A few days after slaying the demon who manipulated shadows, Natsunishi's Thunder Breathing finally achieved a breakthrough under Shinjuro's guidance.
He had reached LV.5.
The very instant the Breathing Style completed its promotion, everything that had once been hazy or unclear regarding its circulation suddenly vanished like mist before the sun, leaving him with a sense of sudden enlightenment. Like a student who had prepared a cheat sheet, the moment he unfolded the exam paper, he found that all the answers were already second nature to him.
The formula for the Breathing Style was now crystal clear!
Correspondingly, the essence accumulated through his long days of cultivation was poured into his body by the System's hand. His cells rejoiced. His muscles danced. Even his brain began to tremble with a jubilant hum.
"Is this... the sense of fulfillment that comes from transforming every drop of effort into tangible results?"
Natsunishi's tone remained level, but the corners of his mouth couldn't help but curl upward. The arc was so exaggerated it nearly matched the width of Obanai's facial scars.
"As expected, just as my peerless wisdom predicted, the gains from tempering a Breathing Style to this realm far exceed any previous stage."
What did the earlier level-ups even count as? Mere child's play. Adding a few points here, a dozen there. Even the jump from LV.3 to LV.4 had only provided a twenty-point increase.
But now—
[Thunder Breathing] LV.4 → [Thunder Breathing] LV.5 (1/8000)
[Unlocked Character Skill: Constant]
[Detected special attributes in the skill; upgraded to 'Constant: Full Power']
[Energy Level Increase: 46 (Body +16, Technique +24, Spirit +6)]
Not only had he obtained a new skill with a burden even lighter than the standard Total Concentration: Constant, but his total attributes had also reached a staggering 288.
Natsunishi even had a sensation: The current me could probably pin that old man Kazami to the ground and give him a good rubbing even with one hand tied behind my back.
His mutterings caused several boys and girls training nearby to cast sidelong glances. What kind of fit was their senior throwing now?
Sensing their gazes, Natsunishi stood up. He wanted to use them for a warm-up. However, as his eyes swept over their attribute panels—which didn't even equal a fraction of his own—he couldn't help but click his tongue softly.
[Kyojuro Rengoku (Energy Level: 54)] Flame Breathing LV.2 (?)
[Shinobu Kocho (Energy Level: 50)] Insect Breathing LV.2 (?), Other Breathing Styles
[Obanai Iguro (Energy Level: 47)] Water Breathing LV.2 (?)
There was also a Senjuro, but he didn't even bother looking closely. Utterly dull.
Immediately, he turned his gaze toward Shinjuro, who was speaking softly with his wife under the veranda. Ever since Natsunishi's medical skills reached LV.4, the treatment effects provided by the System had noticeably improved. The [Mitigation] effect was significantly strengthened, and he occasionally succeeded in triggering a [Cure] result.
Because of this, Shinjuro had not only become more dedicated in training but had even begun actively scouting for a suitable manor for Natsunishi lately—the kind where Natsunishi wouldn't have to spend a penny. He knew Natsunishi loved that sort of thing.
Sensing Natsunishi's somewhat aggressive gaze, Shinjuro looked up with some confusion. This boy?
Natsunishi picked up a wooden sword from the ground and pointed the tip toward the owl-like man. "Oi, Shinjuro. Since you look so free, how about coming over to trade a few moves with me?"
Shinjuro was puzzled. What madness is this boy possessed by today?
"Right now, I'm burning with a passion for combat!"
Although his energy level couldn't match the older man's, Natsunishi's Total Concentration multiplier was high, and he had activated a new form of it. Wasn't this the perfect template for a genius who could fight above his level? Even if it was the old man Shinjuro, there was no reason he couldn't pin him to the ground and humiliate him a little!
Shinjuro naturally felt that fighting spirit, which had almost condensed into a physical weight. "Ruka, I'll go move around with the Kuguruma boy for a bit."
Shinjuro let go of his wife's hand and stepped into the yard. The trio of "Owl, Snake, and Insect" cleared a space for them, intending to watch the show. Among them, Kyojuro was particularly infected by Natsunishi's enthusiasm and cheered for him loudly. Shinobu had long since grown accustomed to Natsunishi's occasional whims. Only Obanai remained silent, wearing the protective mask Natsunishi had specially tailored for him, watching the confrontation with calm eyes.
Shinjuro was his savior. Natsunishi was a senior he cared about. So—who was truly stronger? Such a duel, even as a bystander, was well worth the price of admission.
"Kuguruma, you seem quite confident. Do I no longer need to hold back?"
Shinjuro looked down at Natsunishi. As he spoke, a scorching heat wave faintly radiated from his robust body. His Flame Breathing simultaneously began to circulate.
Natsunishi assumed a highly aggressive Jodan-no-kamae stance. He laughed loudly and said, "Don't underestimate me, old man!"
Gold and blue electric arcs from Thunder Breathing began to crackle faintly around him. In a trance, his aura didn't fall behind in the slightest.
Shinjuro's brow twitched. This brat... am I really that old? It seemed he would have to teach him a lesson on what it meant to respect one's elders.
Two wooden swords were raised simultaneously.
"Ooooh! It's starting!" Kyojuro exclaimed, his eyes wide and shining.
Clack!
The wooden swords collided. A sharp crack echoed in the courtyard, kicking up a gust of wind!
This boy... how did he suddenly become so much stronger? A trace of astonishment rose in Shinjuro's eyes.
Natsunishi took advantage of the momentum from the clashing blades, putting his full weight into the press and forcing Shinjuro back several steps.
"Shinjuro! Do you feel my power?!"
Refreshing! Suppressing a master was far more satisfying than bullying these three kids! Natsunishi's smile grew even more radiant.
Ten minutes later.
Fine beads of sweat broke out on Shinjuro's forehead, but his breathing remained steady. Natsunishi, on the other hand, sat squarely on the ground, leaning on his wooden sword with an expression so serious it was almost solemn.
"As expected of Senior Rengoku. Fighting you today has been deeply beneficial; it was like ten years of study in a single day."
This was if one ignored the fresh purple bruises on his face.
"Earlier, I was presumptuous."
It seemed the older generation of Hashira truly had their unique strengths. They weren't comparable to Kazami or those retired Rank-A old-timers. His own cultivation still had a long way to go.
Contrary to Natsunishi, who had quickly become "obedient," the Flame Hashira felt quite a stir in his heart. This boy... how is he so much more powerful than when he first arrived in Tokyo? Hadn't he just learned Flame Breathing? But the leap in strength during their exchange just now was practically a qualitative change.
Could there be a hidden mystery within Flame Breathing that generations of Hashira had failed to discover? Or was this boy's talent simply so... terrifyingly profound?
Recalling the sensation of their exchange, Natsunishi's base physique only slightly exceeded that of an ordinary Rank-A swordsman, but once he utilized his Breathing Style—even Shinjuro had to take him seriously. In all fairness, this boy likely already possessed Hashira-level strength.
According to Shinjuro's judgment, Natsunishi's current strength was somewhere between the "Mountain Hashira" and the "Storm Hashira." No. In an actual combat situation, this boy might already be stronger than Igarashi.
"By the way, Mr. Rengoku."
Natsunishi had already skillfully applied medicinal ointment to himself, his tone returning to his usual casualness. "Now that my great work is complete, it's time for me to bid farewell. Lady Ruka's condition has largely stabilized; she only needs to recuperate according to the prescription I left behind. When my medical skills improve further in the future, I will return to formulate a new treatment plan for her."
He stood up. He planned to set off tomorrow. Besides going back to see Master Kazami and informing him of his progress, he could also stop by various high-experience dungeons—the Final Selection grounds—to get some good training in. He had obtained the Oyakata-sama's token; not exercising his privileges would be a waste of a good thing.
"Thank you and Lady Ruka for your care during this time."
Shinjuro's brow softened. This boy... most of the time, he was quite well-mannered. He was just about to say a few parting words when he heard Shinobu cry out from the side.
"Big Radish, you're leaving?!"
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