Chương 17: How does Shunsui's ability work?

Shunsui followed Choza to another part of the training ground. A small stream ran along one side. Choza stopped in the center of the clearing and faced him.

"Before we begin, would you mind answering some questions regarding your ability?" Shunsui nodded.

"Go ahead, sensei."

"First, tell me how much chakra does your ability consume?"

"Every time I create a game, it takes a certain amount of chakra to set it up and bring it into reality. The initial cost is the biggest part. And then there is chakra cost to keep the game running."

"Every game has the same chakra requirement?"

"No. It depends on the game. Some are simple and cost less. The pinball game took less chakra because it only changed the physical properties of objects around us. The surfaces became bouncy and rubber-like. It was a small change over a large area. But the snakes and ladders game took more. It had to create actual living snakes, hidden pathways for the ladders, and enforce strict rules on movement and teleportation. More complexity means more chakra upfront."

He added, "The amount of chakra also depends on the duration of the game. Every second a game is being played, my chakra is being used as fuel to keep it active. If I let a game run for a long time, it would not take long before I am suffering from chakra exhaustion. If the game ends quickly, the total cost stays low. But if an enemy drags it out or forces me to keep it going, I have to decide whether to maintain it or switch to another game or just don't play any games."

"But changing games takes much more chakra than if I was to continue playing the already active game. Switching means I have to cancel the old rules completely and build a new set from scratch. That double cost hurts more. Ending one game releases some chakra back, but starting another pulls even more. That is why I prefer to pick the right game from the start and stick with it unless the situation forces a change." This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

Choza listened carefully. He rubbed his chin while he thought what Shunsui had just told him.

"Everyone is affected by your game, even your allies as well as enemies, right? They have to follow the rules even though they do not know the rules."

"Yes." Shunsui smirked. A small, sly curve appeared on his lips.

"One advantage is that I can change the game anytime if the enemy figures out the rules. They adapt to one game, and suddenly the world follows a different game. They will be confused and start hesistating and keep thinking which game that we are currently playing. That hesitation is enough for me to win." He paused and looked at Choza with calm eyes.

"The enemy will waste time trying to understand what is happening. My teammates, if I warn them ahead, can use that confusion. They will know which game is coming. They can position themselves to take advantage of the new rules before the enemy even realizes the old ones are gone." Choza nodded slowly.

"How many games can you create?"

"Dozens at least." Choza looked shocked. His eyebrows shot up. He let out a low whistle.

"Dozens? That is more than I expected." Shunsui shrugged.

"I have thought about a lot of games from my... childhood. Simple ones like tag, hide and seek, red light green light. More complicated ones like musical chairs, hopscotch, even some made-up variations. Each one can be used in a fight somehow." Choza smiled.

"Well then, your teammates need to know about the games. The rules that you would be using around them. It would ensure they could use the rules to their benefit." He continued,"If Guy knows a ladder is about to appear under his feet, he can jump on it and teleport behind an enemy. If Genma knows the ground is going to turn bouncy, he can throw senbon that ricochet in patterns we plan ahead. Your team should never be caught off guard by your own ability. They should be the ones who turn it into an advantage."

"Communication is key. Before a mission or a serious spar, sit them down. Explain the games you plan to use. Tell them the basic rules. Tell them how you can bend those rules. Give them signals so they know when you are about to switch and which game it is." Shunsui agreed without hesitation. He gave a small nod.

"You are right. I will tell them. I was planning to do it anyway. I do not want Guy charging into a game he does not understand and getting himself hurt. Better to share what I can."

'Besides,' Shunsui thought, 'it will make training more fun. They can help me test new games. They will be perfect test dummies.'

'Also, I am too lazy to keep explaining things in the middle of a battle. If they already know, I can just say "pinball" and they will know what to do.'

"Now for chakra augmentation," Choza said, changing the subject smoothly.

"We will start by putting chakra first into your palm. Do not put too much chakra as that might just lead to your hand exploding. First we check how much chakra your body's chakra pathways can handle. And by continuously working on them, they would expand and would be able to handle much more chakra than before." Shunsui flexed his fingers and held out his right hand, palm up. Choza stepped closer, ready to guide him step by step.