Shinjuro, with a wooden sword on his shoulder, gestured for Ryosuke to attack.
Ryosuke's eyes narrowed, his body instinctively lowered, the ground beneath his feet slightly dented, and lightning flashed!
Thunder Breathing, First Form: Thunderclap and Flash!
Almost instantly, Ryosuke transformed into a blazing white lightning flash, striking towards Rengoku Shinjuro's chest!
Shinjuro was slightly startled; with a flick of his wrist, he blocked with the wooden sword.
Bang!
A dull explosion rang out.
Ryosuke felt a tremendous force transmit from the blade, overwhelming and irresistible, leaving his entire arm numb from the shock.
He lost his balance, sliding back several steps before he could barely dissipate the force.
"A good charge!"
Shinjuro laughed loudly, stepping forward instantly, his attack following suit.
Flame Breathing, Second Form: Rising Scorching Sun!
The wooden sword in his hand seemed to genuinely ignite, sweeping upwards from below with a prairie-fire momentum, the hot airflow slightly distorting the surrounding air!
Ryosuke's pupils contracted, his sword technique changed, and lightning flashed again!
Thunder Breathing, Third Form: Gathering Thunder!
Several zigzagging lightning flashes roared upwards!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Thunder and fierce flames collided violently, devouring each other like two constantly tearing beasts!
Ryosuke's slash was forcefully broken, and he stumbled backward.
He did not give Shinjuro a moment's respite; as he swung his wooden sword, the sword technique returned!
Thunder Breathing, Fourth Form: Distant Thunder!
Wild thunder roared and lunged forward; Shinjuro did not dodge, his eyes burning with even greater fighting spirit.
"Flame Breathing, Fourth Form: Blooming Flame Undulation!"
As he swung the wooden sword, a scorching flame vortex transformed into a sea of fire, instantly devouring the thunder.
Boom!
The two intertwined and collided, unleashing waves of residual power.
This time, Ryosuke was not repelled.
But his entire skeleton hummed, and his internal organs felt like they were churning.
Shinjuro merely paused for a moment.
Too big!
The gap was too big!
This was the strength of a Pillar!
Even when using a wooden sword, even without exerting his full strength, the foundation and explosive power contained in each move far exceeded imagination!
Ryosuke gritted his teeth, changing his technique again!
Wild thunder raged madly around him, countless silver snakes quivered, their power terrifying!
Thunder Breathing, Sixth Form: Electric Thunder Roar!
Rumble!
As Ryosuke swung his sword, the wild thunder attacked like a torrential downpour!
"Oh?"
A hint of surprise and admiration flashed in Shinjuro's eyes; his fighting spirit didn't decrease but surged, burning brightly!
He spun and swung his sword, and scorching flames instantly erupted, transforming into a roaring giant beast!
Flame Breathing, Fifth Form: Flame Tiger!
Hiss!
The wild flames bared their fangs, completely shredding and evaporating the incoming thunder!
Lightning and flames intertwined and disintegrated, an astonishing sight!
And in this moment of most chaotic light and airflow, Ryosuke's figure had already vanished!
Using the speed of Thunder Breathing, he silently appeared behind Shinjuro's side!
Thunder Breathing, First Form: Thunderclap and Flash - Sixfold!
This was the peak of his current speed and explosive power!
Extremely fast slashes tore through the air, striking directly at Shinjuro!
Shinjuro narrowed his eyes, raising his sword to counter!
Bang!
The first slash was forcefully blocked, but the second, third, fourth... followed closely!
Shinjuro's eyes burst with a light of surprise, barely dodging with his reactions, while simultaneously swinging his sword, again using First Form: Unknowing Fire, to meet the attack head-on!
Bang!
A dull collision sound rang out; the two wooden swords, unable to bear the strain, broke into dust.
Ryosuke gasped heavily, fine sweat beading on his forehead; the high-intensity continuous bursts had caused him immense exhaustion.
In contrast, Shinjuro's aura remained robust, only the admiration in his eyes grew more intense.
He looked at Ryosuke, nodding repeatedly.
"Good! Very good! Young Yasui! Your strength has far exceeded that of an ordinary Kinoto Rank swordsman! No, you're even stronger than many of the Mizunoe and Hinoe Ranks!"
"Your speed, reactions, timing of combat, and decisiveness in chaining attacks are all exceptionally well-honed!"
"Master Jigorō's guidance is excellent, and your own hard work and talent are even more crucial!"
Ryosuke calmed his breathing, nodding slightly: "Thank you for the praise, Mr. Rengoku."
He could feel that Shinjuro was speaking the truth, not just being polite.
Shinjuro took a few steps closer, changing the subject slightly.
"But you lack something, which prevents your techniques from reaching their rightful peak power. They are merely form without substance, destined to be unable to break through."
"Lack what?"
Ryosuke was startled, humbly asking for guidance.
He knew he had reached a bottleneck but didn't know where exactly it lay.
"Momentum!"
Shinjuro declared loudly: "Or rather, fighting spirit!"
"Fighting spirit?"
Ryosuke was even more puzzled.
Breathing Technique, sword techniques, Total Concentration Breathing Constant – he knew and practiced all of these.
But the concept of "fighting spirit" was new to him.
Of course, that was assuming he didn't switch channels to the "thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river" one.
Suddenly!
Ryosuke abruptly remembered that on the Mugen Train, Akaza, the Third Upper Rank, had once praised Kyoujurou, the Flame Hashira, for his magnificent fighting spirit and refined sword techniques.
Before Ryosuke could think further, Shinjuro began to explain.
"The core of Flame Breathing is a blazing heart, a will and emotion like raging fire."
"But Breathing Technique itself is a skill and a foundation. Beyond that, through countless battles and extensive refinement, when one's will, belief, killing intent, desire to protect..."
"...and all mental strength are condensed and sublimated, the intangible yet truly existing thing that bursts forth is fighting spirit!"
As Shinjuro spoke, he picked up another wooden sword and swung it.
Even without using a sword technique, an extremely strong oppressive sensation washed over Ryosuke, causing him a slight prickle.
Shinjuro's meaning was clear.
Cultivating Flame Breathing necessarily involves honing fighting spirit.
Because the compatibility between Flame Breathing practitioners and fighting spirit is excellent; the two complement each other.
This was also one of the reasons why Flame Breathing had high damage but was difficult to learn.
"Those with powerful fighting spirit can intimidate enemies simply by their presence, even without using a Breathing Technique."
"Intimidation..."
Ryosuke pondered deeply.
Thinking about it carefully, Akaza, that battle fanatic, having such heaven-defying strength, should also be inextricably linked to this concept of fighting spirit.
Although not specifically mentioned in the original story, it indeed existed.
Shinjuro, seeing Ryosuke lost in thought, continued to clarify.
"Regarding Breathing Techniques and sword skills, Master Jigorō should have already warned you that swordsmen usually cannot master more than two Breathing Techniques."
Shinjuro extended the topic slightly: "Different Breathing Techniques have completely different breathing rhythms, ways of circulating power, and even physical burdens."
"Forcibly trying to master multiple will lead to chaotic breathing, and in severe cases, can even injure the lungs, cause shock, or lead to death."
"The main thing is that biting off more than you can chew; even if you learn them, it's difficult to switch between them flexibly in actual combat, and they can instead become weaknesses."
"The five basic Breathing Techniques each have their own compatibility, so usually the Breathing Technique chooses the person, rather than the person choosing the Breathing Technique."
Ryosuke nodded.
This was basic knowledge and common sense for cultivating Breathing Techniques.
"But fighting spirit is different."
Shinjuro emphasized: "It is not a specific technique, but the refinement of 'momentum'."
"Momentum?"
Ryosuke raised an eyebrow.
If he wasn't mistaken, in the anime, this thing should be called... art style.
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