Sanemi Shinazugawa's eyes widened as he watched Sol Mirek casually wave his hand. A sharp wind blade formed instantly, slicing through the air with a cutting power equal to a Nichirin blade, perhaps even greater.
Sanemi subconsciously touched his own sword. For the first time, his trusted blade suddenly felt unnecessary.
He stood frozen, the shock on his face slowly turning into intense excitement. Without thinking, he grabbed Sol's shoulder.
"Mr. Mirek! Please, you have to teach me that technique!"
Sol gently pushed his hand away.
"This isn't about technique. It's a difference in physical capability."
He pointed at Sanemi's Nichirin blade.
"Your sword is fine. The problem is your body is not strong enough yet."
Sanemi looked down at his calloused hands. A moment later, understanding dawned on him. He inhaled deeply.
"I understand. I will train twice as hard."
He bowed respectfully, then turned and left the training ground. He was already eager to find a quiet place to continue practicing his new insight.
Sol watched him leave with a faint smile.
Teaching others brought him a strange sense of satisfaction. Perhaps this was how Bang felt when he trained him.
As the sun slowly set, Sol was the only person left on the training ground. He stood quietly while a gentle breeze brushed against his cheek.
He had already grasped the essence of Wind Breathing.
Next would be Flame Breathing.
"Tomorrow should be fun," Sol murmured to himself before turning toward his residence.
Meanwhile, in another courtyard of the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters, Kyojuro Rengoku sat calmly while polishing his Nichirin blade.
He had heard that Sol Mirek learned Wind Breathing earlier that day, and it had taken only one morning.
"How exciting!"
Kyojuro laughed loudly, his voice echoing across the quiet courtyard.
"Tomorrow it will be my turn to teach Mr. Mirek Flame Breathing!"
His voice carried with unwavering confidence.
Kyojuro was fully prepared to devote himself to teaching this unbelievably talented student.
The cool night breeze lifted his fiery red hair slightly. He looked up at the star filled sky, his eyes shining with determination.
"Muzan, your end is approaching."
The next morning, just as dawn began to break, loud voices were already echoing across the training ground.
"Mr. Mirek! Good morning!"
Kyojuro Rengoku stood proudly in the center of the field, brimming with energy. His flame colored hair glowed vividly in the early sunlight. Behind him stood the other eight Hashira.
Word had already spread that Sol Mirek mastered Wind Breathing in a single morning. Curious to see the truth for themselves, they had all gathered to witness the next lesson.
Sol looked at the energetic Flame Hashira in front of him and smiled slightly.
"Kyojuro, it looks like you're ready."
"Of course!"
Kyojuro's response was loud and powerful, strong enough to make the nearby leaves tremble.
"For me, Flame Breathing is the strongest breathing style! I will teach it to you completely!"
The other Hashira stood nearby, their expressions filled with curiosity and anticipation.
Shinobu Kocho covered her mouth lightly with her sleeve and giggled.
"My, I wonder how long it will take Mr. Mirek to learn Flame Breathing."
Uzui Tengen stroked his chin thoughtfully.
"I bet one morning."
"I think two hours," Mitsuri Kanroji said quickly, her face turning slightly red.
Sanemi Shinazugawa snorted.
"You're all underestimating him. He mastered Wind Breathing in less than an hour."
The others looked surprised.
Giyu Tomioka stood quietly off to the side, watching Sol with a complicated expression.
Kyojuro drew his Nichirin blade. The blade glowed with a bright orange red reflection under the morning sun.
He inhaled deeply and gripped the sword with both hands.
"Flame Breathing focuses on explosive power and passion. Watch carefully!"
Flames burst from the blade as he moved, his presence blazing like a living torch.
"Flame Breathing, First Form, Unknowing Fire!"
Kyojuro's body shot forward like a streak of fire. His blade carved through the air, trailing blazing flames as he rushed toward a wooden post at the far end of the training ground.
The ground beneath him was scorched black by the intense heat.
His blade passed through the wooden post in a single clean strike. The wood split neatly in two while thin smoke rose from the burning cut.
The surrounding temperature rose sharply, and the air shimmered from the heat.
"Amazing!" Mitsuri gasped, pressing her hands against her cheeks while her eyes sparkled with admiration.
The other Hashira nodded as well. Kyojuro's Flame Breathing was undeniably powerful.
Sol carefully observed every detail of the movement, from Kyojuro's breathing rhythm to the way his muscles exerted force.
"So that's how it works," he murmured.
Kyojuro sheathed his blade while small beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.
"This is the fundamental form of Flame Breathing! Its essence lies in…"
"Transforming breath into explosive heat similar to flames," Sol said calmly, interrupting him.
"By raising body temperature and heart rate, the oxygen in the blood burns more efficiently."
Kyojuro paused for a moment.
Then he burst into loud laughter.
"Hahaha! As expected of Mr. Mirek! That explanation is completely correct!"
Sol smiled slightly and raised his right hand with his palm facing upward.
As he inhaled, the surrounding temperature slowly began to rise. The air warped from the growing heat.
"Flame Breathing, First Form, Unknowing Fire."
Flames suddenly ignited around his palm. His figure shone like a blazing torch.
In the next instant, Sol shot forward like a streak of fire. His palm cut through the air while blazing flames and thick white vapor trailed behind him, drawing a bright crimson line across the training ground.
He rushed toward the wooden post.
Boom.
The wooden post exploded into fragments. The intense heat ignited the flying splinters, creating an even more destructive result than Kyojuro's strike moments earlier.
Uzui Tengen's eyes widened.
"Now that was flamboyant!"
Shinobu's smile froze slightly.
"He learned it after seeing it once, and it is even stronger?"
Sanemi stood with his arms crossed. His face carried an expression that seemed to say he expected this outcome, though the shock in his eyes remained clear.
"I told you. This guy is a monster."
Mitsuri pressed her hands against her cheeks again, her face glowing red.
"He's incredible! Mr. Mirek is really incredible!"
Obanai Iguro's eyes widened while the white snake around his neck shifted restlessly.
Kyojuro's eyes sparkled with excitement.
"That was magnificent! Mr. Mirek, you were practically born for Flame Breathing!"
Sol lowered his hand as the intense heat around him slowly faded.
"Flame Breathing is fascinating," he said calmly.
"It generates extreme heat instantly to burn the opponent."