Chapter 41: Breathing Styles Are This Easy?
"A place where someone still thinks about you is a place you can call home."
— Jiraiya, Naruto
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The Basics of Breathing Styles was Total Concentration Breathing.
The next stage was Total Concentration: Constant.
Only by maintaining Total Concentration Breathing for extended periods could one achieve a qualitative change in their strength.
This advanced state of continuous Total Concentration Breathing was called "Constant."
In the Constant state, not only were physical abilities maintained at a high level, but base strength also increased. This was somewhat similar to the Super Saiyan Full Power state in the Cell Saga of Dragon Ball.
Only after mastering Total Concentration: Constant could one potentially awaken the Demon Slayer Mark.
The Demon Slayer Mark significantly enhanced physical abilities.
To awaken it, one's body temperature needed to reach 39 degrees Celsius with a heart rate exceeding 200 beats per minute. This placed a tremendous burden on the body.
The Demon Slayer Mark was a manifestation of human physical potential pushed to its absolute limit.
However, this enhancement came at the cost of one's lifespan. Those who awakened the Demon Slayer Mark rarely lived past the age of 25.
Of course, Yoriichi Tsugikuni was the sole exception, as he was born with the Demon Slayer Mark.
Therefore, Roy suspected that Total Concentration Breathing itself was a method of exchanging life force for power. The Constant state intensified the burden on the body, and the Demon Slayer Mark was akin to visibly burning away one's life force.
However, this wasn't a concern for Devils, who were virtually immortal.
Apart from Breathing Styles, there was another state in Demon Slayer: the Transparent World.
If the Demon Slayer Mark represented the pinnacle of physical strength, the Transparent World was the ultimate state of combat technique.
Those who achieved the Transparent World could completely erase their presence, becoming as if they didn't exist.
In this state, the movements of the outside world appeared to slow down, allowing the user to perceive everything with crystal clarity.
This ability was somewhat similar to Ultra Instinct in Dragon Ball.
Of course, it wasn't as powerful as Ultra Instinct.
But even so, it was incredibly formidable.
As Roy discussed this with Urokodaki, he grew eager to experience the wonders of Breathing Styles firsthand.
They moved outside, where Saeko, Makomo, and the other Students gathered curiously.
Water Breathing was one of the five foundational Breathing Styles derived from Sun Breathing.
The Nichirin Blades of Water Breathing users turned blue.
By maintaining a clear mind, calmness, and a tranquil spirit like water, one could naturally master this style.
Compared to other Breathing Styles, Water Breathing was the gentlest and easiest to learn.
Skilled users of Water Breathing could unleash sword attacks that flowed like water, incredibly potent and versatile.
Roy began adjusting his breathing.
Gradually, his breathing pattern became unique.
He focused his mind, striving for perfection.
Suddenly, he inhaled deeply, drawing in a massive amount of air.
His body surged with power.
"He... he learned it!" Urokodaki exclaimed, astonished.
He couldn't believe that Roy had mastered Water Breathing in an instant.
Even Tanjiro, with his natural talent, had taken two years to achieve this.
The other Students had started practicing from a young age and received extensive guidance before mastering it.
Yet Roy had learned it instantly after a single attempt.
This talent was monstrous.
Not only was Urokodaki dumbfounded, but Makomo, the other Students, and even Tanjiro, who had just emerged from the house, were equally shocked.
Only they truly understood the difficulty of mastering a Breathing Style.
"So this is Breathing Styles," Roy mused, sensing the changes within his body.
He drew his katana and casually swung it.
A wave of water-like energy surged from the blade, forming a crescent-shaped projectile that shot towards a tree several meters away.
Silently, the crescent-shaped energy sliced through several trees before dissipating. The trees it had passed through were cleanly severed, their surfaces smooth. They stood for a moment before toppling to the ground.
"Amazing!" Tanjiro gasped, staring at Roy in awe.
He couldn't comprehend how Roy had unleashed such an attack.
It had taken him two years of training just to cut a boulder.
And these trees were as thick as that boulder.
This was just a casual strike from Roy. If he were serious, the power of his attacks would be even greater.
Even Urokodaki couldn't unleash such ranged sword attacks.
Of course, this was partly due to Roy being a Devil.
Roy was pleased with the power of his casual strike.
Previously, he couldn't have unleashed such sword attacks with pure swordsmanship.
Now, having just learned Water Breathing, he could execute such powerful ranged attacks.
Clearly, Breathing Styles significantly enhanced his strength.
"Mr. Urokodaki," Roy said, turning to the old man, "would you mind demonstrating your Water Breathing?"
"Of course, Roy-san. Please, observe carefully."
Urokodaki drew his Nichirin Blade and focused his mind.
Then, he struck.
"Water Breathing, First Form: Water Surface Slash."
Urokodaki announced the name of the technique as he executed a swift, horizontal slash, creating a wave of water that surged forward with surprising force.
"Water Breathing, Second Form: Water Wheel."
Urokodaki flipped in the air, unleashing a circular slash.
...
He continued, demonstrating all ten forms of Water Breathing, culminating in the Tenth Form: Constant Flux.
"Wow, Urokodaki-sensei is amazing!" Makomo and the other Students exclaimed, their eyes filled with admiration.
Although Roy's display was impressive, in their hearts, their teacher was still the most skilled.
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