Chapter 71: Special Training 2.0, Start
The next day, Kanzaki Akira's special training for Kanae officially began.
The regimen was carefully structured around four core pillars: swordsmanship, reaction speed, Breathing Technique mastery, and physical conditioning. Akira knew that because Kanae had only been practicing her Breathing Technique for a limited time, her grasp of Total Concentration was still far from the level Makomo had previously achieved. Consequently, her body had not yet been fully tempered by its constant use.
With this in mind, he deliberately lowered the intensity of her physical training, reallocating that time to focus on strengthening her breathing.
For this, Akira brought out a new set of tools—gourds.
They were the very same kind used by the young swordsmen in the story he remembered, a simple yet brutally effective method for training lung capacity. At its core, mastering a Breathing Technique was an exercise in pulmonary power. Ordinary people might build their lung capacity through deep breathing, aerobic exercise, or simple resistance training like blowing up balloons. But for the demon slayers who fought on the front lines, such basic methods were woefully insufficient.
And so, a collection of gourds of varying sizes became the perfect auxiliary tools. The goal was simple: once Kanae could generate enough explosive force with a single breath to burst a gourd over a meter tall, it would be proof that she was ready to master Total Concentration: Constant.
The mornings remained dedicated to the art of the sword. Beyond refining Kanae's existing forms, Akira also needed to help her develop new ones.
Since Flower Breathing was Kanae's own creation, her movements were inherently natural to her body, a distinct advantage compared to Makomo, who had to unlearn ingrained habits. However, because she had created it in isolation with only Water Breathing as a reference, some of her techniques were ill-suited for the brutal reality of combat. Against weaker demons, these redundant movements might not pose a problem, perhaps even adding a layer of deceptive elegance. But against an opponent of equal or greater strength, every extra flourish was a waste of stamina and a potential opening for a fatal counterattack.
To help her innovate, Akira's method was direct. He demonstrated every form of the three Breathing Techniques he had mastered—Water, Thunder, and Sound—while carefully explaining the principles, advantages, and weaknesses of each.
As the creator of her own Breathing Style, Kanae's talent was obvious. With a broader library of forms to draw inspiration from, her progress in developing new techniques was bound to accelerate. In the process of teaching, Akira found his own understanding deepening as well. The act of demonstrating and dissecting each style allowed him to further refine his own application, and the prototype of a new form began to take shape in his mind.
When the morning's rigorous session concluded, Akira and Kanae sat side-by-side on the wooden steps of the engawa, taking a short, well-deserved break. On Akira's other side, Kanao leaned against his arm, a small, warm presence.
Back when Akira was training Makomo, Kanae would always prepare towels and tea, but she would deliver them and quickly depart. Now, Kanao had taken over that duty, and unlike her older sister, she had no intention of just dropping things off and leaving.
Both Akira and Kanae had grown accustomed to the little girl's quiet attachment to him. They said nothing, simply accepting the towels she offered and gently wiping the sweat from each other's brow.
After their heartfelt confession, such small, intimate gestures had become a natural part of their dynamic. Holding hands, sharing hugs, placing food on each other's plates during meals, and now this—dabbing away the evidence of their hard work. They had reached a comfortable new stage, though both tacitly understood the unspoken line they had yet to cross.
Once they had rested, Akira took Kanae's hand in his right and Kanao's in his left, leading them inside for lunch.
The meal was once again accompanied by the low grumbling of Kochou Sawaki. The frequency of his disapproving mutters had decreased, however, suggesting his "cold" was improving. Akira mused that it was unlikely a skilled doctor like him would be troubled by a common ailment for long.
The afternoon's reaction training followed the same method he had used with Makomo. A series of teacups were laid out, and Akira would strike at one with blinding speed. However, knowing Kanae's current strength was a step below, he increased the distance between the cups slightly, giving her a better chance to read his movements and predict his target.
Of course, the results of the first day were no different. After receiving four gentle flicks to the forehead, the reaction training came to an end.
Unlike Makomo, who would pout and act adorably aggrieved after being caught, Kanae simply rubbed her forehead, a soft, understanding smile gracing her lips. She offered no other reaction. While this was perfectly in line with her gentle and mature personality, a part of Akira couldn't help but wonder what she would look like if she ever let herself act cute and spoiled.
The thought was fleeting. There was serious work to be done.
For her initial physical training, Akira held off on assigning weights. The sessions were also significantly shorter, leaving her ample time to rest and practice her breathing. Since her mastery was still developing, there was no need to have someone watch over her at night just yet.
ultimately, despite the exhaustion settling deep in her bones, Kanae was in high spirits. She could clearly feel the progress she had made.
This daily routine continued for half a month.
By the end of it, the first stage of her training was complete. Kanae had mastered the First through Sixth Forms of Flower Breathing, corrected the movements that were disadvantageous in combat, and already had a clear concept for her Seventh Form. Her Breathing Technique and physical strength, being mutually reinforcing, had both improved by a full level.
Akira estimated that the current Kanae could likely hold her own for a short time against the version of himself who had first slain a demon—though that was without factoring in his own terrifyingly perceptive vision.
He had also made his own gains during this time, having successfully created the prototype of a powerful new form.
This particular day marked a brief intermission in their training, for a special delivery had arrived: Kanae's Nichirin Blade.
"My name is Tetsuanami, the swordsmith who forged this blade for Miss Kochou Kanae. The Nichirin Blade is made from…"
Akira and Kanae stood together, listening to the familiar "Nichirin Blade story" they had both heard before. He couldn't help but complain internally, 'There has to be more than one or two swordsmiths in the entire Swordsmith Village, right? Why are all the ones showing up now people I recognize?'
Once the formal explanation was finished, Tetsuanami couldn't suppress his excitement. "Please," he urged softly, his eyes gleaming, "unsheathe it."
Clang!
With a clean, fluid motion, Kanae drew the blade. A delicate, peach-pink color bloomed from the hilt, spreading like a blush toward the tip until it suffused the entire length of the steel.
"A peach-pink blade… truly beautiful," Tetsuanami breathed, his voice filled with reverence. "As expected of a swordsman who created her own Breathing Technique! Now I can finally go show off to that fellow Haganezuka! He's mentioned the Sound Hashira's lightning-wreathed blade one too many times."
"Uh… whatever makes you happy," Akira replied, a little speechless at being suddenly mentioned. While he admired the swordsmiths' spirit, their tendency to treat blades as their own children was something he couldn't quite empathize with.
Tetsuanami left the Butterfly Mansion in high spirits, his mission a resounding success.
Along with the blade, Kanae's new Demon Slayer Corps uniform had also arrived.
Akira picked it up, his expression practical as he examined the tailoring. He glanced from the uniform to Kanae, sizing her up and confirming that the fit was appropriate and not the scandalous work of a certain infamous tailor.
However, when he turned to hand the clothes to her, he found her face had turned a brilliant shade of red.
Only then did Akira belatedly realize the implication of his actions. He awkwardly shifted his gaze away.
"I was just… checking if the clothes were the right size for you."
His fumbled explanation only made Kanae's face flush even deeper. She snatched the uniform from his hands and practically fled the room.
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