"It's Kanao. I've been doing rehabilitation training with her for the past few days, and I've lost every time. Zenitsu and Inosuke gave up, but I don't want to quit!" Tanjiro explained.
Ryuji chuckled, patting Tanjiro's shoulder. "She's the Hashira's adopted daughter. Losing to her isn't unacceptable."
"Senior Ryuji, I want to know what makes us different! If I can't overcome this hurdle, I can't get stronger!" Tanjiro insisted.
"Let's talk inside," Ryuji said, leading Tanjiro into the house.
Two Hidden members were waiting inside. They greeted them, "Senior Ryuji, Kamado-sama!"
"Make us some hot tea," Ryuji instructed.
"Yes!"
The Hidden members left.
Ryuji and Tanjiro sat opposite each other. Ryuji said, "Tanjiro, tell me about your rehabilitation training. How did you lose to her?"
Tanjiro described the training.
Ryuji was surprised by its simplicity. No wonder Tanjiro kept losing. This training didn't improve strength; it merely restored physical functions and reflexes to their pre-injury state.
Tanjiro's losses stemmed from a fundamental difference in strength, something rehabilitation training couldn't bridge.
Seeing Ryuji smile, Tanjiro asked, "Senior Ryuji, is something wrong?"
"Of course," Ryuji replied confidently. "Zenitsu and Inosuke made a smart decision quitting. Even if you did this rehabilitation training for a lifetime, you wouldn't beat Kanao."
Tanjiro pressed, "Then how can I win?"
"Tanjiro, what made you so strong?" Ryuji countered.
"My Breathing Style," Tanjiro answered without hesitation, then dejectedly added, "But Senior Ryuji, even with my Breathing Style, I can't beat Kanao."
"That's because your Breathing Style isn't strong enough," Ryuji stated calmly.
Two Hidden members returned with tea and quietly served them.
Ryuji took a sip of tea. "Tanjiro, you'll only have a chance against Kanao when Water Breathing becomes a part of you."
Tanjiro still didn't understand. What did it mean for Water Breathing to become a part of him?
"Senior Ryuji, can you explain that more clearly?" Tanjiro asked.
"Alright. Start by maintaining Water Breathing continuously for one hour. If you stop, you have to start over."
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