Chapter 40: Beast, Thunder, and Water Breathing vs. Electro Breathing

**Chapter 40: Beast, Thunder, and Water Breathing vs. Electro Breathing**

The collision between Zenitsu and Kintaro sent a ripple through the air, as Zenitsu's sudden lightning-fast attack clashed with Kintaro's wooden sword, which he had cleverly reinforced with his foot to prevent it from breaking. As the two warriors hovered in the sky for a brief moment, Tanjiro twisted his body in midair, summoning the Water Dragon technique once more, while Inosuke was already in motion, retrieving his sword from where he had thrown it earlier.

Kintaro, with a curious glance at Zenitsu's sleeping face, asked, "What's the matter? Why don't you unleash another attack? Don't you have another Breathing Form?"

Before Zenitsu could respond—or rather, before his unconscious mind could act—Tanjiro leapt toward Kintaro, his body twisting as the Water Dragon formed around him again.

"You're bold..." Kintaro remarked with a smirk, admiring Tanjiro's courage.

But as Tanjiro approached, Kintaro's eyes gleamed with a vibrant purple light. His hair, already wild, seemed to crackle with energy as he gripped his wooden sword tightly and invoked his technique.

"[Electro Breathing ~ Freeform Style ~ Descent of the Thunderbolt!]"

Kintaro descended like a lightning strike, his sword wrapped in a cocoon of purple electricity that tore through Tanjiro's Water Dragon, dispersing the watery beast into nothingness. Tanjiro's eyes widened in shock; he knew that his wooden sword would shatter if it collided with Kintaro's electrified blade. In a desperate and clever maneuver, he released his grip on his sword, letting it fall.

Kintaro, noticing the quick thinking, couldn't help but admire Tanjiro's resourcefulness. Still, he couldn't let such a tactic go unpunished. "What kind of swordsman lets go of his sword in the middle of a fight?" he remarked before driving his foot into Tanjiro's stomach with a powerful kick.

*BAM!*

The impact sent Tanjiro crashing into the snow-covered ground below, leaving a small crater in the earth. As Tanjiro struggled to his feet, reaching for his fallen sword, Zenitsu darted forward, moving with the blinding speed of Beast Breathing.

The battle that followed was nothing short of spectacular. Zenitsu, despite being unconscious, fought with a precision and speed that made it seem as if he were fully aware of every move. His strikes were a blur, the sound of clashing swords echoing through the courtyard. But Kintaro was always a step ahead, deflecting each attack with a calm, almost amused expression.

Inosuke joined the fray, his dual swords swinging wildly as he combined his Beast Breathing techniques with his raw, untamed fighting style. The three boys, united in their effort, launched a coordinated assault on Kintaro, with Tanjiro using his Water Breathing, Zenitsu his Thunder Breathing, and Inosuke his Beast Breathing. The air was thick with energy as swords clashed and sparks flew.

But Kintaro, even while defending against their onslaught, had yet to fully reveal his true power. His movements were precise, each parry and block executed with minimal effort. The longer the fight dragged on, the more apparent it became that he was merely toying with them, assessing their abilities.

Tanjiro, noticing this, decided to change tactics. With a deep breath, he switched from Water Breathing to the Dance of the Fire, his body becoming a blur of red flames as he unleashed a series of fiery strikes. The intensity of his attacks forced Kintaro to take the fight more seriously.

Kintaro's expression shifted, his playful demeanor giving way to a more focused, serious look. He acknowledged Tanjiro's determination and skill. "You've got some fight in you after all," Kintaro said, tightening his grip on his sword.

Zenitsu, in his sleep-induced combat state, sensed the shift in Kintaro's attitude and pushed himself harder, his Thunder Breathing techniques becoming faster and more precise. Inosuke, not wanting to be outdone, unleashed his Beast Breathing with renewed ferocity, attacking from unpredictable angles.

Kintaro, now fully engaged, began to demonstrate why he was a Hashira. He moved with the fluidity of water, the speed of lightning, and the power of a thunderstorm. He countered Tanjiro's Dance of Fire with a flawless execution of Kagura, a technique rarely seen outside of the most elite swordsmen. For a moment, it seemed as though Tanjiro had met his match, but the young demon slayer pushed through, determined to break Kintaro's wooden sword.

But Kintaro was not finished yet. Deciding to reveal a fraction of his true strength, he invoked a technique that left everyone breathless.

"[Electro Breathing ~ 5th Form! ~ Radiant Star!]"

A surge of energy erupted from Kintaro as he swung his sword in a wide arc, unleashing a blinding wave of purple light. The sheer force of the attack shattered the wooden swords of Tanjiro, Zenitsu, and Inosuke in one swift motion, sending them flying backward.

The courtyard fell silent, the three demon slayers lying on the ground, their wooden swords reduced to splinters. Kintaro landed softly on the snow, the electricity around him dissipating as he sheathed his sword. He looked down at the trio, a proud smile on his face.

"You did well," Kintaro said, his tone warm and approving. "You've got potential, all of you."

Tanjiro, despite his exhaustion, managed to smile back. "Thank you, Kintaro-san. We'll get stronger."

Inosuke, ever the stubborn one, grumbled as he picked himself up. "I'll beat you next time! This was just a warm-up!"

Zenitsu, now awake and fully aware of the battle's outcome, simply sighed in relief. "I can't believe I survived that…"

The tension in the air melted away, replaced by a sense of camaraderie and mutual respect. Kintaro laughed, clapping Zenitsu on the back. "Bro you really have a weird personality."

As the group shared a moment of lighthearted banter, a bird descended from the sky, landing gracefully on Kintaro's shoulder. The bird, carrying an urgent message, chirped into Kintaro's ear.

"A mission for the Electro Hashira. A large number of women have disappeared from the village of Saita in the past week. You are to investigate immediately."

Hearing the name "Saita Village," Kintaro's expression grew serious. He remembered Lady Ayaka and the promise he had made to her. With a determined look, he muttered to himself, "It seems the time for play is over."

And with that, Kintaro's gaze shifted to the horizon, his mind already focused on the mission ahead. The cheerful atmosphere faded, replaced by a sense of urgency. The training session had ended, and now, a real challenge awaited.

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