Entering Momoyama, what came into view was a very traditional, old-fashioned courtyard.
"The master lives here. I'll go announce you."
Kaigaku nervously watched Suzuki Makoto's reaction. Seeing Suzuki Makoto nod, he breathed a sigh of relief and practically flew into the courtyard.
After a short while, a small old man leaning on a cane walked out, with Kaigaku following behind him.
"I am Jigoro Kuwajima, the Former Thunder Hashira. May I ask your purpose in coming here?"
The old man stared at Suzuki Makoto, not fully believing the instigating words Kaigaku had muttered to him earlier. After all, he knew his disciple's personality all too well. If it weren't for the boy's rare talent, he would not have taken him as a student.
"I am Suzuki Makoto. I've come to learn Thunder Breathing from you. This is my letter of introduction."
Suzuki Makoto couldn't see any particular temper in Jigoro Kuwajima; he didn't seem like the type of person who would raise a disciple like Kaigaku.
Jigoro Kuwajima took the letter of introduction and, after reading it, looked at Suzuki Makoto in surprise.
"So you are the new Hashira. Forgive my impoliteness."
"There's no need for that. I am here to learn, so it is I who should address you as master."
Suzuki Makoto noticed that upon hearing he was a Hashira, the venomous gaze Kaigaku had been hiding instantly vanished, replaced by a sort of eagerness and restlessness.
So it wasn't the old man who had a problem, but this guy himself was just the type to suck up to the powerful and step on the weak.
"Since it is a request from the Master, I will certainly do my best. However, Thunder Breathing places an immense burden on the legs. You may laugh, Mr. Suzuki, but my legs are now covered in old injuries, and I'm afraid it will be difficult for me to demonstrate Thunder Breathing to you in its entirety."
Jigoro Kuwajima changed the subject, pulling Kaigaku out from behind him.
"However, this disciple of mine has mastered all the forms except for the First Form of Thunder Breathing. How about we have Kaigaku help you understand Thunder Breathing, Lord Suzuki?"
Evidently, Jigoro Kuwajima thought that there had merely been some unpleasantness between Suzuki and Kaigaku earlier and wanted to use this opportunity to have his disciple reconcile with this young, new Hashira.
Unfortunately, the old man was clearly a bit too optimistic about his disciple's character.
"Lord Suzuki, I deeply apologize for my previous insolence. I am willing to cooperate with you with all my might. I hope you can forgive my recklessness!"
Kaigaku offered a 'sincere' apology, bowing deeply.
"It's no matter. I didn't take what happened before to heart. Please rise, Mr. Kaigaku."
Suzuki Makoto truly wouldn't concern himself with such trivial matters; they would only affect the speed at which he drew his sword.
"Hahaha, then I thank you for your generosity, Lord Suzuki! Let's go to the dojo first. I'm in good condition today, so it's a perfect time to show you the First Form. The remaining forms can be demonstrated by Kaigaku."
The three of them entered the dojo together. Jigoro Kuwajima didn't take a sword, instead walking into the dojo leaning on his cane.
"Lord Suzuki, would you like to observe from the side, or face this technique directly?"
"Let's face it directly. It will be more straightforward that way."
The old man's legs truly had a hidden ailment, and it was clear they couldn't support him performing it too many times. Therefore, Suzuki Makoto decided to be direct, to start and finish sooner.
"Then I shall begin."
The old man held the cane in his hand, bent over to lower his center of gravity, his knees slightly bent. His whole body was like a coiled spring.
"Thunder Breathing, First Form: Thunderclap and Flash!"
Suzuki tilted his head slightly, dodging the powerful gust of wind, his gaze following the figure as it landed.
"Ah, I'm really getting old. I can only manage to use it barely. In truth, Thunderclap and Flash can be used consecutively to change direction in an instant. In my youth, I could perform Thunderclap and Flash, Eightfold."
After landing, Jigoro Kuwajima leaned on his cane, the corners of his mouth twitching from the pain.
Suzuki Makoto was somewhat surprised. So this was the type of technique Thunder Breathing was?
It concentrates all power in the legs, using extreme speed to imbue the sword in hand with ultimate force. This speed is so great that even the user has difficulty controlling it. The so-called 'multiple folds' are only necessary because one cannot change direction mid-dash, thus requiring multiple activations of Thunderclap and Flash to make adjustments.
One could say this is a Breathing Style where you either win or die. The speed, born from pushing the body to its absolute limits, is extremely dangerous for both the attacker and the one being attacked. After all, the user is still flesh and blood, not a hundred-ton truck; crashing into a tree could result in a pierced skull.
"Then it's my turn! Lord Suzuki, will you still choose to face it directly?"
Kaigaku didn't show any concern for his master, not even thinking of going over to help him up. Instead, he eagerly drew his sword and walked up to Suzuki Makoto, wanting to show off.
Suzuki Makoto nodded. After seeing the First Form, he had actually lost interest in the subsequent forms. Without a doubt, the very essence of Thunder Breathing was the First Form, and the one thing this guy before him couldn't master was precisely that. Unquestionably, Kaigaku was simply a coward.
He joined the Demon Slayer Corps and studied under the Former Thunder Hashira, yet he didn't dare to learn the most dangerous and powerful First Form. He was nothing more than an opportunist.
Just as Suzuki Makoto expected, the Second through Sixth Forms that Kaigaku demonstrated were either modified versions of the First Form or just simple high-speed slashes.
He glanced at Jigoro Kuwajima with some hesitation. Logically, as a Hashira, he shouldn't be so lenient with Kaigaku for being unable to learn the First Form of Thunder Breathing.
"Thank you and your disciple. I now have some understanding of the forms of Thunder Breathing. However, I would like to discuss my impressions of it with you, if I may."
"Of course. It has been a long time since I've discussed Thunder Breathing with anyone."
The little old man laughed heartily and led Suzuki Makoto into the tea room.
"Please, have some."
"Thank you."
Suzuki Makoto accepted the hot tea, took a sip, set the cup down, his expression serious.
"Lord Jigoro Kuwajima, in my view, the essence and foundation of Thunder Breathing is the First Form, Thunderclap and Flash. What are your thoughts?"
"That's right! Lord Suzuki, you've only just been introduced to Thunder Breathing, yet your judgment is so sharp?"
Jigoro Kuwajima, who hadn't seen Suzuki Makoto replicate his technique, said with some surprise.
"Then, why would you allow Kaigaku to be your Tsuguko? He cannot learn the First Form, can he?"
"Hahaha, Kaigaku can't learn it, but Zenitsu has! He's my other Tsuguko, who just left for the Demon Slayer Corps' Final Selection. That boy is the complete opposite of Kaigaku; he has only learned the First Form."
The old man laughed heartily.
"As long as those two boys fight side-by-side, no demon will stand a chance!"
______
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