After Keiji's birth, Kenshin reached level three and pondered where to put his free skill point. He ultimately chose "Formation Creation," raising it to level three. At first, he felt no change, but waking the next morning, he noticed his knowledge of formation arts had improved slightly.
Kenshin now knew how to boost many "old" formations' efficiency. He finally learned to create a primitive material-defense formation, but needed practice. The day after Keiji's birth, he devoted almost entirely to training with his new knowledge, applying it practically.
Ichiro trained his body relentlessly all day. Aya tended to the baby and daily chores, while little Keiji crawled around, stuffing everything his tiny hands reached into his mouth.
That evening, Kenshin slept with his wife and baby son, having spent the previous night in the "barracks" with Ichiro on the next Bed. He'd grown unaccustomed to sleeping alone and struggled without his beloved girl, so after ten minutes, he was out cold, ignoring the restless Keiji who tried climbing onto Dad and laughing loudly, spraying drool.
On the second day after Keiji's birth, after breakfast, Kenshin called Ichiro to the Gym and said, "You've surely heard of shinobi and Chakra," waiting for an interested nod before continuing. "Sadly, I can't interact with Chakra myself, so I can't teach you specifics, but I'll nudge you right. If it doesn't work, no big deal—we'll buy a manual with our money and make you a shinobi!" Kenshin laughed, then had Ichiro sit in lotus position.
For the next fifteen minutes, Kenshin recalled all he knew about Chakra, urging Ichiro to focus, sense the energy inside him, or ignite an invisible spark in his gut. Ichiro didn't get it, and the "lesson" stalled.
"Fine, sit and try sensing Chakra. You're off physical training today. If nothing in six hours, we'll drop self-learning Chakra," Kenshin said, then left the Gym to reinforce the old cloaking formation outside.
Finishing in about three hours with a satisfied grunt, Kenshin returned home, pleased that no random Genin would wander onto his land—they'd intuitively pick another path or change their mind. It wouldn't stop Genin heading straight there, but it perfectly diverted casual folk.
By lunch, Kenshin sat in the Kitchen drinking coffee, playing a bit with little Keiji on Aya's lap.
"Got it, Father!" he suddenly heard telepathically, nearly spitting his coffee as he rushed to the Gym.
"You did it?!" Kenshin asked excitedly, approaching his son.
"Yes! Nothing for ages, then like you said—a little spark in my gut, still burning!" Ichiro exclaimed thrilled.
"Good job!" Kenshin praised, adding, "Now try directing Chakra through your whole body. I don't know how it works, but there are invisible Chakra channels—influence yours and make it circulate."
"Got it, trying now," Ichiro said, focusing. It took a while with no luck, dampening Kenshin's enthusiasm, but after half an hour, Ichiro jumped up yelling joyfully, "Got it!"
"Ha-ha-ha, good job! Lunch first, then back to training. You haven't eaten since morning—your mom'll skin me if she finds out you're hungry!" Kenshin laughed, leading Ichiro to the Kitchen.
"Aya, our son finally sensed Chakra!" Kenshin said joyfully entering.
"What?!" the girl asked surprised, then her eyes lit up. "God, Ichiro, baby, that's amazing!"
"Mom! Stop calling me baby!" Ichiro protested, blushing.
"Oh, come on. You'll always be my little boy!" Aya laughed, in high spirits.
After lunch, Ichiro resumed Chakra circulation training, while Kenshin went for more rabbits and fish. By evening, the wine had "matured," so Kenshin planned a Shukuba trip the next day with Ichiro.
After seven, Kenshin checked Ichiro's progress and entered the Gym.
"How's it going?" he asked his son.
"Hm... Not sure, but circulating Chakra feels much easier now. And I think I'm a bit stronger... Hard to explain..." Ichiro murmured uncertainly.
"Stronger, huh? Punch the bag."
Ichiro stood, donned gloves, and struck fast—the bag swung farther than before.
"Hm, true—your punch is twenty percent stronger. Come on, spar—we'll test it for real," Kenshin said, grabbing helmet and gloves.
For a minute, Kenshin held off Ichiro's assault, then took several hits. One precise one threw off his balance, making him fall.
"Father!" Ichiro cried, kneeling to help him up.
"I'm fine..." Kenshin muttered, waving off help. He stood and said, "You're incredibly strong now—definitely not my match. Our spars are pointless from here."
Kenshin was deeply impressed by Ichiro's power and speed. He figured in a week, even top boxers from his old world couldn't beat this kid.
He wondered what boosted Ichiro's physical stats. Besides Chakra obviously, Kenshin had one guess.
"Maybe Chakra somehow nourishes muscles, making them tougher and stronger? That bastard Kogi had freakishly tough muscles, like a draft buffalo's—nearly steel..." Kenshin pondered. He couldn't confirm without a proper shinobi. He grew convinced he needed a plan to seduce a kunoichi. He had an idea but couldn't commit morally.