The three continued along the mountain path, and Tanjiro's forehead gradually seeped with fine beads of sweat.
Although the bamboo basket carrying Nezuko was not heavy, walking completely silently was indeed a challenge. If one looked closely, they would notice that his every step was cautious, with his toes landing first, then slowly lowering his heels.
Sakonji ran ahead, occasionally looking back to observe Tanjiro's performance. When he saw the boy's focused expression and increasingly steady steps, he nodded slightly under his mask.
"Keep your breathing steady," Sakonji reminded in a low voice.
"Imagine your body is as light as flowing water."
Tanjiro nodded, trying to adjust his breathing. He noticed that every time Sakonji exhaled, a faint wisp of white mist would drift out from under his mask, as if he had truly merged with water.
Allen walked at the back, his hands tucked into his sleeves, seemingly nonchalant, but in fact carefully observing the two's movements.
He noticed that Sakonji's breathing method was very special; his abdomen would slightly bulge with each inhale, and his exhale was slow and prolonged.
"Is this the foundation of Breathing Forms?" Allen silently noted these details in his mind.
At noon, the three arrived at a stream to rest. Tanjiro gently put down the bamboo basket and rubbed his sore shoulders.
Nezuko stirred in the bamboo basket, but showed no signs of waking up.
"You did well," Sakonji took off the water bottle from his waist and handed it to Tanjiro.
"But it's far from enough. A true Demon Slayer can run at full speed without making a sound."
Tanjiro took the water bottle and drank the stream water in large gulps, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down.
"I will continue to work hard, Mr. Sakonji!"
Allen squatted by the stream, cupping a handful of clear water. Sunlight passed through his fingers, casting fragmented specks of light on the water's surface.
He suddenly spoke: "This breathing method, besides significantly improving physical functions, also has some special effects?"
Sakonji's expression under his mask showed a hint of surprise when he heard Allen's question.
He put down the water bottle and slowly explained: "Breathing Forms can indeed awaken human potential, allowing a swordsman to gain strength beyond ordinary people, but the most crucial part is to combine it with a nichirin blade to unleash its maximum power."
Allen nodded thoughtfully, splashing the stream water back into the stream: "Actually, if one were to use their palm as a blade, they should be able to achieve the same effect, right?"
Tanjiro curiously leaned closer, wanting to see if he could learn something.
Sakonji was also at a loss when he heard Allen's words. After all, no one had ever truly done this. This Breathing Form was meant to be used with a nichirin blade; there was no way to use it with a hand blade, and only a nichirin blade could absorb and transmit this energy.
But... if it were performed by one's own body, it should theoretically be able to transmit it, it's just that no one has tried it. Unbeknownst to him, Sakonji's thoughts had already been led astray by Allen.
His brows furrowed slightly under his mask, and after thinking carefully for a while, he slowly nodded: "Theoretically it should be possible, but no one has ever tried it, and the special material of the nichirin blade is key to slaying demons."
Allen smiled slightly: "Then let's try it."
He stood up, his right hand with fingers joined like a blade, and adjusted his breathing according to the rhythm he had just observed.
With a deep inhale, his arm muscles tensed slightly, and a faint, almost imperceptible blue glow appeared at his fingertips.
"Water Breathing, First Form: Water Surface Slash."
Before he finished speaking, Allen's hand blade sliced through the air, and a blue ripple spread out. The stream water was neatly cut open, revealing the pebbles at the bottom, and only rejoined after a full three seconds.
Sakonji's Tengu mask almost fell off. He stared at this scene with wide eyes, his voice trembling slightly: "How is this possible?"
Tanjiro even directly knelt on the ground, his mouth wide enough to fit an egg: "Mr. Allen, did you learn the Breathing Form on your first try?"
Allen retracted his hand and nodded with satisfaction: "The effect is not bad. It seems Breathing Forms are indeed quite interesting."
Sakonji took a deep breath, trying to calm the shock in his heart: "When did you learn it?"
"Just last night when you and I were sparring, is it that difficult?" Allen had a strange expression; this thing was not as difficult as Bang's Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist.
Sakonji was silent for a long time, then suddenly laughed with relief, his eyes sparkling with complex emotions, both shock and an indescribable reverence.
"Mr. Allen, your talent is simply unprecedented," his voice was deep and hoarse.
"I have practiced Water Breathing for over forty years, and I have never seen anyone grasp its essence on their first attempt in combat."
Allen shrugged nonchalantly: "Just some small tricks."
Tanjiro climbed up from the ground, his eyes full of admiration: "Mr. Allen is amazing! Can you teach me?"
"Tanjiro," Sakonji said sternly, "Don't aim too high. The practice of Breathing Forms requires gradual progress; you must start with the most basic exercises."
Allen looked at Tanjiro's expectant eyes and said softly: "He's right. However..."
He turned to Sakonji: "May I observe your teaching? Perhaps I can help."
Sakonji hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded in agreement: "You may, but please do not interfere with the normal teaching."
The three continued towards Mt. Sagiri. As the altitude increased, the air became thinner, and Tanjiro's breathing began to quicken. Sakonji appropriately slowed his pace and began to teach the most basic Breathing Form.
"Pay attention to my breathing rhythm," Sakonji stopped, placing his hands on his abdomen.
"When you inhale, let the breath sink into your dantian; when you exhale, imagine water flowing through your entire body."
Allen stood by, quietly observing. His gaze moved between Sakonji's breathing rhythm and Tanjiro's clumsy imitation.
Occasionally, he would gently adjust Tanjiro's posture or correct his breathing method.
"No, relax your shoulders a bit more," Allen's finger gently tapped Tanjiro's tense shoulder.
"Breathing is not about brute force, but about letting the breath flow naturally."
Tanjiro adjusted his breathing according to the instructions and quickly found it much easier this way.
He looked at Allen in surprise: "It really works!"
Sakonji's brows under his mask subtly raised. He had to admit that Allen's guidance was indeed spot on.
This mysterious young man not only possessed extraordinary talent himself but also had astonishing insight when it came to teaching others. If this young man were to observe him for a few more days, he feared that all of his skills would be learned by him.
Teaching such a disciple is a teacher's fortune and also a teacher's misfortune. Fortunate because one has the qualification to teach such a powerfully talented disciple. Unfortunate because you might not even begin teaching before the other person has already learned everything, and will soon catch up to or even surpass you.
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