In the days that followed, Shinjuro Rengoku earnestly taught Suzuki Makoto everything about Flame Breathing. As a Breathing Style passed down through the Rengoku family for generations, the systematic theoretical framework of Flame Breathing was completely unparalleled by other Breathing Styles.
If Thunder Breathing represented the ultimate in speed, then Flame Breathing was the ultimate in explosive power, especially the Ninth Form, which hadn't been used in battle before. It was a momentary burst of concentrated power, and the strain it put on the body surpassed even the First Form of Thunder Breathing.
"Mr. Suzuki, are you leaving?"
Senjuro Rengoku's face showed his reluctance to see him go. He was truly grateful for the change Suzuki Makoto had brought to his father. With his mother deceased and his older brother having left home, it could be said that ever since Kyojuro Rengoku joined the Demon Slayer Corps, the entire Rengoku household had fallen upon his, the young second son's, shoulders.
Now, his father was finally back on his feet, ready to take up this heavy burden once more. How could this not make Senjuro happy?
"Yes. Mr. Shinazugawa has finally accepted my application to learn, willing to teach me his experience and knowledge of Wind Breathing, so I must hurry back to the Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters."
Suzuki Makoto slung his travel bag over his horse's back and turned to look at Senjuro.
"I'll say hello to your brother for you."
"Okay! Thank you very much, Mr. Suzuki!"
The sound of footsteps approached from a distance. The two turned to see Shinjuro Rengoku arriving.
"Father."
"Mr. Shinjuro."
The man didn't say much, simply pulling out two booklets from his robes.
"This is a copy I've made over the past few days of all the records concerning Sun Breathing. It's for you. This other one is about Flame Breathing. Please do me the favor of taking it to Kyojuro."
Suzuki Makoto was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and accepted the two booklets.
"Thank you, Mr. Shinjuro. I will also pass on your regards to Lord Kyojuro!"
"Nonsense! Just give him the booklet!"
Perhaps communication between father and son is always this awkward.
Waving goodbye to the Rengoku family, Suzuki Makoto traveled while flipping through the booklet in his hand.
The Rengoku family's records were indeed different from the ancient texts of the Ubuyashiki family. They described the visual effects of some Sun Breathing forms. Unfortunately, however, they still lacked details on the forms themselves, merely describing them with phrases like, 'a technique unimaginable for a human with only two hands to perform.'
However, it surprisingly contained more descriptions of the appearance of the Sun Breathing user—especially the pair of earrings, which were described in great detail.
Suzuki Makoto read the description of the earrings with a puzzled expression.
He felt like he remembered seeing these earrings somewhere before, and definitely on someone's ears.
"...Tanjiro?"
Suzuki Makoto was a little unsure. After all, when he was chatting with Sakonji Urokodaki and mentioned Tanjiro Kamado, the old man had said the boy's talent wasn't particularly outstanding and that he had come to learn Water Breathing as a newcomer, showing nothing particularly special.
Suzuki Makoto temporarily set aside his confusion. After all, compared to Tanjiro, whose whereabouts were currently unknown, it was more important to fully master Wind Breathing.
Sanemi Shinazugawa was already waiting for Suzuki Makoto. The reason he was so accommodating, of course, was due to Kagaya Ubuyashiki's request—the Hashira never refuse their Master's orders.
"I don't have the patience for teaching. I only know how to kill. But I suppose you're also good at learning in the midst of a slaughter, right?"
Sanemi got straight to the point.
"Please instruct me."
Without any more unnecessary words, their blades clashed.
It was obvious that, although not as direct as Muichiro Tokito, Sanemi Shinazugawa was also racking his brain for a way to break through that move, Lull. This was on full display in their current battle, to the point that Suzuki Makoto had to speak up and remind him.
"Mr. Shinazugawa, could you use the traditional Wind Breathing fighting style for now? I'll be here for a long time afterward, and I'll patiently serve as your training partner, just as I did for Muichiro."
"You just wait, you bastard!"
Though his words were still sharp, Sanemi Shinazugawa abandoned his stubborn approach and began to truly demonstrate Wind Breathing to Suzuki Makoto in all its glory during their fight.
And Suzuki Makoto kept his promise. After mastering Wind Breathing, while attempting to reverse-engineer Sun Breathing, he also served as Sanemi's sparring partner. In their subsequent battles, he made no extra moves, consistently using only Water Breathing's Eleventh Form. He just kept defending, defending until Sanemi Shinazugawa nearly broke his composure.
"I knew that bastard Giyu Tomioka had a problem with me, creating a move specifically to counter Wind Breathing and daring to call it 'Calm Winds, Peaceful Waves'... I will break through this move head-on and show him the difference in our strength!!"
Just as Suzuki Makoto had said before, anger doesn't increase a technique's power. So, by the time Ubuyashiki's Kasugai Crow arrived to deliver an order, Sanemi Shinazugawa had still not been able to truly break through Suzuki Makoto's defense.
"Lord Ubuyashiki has ordered me to the estate. What about you?"
"I'm off to hunt Demons—You, are you still not going to call him Master?"
"Respect is one thing, but I have my own principles about such titles."
Although he held respect for the Ubuyashiki clan, Suzuki Makoto had no intention of becoming a vassal to Kagaya Ubuyashiki.
"Tch, I'm leaving. If you see Giyu Tomioka, give him a message for me. I can't break that move for now, but I'll be able to do it someday!"
No, if it were the Giyu who had just shown me that technique, he probably wouldn't have been able to withstand your current attacks.
Suzuki Makoto nodded. Sometimes, 'being unable to do something' is the greatest motivator—it was better to let Sanemi maintain this soaring competitive spirit.
Soon, Suzuki Makoto arrived at the Ubuyashiki Estate. Arriving at the same time was the Hashira named Shinobu Kocho.
"Are you the Lady Insect Hashira?"
"Oh my, you must be Lord Suzuki. I heard you haven't chosen your Hashira title yet."
"I've had trouble coming up with names since I was a child, so I'm still struggling with it."
Suzuki Makoto hadn't even thought about that. These past few days, he had been so absorbed in integrating Breathing Styles that he had almost forgotten he was still a nameless Hashira.
The two entered the main hall and saw Kagaya Ubuyashiki.
His illness had worsened.
"My apologies for interrupting your research, Lord Suzuki, but an urgent situation has arisen that requires the power of a Hashira."
"No need to apologize. I told you I was willing to accept this responsibility, and this research isn't something that can be completed overnight anyway."
Suzuki Makoto was now looking forward to the mission.
For Kagaya Ubuyashiki to determine that a Hashira was needed, it must be a Demon on the level of the Twelve Kizuki, right?
He wondered if killing the Demon this time would bring any new surprises from his system.
_____
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