Facing Kaigaku's downward slash, Zenitsu panicked.
He had thought this was just a sparring match—something where both sides would stop before causing real harm.
He hadn't even considered using a breathing technique!
Yet Kaigaku was so ruthless, striking without hesitation as if he intended to cut him down!
In his haste, however, Zenitsu actually calmed down a little.
He opened his mouth and took a deep breath.
"Thunder Breathing—First Form… Thunderclap and Flash!"
As the breathing technique activated, golden lightning burst from Zenitsu's body.
With the power of Thunder Breathing, he dashed sideways, barely dodging Kaigaku's attack.
However, his left arm was struck by the lightning's backlash. His sleeve instantly turned to ash, and his arm was left charred black!
Seeing this, Jigoro Kuwajima's heart tightened.
Zenitsu gasped for breath.
At the same time, in a corner Kaigaku couldn't see, he gently twisted his ankle.
Forcing himself to use Thunderclap and Flash just now had twisted it slightly, and waves of pain made him extremely uncomfortable.
Kaigaku turned around to face him.
"Looks like you've improved. In a situation like that, you could still force yourself to use a breathing technique and dodge my attack…"
"But unfortunately, you won't be so lucky next time!"
"Thunder Breathing—Fifth Form: Heat Lightning!"
He swung his blade violently.
Golden lightning twisted along the blade, taking shape as it shot straight toward Zenitsu!
Seeing Kaigaku's technique, a trace of envy flashed through Zenitsu's eyes.
If only he could use so many sword forms too…
Grandpa would surely be happier.
The next moment, cold sweat broke out on his forehead.
He had actually lost focus during battle!!
He hurriedly rolled across the ground, trying to dodge the lightning.
But lightning was far faster than human reactions.
The golden lightning surged directly into his body!
Zenitsu convulsed violently, letting out a heart-rending scream.
"ZENITSU!!"
Kuwajima panicked and hurried forward, trying to stop the fight.
But just as he stepped forward, a hand reached out from behind and grabbed his shoulder.
Startled, he turned around.
It was Xia Feng.
Xia Feng had stopped him.
When had Xia Feng moved over?
Kuwajima was shocked.
During the few seconds of delay, the lightning on Zenitsu's body finally dissipated.
Smoke rose from his body as he staggered back several steps.
But he didn't collapse.
Many of the trainees looked at him as if he were some kind of monster.
"He took a Heat Lightning strike and didn't die…"
"I heard he was struck by lightning before!"
"Even if he's not dead, he won't survive the next attack."
Hearing the murmurs around him, Zenitsu forced a bitter smile.
He felt like he was almost dead already.
Every cell in his body screamed in pain.
It felt as if even his internal organs had been scorched.
But…
He couldn't fall.
Grandpa had trained him to become a Demon Slayer!
He absolutely couldn't fall!
Clutching his sword tightly, his blurred eyes still fixed firmly on Kaigaku.
Kaigaku frowned.
"Still not down? How stupid."
"If you surrendered earlier, maybe you could've found another way to join the Demon Slayer Corps."
"But now, you won't even be able to participate in the Final Selection!"
"Zenitsu, you're not worthy of becoming a Demon Slayer!"
He laughed loudly and held his sword sideways, preparing to deliver the final blow.
The moment he rushed in front of Zenitsu—
Zenitsu suddenly raised his head.
The sword in his hand traced a strange arc.
A flash of confusion appeared on Kaigaku's face.
Before he could react—
Slash!
A massive spray of blood burst from his chest!
From his right abdomen to his left shoulder, a long gash tore open across his body!
Kaigaku was utterly shocked.
"Y-You actually managed to injure me?!"
Clutching the wound, he stared at Zenitsu in disbelief.
Zenitsu might have talent and great potential.
But he was far too timid.
How could someone with that personality possibly attack him head-on?
And besides, Kaigaku knew exactly what Zenitsu was capable of.
Yet that slash just now…
Contained a profound understanding of swordsmanship.
Even without using a breathing technique, its power was just as great!
With Zenitsu's ability, it should have been impossible.
Fury ignited in Kaigaku's eyes.
Could it be…
Master had taught Zenitsu something crucial but never taught him?!
What a joke!!
No longer holding back, no longer treating this as a game, he raised his sword in anger.
"Thunder Breathing—Second Form: Rice Spirit!"
Instantly, dazzling golden lightning exploded from every direction, striking toward Zenitsu in the center!
Zenitsu's eyes showed fear and confusion.
But his body reacted with incredible speed.
Under Kaigaku's shocked gaze—
Zenitsu's feet moved, and he suddenly leapt high into the air!
Thunderclap and Flash!
Thunderclap and Flash!
Thunderclap and Flash!
One Thunderclap and Flash after another made Zenitsu look like a bolt of light itself!
Kaigaku tried with all his strength to keep up—but realized he couldn't!
What kind of skill was this?!
What kind of technique was this?!
Kaigaku's eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets!
The Thunder Breathing trainees were completely speechless.
Even Kuwajima looked as though he had seen a ghost.
And in reality…
Zenitsu himself felt almost the same.
Just moments ago, when he had nearly been struck to death, he suddenly lost control of his own body.
He could clearly feel several strange threads entering his body—
Binding themselves to his soul.
He was like a puppet being manipulated at will!
At the moment the threads wrapped around him, he had wanted to break free.
But then he suddenly remembered what Xia Feng had told him earlier.
If something strange happens to your body during the match, don't say anything. Just keep fighting.
He glanced at Xia Feng and saw him smiling slightly.
Zenitsu immediately relaxed and stopped resisting.
And so—
Everything that had just happened occurred.
When the light flashed for the fourth time, Zenitsu had already rushed in front of Kaigaku.
His blade, wrapped in lightning, slashed toward Kaigaku's neck!
Kaigaku's face twisted as he desperately tried to dodge—
But he was completely unable to match Zenitsu's speed!
Just as the blade was about to sever his head—
Zenitsu suddenly stopped.
He stood there, his blade resting against Kaigaku's neck.
Zenitsu opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something.
But Xia Feng spoke first.
"The winner—Zenitsu Agatsuma."
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