After walking out of the house, Xia Feng immediately used the Silver reward he had just obtained.
[Drawing… Drawing successful! Congratulations! You obtained the Silver Item: "Momotaro Dumplings ×10"!]
[Momotaro Dumplings: When consumed by non-human creatures, their favorability toward the user will greatly increase. The effect depends on the creature's strength.]
As the notification ended, a small bag of rice dumplings appeared in Xia Feng's hand.
Looking at the bag, Xia Feng's mood became rather complicated.
What exactly was this thing supposed to be used for?
Come to think of it, in the legend, Momotaro used dumplings to recruit companions before going to slay demons.
And he himself was also a demon slayer…
Should he find a chicken, a dog, and a monkey someday and recruit them with these dumplings?
Just imagining that scene made Xia Feng feel a headache coming on.
The bag was small, so he casually stuffed it into his pocket and decided not to think about it for now.
As all the swordsmen in the training estate finished their examinations for the Final Selection, Xia Feng used the crow accompanying the squad to send a message to Shinobu Kocho.
Since they still had to visit the Water Breathing training estate next, Xia Feng decided to let the medical squad rest here for a while.
As for himself, he headed to the back mountain together with Jigoro Kuwajima.
Behind the estate lay a vast peach orchard.
If it were summer, the trees would probably be full of peaches.
But now…
Summer was still far away.
Kuwajima slowly stopped walking and looked at Xia Feng.
"You've already learned Flower Breathing and Insect Breathing, so there's no need for me to explain the basics of breathing techniques."
"Today, we'll start directly with the key points of Thunder Breathing."
"Thunder Breathing emphasizes speed, precision, and ruthlessness. When you move, you should resemble lightning itself. Because of that, the breathing rhythm is faster than other breathing styles!"
As he spoke, he opened his mouth and took a deep breath.
With the movement, brilliant golden sparks erupted from his body!
"By stimulating the electrical current inside your body through breathing and concentrating it in your legs, you can generate explosive speed!"
Kuwajima tapped the ground lightly.
In the next moment, he turned into a streak of light and instantly appeared far away!
Xia Feng looked slightly surprised.
Even with one prosthetic leg, he could still reach such speed…
Just how terrifying had this old man been in his prime, when both of his legs were intact?
Under Kuwajima's guidance, Xia Feng began practicing Thunder Breathing.
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
Even if Xia Feng were a genius, it would be impossible to master Thunder Breathing's sword techniques in just three days.
And he wasn't a genius anyway.
However, those three days allowed him to grasp several basic applications of Thunder Breathing.
For example—
The method Kuwajima demonstrated earlier, using electrical currents to stimulate muscles and increase explosive power!
Still within the peach orchard.
Under Kuwajima's watchful gaze, Xia Feng stood in an open clearing.
He took a deep breath.
The next second—
Fine golden sparks of lightning appeared across his body!
He stomped the ground.
His entire figure vanished from where he stood!
Almost simultaneously, he reappeared dozens of meters away.
The lightning faded.
Xia Feng exhaled slowly.
Kuwajima lightly leapt forward and landed beside him, looking at him with a complicated expression.
"Xia Feng… have you really never considered specializing in Thunder Breathing? With your talent, you could absolutely become the Thunder Hashira!"
Xia Feng smiled.
"I'll pass. I already told Mr. Ubuyashiki before—my grudge against demons isn't that deep. And I'm a pretty lazy person. Running around everywhere doesn't suit me. Being a Hashira sounds exhausting."
Kuwajima clicked his tongue.
Too lazy to run around…
Yet when Shinobu asks you to do something, you run errands like it's nothing!
You're really that honest, huh?
He sighed. Since Xia Feng didn't want to, there was nothing he could do.
At that moment, a light figure ran toward them.
"Mr. Xia Feng!"
It was Kanao.
"Hey, Kanao."
Xia Feng waved to her.
The girl showed a sweet smile and walked up to him.
"Mr. Xia Feng, Lady Shinobu sent a message through the crow. She said the Water Breathing training estate only has one student this year, so she asked the medical team to return directly. That way we can save some time."
Xia Feng nodded.
Indeed.
The Water Breathing instructor, Sakonji Urokodaki, only had one student this year—
Tanjiro.
There was no need to bring the entire medical team.
He could just go there himself.
With that in mind, Xia Feng bid farewell to Kuwajima.
Looking at him, the old man sighed.
"Seeing you makes me feel like… perhaps I'll live to see the end of this tragic cycle."
Xia Feng smiled.
"As long as it's within my ability, I'll do my best."
That answer made Kuwajima laugh and shake his head.
This kid really knew how to speak without revealing anything.
The three of them returned to the training estate and packed their belongings.
Xia Feng instructed the medical team to return directly to the Butterfly Estate.
Then he prepared some food and water for himself, planning to pack a simple bundle.
Before he could finish, he saw Kanao walk into the room and begin organizing his things for him.
Xia Feng looked confused.
"Kanao? Aren't you going back with the medical team?"
Kanao shook her head gently.
"I want to travel with you a bit longer, Mr. Xia Feng."
Xia Feng nodded.
Although Kanao was a genius swordswoman and usually appeared calm and emotionless, she was still a young girl deep down.
Naturally, she enjoyed going out and exploring.
Thinking that, he nodded lightly.
Seeing his reaction, Kanao smiled beautifully and carefully finished packing the items he would need.
The two of them left the training estate and prepared to head toward Urokodaki's residence.
At that moment, Zenitsu ran over.
He stopped in front of Xia Feng.
"Mr. Xia Feng!"
"What is it?" Xia Feng asked, carrying his small bundle.
Zenitsu hesitated for a moment, then showed a determined expression.
"I won't run away anymore. I'll train hard and become someone Grandpa can be proud of!"
"That's good."
Xia Feng gave him a thumbs-up.
Zenitsu laughed awkwardly.
"Then… when I become a strong swordsman someday, I hope I can carry out missions together with you and fight side by side!"
Xia Feng rubbed his chin.
Then he shook his head.
"That won't work. I only team up with cute girls."
Zenitsu: "..."
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