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During his days in Peach Mountain, Cheng Mo quickly figured out the daily rhythm of the place and the true nature of his two fellow disciples.
Every day before dawn, Kuwajima Jigorō's angry roars and the rhythmic thud of his cane hitting the ground would begin precisely, like a bell signaling the start of training.
And immediately following that, there would inevitably be Agatsuma Zenitsu's extremely piercing wails.
"No, Grandpa! It's still dark! I'll die! I'll really die! Just five more minutes of sleep! Only five minutes!"
"Bastard! If you can't endure this much hardship, how will you slay demons! Get up!" Teacher Kuwajima's reprimand was merciless.
Cheng Mo was usually already dressed and quietly warming up on the sidelines.
He watched as Zenitsu was practically poked out of his futon by Teacher Kuwajima's cane, then scrambled to his feet and began running laps around the training ground, screaming like a pig being slaughtered, tears and snot smearing his face.
Truly… noisy.
Cheng Mo watched expressionlessly, his mind evaluating.
Such a lack of self-control, in his eyes, was a direct manifestation of weakness.
He knew Zenitsu's potential from the original story, but his first impression, seeing him in person, made it difficult to associate this crybaby with the word "strong."
During training, Zenitsu's performance was even more unbearable to watch.
During basic sword swings, he would complain of sore arms after only a few attempts, his movements crooked and wobbly.
For physical training, he would collapse on the ground and play dead after two laps, only continuing after Teacher Kuwajima yelled and cursed at him.
When learning the basics of the Breathing Technique, he always struggled with the rhythm, turning beet red from holding his breath, then coughing violently and complaining that his "lungs were going to explode."
Kaigaku made no secret of his disdain for this.
"Trash."
Every time Zenitsu made a fool of himself, Kaigaku would let out a cold snort from his nose, the disgust in his eyes almost overflowing.
"I really don't understand why Grandpa keeps such a useless person; it's a waste of food and air."
He trained even more diligently, as if to make Zenitsu appear even more pathetic by comparison.
Cheng Mo remained silent, merely observing with a cold eye.
Until one sparring session.
To help his disciples adapt to real combat, Kuwajima Jigorō would occasionally step in himself, attacking with his cane.
When it was Zenitsu's turn, he was scared out of his wits, screaming and scurrying around with his hands over his head, his movements chaotic and utterly disgraceful.
Kuwajima Jigorō was probably truly enraged; his cane, whistling with sharp air, suddenly accelerated and struck down. The momentum in that instant was no joke.
"Ah—!!!"
Zenitsu let out an extremely terrified shriek, his pupils shrinking to pinpricks.
In that very instant—
Cheng Mo's Eye of Truth keenly captured something within Zenitsu that had been dormant, like a dead volcano, suddenly erupting!
A vast yet chaotic energy instantly surged through his entire body!
Whoosh—!
A golden flash of lightning streaked by, so fast it was almost imperceptible!
Zenitsu's body, in a manner completely contrary to his usual performance, instinctively ducked and lunged forward, narrowly avoiding the otherwise certain strike, even kicking up a faint, crackling golden electrical spark.
After delivering this stunning move, Zenitsu himself seemed to have been drained of all his strength. His eyes rolled back, and he fell backward with a thud, hitting the ground and passing out.
A profound silence fell over the training ground.
Kuwajima Jigorō stood with his cane raised, the anger on his face replaced by a complex emotion: helplessness, a sigh, and seemingly a hint of deep expectation.
Kaigaku's eyes widened, then his expression grew even darker and uglier. He clenched his fists tightly, his fingernails almost digging into his flesh.
That wasn't surprise; it was more like… a stinging jealousy.
Cheng Mo's pupils contracted almost imperceptibly.
That just now was… his heart stirred, an extreme reaction in an unconscious state… and that energy… the Eye of Truth's feedback couldn't be wrong.
Though fleeting, the potential sleeping within this noisy waste was indeed astonishingly vast.
"It seems it's not entirely an illusion," Cheng Mo mused to himself, adding a touch of caution to his evaluation of Zenitsu.
As for Kaigaku, Cheng Mo's attitude was clear: maintain distance.
This guy did train desperately, even with a self-abusive intensity.
But his gaze was always gloomy, as if hiding something.
He was outwardly respectful to Teacher Kuwajima, but Cheng Mo had caught the cold, dismissive sneer at the corner of his mouth several times when he turned away.
Towards Cheng Mo, the "parachute" disciple, Kaigaku's hostility and competitive drive were almost undisguised.
"Hey, newbie."
During one break, Kaigaku, wiping sweat, casually walked over to Cheng Mo. His voice was low and laced with a sting: "Don't think you're special just because Ubuyashiki-sama recommended you. Thunder Breathing isn't something you can master through connections."
Cheng Mo was adjusting his breathing; he didn't even lift an eyelid at the remark, merely replying blandly, "I know."
His calmness, ironically, left Kaigaku feeling like he'd punched a pillow, his face growing even uglier. He snorted coldly and walked away.
Cheng Mo naturally knew this infamous character from the original story.
Strongly jealous, narrow-minded… His goal was the Breathing Technique; there was no need to get involved in pointless disputes.
He decided not to interact with Kaigaku unless absolutely necessary.
In the days that followed, the real highlight was the practice of the Breathing Technique.
Kuwajima Jigorō didn't immediately teach the sword forms but spent a lot of time explaining and refining the most basic breathing rhythm.
"Listen carefully, the essence of Thunder Breathing lies in instantaneous burst! Like a thunderclap from the heavens, concentrating all power into a single point!"
"Through a specific rhythm, you will maximally expand your lungs, allowing your blood to absorb far more oxygen than usual in an instant! This will forcibly activate all cells in your body, unleashing lightning-fast speed and power!"
Although the old man only had one leg, his presence when demonstrating the Breathing Technique was as majestic as a towering mountain.
"Feel it, the air entering your lungs, transforming into surging energy, activating every cell in your body! Let your blood boil, let your muscles roar! Remember this feeling!"
He explained in detail the rhythm and depth of breathing, and how to use one's will to guide this activated energy flow through all limbs and organs.
"Try to feel it, control it! Make it a part of your body!" the old man bellowed, "Now, begin practicing! Until I say stop!"
Zenitsu immediately scrunched up his face and began his characteristic, error-ridden attempts, quickly turning beet red and coughing repeatedly.
Kaigaku, on the other hand, kept a taut face, diligently following the instructions and trying again and again.
He already had a certain foundation and was progressing towards a higher level.
But he looked strained, with veins bulging on his forehead.
His breathing rhythm was also intermittent, clearly indicating that the path to the next stage was not easy.
Cheng Mo closed his eyes, his mind calm.
Special breathing rhythm… maximizing oxygen intake… cell activation… He followed Kuwajima Jigorō's guidance, attempting to perform the Thunder Breathing Technique for the first time.