Kurosaki Rei listened attentively as Kuwajima Jigoro explained the theory behind Thunder Breathing and demonstrated each form.
He had to admit—Kuwajima truly was a gold-medal instructor. It wasn't without reason that he had produced a youth as strong as Zenitsu. His explanations of Thunder Breathing's key principles were clear and easy to grasp, and when he demonstrated the forms, he deliberately emphasized the essence of each move so Kurosaki Rei and Zenitsu could see it clearly.
Three hours later, Zenitsu was already being prodded with a cane by Kuwajima, repeatedly practicing Thunder Breathing First Form. Meanwhile, Kurosaki Rei sat cross-legged nearby, eyes closed, silently comprehending the mysteries of Thunder Breathing.
"Grandpa, I really can't do it! If you make me go to the selection, I'll really die! You don't want me to die, right?!"
After practicing for a while, Zenitsu started crying again. He truly had no confidence in himself and was convinced that if he went to the Final Selection, he would be eaten by demons.
"Zenitsu," Kuwajima said earnestly, "you must believe in your own strength. Grandpa thinks your First Form has already reached a very high level. Even if you only know that one move, it's still enough."
The way Kuwajima looked at Zenitsu was less like a master looking at a disciple, and more like a grandfather gazing at his grandson. Their bond was clearly deep.
"But, Grandpa…"
Zenitsu genuinely regarded Kuwajima as his own grandfather and respected him greatly. He didn't want to disappoint him—but he was terrified of death, and he firmly believed that someone who only knew First Form was nothing more than dead weight.
Senior Brother Rei aside, he also had a second senior brother named Kaigaku. Kaigaku had mastered all of Thunder Breathing except First Form, and was someone Zenitsu deeply admired.
In Zenitsu's mind, only someone like Kaigaku was qualified to inherit Grandpa's legacy and become the next Thunder Hashira. Someone like himself simply wasn't worthy.
Of course, he also respected Senior Brother Rei. Even though Kurosaki Rei still hadn't mastered Thunder Breathing, Zenitsu considered him strong.
In his eyes, Senior Brother Rei was always like a towering mountain—solid and dependable, giving people an intense sense of security. And because Kurosaki Rei was naturally gifted with immense strength, Zenitsu felt that even without Thunder Breathing, his senior brother was still a powerful figure.
Moreover, Zenitsu knew that Senior Brother Rei was hardworking and never slacked off in training Thunder Breathing. He just hadn't grasped the key yet.
"Wait…"
Kuwajima suddenly interrupted Zenitsu. He stopped lecturing and looked in Kurosaki Rei's direction. Just now, he seemed to have sensed something on Kurosaki Rei—an aura of Thunder Breathing. A kind of sign.
"That's enough practice for today," Kuwajima said. "Zenitsu, go relax a bit and adjust your state of mind for the selection."
He wanted the surroundings to be quieter so Kurosaki Rei could better comprehend Thunder Breathing. This time, there really seemed to be hope of success.
Hearing this, Zenitsu wanted to throw a tantrum and cry about not going to the selection—but when he glanced at Senior Brother Rei, who was deep in contemplation, he held it in. He quietly made his way down the mountain.
Some time passed.
Kurosaki Rei sat atop the hillside. Peach blossoms bloomed all around him, petals drifting down with the wind. As the breeze brushed against his face, he took a deep breath.
His chest visibly expanded. Then his lips curled upward, revealing a row of white teeth. In Kuwajima's astonished gaze, golden arcs of lightning-like radiance flickered around Kurosaki Rei's body.
Large amounts of steam-like, high-temperature vapor poured from between Kurosaki Rei's teeth, forming two white dragons that spread out to either side before soaring upward with the wind.
Crackle—crackle—
Violent electrical sounds rang out around Kurosaki Rei. Accompanied by golden lightning, he rose to his feet, feeling his strength continuously surge with each rhythmic breath.
Kurosaki Rei looked at Kuwajima and grinned.
"Teacher, I've learned it."
He held respect for anyone who taught him martial skills—but in his heart, he had only one true master. That title belonged to that one person alone, so he would not use it for anyone else.
"Finally… finally…"
Seeing the lightning coiling around Kurosaki Rei, Kuwajima was overwhelmed with emotion. Just a few days ago, when Kurosaki Rei proposed joining the Final Selection alongside Zenitsu, Kuwajima still had his reservations. Now, all his worries were gone.
Ten years without grasping Thunder Breathing—even with his patience, it would be a lie to say he hadn't felt some disappointment.
That was why he had agreed when Kurosaki Rei brought up the selection again a few days ago. On one hand, he hoped the two senior brothers could look after each other. On the other, he wondered whether Kurosaki Rei needed real combat to comprehend Thunder Breathing.
Yet he never expected that, just days before the selection, Kurosaki Rei would succeed in his comprehension. It was a truly pleasant surprise.
"I must thank you, Teacher, for your years of patient guidance," Kurosaki Rei said.
Based on Zenitsu's and Kuwajima's words, Kurosaki Rei could roughly infer his identity setting—someone who had spent many years unable to master a Breathing Style.
This kind of background only really worked with Kuwajima, because this old man was genuinely patient and gentle with his disciples.
Unfortunately, some of that patience and affection had once been given to a certain white-eyed ingrate—who ultimately caused his death.
"It's good that you've learned it, good… Now I can finally feel at ease about the selection," Kuwajima said with relief. "You know what Zenitsu's like. Even though I believe his Thunder Breathing is already quite solid, he lacks confidence. In the future, you'll have to look after your junior brother more."
Kuwajima actually had another disciple—Kaigaku—who had passed the selection last year and officially become a Demon Slayer.
But in his view, Kaigaku's personality was rather solitary. Asking him to look after Kurosaki Rei and Zenitsu would be difficult, so he didn't bring it up.
"Rest assured, Teacher," Kurosaki Rei replied.
He then glanced at the sky. The sun was already close to setting.
"Zenitsu still hasn't come back?"
"That little brat," Kuwajima scolded, though his expression remained kindly. "He's probably having too much fun down the mountain and lost track of time again."
"I'll go down and check," Kurosaki Rei said. "I'll also buy some ingredients for dinner."
He was a little worried about Zenitsu. If Zenitsu died before the selection even began, his own mission would fail.
Kurosaki Rei had already noticed the pattern of the Space's punishments. Since the first phase of this main quest was extremely simple, the penalty for failure was correspondingly severe—erasure.
So for the next few days, he would have to keep a close eye on Zenitsu. If Zenitsu were killed by demons from Muzan's faction, Kurosaki Rei's death would be far too unjust.
As for whether demons from Muzan's faction would target Zenitsu—of course it was possible.
At this point in time, Zenitsu was at his weakest, before making his debut. Considering this world's difficulty ceiling, it wouldn't be strange for even second-tier Explorers to enter it. For a second-tier Explorer, killing the current Zenitsu would be trivial.
Even a late-stage first-tier Explorer could do it without much trouble.
He had to stay vigilant.
"Mm, that works. I'll go back and cook some porridge first," Kuwajima said.
He didn't find anything strange about it, assuming Kurosaki Rei simply wanted to share the joy of mastering Thunder Breathing with his junior brother.
Elsewhere, spring peach blossoms were in full bloom. The mountains were covered in fragrance, and the gentle spring breeze lifted one's spirits.
Zenitsu, who had just descended the mountain, was also momentarily freed from the terror of the upcoming selection by the beautiful scenery. He cheerfully headed downhill, planning to buy some sweets to bring back and share with his senior brother and Grandpa.
When he reached the marketplace at the foot of the mountain, he noticed several youths—also prospective Demon Slayer candidates—gathered together, chatting and laughing.
Curious, he moved closer to greet them.
But after hearing what they were discussing, his expression darkened.
"Hahaha, did you hear? That 'Ten-Year Mount Sagiri Squatter' is joining the selection too."
"I was shocked when I heard. That guy—what was his name, Kurosaki Rei? He's quite a bit older than us, right? I heard he's been stuck on the mountain for ten years and still hasn't learned Breathing."
"So useless? I thought I was weak for learning Breathing in two years. That guy wasted ten years up there and still learned nothing—just freeloading, isn't he?"
"Heh, if you ask me, Lord Kuwajima finally ran out of patience this time and decided to clean house. You can't keep feeding a guy who only consumes grain forever, right?"
"Hahaha, true. But that guy's luck is really something. Lord Kuwajima used to be a Hashira. Getting taught by a Hashira and still failing to learn Breathing—what a waste. If only I could become Lord Kuwajima's disciple."
"What a piece of trash, wasting Lord Kuwajima's teachings—"
The buzz-cut youth hadn't finished his sentence when he was interrupted.
A yellow figure rushed forward.
Bang!
A fist smashed squarely into his nose.
Zenitsu's face was filled with anger as he shouted:
"Don't you dare talk about Senior Brother Rei like that! Senior Brother Rei is not trash!"
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