Aoi Kanzaki vs. Han Zhiqi

Aoi Kanzaki thought the captain was joking. She shook her fist at Han Zhiqi, as if threatening him to be more careful with his words in the future.

"Hey, hey, Han Zhiqi, have you ever learned any martial skills? Of the Five Great Breathing Styles, which one do you practice?" Shinobu Kocho asked excitedly.

The bandages were unwound layer by layer, revealing a slightly pale face that complemented his white hair.

"Wow, what a handsome face. It's a shame to have a face like this in the Demon Slayer Corps."

Shinobu Kocho placed her hands on both sides of Han Zhiqi's cheeks, her deep purple eyes fixed on him as if admiring a beautiful work of art.

The warm, moist palms, the familiar scent of wisteria, the close proximity of his fragrant breath, and her gentle smile.

Han Zhiqi was momentarily mesmerized.

Beside him, Aoi Kanzaki frowned and slapped the back of his head again.

This time, Han Zhiqi couldn't take it anymore. He sprang up from the chair and shouted at Aoi Kanzaki, "You crazy woman, what are you doing now? Do you want to fight?"

Seeing Han Zhiqi's face clearly, Aoi Kanzaki was taken aback. Just as the captain had said, his face was indeed handsome, like a snowflake falling in winter, so delicate it seemed it would shatter if held in one's hand.

The two were so close they could hear each other breathing.

Aoi Kanzaki had never been this close to a boy before. Her heart started pounding, and she quickly took a step back, stammering, "Why... why are you standing so close? Are you going to eat me? Fight? You? I think you just want to get beaten up by me and then stay at the Butterfly Mansion without leaving."

"Who wants to stay here?"

Shinobu Kocho pulled Han Zhiqi back into the chair and continued to unwrap the bandages around his neck. "See, I told you you two should fight. Han Zhiqi, you still haven't answered me, which breathing technique do you practice?"

"Breathing techniques? What... What are breathing techniques?"

Ever since he arrived at this medical facility called the Butterfly Mansion, Han Zhiqi felt like he had traveled to another world. There was the Demon Slayer Corps, the Hashira, and now these "breathing techniques." Breathing was just breathing; did it really need a method?

"You don't even know what breathing techniques are, and you want to learn to fight? You want to join the Demon Slayer Corps? Tch~" Aoi Kanzaki said with disdain.

Han Zhiqi's teeth itched with hatred. First, there were those three strange nurses. He thought this one might be better, but she turned out to be a violent maniac. Not a single normal person in the entire Butterfly Mansion.

"Breathing techniques are unique ways of breathing used in conjunction with martial skills when fighting," Shinobu Kocho explained patiently.

So this was what they called breathing techniques.

Han Zhiqi pondered for a moment and blurted out, "Ice. The martial skill I use is Ice. As for what you call breathing techniques, although I don't fully understand, I have a general idea of what it's about."

"Tch~, acting like you're so great."

Han Zhiqi suppressed the anger in his heart, truly not wanting to deal with this crazy woman.

"Ice? That means you practice Ice Breathing. Ice Breathing should be a derivative of Water Breathing. I've never seen this breathing technique before."

Suddenly, a spark flashed in Shinobu Kocho's eyes. She grabbed Han Zhiqi's arm and said eagerly, "Hey, Han Zhiqi, why don't you two go fight? You don't like Aoi, do you?" She then looked at Aoi Kanzaki. "Aoi, you don't think much of Han Zhiqi either, do you? Want to beat him up?"

Both of them were stunned. Shinobu Kocho didn't look like she was joking.

"Captain, are you serious?"

Shinobu Kocho nodded with an almost pleading look.

"But... but his body has just recovered. If he gets injured again, won't he really have to stay with us?"

"So you agree?"

Agree? When did I say I agreed?

Shinobu Kocho didn't give Aoi Kanzaki any chance to argue and began to manipulate Han Zhiqi.

"Han Zhiqi, how about I take you to see Mr. Himejima tomorrow?"

"Really?" Han Zhiqi's heart leaped with joy.

"Of course, but I need to see your strength first. Maybe I can put in a good word for you then. If I don't know your abilities, I won't know what to say to help you, will I?"

Aoi Kanzaki was speechless. To witness a new breathing technique, the captain would make up any lie.

"What you said makes sense."

Makes sense, my foot! Can't you see you're being manipulated?

Aoi Kanzaki put her hand to her forehead, wishing she could get away from these two quickly, lest her own intelligence be dragged down.

"How should we test it? Fight her?" Han Zhiqi asked, pointing at Aoi Kanzaki without looking back.

Shinobu Kocho grabbed Han Zhiqi's finger, her face beaming. "What a smart, good child. Don't worry, you won't get hurt. We'll use wooden swords instead of Nichirin Blades. Since you two don't like each other anyway, it's a good chance to fight and vent."

Han Zhiqi thought for a moment and nodded.

"Fine. This crazy woman says I don't understand breathing techniques. I want to see what these breathing techniques you talk about really are. Also, I want to see if your Demon Slayer Corps is worth joining."

Crazy woman? Is he talking about me?

"Hey, who are you calling a crazy woman?" Aoi Kanzaki raised her fist at Han Zhiqi again.

"Alright, stop flirting here. If you want to fight, there's no rush."

Shinobu Kocho stopped Aoi Kanzaki, pushed both of them toward the exit of the infirmary, and said, "Let's hurry, let's hurry. Every moment is precious."

"Captain, do... do you know how to use words?"

"What, is that incorrect? It means roughly the same thing."

In the front yard, the Butterfly Mansion trio, Shinobu Kocho, Kanao Tsuyuri, and others were kneeling on the veranda, with fruits and snacks laid out on the floor in front of them.

Shinobu Kocho leaned against Kanao Tsuyuri's shoulder.

In the clearing in the center of the courtyard, Aoi Kanzaki and Han Zhiqi each held a wooden sword, separated by more than ten meters. They gazed at each other, the atmosphere somewhat solemn.

It was a fine night. Even without lamps, everything in the courtyard was clearly visible under the moonlight.

Shinobu Kocho straightened up, looking at the two in the center of the courtyard with excitement. She cleared her throat and said gently, "Aoi, Han Zhiqi, are you two ready? If you're ready, let's begin."

"You dare call me a crazy woman? Today, I'll show you the might of the Demon Slayer Corps."

Aoi Kanzaki's expression was serious, tinged with resentment. Her knees bent, the wooden sword held diagonally to her left side, her left hand pressing the blade, and her right hand gripping the hilt. She struck a pose, ready to draw her sword and attack.

"Water Breathing: Third Form: Flowing Dance."

Aoi Kanzaki took a deep breath, her eyes chilling. Her body suddenly became incredibly light, as if she were as agile and graceful as a stream of water. Her feet struck the ground with sounds like splashing into puddles as she rapidly closed the distance to Han Zhiqi with successive changes in position.