In the history of Far Eastern swordsmanship, there has long been a tradition of adorning sword techniques with poetic terminology. This has led to many techniques sounding invincible while their actual movements are quite simple.
Take the "Kesa-giri" (Monk's Robe Slash), for example. In essence, it is a diagonal slash across the shoulder, named because it follows the line of a monk's vestment. Or the "Gyaku-kesa" (Reverse Monk's Robe), which is an upward rising slash following the same path in reverse. Ultimately, it's just about having a sophisticated name. It's like how the scholar's "Heavenly Descent into the Nine Depths" sounds much more profound than the commoner's "Black Whirlwind Downward Chop," even if the move is identical.
However, the sword forms passed down through Breathing Styles are somewhat different. They are not merely combinations of technique and force. Instead, they are movements that follow the rhythm, frequency, and natural flow of the Breathing Style itself. Or rather, when one needs to use certain Breathing sword techniques, they must actively adjust the rhythm of their breathing to harmonize with them.
The sword forms were born from the Breathing Styles. The Breathing Styles created the sword forms. This was a truth Kuguruma Natsunishi gradually grasped after reaching Level 4 in Thunder Breathing and undergoing bitter cultivation under Igarashi.
It was much like how a yawn feels more satisfying when accompanied by a stretch. Or how the body unconsciously shakes its legs to generate heat when cold. When one's training is insufficient, they never feel anything is wrong with these instincts. But once a certain level is reached, they gradually realize these are fundamentally two different things that simply happen to operate in coordination under a specific law.
All inherited Breathing sword forms are essentially "special paths" discovered among the countless rhythmic points during the operation of a Breathing Style. They are "high-speed channels" where power and slashes are poured out in coordination with the breath.
Executing different sword techniques in battle means constantly combining these rhythmic fragments of the Breathing Style, stitching together temporary "high-speed channels" to allow power to erupt in the most efficient manner.
Take the "Surface Slash" from Water Breathing. If the Breathing Style isn't active, or is active incorrectly, it is merely an ordinary horizontal slash. Conversely, a random horizontal chop performed while haphazardly using the Breathing Style cannot be called "Surface Slash" either. It must be "executing a horizontal slash after activating the Breathing Style." Only by matching the ancient "combination" with the correct force-exertion techniques can one deliver that perfect arc—calm as a mirror, cutting like flowing water.
That is the standard [First Form: Water Surface Slash].
And this implied something else. As long as one could understand and combine the correct rhythm of breathing, following its inner flow, and pair it with reasonable offensive movements, they could produce an effect similar to a "sword form." Or rather, they could create their own sword style. Even if it wasn't the optimal pairing, it was enough to exert a "1+1 > 2" power.
At this moment, Kuguruma Natsunishi held two Nichirin Swords, operating a "Breathing x Sword Technique" combination that no other Thunder Breathing swordsman had ever attempted. A novice only needs to know how to use the standard sword forms. A veteran begins to understand the link between the Breathing Style and the form. But Kuguruma Natsunishi, at this moment, was going to perform his own Thunder Breathing.
It wasn't an Iaijutsu draw. It wasn't a thrust. It was...
"Total Concentration..."
He lunged forward. With a more resolute intent and a smoother speed than his previous "Thunderclap and Flash," he plunged into Mukago's defensive perimeter!
He followed the most natural and coordinated logic of muscle and bone exertion for dual-wielding. This was Kuguruma Natsunishi's unique combat flow. It wasn't a violent, straight-line bolt of lightning, but a jumping, leaping arc of brilliant electricity.
He brushed past the edges of the vine layers, clinging to the surging offensive, weaving nimbly through the gaps. Finally, like a passionate and rugged warrior forcing his way into a young girl's heart and body, he ignored her resistance and her reserve.
Before Mukago's stunned eyes, Kuguruma Natsunishi had closed the distance. It was a dual-slash fused into one. The two intersecting flashes of lightning were not delivered simultaneously, but with a staggered tempo that felt like a single entity.
The right slash swung out, parrying all her hurried defenses and tearing through the final layer of vines. The left slash traced a path across Mukago's snowy, delicate upper body.
This sword technique was named:
[Thunder Breathing]
[Seventh Form: My Style—Nikaido Tsunamasa!]
If an ordinary swordsman's slash power was set at 10, it could reach 15 with a Breathing Style. Under Total Concentration, it might break 25. And if the slash was replaced by a specific sword form, it could approach the 40 mark.
Currently, Kuguruma Natsunishi, whose energy level had surpassed 200, swung his blades using a sword form under Total Concentration. There could only be one result. In the tiny time difference where the lightning converged, the demon was split diagonally in two from the shoulder down.
Demon blood erupted like a waterfall, staining the entire sanatorium like a bloody execution ground. Mukago became "Infinite-gago," her two body halves crashing onto the battered floor.
"Wh... what happened?" The demon girl's pupils shook violently as her upper body began to howl incessantly. "It hurts! It hurts! You brat, how dare you wound me like this!"
Kuguruma Natsunishi turned around, looking down at the demon from above. The moonlight cast from behind him, burying his face completely in shadow.
"Hey, if you don't feel pain, stop pretending to be pitiful like a human. Now... do you remember that female swordsman who used Thunder Breathing?"
Mukago: What do you mean I don't feel pain?!
Swish! Swish!
Blade light flashed. The upper and lower body parts that were still trying to crawl had their limbs instantly sliced away.
"Answer me."
Mukago: "Who remembers ancient history like that!"
Squelch.
A Nichirin Sword sank into her eye socket, directly bursting her right eye. The demon's cry of pain stopped abruptly, turning into a sharper shriek. Once her eye had rapidly regenerated, Kuguruma Natsunishi spoke again, his voice chillingly calm.
"Now, do you remember?"
Mukago couldn't help but curse. "What are you doing! If you're going to kill me, just do it, don't waste time here—"
Another thrust. The newly grown right eye was burst again.
"It seems you don't remember." Kuguruma Natsunishi nodded, and the Nichirin Sword in his left hand lunged out without hesitation.
"I remember! I remember! Don't do it!"
"Lies."
Puff! Puff!
This time, both pupils were burst simultaneously. This wasn't an interrogation; it was pure torture. Even Shinobu Kochō, standing nearby, couldn't help but shrink her neck. No wonder her sister said the "Big Radish" had a blood feud with demons. This method seemed even more agonizing than her own use of poison...
By the way, he's so vengeful. He wouldn't treat me like this in the future because of our previous argument, would he? An image of herself tied to a roof beam being paddled by Kuguruma Natsunishi flashed through her mind, making her feel instantly guilty.
I won't have it! If the Big Radish dares to act up, I'll... I'll tell his senior brother and Sister Kanae!
Beside her, Igarashi also snapped out of the shock from Kuguruma Natsunishi's stunning strike. This child, Kuguruma, had actually found his own path so quickly. But was his bloodlust a bit too heavy?
Then, he remembered the way Kuguruma Natsunishi usually treated the wounded, studied culinary arts, and even quietly made hand-poured coffee for him. No, there was nothing wrong with this child's character. One should hit demons with a heavy fist!
But the way he deliberately used only Thunder Breathing and repeatedly burst the opponent's eyes... was he perhaps seeking revenge for that Thunder Breathing Cultivator? At this thought, the last trace of doubt in Igarashi's mind vanished.
How did the saying go? Demons feel no pain, which is why they need to be taught a lesson?
On the other side, after bursting Mukago's eyes six consecutive times, Kuguruma Natsunishi paused his blade slightly. That crazy woman Nikaido had taught him six forms; he had just vented six fits of anger for her.
"Hey, I have another question for you."
Mukago didn't respond for a moment. Currently, saliva was dripping from the corner of her mouth, and her eyes were rolled back, staring blankly at the moon in a state of dissipated consciousness. Demons could regenerate, yes. The regeneration of the Twelve Demon Moons was far superior to that of ordinary demons. But pain did not vanish because of it.
Having Kuguruma Natsunishi's greatsword constantly churning and stabbing in her two eye sockets had nearly blended her brains. As a demon girl in the prime of her life, she had never experienced such painful torture. It was a testament to her strong constitution that she hadn't fainted on the spot.
Seeing this, Kuguruma Natsunishi stomped heavily on Mukago's face, pressing the Nichirin Sword against the eyeball carved with the kanji for "Lower Five."
"It hurts..." The demon girl finally snapped back to reality. Looking at the cold-blooded swordsman leaning over her, she couldn't stop trembling.
"Tell me, where are the other members of the Twelve Demon Moons? Also, among the Upper Ranks, which ones are skilled in manipulating toxins?"
Upon hearing this, the Storm Hashira was the first to show a slight emotional fluctuation.
Toxins? Upper Ranks? This child... could he be trying to avenge Mr.Fudo?
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