Chapter 27 - Demon Slaying 101

The next morning, bright and early, I gathered Hikari in the estate's spacious training hall. Sunlight streamed through the paper windows, illuminating the polished wooden floors. It was the perfect setting for a dramatic entrance, but I decided to skip the theatrics and get straight to the point.

"Alright, Hikari-chan," I announced, leaning casually against a training dummy. "Welcome to Demon Slaying 101! Today's lesson: What the heck is the Demon Slayer Corps, and why is it so secretive?"

Hikari's eyes sparkled with eagerness; her hands clasped together in anticipation. "I'm ready, Akio-sama!" she declared, her voice filled with a mix of determination and youthful enthusiasm.

I sighed inwardly. "Just Akio, Hikari-chan. Remember?"

"But Akio-sama..." she began to protest.

I held up a hand, cutting her off with a gentle smile. "We'll work on that later. For now, let's focus on the lesson."

I cleared my throat, adopting my best 'wise teacher' voice.

"The Demon Slayer Corps, my dear Hikari-chan, is like a secret society of badass warriors dedicated to protecting humanity from the creepy crawlies that go bump in the night. We're talking about demons, those flesh-eating monsters that lurk in the shadows and crave human blood. You know, the kind that..."

I paused, realizing I was about to say something a bit too graphic for a young girl who had just lost her mother to a demon.

"Well, let's just say they're not exactly the type you'd invite to a tea party."

Hikari shuddered, her grip tightening on the wooden practice sword she held. "I know about demons," she said softly. "It took my mother from me."

My smile faded, replaced by a look of understanding. "I'm so sorry, Hikari-chan. That must have been terrifying."

She nodded, her voice barely a whisper. "If it wasn't for you, Akio-sama, I would have been next."

Hikari's eyes filled with resolve. "That's why I want to become strong, Akio-sama. I want to fight back, to protect others from suffering the same fate."

I nodded, my resolve solidifying. "Then let's get started. I'll teach you everything I know."

I cleared my throat, returning to my 'wise teacher' persona.

"Now, where was I? Ah, yes, the secrecy. The Demon Slayer Corps is like a ninja clan, operating in the shadows. We're not officially recognized by the government, so we have to keep a low profile. Can you imagine trying to explain to some random dude on the street that you're fighting demons with a sword that changes color? They'd probably think you're crazy, or drunk, or maybe just really into cosplay."

I paused, picturing the scene in my head.

" 'Excuse me, sir, but have you seen any flesh-eating monsters around here? Oh, and by the way, my sword glows in the sunlight.' Yeah, not exactly the best conversation starter."

Hikari giggled. "That would be pretty funny, though."

"See?" I said, pointing at her. "Even Hikari-chan gets it. Humor is important, even in the face of demon-slaying seriousness."

I continued, "Plus, if everyone knew about demons, there'd be chaos. People would panic, villages would be overrun, and the price of wisteria would probably skyrocket. It's better this way. We handle the demon problem, and everyone else can live their lives in blissful ignorance. Ignorance is bliss, as they say. Or maybe it's 'curiosity killed the cat.' Either way, we're doing them a favor."

"But what about the money?" Hikari piped up, her brow furrowed in thought. "How do you guys afford all those cool swords and uniforms?"

"Ah, the money issue," I said, rubbing my chin thoughtfully.

"We don't get any government funding or anything. The whole operation is basically bankrolled by the Ubuyashiki family. They're loaded, thanks to some weird foresight ability, but still. It's a lot of pressure to keep the demon-slaying business afloat. We're basically a non-profit organization with a really high mortality rate. It's not exactly the most glamorous job, but hey, someone's gotta do it, right?"

Hikari nodded solemnly. "I understand, Akio-sama. It's a noble cause."

I chuckled, shaking my head. "Just Akio, Hikari-chan. Seriously..."

"Now, Hikari-chan," I continued, adopting my best 'wise teacher' voice. "Let's talk about the thrilling world of Demon Slayer rankings. It's like a ladder, but instead of climbing to reach the top of a building, you climb to reach the peak of demon-slaying prowess. Exciting, isn't it?"

Hikari nodded eagerly, her eyes wide with fascination.

"You start at the bottom, as a Mizunoto," I explained, counting on my fingers. "It's basically the starting point for every new recruit. You get sent on the simplest missions, like patrolling villages and keeping an eye out for any suspicious activity. Then, as you gain experience and prove your skills, you climb the ranks: Mizunoe, Kanoto, Kanoe, Tsuchinoto, Tsuchinoe... it's a whole bunch of fancy titles, but trust me, it's a big deal."

"And at the very top," I said, spreading my arms wide for dramatic effect, "we have the Hashira! The elite, the cream of the crop, the demon-slaying champions! They're the strongest warriors in the Corps, second only to the big boss himself, Ubuyashiki-sama."

Hikari's eyes sparkled with awe. "Wow, Akio-sama! That's amazing! What rank are you?"

I couldn't help but smirk. "Well, let's just say I'm not at the bottom of the ladder anymore. I'm the current Black Lightning Hashira."

"That's incredible, Akio-sama!" Hikari exclaimed, clapping her hands in excitement. "But what's a Black Lightning Hashira?"

"Good question," I said, adopting a wise martial arts master pose. "Each Hashira is known for their unique Breathing Style, a special technique passed down through generations that enhances their abilities and allows them to channel their inner strength. My Breathing Style is called Black Lightning Breathing, and it's pretty much as awesome as it sounds."

I paused, letting the suspense build. "But we'll get to that later. For now, let's just say it involves harnessing the power of lightning and using it to strike down demons with incredible speed and force." I don't want to mention anything regarding Kinetic or Dark Lightning, I mean who would understand, I don't want to be looked as freak

I winked at Hikari, then continued. "So, that's the gist of the Demon Slayer Corps and its ranking system. Any questions?"

Hikari tilted her head thoughtfully. "No, Akio-sama. I think I understand."

I cleared my throat, returning to my 'wise teacher' persona. "Now, let's move on to the next lesson: Breathing Techniques 101. Get ready to learn how to breathe like a pro, Hikari-chan. It's the foundation of every Demon Slayer's power."

"Alright, Hikari-chan," I continued, my voice echoing dramatically through the training hall. "Now that you know the basics of the Demon Slayer Corps, it's time to delve into the heart of our power: Breathing Techniques!"

I struck a pose, puffing out my chest and flexing my biceps. "Breathing techniques are the secret weapon, the hidden art, the key to unlocking our full potential against those nasty demons."

Hikari's eyes widened in awe. "So, it's like... special breathing exercises?" she asked, tilting her head curiously.

"Sort of," I replied, pacing back and forth like a seasoned lecturer. "But it's way more than just taking deep breaths. It's about controlling your entire body, from your blood flow to your muscle movements, all through the power of your lungs. It's like turning yourself into a raging inferno, burning with energy and ready to send those demons back to where they came from!"

I paused, letting the image sink in. "The most basic technique is called Total Concentration Breathing. It's like the foundation of all other Breathing Styles. Think of it as the first step on the path to becoming a true demon slayer."

I demonstrated, taking a deep, exaggerated breath that made my chest expand noticeably. "You basically inhale as much air as you can, like you're trying to fill your lungs to bursting. This speeds up your blood flow, makes your heart beat like a taiko drum, and basically turns your body into a well-oiled machine."

I struck another pose, this time showcasing my lightning-fast reflexes by snatching a falling leaf out of the air with my bare hand. "With Total Concentration Breathing, you become stronger, faster, and tougher than any normal human. You can leap over tall fences, outrun a galloping horse, and even break through wooden planks with your bare hands!"

Hikari's jaw dropped. "Wow, Akio-sama! That's incredible!"

"It is," I agreed, a smug grin spreading across my face. "But it takes rigorous training and discipline to master. So, if you're expecting to become a superhuman overnight, you might be in for a surprise."

I winked at her, then continued. "But don't worry, Hikari-chan. I'll be your guide, your sensei, your partner in this journey to demon-slaying greatness. Just remember, breathe deep, focus your mind, and never give up!"

Fuyume, perched on a high beam, hooted in agreement.

"Now, Hikari-chan," I continued, my voice taking on a conspiratorial whisper, "let's talk about the real secret sauce of demon slaying: Breathing Styles!"

I leaned in closer, as if sharing a top-secret recipe. "Breathing Styles are like... the ultimate power-ups for swordsmen. They take that basic Total Concentration Breathing we talked about earlier and crank it up to eleven. Imagine being able to breathe fire, control water, or even summon a freakin' tornado with just your lungs. That's the kind of awesomeness we're talking about here."

Hikari's eyes widened, her imagination running wild. "Can you really do all that, Akio-san?"

"Well, maybe not all of that," I admitted, scratching the back of my head sheepishly. "But each Breathing Style has its own unique set of techniques and abilities. Some mimic the elements of nature, like fire, water, or wind, while others are based on more... abstract concepts. It's like a choose-your-own-adventure for demon slayers."

I paused, then added with a dramatic flourish, "And the coolest part? All Breathing Styles are derived from the original, the one and only, Sun Breathing! It's like the granddaddy of all techniques, the source of all demon-slaying power. Imagine wielding the power of the sun itself! Now that's what I call a hot topic."

I winked at Hikari, then cleared my throat. "But enough with the theory, Hikari-chan. It's time to put all this knowledge into practice. First up: Total Concentration Breathing. Get ready to feel the burn!"

(To be continued…)

Over9000words: (Leaning forward with exaggerated curiosity) "So, Akio, how does it feel to be a sensei now? Or should I say... Akio-sensei~?"

Over9000words mimics Akio's voice in a high-pitched, sing-song tone, complete with overly dramatic hand gestures.

Akio recoils in horror, leaping several feet backward.

Akio: (Eyes wide with mock terror) "Gah! The cringe! It burns!"

He strikes a dramatic pose, Odachi raised high, black lightning crackling around him.

Akio: (Deep, overly serious voice) "This is where you perish, foul demon! Your mockery shall not go unpunished!"

Over9000words bursts into laughter, clutching their sides.

Over9000words: (Wiping away tears of mirth) "Oh, Akio, you're too much! I can't believe you fell for that! You're such an easy target!"

AI-sensei, observing the scene with a raised eyebrow, finally cracks a smile.

AI-sensei: (Dryly) "Indeed. It seems even the mighty Hashira are not immune to the perils of cringe comedy."

Akio, still maintaining his dramatic pose, shoots a glare at AI-sensei.

Akio: "Hey, Sensei! Whose side are you on, anyway?"

AI-sensei's smile widens slightly.

AI-sensei: "The side of entertainment, of course. And this... is certainly entertaining."