The impression Su Chen had left on Senjuro was too strong.
Although he didn't like Su Chen at first, he couldn't deny that his talent was dazzling. Even a child could see Su Chen's value, let alone Kyojuro, the Flame Hashira.
Kyojuro just smiled, stroking Senjuro's head.
"Mr. Su Chen reminds me of my father, back in the old days," Kyojuro said, his voice bright. "Father used to teach me with that same kind of patience! I really miss it. Even the way he ran away just now... it felt familiar!"
Kyojuro looked in the direction Su Chen had left, a tiny hint of regret stirring in his heart.
If only I had snatched Su Chen during the Hashira meeting... then Shinobu Kocho wouldn't have gotten him. I really wanted to take him in as my adopted son! Then I could shamelessly ask him questions about breathing all the time!
Alas, it was too late to say such things now.
"Let's go, Senjuro," Kyojuro said, his voice booming again. "Father will be unhappy if we don't get back soon!"
He easily lifted his younger brother onto his shoulder. The two brothers headed home under the cover of night.
Meanwhile, on the other side, two small figures ran through the shadows of the trees.
Su Chen was in front, feeling an indescribable exhilaration. He had actually met the Kyojuro Rengoku from the original story, and his mood was still excellent.
He'd even sparred with the Flame Hashira! Su Chen could still recall that terrifying explosive power. It was the first time he'd faced such a difficult opponent.
However, his gains were also substantial.
Not only had he learned Total Concentration Breathing - Constant, but he had also developed the Total Concentration - Focus Breathing Technique based on it. Compared to the ordinary 'Constant', 'Focus' allowed Su Chen to enter the state better and faster, and the effect was more comprehensive.
Su Chen speculated in his heart that if he refined 'Focus' even more, all his body cells could constantly maintain that 'Constant' state. This would greatly enhance his physical fitness. If he coupled that with activating the Mark, the amplification effect would even directly elevate his physical fitness to the Hashira level!
Bullet Time had also leveled up. Its range had doubled, and his observation, learning, and reaction abilities had all increased.
There was nothing more to say.
Today's main prize was still the Flame Breathing that Su Chen learned from the Flame Hashira! It was a Breathing Style with extremely overbearing attack power and range!
Su Chen had even created a new Breathing Technique based on it.
Blazing Flame Breathing!
That new style could be said to have perfectly captured the contemporary Flame Hashira. Su Chen still couldn't forget Kyojuro's shocked expression. It was clearly Kyojuro's home ground, yet Su Chen had turned the tables on him.
A hint of anticipation flashed in Su Chen's eyes.
He wondered what impact teaching the Flame Hashira a new Breathing Style would have on the subsequent plot.
The Flame Hashira becoming the Blazing Hashira? It sounded interesting.
Still... Kyojuro shouldn't come looking for me again, right?
Su Chen was almost sick of talking. If he had to do that a few more times, he really couldn't take it.
"Su Chen."
Suddenly, Kanao slowed to a halt. Her small, fair hand pulled on his sleeve. The two of them stopped in a small patch of woods.
Su Chen couldn't help but turn to look at her.
Under the moonlight, the bright moon reflected on Kanao's small face, illuminating the girl's eyes.
The girl took a deep breath, her own breath fogging slightly in the cool air. "I want to learn," she said quietly.
After saying this, she suddenly lowered her head, afraid that Su Chen would reject her.
But Su Chen didn't understand what she meant at all.
He glanced at the surrounding dark woods, then thought about his own body, which was probably only about 14 years old.
He spoke bluntly, "No. You're not old enough to learn."
Kanao blinked, not understanding his meaning at all. Did this have something to do with her age?
The girl drew the Nichirin Sword from her waist and stared straight at Su Chen. "I want it."
Su Chen suddenly realized.
Oh. So I had misunderstood.
Kanao wanted to learn the powerful Breathing Style that Su Chen had just demonstrated. It seemed this quiet girl was also quite envious!
Well, taking advantage of the night... Su Chen decided to teach Kanao right here in the small patch of woods.
He took her fair, small hand in his palm to guide her.
A blush immediately swept across the girl's cheeks. But the night was dark, and Su Chen didn't see it.
Su Chen chose a clear spot and was about to start when he suddenly noticed the blade in Kanao's hand.
"Kanao, where did you get the blade in your hand?" Su Chen asked, confused.
He clearly remembered that Kanao's blade had been broken by him.
"This... this isn't Kyojuro's blade, is it?"
Kanao was also stunned. She looked down at the Nichirin Sword in her hand, a hint of confusion in her eyes. Then, a trace of nervous sweat suddenly flowed down her fair forehead.
"I... forgot to return it." The girl's tone was full of nervousness. "I... I'm sorry."
Su Chen looked at Kanao, who was admitting her mistake, and suddenly smiled.
"Why apologize? It's not like the blade will fly back to him just because I know about it."
Saying that, Su Chen couldn't help but gently tap Kanao's forehead.
"Be careful next time."
Kanao's face instantly turned red. "Oh."
"Alright, now I'll teach you the Total Concentration technique."
Su Chen stepped back two paces and began to demonstrate some of the content related to Total Concentration - Focus.
But Kanao didn't understand.
She mustered her courage and asked, "Su Chen."
He immediately looked at her. "What's wrong?"
"I know this."
"No, you don't," Su Chen said with a smile. "The Breathing Technique you know is called 'Constant'. But what I'm going to teach you now is 'Focus'. There's a fundamental difference between the two."
Kanao blinked. She clearly didn't understand the difference.
She then pointed to the Nichirin Sword in Su Chen's hand (which was definitely not hers). She said in a soft voice, "I want to learn the... Breathing Technique."
Su Chen walked over and gently stroked Kanao's head.
"No, that Blazing Flame Breathing isn't very suitable for you. But I promise Kanao, next time I'll specially create a set of Breathing Techniques that is suitable for you, okay?"
Kanao seemed to enjoy Su Chen's caress and subconsciously nodded. "Mm."
Next was Su Chen's teaching time.
Kanao's talent was even better than he had imagined.
She had already mastered the key technique for the 'Focus' inhale on the very first try! She inhaled perfectly, controlling the oxygen content excellently.
Su Chen guessed that Kanao might be the first person to learn the 'Focus' technique besides himself!
But Su Chen's happiness didn't last long. Kanao quickly encountered difficulties.
She was a bit too impatient.
Before one breath was fully exhaled, new oxygen was already being inhaled.
This would injure her lungs!
Kanao gently furrowed her delicate brows, her face twisting in pain.
Seeing this, Su Chen took action.