Struck by Lightning

"Do you also wish to learn other Breathing Styles? Kaigaku, you haven't even fully mastered Thunder Breathing yet. To rashly attempt to learn Water Breathing is merely a waste of your talent. No, I do not agree!"

"Old man, if you won't agree, I'll head down the mountain myself to find Sakonji Urokodaki. You can't stop me."

"You, you!"

Jigoro Kuwajima was so infuriated he clutched his chest, nearly fainting on the spot.

"Senior Kuwajima, just agree to it. Everyone has their own path. Let him see the world outside and broaden his horizons; it wouldn't be a bad thing for his narrow perspective."

"You!"

Kaigaku's eyes widened. He hadn't expected Suzuki Mufeng to speak up for him. No, wait—was that attitude and that look in his eyes mocking me? Does he think that even if I learn Water Breathing, I still won't be his match?

Sensing Kaigaku's hostility, Suzuki Mufeng didn't care in the slightest. The moment he fails, he blames his master and immediately wants to switch paths.

Go find Old Man Urokodaki, then. Good, very good. I've already had my Kasugai Crow notify Giyu and Sabito, ensuring they will teach you a proper lesson.

Now Kaigaku can learn Water Breathing, and Sabito and Giyu get a free punching bag. Hmm, this is a win-win.

"Very well. If the child wants to leave, I cannot stop him. I will write a letter of recommendation for Urokodaki. As for how much you can learn, that is beyond my control. However, Kaigaku, this will always be your home; you can return at any time."

Kaigaku didn't take Jigoro Kuwajima's words to heart at all. His mind was entirely occupied with how to scheme against Suzuki Mufeng; he would begin his plans the moment he left the mountain.

With Jigoro Kuwajima's consent, the matter was settled, and he turned his attention to teaching the two of them Thunder Breathing.

"I can't do it! My body can't handle such intense training! My legs are cramping, it hurts, it hurts so much! I need a week of rest to recover!"

Zenitsu Agatsuma curled up on the ground, clutching his calves, looking utterly miserable.

"Zenitsu, stop making a scene and get up to train!"

"But, Gramps, can I really become a member of the Demon Slayer Corps? I can't do it!"

Zenitsu Agatsuma stopped his wailing and crouched on the ground, his expression dejected. The disappointment and self-doubt in his eyes were plain to see.

"Zenitsu, you have talent. I, your grandfather, will always believe in you."

"But Gramps, I—"

"Zenitsu, that's a real pity. I had specifically prepared this mixer as a reward for you, but it seems it won't be of any use now."

Suzuki Mufeng held up photos of various girls. With just a single glance, Zenitsu Agatsuma reacted like a boiling kettle. He moved with such speed that even Suzuki Mufeng didn't react in time before the photos were snatched away. Zenitsu pressed them to his face, his eyes practically glued to the pictures.

"So cute! Hey, what's her name? How old is she? What does she like? When can we meet? Ah, I'm so excited!"

"If you can't master Thunder Breathing, none of this has anything to do with you. So, work hard, kid."

Zenitsu Agatsuma was instantly invigorated, as if injected with adrenaline. For a split second, he seemed to see the figure of Shin-chan acting like a train.

"Thunder Breathing has exceptionally strict requirements for physical fitness, requiring powerful leg explosiveness and neural reflexes. Mufeng, you have already fully met these requirements. The only difficulty lies in the breathing technique. Watch closely, Mufeng."

Jigoro Kuwajima crouched down and took a deep breath. Suzuki Mufeng focused his attention, his Three-Tomoe Sharingan hidden beneath his bangs, tracking every change in the old man's body.

As expected of the Thunder Breathing, known for its extreme speed and explosive power. In his eyes, Jigoro Kuwajima's small frame possessed terrifying muscle density; even the life force of an average adult might not be as vigorous as this old man's!

"Thunder Breathing, First Form: Thunderclap and Flash!"

A massive thunderous roar echoed across the sky. Fast—it was extreme speed, a speed that even the Three-Tomoe Sharingan couldn't track!

By the time he regained his focus, Jigoro Kuwajima was already standing beside a tree as thick as two men could embrace. Clang, he sheathed his blade.

The tree beside him had been sliced with a smooth cut, and with a loud rumble, it crashed to the ground.

"Thunder Breathing is well-deserved of its reputation. In terms of speed alone, no Hashira is a match for the old man."

"Haha, I'm quite confident in my speed. Well, Mufeng, did you see the rhythm of my breathing just now?"

With the copying ability of the Sharingan, he easily switched from the rhythm of Water Breathing to that of Thunder Breathing. Just as he was about to try it, he saw that Zenitsu Agatsuma had somehow ended up in a tree?

"Zenitsu! What are you doing? Get down here!"

Jigoro Kuwajima shouted in alarm, but Zenitsu Agatsuma just clung to the tree trunk, crying out.

"I don't know either! I just saw your demonstration, Gramps, and tried the breathing technique. I almost ran into the tree, so I just ran up the trunk, and now I can't get down! Save me! Gramps, Senior Suzuki!"

I have to say, he really is the comedic relief. For now, I should just help Zenitsu get down from the tree.

"Zenitsu, I told you that you were a genius. You've already learned it; although you can't control it yet, just keep practicing."

"Senior Suzuki, I will definitely not let you and Master down."

Using Thunder Breathing, Suzuki Mufeng stood on a branch and grabbed Zenitsu Agatsuma, preparing to descend, when he saw Jigoro Kuwajima waving his arms and shouting frantically.

"Get down quickly! It's too dangerous!"

Dangerous? Could it be—

Suzuki Mufeng suddenly remembered the reason for Zenitsu Agatsuma's yellow hair in the original story. Could it be happening right now?

He looked up at the black vortex in the sky, and only one thought crossed his mind: It's over.

BOOM—

The power of the thunder washed over both of them. They were scorched black like charcoal, and they fell from the branches to the ground, unconscious and completely defenseless.

"Mufeng! Zenitsu!"

Before losing consciousness, Suzuki Mufeng had only one thought: would he end up with a head of golden hair because of this?

Jigoro Kuwajima examined the two of them, and fortunately, neither had sustained any serious injuries. He quickly brought them back to the house to wash up and settled them into bed to rest.

At the same time, Kaigaku, who had just descended the mountain, was drenched in sweat. Before him lay a pile of discarded Wisteria, and he opened a vial to sprinkle fresh blood onto the ground.

"Hmph, daring to look down on me, Kaigaku? I will definitely make you pay the price. This is all the rare blood I've been secretly collecting; let's see how many demons you can face tonight."

After finishing this, Kaigaku immediately packed his things and fled into the distance. By now, the sun had reached the mountaintop and was about to set.

Inside the house, Zenitsu Agatsuma's hair had already turned gold as he slept soundly. As for Suzuki Mufeng, he was also unconscious, though bolts of lightning were dancing all over his body.