Following the steady footsteps of the guiding monk, Hii Kōri wandered through the progressively deeper courtyards of the Temple of Fire.
The winter sunlight carried a clear, cold quality, filtering through sparse branches to cast dappled shadows on the bluestone paths, swept clean of fallen leaves.
His gaze casually swept across the courtyard, where dozens of shinobi monks in thin robes trained in the slightly chilly air.
Shouts rose and fell; the force behind their fists and feet was not to be underestimated.
Without needing to actively deploy his Kagura Mind's Eye for detailed analysis, Hii Kōri could clearly sense that these Temple of Fire monks possessed quite substantial chakra reserves. By the standards of the Five Great Ninja Villages, most were around the mid-chūnin level, while the lead instructor was roughly on par with an average jōnin.
This level of strength was naturally negligible to him now. But what interested him was not the monks' strength itself, but the nature of their chakra.
Hii Kōri recalled that the Temple of Fire possessed a unique ninjutsu system known as the "Gift of the Sage Clan."
The name sounded quite impressive, but despite bearing the grandiose "Sage Clan" title, these techniques were neither kekkei genkai requiring hereditary transmission, nor were they related to senjutsu—the use of natural energy.
The essence of the "Gift of the Sage Clan" was closer to a system of chakra manipulation incorporating Buddhist concepts.
In his perception, the chakra refined by these shinobi monks using the Gift of the Sage Clan seemed to be a form of Yang Release chakra with certain Yin Release properties.
Of course, it was still far from true Yin–Yang Release. Based on theoretical inference, this chakra was likely the result of saturating one's chakra with the insights gained from Buddhist practice.
Though, regardless, putting "Buddhism" and "Sage Clan" together still sounded somewhat off.
Hmm… while it wasn't kekkei genkai or senjutsu, the ability to directly link one's spiritual state to chakra nature, and to form a stable system of transmission, was rather interesting…
As Hii Kōri pondered whether he might be able to request a basic training manual, the guest-greeting monk guided him to the door of a quiet meditation chamber.
The attendant monk quietly informed him that inside resided the esteemed Master Chūkaku, then bowed and withdrew.
Hii Kōri paused before the meditation chamber, adjusted his somewhat worn gray monk's robe, and gently knocked.
After a moment of silence, a vigorous voice came from within: "Enter."
The somber monk slid open the wooden door.
The room was softly lit, the air filled with the calming scent of sandalwood. The furnishings were extremely simple: a few meditation cushions, a low table, and a plain vase with a dried branch in the corner.
In the center of the room sat an elderly monk of remarkably small stature—no taller than Nagato. Though his frame was thin and his robes hung loosely, his posture showed no hint of stooping. He seemed full of vitality.
When Hii Kōri's gaze fell upon him, his heart stirred slightly.
Unlike the shinobi monks in the courtyard with their abundant chakra, the Master Chūkaku before him had no particularly strong or refined chakra reserves—at best, enough for physical conditioning.
But on this elderly monk, Hii Kōri sensed a familiar aura.
It was remarkably similar to Bunpuku's—a clear, peaceful atmosphere radiating from within. It naturally caused the noise of the outside world, and even inner turbulence, to settle and dissolve into nothingness.
With enough polishing over time, even rough shards of glass would become smooth and flawless.
If Domain Expansion was the act of affixing one's inner world to a barrier to construct one's own realm, then perhaps this aura could be called a pure outflow.
"Ho—those kids don't have very good eyes."
Even as Hii Kōri observed quietly, Master Chūkaku opened his eyes. Not particularly bright, even somewhat cloudy, they nevertheless looked at him with amusement as he laughed heartily.
"From their report, I thought some old bones had grown restless again and wanted to stretch their legs by coming to debate Zen with me. But you're just a young man!"
He tilted his head, as if encountering an interesting puzzle, studying Hii Kōri's disguised, weather-beaten middle-aged face. A note of hesitation entered his voice.
"Hmm, no, it seems you actually are around that age… Ah, I suppose I'm getting senile. I can't quite figure out your current state, hahaha."
"Sometimes, one must adopt another identity to set aside all the complexities and act with greater freedom. For now, I am simply Araya Shūren. Nothing more. I hope you'll forgive any impropriety."
Simply from sensing the aura surrounding Chūkaku, Hii Kōri was certain that this seemingly frail old monk was no mere pretentious blowhard.
As expected, the old man's eyes—like Bunpuku's—could see through his disguise on another level.
"Hahaha… no matter, no matter. Since you've come in the guise of a monk, I'll simply treat you as one."
Chūkaku waved his hand with considerable ease, then his tone shifted to one of gentle inquiry: "But the karmic burden of killing on you, and the worldly desires… they're rather thick. With that, you can hardly be called a proper monk."
"Indeed. Though I have studied scriptures with my teacher, my purpose has been rather utilitarian. I can't claim to be a true monk."
Yet even under such criticism, Hii Kōri's breathing did not change. He simply placed his hand on the tengai hat beside him and responded with his adjusted, somber voice, calmly:
"I've come merely to visit and exchange knowledge on behalf of my teacher, who cannot travel due to health and other matters. If I might obtain some copies of scriptures not found in our collection, that would be even better."
"I see. Since you come on behalf of your teacher, there's no need to dwell on it."
Chūkaku nodded slightly, accepting Hii Kōri's explanation.
In this world, karmic burden and desires were not such great issues. Since he had come earnestly on behalf of his teacher, there was no reason to press the matter.
"The temple's sutra copies are hardly secret or precious items. You may browse the repository later and choose what you like."
Chūkaku readily set aside the previous topic, then pivoted: "But since you're here on behalf of your teacher for exchange, it would be a shame for you to return with only dry copies. How about a simple debate?"
"I could ask for nothing better."
Seeing Chūkaku's enthusiasm, Hii Kōri pressed his palms together and accepted with pleasure.
"Then… shall we begin with Vijñaptimātratā?"
***
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