Kyoujurou was momentarily stunned by Chiba Yo's situation. He had met many people in the Demon Slayer Corps, but without exception, they all learned the Breathing Technique only after joining the Demon Slayer Corps. Moreover, it usually took several months to master the Breathing Technique to the point of Constant Flow, yet Chiba Yo had already reached some people's endpoint at his starting point.
"How about this, I'll demonstrate the Flame Breathing sword techniques for you directly now. See if you can activate them with your Breathing Technique. All you need to do now is study the sword techniques and train your physique!"
Kyoujurou said to Chiba Yo, then took two bamboo swords from the training ground's weapon rack and handed one to Chiba Yo.
"Yes, Teacher Rengoku!" Chiba Yo replied loudly and obediently, holding the bamboo sword and standing aside, observing Kyoujurou's movements. In the few days he had spent with Kyoujurou, Chiba Yo noticed that Kyoujurou's hearing wasn't very good, so he intentionally spoke a bit louder when talking to him.
"First is Flame Breathing's First Form, Unknowing Fire, which allows for a sudden attack on the target with an explosive, flame-like momentum!"
Kyoujurou demonstrated to Chiba Yo as he spoke, adjusting his breathing, pushing off with his right foot, and gripping the sword with both hands.
The next moment, he shot out like an arrow released from a bowstring, then swung his sword horizontally, the flame-covered slash cutting through the air with a whooshing sound.
In Chiba Yo's eyes, he clearly saw the state of Kyoujurou's body the moment he activated the technique: the movement of his lungs during breathing, the flow of blood, the contraction of muscles—all of it was imprinted in his mind.
"Hmph..."
Chiba Yo pushed off with his right foot, lowered his center of gravity, gripped the bamboo sword with both hands, adopting the same stance as Kyoujurou had just now, and expanded his lungs to inhale oxygen.
"Watch closely..."
Kyoujurou said, turning around, but his words were quickly interrupted.
"Flame Breathing First Form: Unknowing Fire!"
Chiba Yo shouted, then shot out like an arrow released from a bowstring, swinging his sword horizontally. A flame slash, identical to Kyoujurou's, cut through the air.
Kyoujurou, standing beside him, froze, the rest of his sentence left unspoken and swallowed back.
It was indeed Flame Breathing, a very standard First Form. The Breathing Technique he used for push-ups just now clearly wasn't Flame Breathing. Could it be that he learned Flame Breathing and the First Form of its sword technique just by observing me use it once? This talent is even more terrifying than Muichiro, who became a Hashira in two months.
At this moment, a colossal wave surged in Kyoujurou's heart. Chiba Yo's talent had reached a level he found somewhat incomprehensible.
Meanwhile, Chiba Yo, who had successfully replicated Kyoujurou's technique, frowned. He felt somewhat uncomfortable when using the Breathing Technique just now, as if he wasn't fully unleashed, when he clearly could have expanded his lungs a bit more to get more oxygen.
"Teacher Rengoku, was the First Form I used correct?" Chiba Yo turned and asked Kyoujurou.
Kyoujurou did not answer his question. Instead, he walked over to him and then said, "Xiao Yang, you should also participate in this Final Selection!"
The situation just now had made Kyoujurou realize that this child before him was a once-in-a-century genius. The common sense of the world simply did not apply to him. What others needed one or two years to learn, this youth only needed to see once.
This young man was simply like a child of the gods, with all of divine favor concentrated on him alone.
"Huh? Didn't Teacher Rengoku just say it was too early for me?" Chiba Yo asked with some confusion.
"My judgment just now was mistaken! With your talent and current level of Breathing Technique, passing the Final Selection will be incredibly easy!" Kyoujurou said loudly, with no hint of jealousy in his eyes as he looked at Chiba Yo, only joy and relief.
Because he knew that the Demon Slayer Corps would soon gain another Hashira-level combatant, which was a blessing for the entire Demon Slayer Corps and all of humanity in this country.
"What about Teacher Rengoku's assessment then?" Chiba Yo asked.
"There is none! Your mastery of the Breathing Technique is already comparable to mine, or perhaps even surpasses mine. I can't think of any test I can give you!" Kyoujurou said loudly, crossing his arms.
He then added, "However, you still need to practice sword techniques these few days and develop sword techniques suitable for your own Breathing Technique. Of course, I will also teach you all of Flame Breathing's sword techniques. I hope you gain something from it!"
When Chiba Yo heard Kyoujurou's words, he felt a bit surreal. How was it that he seemed to be graduating right after becoming an apprentice?
"Yes! I will work hard!" Chiba Yo replied loudly.
In the following days, Chiba Yo developed sword techniques suitable for his own Breathing Technique under Kyoujurou's guidance. With the Transparent World's blessing, Chiba Yo was incredibly familiar with his own body, which allowed him to progress quickly in developing sword techniques. At the same time, he also learned all five forms of Flame Breathing's sword techniques, as well as the "Esoteric Art: Ninth Form: Rengoku."
All of this he accomplished within six days.
On the morning the Final Selection was to begin, Chiba Yo stood at the entrance of the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters. Beside him was Kanao Tsuyuri, who was also going to participate in this Final Selection.
Chiba Yo now had a sword at his waist. This was a spare nichirin blade Kyoujurou had taken from the headquarters, which were generally used by those participating in the Final Selection.
"Teacher Rengoku, I'm leaving," Chiba Yo said to Kyoujurou.
"Mm! I believe you will surely succeed!" Kyoujurou encouraged him loudly.
Kochou Shinobu, standing beside Kyoujurou, also gave Kanao a few instructions, and Kanao still responded with a smile.
After bidding farewell, Chiba Yo and Kanao went together in the direction of Mount Fujikasane for the Final Selection.
After they left, Kochou Shinobu asked Kyoujurou with some confusion, "Mr. Rengoku, is it really alright to let this child participate in the Final Selection directly? Even if you started teaching him from when you first met him, it's only been a week."
Kochou Shinobu was incredibly shocked when she learned that Kyoujurou was letting Chiba Yo participate in the Final Selection, but she knew Kyoujurou's character, so she only now spoke up to ask him.
"No problem! That child is a genius! He already has his own Breathing Technique and has developed corresponding sword techniques, and he even learned all of Flame Breathing, including all its sword techniques!" Kyoujurou replied loudly. He was not at all worried that Chiba Yo would fail to pass the Final Selection.
"You're kidding... seven days..."
Kochou Shinobu was completely stunned by Kyoujurou's words, looking at the disappearing figures ahead, momentarily speechless.
At the same time, in a small hut on Mount Sagiri, a red-haired boy put on a blue cloud-patterned haori and a fox-shaped warding mask.
"I'm off, Mr. Urokodaki!"