Chapter 06 - Breathing Techniques

Urokodaki is meditating outside of the house. Even though he is retired and only training future demon slayers, he is still maintaining his skills. Which I really respect.

"Urokodaki-san, sorry for bothering you, but can you teach me that breathing thing that you've been teaching to Tanjiro?" I asked him, for people like Urokodaki being straightforward is the most effective way.

"I thought you are training a different kind of technique?" Urokodaki asked.

"Yes, but It's not going well, I hit a wall, so I thought learning breathing techniques may help," I said to him.

It is real though, I hit a wall, I cannot create new techniques. Maybe if I can learn a breathing technique I can bypass that wall. Increasing my maximum energy will take time, it's like leveling, it's harder to increase the higher it gets.

Urokodaki scanned me top to bottom and said, "We can spar first, so I will know if my breathing technique suits you."

I nodded and we move to an open area surrounded by trees.

We are facing each other with a reasonable distance between us. Urokodaki draws his sword then said, "Ready?"

"Umm, can I get some weapon?" I asked, fighting barehanded seems cool but fresh and dried blood in your hands feels gross.

"I apologize, I assumed that you are practicing some kind of martial arts differ from breathing techniques," Urokodaki explains. He quickly left for a minute then bring me an extra pair of Nichirin blades.

I put the katana at my waist while Urokodaki makes some distance. I temporarily turned off my auto guard. This is a good chance for me to earn some proper combat experience. This is a former Hashira that I am talking about, Battle experience and strength, he has it all.

The fight started, Urokodaki goes offensive, He is fast, and thanks to my inexperience I can't read his movements at all.

In a flash, Urokodaki is in front of me, then slashes his katana at me.

I successfully dodge his attack but his kick landed on my stomach. I took a couple of steps back, I then observe his attack pattern.

"You got a good instinct, but you are not using your speed properly," Urokodaki gives me some pointers before hitting me again.

thirty minutes pass, I still don't have any successful hit landed on Urokodaki. He is not that fast, but he can read my attacks easily.

Urokodaki is truly powerful suiting his hashira title, but I starting to get hang of this. I can now throw some counters here and there.

"It's good that your adaptability is so high, but let's get serious now, Water Breathing, Seventh Form: Piercing Rain Drop."

Urokodaki blurred for a moment, the next thing I saw was the point of his blade at my neck.

I give up and raise my both hands, Urokodaki won this round, I think if I use my auto guard, I can catch him off guard but that still won't secure my victory.

Urokodaki sheat his katana then said, "You are strong, I can tell you are inexperienced in terms of battle but your instinct is terrifying. You adapt to my speed and adapt to my movements in just a few minutes."

"Yeah, but I can't still beat you," I said with a sigh. My arrogance increases because I have beaten low-class demons, how pathetic.

"Don't be so modest, right now your strength is terrifying with a little bit of battle experience you will be a powerhouse that all demons will have trouble dealing to" He said with a serious voice, I can't detect any lies in his tone.

"Thanks, so how did I do? Can I learn your breathing technique?" I ask with a hopeful voice.

"Yes but I suggest continuing training your current ability, Even compare to current Hashiras your durability is the highest, I punched and kicked you with all of my strength but you are standing there without injuries," Urokodaki said,

All of his strength? His hits hurt but not enough to cause internal damage and injuries.

Then it hits me, The only thing that I am lacking is battle experience. I need to travel, training here will do me no good.

--

After a few days, a crow from the corps arrives and delivers us a message.

"Ace will be invited to the headquarters later at the end of the month together with semi-annual Hashira meeting."

"Ace will be invited to the headquarters later at the end of the month together with semi-annual Hashira meeting," The crow repeated.

So that is 15 days from now, I can still travel and gain experience before meeting them.

--

I said goodbyes to Urokodaki and Tanjiro this afternoon, I want to increase my battle prowess as soon as possible. If Urokodaki's word is true then I can handle the lower moons given that I will have trouble dealing with them.

I didn't apply any healing in Nezuko I am afraid that will disturb the process of what is happening to her. I will only try to turn her into a human after I gain more powerful healing skill.

Urokodaki didn't stop me at all, He even encourages me to gain battle experience. I can sense wisdom in his thinking. But he warned me that I am not officially a demon slayer, so backups will not arrive in case I am in deep trouble.

I highly doubt that, with my ability to temporarily turn demons into humans, I have crucial importance to them. I bet the demon slayer's crow is now watching me as I walk down the mountain.