a good fit.

Benjiro's journey through the archives of the 10th Squad had led him to a section he had been trying to avoid. It was a shelf dedicated to Bu Gei, the Way of War. Initially, the name had made him uneasy, for war was not something he aspired to master. However, something had drawn him towards it, a force beyond his control, like a magnetic pull from within. It was an urge that he could not resist, so he made his way through the shelves of books shakily, nervous, but he eventually found himself amidst the multiple tomes dedicated to the Bu Gei.

As he perused the books, he came across the complete text of a martial art school within the Bu Gei named the Blessed Breathing Contemplation School. This school served as the foundation for the other Bu Gei techniques and was considered the universal and basic school. The teachings of this school focused not just on the physical aspect of combat, but also on the internal, already a good start to pique Benjiro's interest. It aimed to improve oneself and provide a platform for continued growth, developing the basis for further improvement and specialization. 

The philosophy of the Blessed Breathing Contemplation martial arts was heavily influenced by Chinese thought and believed that breathing was the center of every art. The teachings emphasized the importance of proper breathing in order to empower each movement and to connect the mind, body, and spirit. The martial arts aimed to cultivate awareness and control over one's breath, leading to greater control over one's mind, body, and ultimately, one's life. With each breath, the practitioner could tap into the energy that flowed within and use it to empower their movements. In this way, the Blessed Breathing Contemplation School aimed to provide a path for growth and self-discovery, leading the practitioner in this case, Benjiro, further down the path to Nirvana. Something about this school of thought had spoken to him, and he couldn't help but feel curious to read more about it. 

[Benjiro Hiroto]

As Benjiro delved into the teachings of the Blessed Breathing Contemplation School, despite his hesitation in exploring a Way of War or Bu Gei as a source for continued growth and strength, he was struck by the core principle that breath was the foundation of all things. This philosophy held that breath was not only the beginning of life, but also the source of energy, the driving force behind action, and the catalyst for catharsis. This was a profound idea, and one that he felt echoed of in his experiences as a monk in the Kiyomizudera temple.



The more he read, the more he realized that this philosophy was closely connected to Zen Buddhist thought. Just as Zen emphasized the importance of mindfulness and being fully present in the moment, the Blessed Breathing Contemplation School placed breath at the center of everything, as the foundation of all thought, all action, all life. He was fascinated by this connection and began to see how the two philosophies complemented each other. He still remembered how Eshin had taught him about the importance of mindfulness in breath to better connect to the present moment, but this seemed to take that principle to the next stage of understanding.


As he read on, Benjiro learned about the basic technique of the school, Spirit Breathing. This technique involved instilling one's spirit with breath and allowing one's soul to embody the air before expelling it into the body. This process was meant to help one access deeper states of awareness and to become more attuned to the energies within and around them. Perhaps this would allow him better insight into the unique nature of spiritual energy, a sense that he had desperately wanted and needed to improve. 


Benjiro remembered how connected he felt with his soul and his spirit when he had lost his vision in the sparring match he had with Gestalt, but since then he was unable to connect to the energy of his soul. That was why he was intrigued by this technique and eager to try it out for himself. He found a quiet place to sit and began the practice of Spirit Breathing, focusing on his breath as it flowed in and out of his body. At first, he struggled to keep his mind focused, but as he continued to practice, he began to feel a sense of peace and clarity that he had never quite experienced before, as if he was finally reaching out and hearing himself for the first time.


"...Jiro..."

As if on cue, as he continued to practice Spirit Breathing, Benjiro became more and more aware of himself and his inner spirit. He could even feel his Zanpakuto begin to speak to him, the voice still muffled but clearer now than ever before, and he heard him calling his name. He took this as a sign to continue his practice, and so he continued focusing on the Spirit Breathing technique. Over time, he began to notice the subtleties of his breath and the way that it was connected to his thoughts, feelings, and sensations. He realized that by paying attention to his breath, he could gain insights into himself that he had never been able to access before. This was a profound realization for him, and he felt like he was only scratching the surface of what was possible with this technique.



The more he explored the Blessed Breathing Contemplation School, the more he realized that this was a deep and complex philosophy that could take years, if not a lifetime, to fully understand. Despite this, he felt a sense of excitement and motivation, knowing that there was so much more to learn and explore. He felt like he had found a path that could help him to truly understand himself and the world around him, not only in the physical sense, but in the spiritual one as well. With a lifetime to spend as a Shinigami, he was dedicated to incorporating this into his life. 


As he continued to practice, spending the entirety of the day in the Archive of Squad 10, unmoving and unconcerned with outside influences, Benjiro began to feel more and more in tune with his own energy and the energies of the world around him. He could feel the ebb and flow of life, the swirling energies intermingling, the differences in pressures, densities, qualities, it all began to register in his awareness. He felt the way that everything was connected, and the way that his breathing had allowed him to better understand it all. He felt like he was finally beginning to understand the true meaning of the core principle of the Blessed Breathing Contemplation School.



The more he explored the philosophy of the Blessed Breathing Contemplation School, the more he realized that this was not just a set of techniques or exercises, but a way of life in and of itself. He saw that the philosophy was not just about breathing, nor just about living fully in the moment, being present and aware, but to truly connect with the energies of the world and of everyone in it, but most especially oneself. He felt that this was a philosophy that he could embrace for the rest of his life, and he still couldn't believe such a beautiful philosophy was hidden behind the namesake of war.

Benjiro delved even deeper into the idea of spirit breathing, studying the way in which the technique allowed oneself to infuse their spirit with breath and move their soul in harmony with the air. He wondered if that he could not only connect but channel his Inner Spirit from his Zanpakuto after mastering the techniques within this school. Not only that, but he began to forge a deeper, more spiritual connection between this technique and the Buddhist concepts of mindfulness and presence, and he marveled at the way in which the Blessed Breathing Contemplation School incorporated these ideas into its philosophy and practices. He also started to understand how this connection can be used to bring about further understanding of one's identity and true nature.

In the end, he spent the entirety of a week within the Archives, unknowingly practicing Asceticism by neglecting all hunger and all physical needs. However, he truly felt closer and more in tune with his soul and his body. Benjiro reflected on the journey that has brought him to this moment, studying the Blessed Breathing Contemplation School. He realized that the philosophy and practices of this Bu Gei have helped him to delve even deeper into his spiritual journey and to find new ways of connecting with the world around him. He was grateful for the opportunity to learn and grow in this way and he felt a deep sense of satisfaction knowing that he was on the right path, as he could even hear faint whispers of his Zanpakuto speaking to him. He knew that his journey would continue, and that he would continue to encounter new challenges and obstacles along the way, but he was confident that the teachings of the Blessed Breathing Contemplation School would be a guiding light for him in his journey towards enlightenment.

[Kitai Yoru]

40 paragraphs, 200 TP awarded