Amidst the golden arcs of electricity, Raiden took a deep breath, centering himself to accept the surge of new energy.
Instantly, his consciousness seemed to plunge into a storm of lightning and thunder. He could feel it clearly.
His blood and energy, once calm, now surged violently, coiling and thrashing through his veins like dancing flames.
Raiden's body quivered, almost uncontrollably, producing a subtle resonance with each tremor. The energy built up like threads of silk weaving into a net of lightning over his skin.
Golden arcs flickered from his eyes, his mouth, even the pores of his skin, illuminating the air around him. These electric lights moved as if alive, circling his body like electric dragons.
After the fusion, his muscles felt stronger, denser. His bones seemed refined by lightning itself.
He exhaled slowly and raised his blade.
"Thunder Breathing Second Form, Rice Spirit!"
The energy within him erupted. Electricity surged through his meridians, racing along the blade in his hand. The arcs of golden light seemed to live on the sword, bending the air around it with raw force.
Raiden moved forward. In a blur, he closed the distance to Jigoro Kuwajima. His figure became an afterimage, nearly invisible in the lightning.
The blade descended like a streak of sunlight, time itself seeming to slow.
Jigoro, calm despite the attack, evaded the strike. Four more consecutive movements followed. Each attack of the Second Form streaked toward him, yet he avoided every one with fluid, measured motion.
Raiden panted lightly, the consecutive forms still taxing his body.
"Your enlightenment…" Jigoro's voice trembled slightly.
He had expected Raiden to master the First Form, but seeing the Second Form executed with such precision shocked him.
Decades of Thunder Breathing practice had made him strong, yet a single epiphany had allowed Raiden to match him.
Glancing at the scorch on his sleeve, Jigoro's mouth went dry. A boy barely out of training had almost cut him. If Raiden were even slightly stronger, evading the Second Form would have been impossible.
Ding.
Detected: Jigoro Kuwajima's friendship with Raiden increased to Close Friend
Random reward obtained
Skill: Total Concentration Breathing, Constant (Mastery)
"Do you wish to fuse the skill?"
"No," Raiden replied, surprised at the system.
Attacking Jigoro could increase friendship? This was too convenient. He would save the full display for later.
"Do you practice the other forms like the Second Form?" Jigoro asked, his voice measured.
Raiden shrugged. "Only the Second and Fifth Forms reached a bottleneck. The others are still in progress."
Although Raiden had only mastered the First, Second, and Fifth Forms, his superior comprehension and aptitude meant he could learn the remaining forms quickly, at least to a usable level.
Jigoro exhaled in relief. If Raiden had mastered all forms instantly, it would have been terrifying.
"You rest first. We will resume training this afternoon," Jigoro said, leaning on his cane as he exited the courtyard. His prosthetic leg moved effortlessly, chasing Zenitsu down the mountain.
Raiden seized the opportunity. He sat cross-legged, centering himself, preparing to fuse the Fifth Form and Total Concentration Breathing: Constant.
Do you choose to fuse Thunder Breathing Fifth Form, Heat Lightning?
Yes.
The fusion was subtle compared to the Second Form. His meridians grew sturdier, the lightning more responsive.
When it completed, the arcs of gold seemed to settle into him, air around the courtyard returning to calm.
Raiden gripped his blade. "Fifth Form, Heat Lightning!"
Heat shimmered visibly around him. The ground cracked from the intense energy. Vegetation scorched instantly, leaving blackened earth. The blade radiated a fiery, electrified aura, consuming air and expanding with dazzling brilliance.
The Fifth Form was a long-range technique, combining lightning and heat. Once Raiden's strength caught up with his skill, the destruction it could unleash would be devastating.
Do you choose to fuse Total Concentration Breathing: Constant?
Yes.
The fusion was more conceptual than physical. Raiden instinctively began following the rhythm in his mind, each inhale and exhale measured and profound.
His attention focused entirely on the circulation of energy and blood. Oxygen and nutrients surged to every corner of his body, igniting an internal heat that spread outward. The surrounding air shifted in response.
Raiden was not afraid. He let the energy flow, maintaining control, knowing this was the foundation of mastering Total Concentration Breathing: Constant.
After an unknown span of time, he slowly opened his eyes.