Mount Momoyama is vast.
When Qingshui arrived at Mount Momoyama to find Kuwajima Jigoro, a Kakushi member living in the small town at the foot of the mountain informed him that the former Sound Hashira had gone out to search for a new disciple.
Among the five basic Breathing Styles, Thunder Breathing had yet to produce a new Hashira, while the other four basic Breathing Styles already had their Hashira. Kuwajima Jigoro was naturally anxious, but the old man had excellent judgment. He wouldn't pick just anyone; he needed someone who truly clicked with him.
Because of this, Qingshui had been in a small hut at the foot of the mountain, building a machine tool to create a Puppet, and hadn't yet ascended Mount Momoyama or met Kuwajima Jigoro's disciple, Kaigaku.
It wasn't until he followed the former Sound Hashira to his residence that Qingshui finally met Kaigaku, the person who would eventually fall and become Upper Rank Six in the original timeline.
At this moment, the man was holding a Katana and practicing his Swordplay on the grass in front of the courtyard, his movements meticulous and extremely diligent.
To become Upper Rank Six, Kaigaku's talent and strength were actually quite formidable, and his motivation to grow stronger was also immense—he joined the Demon Slayer Corps to survive encounters with Demons.
Similarly, to survive, he could also transform from a human into a Demon.
He could abandon morals and emotions, possessing an extremely strong desire to survive, and an even stronger, almost obsessive, drive to win. He firmly believed that as long as he kept living, he would eventually triumph.
This also gave him a short-tempered and aggressive personality, like thunder. Perhaps it was this innate nature that led Kuwajima Jigoro to believe he had a talent for Thunder Breathing.
His talent was indeed good. Although he was a person with very low moral standards, this personality also enabled him to endure extremely rigorous training for survival and victory, ensuring that his potential strength wouldn't be low.
After performing a set of Swordplay forms, Kaigaku sheathed his Katana and bowed to Kuwajima Jigoro.
"Mr. Kuwajima."
A pair of sharp eyes, carrying a hint of ferocity, looked at Qingshui and Agatsuma Zenitsu.
"Well, you're very diligent."
The old man stood with his hands behind his back, looking quite pleased, and gestured towards Zenitsu and Qingshui.
"This is Zenitsu, who will be your junior disciple from now on. And this is Qingshui, a swordsman who has already mastered Wind Breathing. He's also here to learn Thunder Breathing from me this time."
Kaigaku eyed Qingshui warily.
"A swordsman who has already mastered Wind Breathing? Then why come to learn Thunder Breathing?"
Perhaps because he hadn't fully mastered Thunder Breathing himself, while Qingshui had already mastered Wind Breathing, Kaigaku seemed to have no particular liking for Qingshui.
As for Zenitsu, with his timid demeanor, Kaigaku paid him no mind.
Qingshui frowned, staring at Kaigaku.
Is there something wrong with this guy?
Is he that competitive? Does he want to pounce on everyone he meets like a terrier?
What business is it of yours if I learn Thunder Breathing?
"Do you have a problem with that?"
Qingshui pressed his hand to the hilt of the Katana at his waist.
Kuwajima Jigoro's eye twitched.
These two seem to have very strong personalities, don't they?
It looks like Mount Momoyama is going to be quite lively from now on.
"Ahem, Kaigaku, there are many swordsmen in the Demon Slayer Corps who switch to other Breathing Styles midway through their training. Many derivative Breathing Styles came about that way."
Kuwajima Jigoro coughed and tapped his cane.
"It's alright, Mr. Kuwajima. I think Kaigaku-kun just doesn't know me well enough yet. Perhaps he just wants to exchange Swordplay techniques with me in the future, am I right?"
Qingshui glanced at Kuwajima Jigoro as he spoke.
He still needed to learn Thunder Breathing from Kuwajima Jigoro, and it wouldn't be good to immediately clash with his disciple upon arriving.
However, once he finished learning Thunder Breathing, he could properly "exchange techniques" with this guy.
To Qingshui's surprise, his words were misinterpreted by Kaigaku.
"It's alright, we can exchange techniques right now."
A fierce smile appeared on Kaigaku's lips.
Qingshui also started to smile.
Looks like I won't have to wait long; I can beat this kid up right now.
"Kaigaku!"
Kuwajima Jigoro frowned in displeasure and reprimanded Kaigaku.
He was satisfied with this disciple's talent and diligence; there was a good chance he could inherit the title of Sound Hashira in a few years. His only dissatisfaction was Kaigaku's terrible personality.
"It's alright, old man! We're just exchanging techniques. How about right here?"
Kaigaku drew his sword right in front of Kuwajima Jigoro.
"Ugh... so scary!"
Agatsuma Zenitsu immediately hid behind Kuwajima Jigoro.
"Well... alright."
Kuwajima Jigoro sighed.
It seemed these two wouldn't be able to settle things without a fight.
That was fine. It was better to resolve conflicts early, and with him here, nothing unexpected would happen anyway.
"*Thunder Breathing, Second Form: Rice Spirit!*"
Kaigaku lunged forward, katana raised, unleashing five shimmering, lightning-shaped attacks in rapid succession.
Watching Kaigaku's movements, Qingshui was inexplicably reminded of Master Ma's "Lightning Five Consecutive Whips"...
Though his mind wandered for a moment, multitasking was second nature to Qingshui. His right hand remained on the katana's hilt, not yet drawn, while his left hand, clasped behind his back, formed a seal to maintain the Wind Rush Technique.
He sidestepped a few paces, easily dodging Kaigaku's attacks.
"Keep going," Qingshui said with a slight, disdainful smile.
He wasn't in a hurry to defeat Kaigaku; he wanted to observe the forms of Thunder Breathing first.
Kaigaku's heart sank, but his movements didn't falter. He spun and swung his katana with all his might.
"*Thunder Breathing, Fifth Form: Heat Lightning!*"
"*Thunder Breathing, Fourth Form: Distant Thunder!*"
First, a long-range golden lightning bolt shot towards Qingshui, followed immediately by another.
Qingshui changed his stance, pushing out half of his sheath, turning to deflect the golden lightning. Then, with a return kick, he sent Kaigaku, who had charged forward with the lightning, flying.
"Damn it!"
Kaigaku, now with a footprint on his backside, stumbled two steps before turning and charging at Qingshui again.
"*Thunder Breathing, Second Form: Rice Spirit!*"
Qingshui felt a slight disappointment.
In the original timeline, Kaigaku had mastered all the forms except the First Form, but at this point in time, he only knew three techniques.
There was no need to continue the fight.
The katana, already halfway drawn, finally left its sheath completely.
"*Wind Breathing, Sixth Form: Black Wind Mountain Mist.*"
The katana moved from bottom to top, carving out a sharp wind blade.
Not far away, Kuwajima Jigoro inwardly cursed. He stomped his still-intact leg heavily on the ground, transforming into a golden flash of lightning.
The sound of tearing cloth filled the air. Kaigaku's upper garment instantly shredded into scraps. Qingshui's katana rested steadily at Kaigaku's neck, grazing his skin and leaving a trace of blood.
"Whew..."
Kuwajima Jigoro, who had appeared two meters away from Qingshui and Kaigaku, let out a sigh of relief.
With Qingshui's skill, he could perfectly control his strength.
Besides, he was here to learn Thunder Breathing from Kuwajima Jigoro; it was unlikely he would kill his disciple on the very first day.
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