Hiding in the sand, splitting into many places, starting with Arkham

Mount Tao is very large.

When Shimizu came to Mount Tao to find Kuwajima Jigoro, a member of 'Kakushi' residing in the town at the foot of the mountain told Shimizu that the former Thunder Pillar had gone out to find a disciple.

As one of the five basic breathing techniques, Thunder Breathing has yet to produce a new Pillar, while the other four basic breathing techniques already have Pillars. Kuwajima Jigoro couldn't possibly not be anxious, but this little old man has a good eye; he doesn't look at just anyone, he has to find someone he clicks with.

Therefore, Shimizu had been making tools in a small house at the foot of the mountain, preparing to build a puppet, and had not ascended Mount Tao, nor had he met Kuwajima Jigoro's disciple, Kaigaku.

It wasn't until he arrived at the residence with the former Thunder Pillar that Shimizu finally saw Kaigaku, who in the original timeline had fallen to become Upper Moon Six.

At this moment, the man was holding a sword, practicing his swordsmanship on the lawn in front of the courtyard, his movements meticulous and extremely diligent.

To become Upper Moon Six, Kaigaku's talent and strength were actually quite strong, and his motivation to become stronger was also very high—he joined the Demon Slayer Corps in order to survive when facing demons.

Similarly, in order to survive, he could also transform from a human into a demon.

He could abandon morality and emotions, possessing an extremely strong desire to survive, and an even stronger, almost obsessive, desire to win, firmly believing that as long as he could keep living, he would eventually triumph.

This also endowed him with a thunderous, irritable, and aggressive personality. Perhaps it was this kind of nature that made Kuwajima Jigoro believe he had the talent for Thunder Breathing.

His talent was indeed good. Although he was a person with a very low bottom line, this kind of personality also enabled him to endure extremely arduous training in order to survive and win, ensuring that his upper limit of strength would not be too low.

After Kaigaku finished practicing a set of sword forms, he put away his katana and bowed to Kuwajima Jigoro, saying:

"Kuwajima-sensei."

A pair of sharp eyes with a hint of ferocity looked towards Shimizu and Agatsuma Zenitsu.

"Well, very diligent indeed."

The little old man stood with his hands behind his back, looking quite gratified, and pointed to Zenitsu and Shimizu.

"This is Zenitsu, who will be your junior brother from now on. This is Shimizu, a swordsman who has already mastered Wind Breathing. He's here this time to learn Thunder Breathing from me."

Kaigaku glanced at Shimizu warily.

"A swordsman who has already mastered Wind Breathing? Then why come to learn Thunder Breathing?"

Perhaps because he hadn't fully mastered Thunder Breathing himself, while Shimizu had already mastered Wind Breathing, Kaigaku didn't seem to have any goodwill towards Shimizu.

As for Zenitsu, with his cowardly appearance, he didn't take him seriously.

Shimizu frowned, looking at Kaigaku.

Is this guy sick?

Is his desire to win so strong that he wants to pounce on anyone he sees like a Teddy bear?

What business is it of yours that I'm learning Thunder Breathing?

"Do you have a problem with that?"

Shimizu placed his hand on the hilt of the sword at his waist.

Kuwajima Jigoro's eyes twitched.

It seems these two are both very strong-willed people?

It seems Mount Tao will be lively in the future.

"Ahem, Kaigaku, there are many swordsmen in the Demon Slayer Corps who switch to other breathing techniques halfway through. Many derived breathing techniques come about this way."

Kuwajima Jigoro coughed and tapped his cane on the ground.

Looks like he wouldn't have to wait too long to beat this kid up.

"Kaigaku!"

Kuwajima Jigoro frowned in displeasure and scolded Kaigaku.

He was satisfied with this disciple's talent and diligence. It wasn't impossible for him to inherit the title of Thunder Pillar in a few years, the only thing he was dissatisfied with was Kaigaku's terrible personality.

"It's okay, old man! We're just exchanging pointers, how about right here?"

Kaigaku drew his sword in front of Kuwajima Jigoro.

"Ugh… how scary!"

Zenitsu immediately hid behind Kuwajima Jigoro.

"Then… alright."

Kuwajima Jigoro sighed.

It seems these two won't get over it without a fight.

It's good to resolve conflicts early, and with him around, nothing unexpected will happen.

"Thunder Breathing · Second Form · Rice Spirit!"

Without a single mistake, one head, one shot, one inside, one face, one in one, look!

Kaigaku raised his sword forward, his figure quickly moving forward, slashing out five golden lightning-shaped attacks in an instant.

Watching Kaigaku's movements, Shimizu inexplicably thought of Master Ma's Lightning Five-Fist Flurry…

Although he was distracted for a moment, multitasking was a basic operation for Shimizu. His right hand was still gripping the sword hilt, not drawing it, but his left hand was behind his back, forming a seal to maintain the Wind Swift Technique.

Stepping aside several times in succession, he easily dodged Kaigaku's attacks.

"Continue."

Shimizu smiled contemptuously.

He wasn't in a hurry to defeat Kaigaku immediately, wanting to see the sword forms of Thunder Breathing first.

Kaigaku's heart sank, but his movements didn't stop. Instead, he turned and swung his sword, slashing down with all his might.

"Thunder Breathing · Fifth Form · Heat Lightning!"

"Thunder Breathing · Fourth Form · Distant Thunder!"

First, a long-range golden lightning bolt blasted towards Shimizu, followed by another.

Shimizu changed his movement, popping out half of his scabbard, turning to deflect the golden lightning, and then turning back to kick Kaigaku, who was rushing in with the lightning, away.

"Damn it!"

Kaigaku, with a footprint on his butt, staggered back a few steps and turned to rush towards Shimizu again.

"Thunder Breathing · Second Form · Rice Spirit!"

Shimizu was a little disappointed.

The Kaigaku of the original timeline had mastered all the sword forms except for the First Form, but at this point in time, he only knew three moves.

Then there was no need to continue fighting.

The long sword, which had been half-drawn, was finally fully unsheathed at this moment.

"Wind Breathing · Sixth Form · Black Wind Smokescreen."

The long sword drew a sharp wind blade from bottom to top.

Not far away, Kuwajima Jigoro secretly thought something was wrong, and stomped his still-intact leg heavily on the ground, turning into a golden lightning bolt.

The sound of cloth tearing rang out, and the clothes on Kaigaku's upper body instantly shattered into fragmented strips of cloth. The long sword in Shimizu's hand was steadily stopped next to Kaigaku's neck, rubbing against his skin, leaving a trace of blood.

"Huff…"

Kuwajima Jigoro, who had flashed to two meters away from Shimizu and Kaigaku, breathed a sigh of relief.

With Shimizu's ability, he could completely control his strength.

Besides, he was here to learn Thunder Breathing from Kuwajima Jigoro, it was impossible for him to kill his disciple on the first day.