Chapter 14: Choices Are for Children; I Want Everything
Watching Natsuya's "Master, are you actually a fraud?" expression, Kazami Koichi's forehead practically exploded with popping veins.
"You brat..."
"I've used Wind Breathing since I was a boy. Naturally, I don't know the exact developmental process for derivative Breathing Styles."
"But it shouldn't be that complicated. I assume... you just take the fundamental training of the Five Basic Styles, take a little out here, add a little in there?"
Natsuya: ≖_≖
That was a lot of words to say absolutely nothing.
"Sensei, could you maybe sound a bit more certain?" Natsuya muttered.
Even as a gamer, he knew that messing with the game's core mechanics—like swapping skill parameters and mixing skill trees—before fully understanding the engine was a one-way ticket to a "Brickled Character".
Breathing Styles had been refined through centuries of life-and-death combat. They might not be the most "broken" builds in terms of raw power, but their stability and balance were far superior to any "prodigy's" experimental homebrew.
If he started modding his Breathing Style without knowing what he was doing, it might feel smoother in the short term, but he'd likely hit a hard-cap on his potential later. Or worse, the skill's power would actually drop.
And in a game this realistic? A mistake in his Breathing Style could literally cripple his save file.
Kazami cleared his throat, feeling Natsuya's judgmental stare. "Ahem. Stop looking at me like that."
"However, I do know someone. His strength is far above mine, and the Breathing Style he uses is one he created himself."
Natsuya's eyes lit up. "Please, enlighten me, Sensei."
"Igarashi Uzen."
Natsuya gave him a blank look. "Who?"
Kazami snapped and barked at the boy's forehead.
"You idiot! You don't even recognize your own Senior Brother?!"
"How many times have I told you? The current Arashibashira (Storm Hashira) of the Demon Slayer Corps was a swordsman I personally trained! By lineage, he is your Senior Brother!"
Natsuya rubbed his reddening forehead, feeling a bit sheepish. Probably, maybe, definitely... I skipped the dialogue when the old man mentioned him.
"So, Senior Brother's technique is a derivative of the Five Styles?"
"Correct," Kazami said. "According to Uzen, his Storm Breathing was developed by taking the foundation of Wind Breathing and adding his own adjustments and insights to better fit his constitution."
"Then Sensei, do I have to use Wind Breathing as the base for a custom style?"
Kazami raised an eyebrow. "Eh?!"
"To be honest, I want to try out the other Breathing Styles too. I want to see which one fits me best. If possible, I'm thinking of merging them all together—like a 'Primal Unified Breath' or something."
WHACK!
Another heavy blow to the forehead. Kazami's mustache was practically quivering with rage.
"You arrogant brat! Have you never heard the saying: 'He who chases two rabbits catches none'? Mastering a single Breathing Style is a peak that swordsmen spend their entire lives trying to climb!"
"And you want to learn multiple styles?!"
"Do you think you have that kind of time?!"
Natsuya: ( ° ◇ ° )
Actually, yeah. I just have to dump some skill points.
Natsuya wasn't planning on mastering every style to the highest degree through manual training. He just wanted to hit LV.0 for each one. Once the skill was activated in his System, he could check the Compatibility Percentage for each build. It wouldn't take much time at all.
Seeing that Natsuya wasn't backing down, Kazami eventually let out a long sigh. He knew this disciple of his. The kid was as stubborn as a mule.
"Fine. The Demon Slayer Corps has no rule stating a swordsman can only practice one style."
"I will write some letters of recommendation for you. During the gaps between your missions, you can visit these masters and pay your respects."
"Sensei! I'm just looking for reference material! I'm not betraying the dojo!"
"Quiet!" Kazami barked. "Betraying the dojo?! You want me to tan your hide, brat?!"
As Natsuya scurried away, rubbing his head, Kazami slowly lowered his hand.
"I have a fair amount of connections within the Corps. Tell me which styles you want to learn, and I'll start the letters."
Natsuya whispered tentatively, "Can I... pick all of them?"
Kazami: "HAH?!"
The boy was talented and hardworking, but this greed was truly on another level.
After another round of "Master vs. Disciple" chaos, Kazami grumpily retreated to his room to write the letters.
In truth, if Kazami couldn't introduce him to powerful masters, Natsuya had a backup plan. His fellow candidates from the Final Selection covered all five of the basic Breathing Styles. He could have just bothered them for lessons.
But that would be much slower. Based on his experience with Seiko, observing a rookie's demonstration only increased his [Study Progress] at one-fifth the speed of training with a master like Kazami.
The System clearly valued the "Quality of Experience." Learning from a "Newbie" gave far fewer insights than learning from a veteran "Sodate" or a Hashira.
While Kazami was busy writing, Natsuya didn't sit idle. After clearing the dinner table, he immediately got back to his true passion: Farming Life Skills.
By evening, when Kazami Koichi returned to the dojo with five letters in hand, he froze at the doorway.
Did... did someone renovate this place while I was writing?
The floor was polished to a mirror shine, the training gear was organized with military precision, and even the dust in the corners of the window sills had been scrubbed away.
In the kitchen, the hearth was roaring, and the mouth-watering scent of stewed meat drifted through the air. Outside, several bundles of firewood were stacked perfectly. Even the vegetable patch he'd forgotten to water that morning had been tilled and soaked.
Huh?
The old man blinked, looking at Natsuya in the kitchen. The boy was wearing an apron, his hands moving with practiced ease as he flipped a pan.
How did this kid become so... industrious after one trip outside?
Soon, dinner was served on the low table by the hearth.
[Wild Game & Root Vegetable Tonkotsu Stew]
[Pan-Seared Salmon Belly]
[Seafood Tonkotsu Miso Soup]
What a feast... and where did he get salmon and pork in these mountains?
Kazami took a sip of the soup. "Surprisingly delicious..."
He looked up at his disciple, who was staring blankly into the fire again. The wrinkles at the corners of the old man's eyes softened. He nodded with genuine pride. "You brat... with this kind of cooking, you'll definitely land a good wife someday."
Natsuya: "Huh?"
He was actually just scrolling through his Life Skill Panel.
[LV.2:] Physical Conditioning, Cooking, Running
[LV.1:] Suburi, Camping, Fishing, Lumbering
[LV.0:] Gathering, Cleaning, Farming
Achievement Points: 8
[Wind Breathing LV.3 (427/2000)]
Honestly, I didn't expect Cooking to hit Level 2 before Running.
"These are the recommendation letters I wrote. Keep them safe," Kazami said, handing over the envelopes after dinner.
There were five in total.
[To: Master Urokodaki Sakonji...]
[To: Brother Matsuyama Daimon...]
[To: Lady Nikaido Mei...]
[To: Master Rengoku Shinjuro...]
[To: My disciple, Igarashi Uzen...]
"Masters of the four other basic styles, and your Senior Brother," the old man said, his expression complex as he patted Natsuya's head. "You brat... it seems you're planning to walk a truly terrifying path."
"Depart tomorrow morning."
"Visit Master Urokodaki at Mt. Sagiri first. Water Breathing is the most flexible and inclusive style; it's the best place to start your 'research'."
"I will write to the Master (Oyakata-sama) and explain your situation. Hopefully, by the time your official uniform and mission orders arrive, you'll have already mastered the basics of Water Breathing."
Seeing Natsuya starting to space out again, Kazami increased his grip, ruffling the boy's hair aggressively.
"When you meet these masters, be polite! Stop staring into space like a fool!"
"And if you run into any real trouble... write to me or your Senior Brother. we'll find a way to help you."
Natsuya nodded a bit dazed. "Got it, Sensei."
Kazami sighed, his heart heavy but hopeful. "Stay sharp. And be safe out there."
Natsuya: "You too, Sensei. (*・ˍ・)"