Time passed quickly, and five days slipped away in the blink of an eye.
During this period, no Hashira came to disturb Raiden. The silence allowed him to focus entirely on his training.
His sharp instincts and natural talent did not fail him. The sense of nearing a breakthrough became clearer with each passing hour, and he could feel himself pressing against the final barrier.
Yet the closer he got, the more he understood how difficult it would be to cross it.
He began to suspect that the Breathing Styles he had prepared might not be enough.
Today was the final day. There was no turning back.
Moments ago, the surveillance from his summoned watchers confirmed Nakime's presence. That meant Kagaya Ubuyashiki had begun to deliberately expose the headquarters.
Once Muzan confirmed the information, the final battle would begin.
Raiden understood why Kagaya did not give him more time.
Kagaya's body was already at its limit. It could give out at any moment. Advancing the timing of the battle ensured that his remaining strength would not be wasted.
If something happened before that day, all their preparations would collapse into nothing.
Kagaya intended to use what little time he had left to its fullest.
"Even if it fails, I have to try."
By his own estimation, Raiden had reached ninety six percent of the way to surpassing the level of a Hashira.
It sounded close, only four percent remained.
But that last stretch felt immeasurable.
He had reached this point three days ago, and since then, nothing had changed.
Based on his past experience, the Breathing Styles he prepared should have been enough. This time was different. That final gap felt unusually stubborn, as if something fundamental was missing.
Raiden took a slow breath and steadied his mind.
He knew the odds were not in his favor, but there was no choice.
Time was running out.
He sat cross legged, closed his eyes, and focused inward.
"Do you choose to fuse Love Breathing Sixth Form, Catfoot Love Wind, mastered?"
"Yes."
At his confirmation, a wave of memories surged through his mind, accompanied by a soft, gentle force.
He guided the energy within his body, following the flow of Love Breathing as it blended into his existing techniques.
The sensation was soothing, like a light breeze brushing across his body.
Every cell seemed to relax. Warmth spread from his chest to his limbs, loosening his muscles and calming his nerves. It felt as if invisible hands were gently easing away every trace of tension.
Time passed quietly within that comfort, and for a moment, Raiden nearly forgot what he was doing.
His consciousness drifted, as if he were floating in a calm, endless sea.
Then the warmth gathered, condensing into a single surge of power that struck the barrier within him.
When it ended, Raiden checked his progress.
Less than one percent.
"Tch, lower than I expected."
Kanroji's strength was not weak, but he had not anticipated such a small improvement.
What exactly was this final barrier?
He had asked Gyomei about it before, but even the Stone Hashira had not reached such a bottleneck.
There was no guidance to rely on.
Raiden exhaled slowly.
"Fine, let's see how far I can get."
"Do you choose to fuse Flame Breathing First Form, Unknowing Fire, mastered?"
"Yes."
Heat surged through his body.
The energy moved like a raging flame, burning intensely as it spread.
Every cell hardened under the pressure, as if tempered in fire. His muscles tightened, his endurance strengthening with each passing second.
Because he had already fused Rengoku's Flame Breathing before, the process was smooth and brief.
When it ended, Raiden checked again.
Ninety seven percent.
Two Hashira level techniques had only pushed him forward by one percent.
Raiden clenched his jaw and continued.
"Do you choose to fuse Mist Breathing Fifth Form, Sea of Cloud and Mist, mastered?"
"Yes."
A cool, gentle energy rose within him.
Unlike the warmth and heat from before, this power felt light and distant, like drifting clouds.
It flowed through his body with a calm, refreshing touch, spreading a sense of clarity.
Raiden's awareness shifted.
He felt as if he had stepped into a world of mist, surrounded by endless white. Each step was weightless, as though he walked on air.
His breathing slowed, deepened, becoming steady and precise.
His body grew lighter, almost as if it might dissolve into the mist itself.
At the peak of the fusion, the energy condensed and surged forward, striking the barrier once more.
It did not break.
The impact only caused faint ripples, as if mocking his effort.
Raiden opened his eyes.
Again, less than one percent.
At this rate, even with Tamayo's Blood Demon Art, he would barely reach ninety eight percent.
"Stay calm," he muttered to himself.
There was no point in frustration now.
"Do you choose to fuse Sound Breathing Fifth Form, String Performance, mastered?"
"Yes."
The familiar sensation returned.
Another fusion.
Another attempt to push past the impossible barrier.
^_________^
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