Breathing Techniques were originally created by Yoriichi Tsugikuni. They are a collective term for techniques developed so that humans could fight demons.
Their main function is to strengthen the heart and lungs, allowing the blood to absorb a large amount of oxygen in a short time. This dramatically boosts the body's physical abilities in an instant, enabling humans to temporarily possess stamina comparable to that of demons.
After Yoriichi Tsugikuni taught the Demon Slayer swordsmen the original breathing style he created—Sun Breathing—the Hashira-level swordsmen of the Demon Slayer Corps integrated it with their own swordsmanship. From this, they developed the five major foundational breathing styles:
-Water
-Flame
-Stone
-Wind
-Thunder
From these also came other derivative and more specialized styles, such as Flower Breathing and Insect Breathing.
Each breathing style derived from the original Sun Breathing has its own strengths and focus.
Among them, Wind Breathing excels in speed and agility.
Because of this, the swordsman who practiced Wind Breathing was able to catch up so quickly.
Taniguchi Takeshi landed lightly on the ground, standing in the distance with his sword in hand, but he did not continue attacking.
As a swordsman who practiced Wind Breathing, he was faster and more agile than most, but he lacked some strength and physical power.
For example, the heavy kick he delivered earlier had only forced the demon before him to stagger backward.
If that kick had come from a swordsman who practiced Stone Breathing, the result would not have been merely making the demon stumble.
Fortunately, he was not fighting alone.
Hunting demons had never been a one-person battle, while demons themselves were usually solitary.
For Taniguchi Takeshi, the most important thing right now was to stall the opponent.
As long as he could hold the demon here until his companions arrived, fighting together would be the safest and most effective way to end the battle—rather than risking everything alone and putting himself in danger.
When possible, the best method for dealing with demons was always many against one.
So after forcing Soma to stop with a single strike, Taniguchi Takeshi chose not to attack again. Instead, he stood at a distance, gripping his sword and coldly watching Soma.
However, his heart soon tightened.
He suddenly noticed that the demon had a little girl on his back, and the situation instantly became troublesome.
If the demon used the girl as a threat…
The moment this thought appeared in his mind, the demon indeed began lowering the girl from his back.
Is he going to use the girl to threaten me? Or use her as a human shield?
Almost instantly, Taniguchi Takeshi's face darkened with anger. These cruel demons were always like this.
"Whew..."
Taking a deep breath, his eyes slowly became firm and resolute.
Although it pained him deeply, sacrifices were sometimes unavoidable. If a moment of hesitation allowed the demon to escape, even more people would die because of it.
There had been far too many such examples.
Too many Demon Slayer swordsmen had watched demons escape using such despicable tactics.
And too many swordsmen had hesitated because of these tricks, becoming restrained in battle and eventually falling into danger themselves. In the end, not only did the person they tried to save die, but the rescuer also died at the demon's hands.
Gradually, an unspoken rule formed within the Demon Slayer Corps:
Protecting humans is important.
Hunting demons is also essential.
But when the two goals conflict, hunting the demon must come first.
No matter how painful it is, one must harden their heart.
Soma slowly lowered Kanao from his back, but his eyes never left Taniguchi Takeshi.
In fact, he had been watching this Wind Breathing swordsman the entire time.
From the moment he realized the man practiced Wind Breathing, he already knew—
Today's battle was unavoidable.
As long as the slayer stood in his way, that specialized speed would act as an anchor, preventing Soma from fleeing.
And killing the man would be difficult—a Wind Breathing user who only wished to harass and delay could retreat and strike at will.
Unless Soma could get close enough to use the explosive speed of the Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu for a single, decisive strike.
"You're planning to threaten me with the child in front of you, aren't you? Filthy monster."
Taniguchi Takeshi stared at the demon who had put the girl down, his expression cold.
"I will not compromise because of your despicable tricks. I will personally use my Nichirin Sword to cut off your neck—even if it means sacrificing the child in front of us."
Soma ignored him.
Instead, he lowered his head and looked at Kanao.
"If I die here today, don't hold hatred for it. In the future… just live your life well."
As he spoke, he gently patted Kanao on the head and pointed toward Taniguchi Takeshi. "Go over to that uncle."
Kanao, usually so obedient, sensed that this departure might be permanent. For the first time, she did not immediately obey. She clutched his sleeve tightly, refusing to leave his side.
"Listen to me," Soma said again.
Kanao's body trembled slightly.
But the obedient girl ultimately could not disobey her uncle's command. Reluctantly, she released her grip on Soma's sleeve and began walking toward Taniguchi Takeshi.
Taniguchi Takeshi's pupils shrank slightly, and disbelief appeared on his face.
The vile demon had actually given up using the girl as a threat. He hadn't used her as a shield or a hostage either.
This was completely beyond his expectations.
If he hadn't witnessed it with his own eyes, he would never have believed it.
Seeing the girl walking toward him and now some distance away from the demon, excitement appeared on Taniguchi Takeshi's face.
"Quick! Come here! Hurry and get away from the demon!"
If he could both kill the demon and protect the child, that would naturally be the best outcome.
While urging the girl to come quickly, Taniguchi Takeshi kept a vigilant eye on the demon.
Sure enough—
At that moment, the demon had already raised the Nichirin Sword horizontally before his forehead, as if preparing to aim the blade at the girl walking toward him.
"I knew it. I knew it. You demons are always despicable and shameless."
Taniguchi Takeshi gripped his Nichirin Sword tightly.
Anger filled his face, but there was also a trace of struggle.
He knew that as a Wind Breathing swordsman, speed was his greatest advantage. Once he took the girl with him, she would undoubtedly become a burden and might even put his own life in danger.
He also knew that fighting one-on-one was disadvantageous for him.
But to stand by and watch a girl be killed by a demon right in front of him—
How could a Demon Slayer swordsman, whose duty was to protect humanity and eliminate demons, accept that?
He clearly had the chance to save her.
Yet if he abandoned her out of concern for his own safety, it would be completely unforgivable.
At that same moment—
Soma bent slightly, stepped forcefully on the ground, and suddenly dashed toward Kanao.
At the same time, the Nichirin Sword in his hand was raised high above her.
It looked so ruthless.
So merciless.