Sunlight Breathing

"That man, as the strongest swordsman and the creator of the origin Breathing Style, the Sun Breathing, had already encountered Muzan Kibutsuji, yet he failed to kill that Demon King!

If even he couldn't kill the Demon King, how could we, these clumsy imitators, ever be a match for Muzan Kibutsuji? We would just be throwing our lives away."

No sooner had the words left his lips than Suzuki Mufeng suddenly exerted force, pulling Shinjuro Rengoku toward him, clenching his fist, and landing a heavy punch squarely on Shinjuro Rengoku's face.

"Mufeng, what are you doing?"

"Mufeng-san, Father, please, both of you, calm down."

The two Rengoku brothers were startled by Suzuki Mufeng's sudden outburst and immediately moved to step between them.

"Always talking about how it's impossible and meaningless—I've wanted to punch you in the face for a long time. This feels much better."

Suzuki Mufeng had been dissatisfied with Shinjuro Rengoku's defeatist remarks, and now, having landed a punch on his face, he felt much more at ease.

"You bastard! I am a former Flame Hashira, and you dare to strike me!"

Shinjuro Rengoku stepped forward, flashing in front of Suzuki Mufeng, and slammed a fist into Suzuki Mufeng's cheek. Suzuki Mufeng, not one to take such treatment, didn't hesitate to aim for his face and return the favor.

The two of them began brawling like commoners on the street, trading punch for punch.

"Father, Mufeng, please, both of you calm down, stop it at once."

"Don't fight, please, stop fighting!"

"Oh my, Mufeng-san and Rengoku-senpai, what is this?"

"Stop it already, you idiots!"

In the end, the Butterfly sisters arrived at the Rengoku Family estate, and it was Shinobu Kocho who finally ended the farce by pulling Suzuki Mufeng and Shinjuro Rengoku apart.

"Pfft, Mufeng-san, your face... I have some medicine here for the swelling, take it."

"Haha—Suzuki Mufeng, look at you, you've turned into a pig in such a short time."

Suzuki Mufeng remained expressionless, immediately forming hand seals to perform Water Style: Water Wave, creating a small puddle at his feet. Through the reflection on the water's surface, he could clearly see his face, now swollen like a pig's head.

After some mediation, Suzuki Mufeng and Shinjuro Rengoku were forcibly separated and confined to a room and the courtyard, respectively.

"Hiss—that old guy really doesn't hold back!"

"Mufeng-san, if you apply the ointment, it should be better in about a day. Also, this is something Rengoku-san asked me to give you."

Suzuki Mufeng was somewhat surprised. He hadn't held back against the old man earlier, aiming specifically for his face, yet the man was still giving him something. Could this be a calculated act of revenge?

"The Book of Successive Flame Hashira, passed down through the Rengoku Family for generations... he was actually willing to part with it."

Once Suzuki Mufeng received it, he immediately began to read. It truly contained records regarding the Sun Breathing, including the breathing methods and the movements of the forms, though they were written quite crudely.

"The Moon Breathing is the Breathing Style closest to the Sun Breathing, so the Flame Breathing is likely the second most similar, and rightfully so."

Scanning through the pages, he saw that while the successive Flame Hashira had constantly refined the Flame Breathing and always carried the shadow of the Sun Breathing, they were unable to surpass or reach its level. Perhaps this was the source of Shinjuro Rengoku's despair.

"However, the summaries of our predecessors are still useful. The first Flame Hashira studied every movement Yoriichi Tsugikuni made when using his Breathing Style and recorded them, accumulating precious experience for later Flame Hashira. With this theoretical foundation, I might know how to proceed with the Sunlight Breathing, First Form."

Suzuki Mufeng jumped off the steps, stood in the center of the courtyard, and drew his Nichirin Sword. The warm sunlight spilled over him.

Beside him, Kanae Kocho felt as if she saw a pure white radiance emanating from him.

Suzuki Mufeng closed his eyes, his breathing rhythm suddenly changing. He exerted force from his waist and began to rotate while holding his Nichirin Sword. His entire figure seemed to vanish, and where the tip of his blade passed, a ring of light formed—a Halo created by the refraction and reflection of sunlight, with iridescent colors visible within the blade's glow.

"How is it, Kanae? This technique, Halo."

Kanae Kocho was startled by Suzuki Mufeng, who had suddenly appeared beside her. Her delicate body trembled slightly; the ring of light was still there, yet Suzuki Mufeng had already moved to her side.

"How did you appear beside me? And the person swinging the sword is...?"

Looking back at the center of the courtyard, the ring of light had long since vanished, even though she had clearly seen it just a moment ago.

"A small trick. I used light to create an afterimage and a bit of magic to create an illusion through visual misdirection. I also incorporated the characteristics of the Flame Breathing and Thunder Breathing to achieve this level of speed and power."

In truth, he had also referenced the techniques of Body Flicker Shisui from the Naruto world. After all, Hokage Mufeng had a decent relationship with Shisui Uchiha when he was young and had learned much about Shisui Uchiha's phantom flicker technique.

"There are still flaws. As expected, I need to find the Kamado Family and witness the Hinokami Kagura to truly complete the Sunlight Breathing, First Form: Halo."

Suzuki Mufeng took a book from his robes and handed it to Kanae Kocho. "This contains all the medical knowledge I possess; I leave it to you."

Taking the book, Kanae Kocho looked at Suzuki Mufeng, who was packing his luggage, and spoke.

"The Master already knows the news that you killed the fleeing Lower Rank Six. Although some Hashira expressed opposition, the Master wants you to become a new Hashira. What are your thoughts?"

"I am unworthy of such an honor. That Lower Rank Six was defeated by the Flame Hashira; I merely finished the job. Let me wait until I have truly beheaded one of the Twelve Kizuki before we speak of this."

Just as Suzuki Mufeng was about to leave, Kanae Kocho's Kasugai Crow suddenly descended from the sky and landed on her shoulder.

"The Eternal Paradise Faith has appeared in the Entertainment District! A suspected Twelve Kizuki is present! Please, Flower Hashira, go and investigate! Go and investigate!"

The Eternal Paradise Faith... wasn't it Doma who killed Kanae Kocho? Could it be happening in these next few days!

"Kanae-san, my destination for this trip is where a relative of mine lives. He is suffering from a severe illness and needs your help. Could you accompany me?"

He did not want to let a girl as beautiful as a flower, whom he had only recently met, perish so soon. He could only say this, though it was true that Tanjuro Kamado's health was indeed poor—he wasn't lying about that.

"But I have a mission, Mufeng-san. Please allow me to—"

"It's alright, Kanae. Once I finish my business, we will immediately rush to the Entertainment District and investigate together. It won't delay your time."

Kanae Kocho wanted to refuse, intending to say that the Twelve Kizuki were not something Suzuki Mufeng could handle right now, but faced with his face so close to hers, she found herself agreeing against her better judgment.

Suzuki Mufeng breathed a sigh of relief; with me here, perhaps the ending of the original story can be changed.

"Suzuki Mufeng, very good! While I was away, you actually went behind my back to woo my sister! Tell the truth, when did you start harboring these thoughts!"

"Shoo, shoo. When adults are talking, children shouldn't interrupt."

"Sister! You're just too soft-hearted, hurry up and reject him!"

"I will go and ask the Master about this matter. Besides, it shouldn't take much time to just accompany Mr. Mufeng to see a patient. Shinobu, take this book back for now."

"Miss Kanae, let's not waste any time. We should set off as soon as possible."