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'Kaigaku is human trash—a disgrace to the Upper Ranks. His nature is rotten to the core, selfish and vile. Zenitsu, you're leagues beyond him.'
Kaido's words echoed through Zenitsu's mind as he moved through the Infinity Castle's corridors.
"I can hear you. That bastard's close—probably just ahead. I won't forgive him. Never."
Since Kaigaku's betrayal, Zenitsu had changed. Though he still complained endlessly during the Hashira training, nothing could suppress the burning need to end his former Senpai's existence.
He navigated the twisted architecture until he stopped before a door, sensing the presence beyond.
"You're in there, aren't you? Come out! I know you're hiding!"
"Hey, hey—is that any way to address your Senpai? You've grown a spine, at least..."
Kaigaku emerged from the shadows—transformed into something monstrous. Fangs protruded from his gaping mouth. Pointed ears. Skin pale as death. Black tiger stripes marked his face. His eyes bore the kanji for "Upper Rank Six."
His corruption had stained his Nichirin Blade—once vibrant, now dull and lifeless, stripped of all luster.
He regarded Zenitsu with narrowed contempt. "But you're still the same pathetic loser. Long time no see, Zenitsu!"
"Kaigaku... you're not my Senpai anymore. You stopped being human."
"Hahaha! You haven't changed at all—still short, still miserable, still weak! Did you become a Hashira? Can you use anything besides First Form?"
"You're one to talk—scraping into Upper Rank Six as the weakest link! Kaido-nii was right about you. Human garbage. A disgrace to the Upper Ranks!"
"Kaido? Oh, that Dragon Hashira?" Kaigaku's sneer deepened. "So what? The guy's a midget. I don't understand how someone that small became a Hashira in the first place!"
Memories surfaced—constant rumors about the Dragon Hashira throughout the Corps. Kaigaku had always felt a simmering resentment. Why should that runt get recognition while he'd been overlooked?
If he'd become a Hashira, he could have done whatever he wanted. Proven he was superior to everyone.
"Why did you become a demon? Someone who inherited Thunder Breathing—why betray everything??"
"Huh?"
"You became a demon and Gramps tried to commit seppuku because of you! He did it alone—without anyone to act as his second! If Kaido-nii hadn't arrived in time and saved him with his techniques, Gramps would be dead!"
The image of Jigoro's body lying in blood flashed through Zenitsu's mind, vivid as yesterday.
"All because a Thunder Breathing user became a demon. Because of trash like you!"
"Like I give a damn! Who cares if the old man died?? Should I feel guilty?? I'm glad he's gone! I gave everything—blood, sweat, tears—and he refused to name me his sole successor! He forced me to share the position with a failure like you! I'm the strongest! ME!"
"Heh... hahaha! I'm the failure? Then what does that make you, Kaigaku—someone who can't even manage First Form? If I'm trash for only knowing one technique, what are you for not knowing any?"
"Don't you DARE compare me to garbage like you! Thunder Breathing, Fourth Form: Distant Thunder!"
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!
Black lightning exploded from Kaigaku's body. He closed the distance in a flash, blade aimed to kill instantly.
But Kaigaku hadn't anticipated one critical factor—he was fast, but Zenitsu was faster.
In the blink of an eye, Zenitsu had not only evaded the black lightning but delivered a clean slash across Kaigaku's throat without him even noticing.
"Too slow, trash."
SLASH!
Blood erupted from Kaigaku's neck in a crimson geyser.
"This bastard... how is this possible... it's like he's a completely different person! I don't believe it! I WON'T BELIEVE IT!"
"Thunder Breathing, Second Form: Rice Spirit!"
Grotesque black lightning surged toward Zenitsu. Five consecutive strikes in a single breath.
The dark electricity struck Zenitsu, wounding him—but the assault didn't stop there. Kaigaku pressed his advantage, chaining techniques together.
"Thunder Breathing, Third Form: Mosquito Swarm Thunder!"
Black lightning coiled around Zenitsu in a spiraling vortex, tearing into his body with vicious efficiency.
The damage alone would have been manageable—but this corrupted lightning carried a burning, rending quality that scorched flesh like acid.
"Thunder Breathing, Fifth Form: Heat Lightning!"
CRACK!
Kaigaku released superheated electricity directly into Zenitsu's torso. Blood streamed from multiple wounds, but Zenitsu maintained his sword stance, unwavering.
"Hahaha! What's wrong, failure?? Why aren't you fighting back?? This is my blade—enhanced with Blood Demon Art! Sharp, isn't it?? Hurts like hell, doesn't it?? HAHAHA! Let me show you who the real waste of space is!"
"Thunder Breathing, Sixth Form: Rumble and Flash!"
Dense electrical strikes radiated outward from Kaigaku in all directions. The assault connected—Zenitsu's limbs bled freely as he crashed through a wooden door, plummeting toward the Infinity Castle's lower levels.
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As Zenitsu fell, his life flashed before his eyes.
Gramps had always told him to learn from Kaigaku's example. For years, Zenitsu had looked up to his Senpai, working tirelessly to earn similar recognition.
Then he'd joined the Corps and heard the whispers—how other members talked about Kaigaku behind his back.
Zenitsu knew Kaigaku hated him. But the feeling was mutual, wasn't it?
Kaigaku was never satisfied. He believed kindness was something owed to him, not earned. In his twisted worldview, anyone who agreed with him represented "good," and opposition meant "evil."
'I'm sorry, Gramps. I let you down. But... I'll make Kaigaku pay for everything he's done.'
CRACK!
Mid-fall, Zenitsu twisted his body and landed on a wooden platform. Golden lightning began gathering around him, coalescing into something magnificent.
"Thunder Breathing, Seventh Form..."
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!
Thunder split the air with apocalyptic fury. Zenitsu's form became one with lightning itself—ascending at speeds beyond human perception. The strike left a trail of golden energy in its wake, coalescing into the shape of a roaring dragon.
"FLAMING THUNDER GOD!"
SLASH!
In that instant—faster than thought, swifter than sight—Kaigaku's head separated from his shoulders. His body tumbled from where he'd been standing.
"De...capitated?? So fast... damn it! DAMN IT! That old bastard held back after all—he taught you this technique but not me!"
"Gramps wasn't like that. This is my own creation—a form I developed myself! I'd planned to fight alongside you with this technique someday..."
Kaigaku's severed head watched Zenitsu falling beside him, face twisted with bitter resentment.
"You should be grateful you didn't face Kaido-nii instead. He would've made your death far more painful. Go to hell alone—you ungrateful piece of filth."
Yushiro appeared from nowhere beside Kaigaku's disintegrating head, delivering his final judgment. Then he leapt upward, catching Zenitsu and carrying him to safety.
"NO! I refuse to accept this! I WON'T ACCEPT IT! Zenitsu's nothing but a failure—how could he create a technique like that?? This ISN'T FAIR!"
Kaigaku's protests faded into nothing as his body crumbled to ash, consumed by his own bitterness and rage.
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