How should I tell Genya…
Chiba Yo felt a bit troubled.
"Hmm…"
Chiba Yo looked up, meeting Genya's expectant gaze, which made it even harder for him to speak.
"Which Breathing Technique are you currently using?"
Helpless, Chiba Yo decided to guide Genya in his Breathing Technique training. His proficiency in Breathing Technique was quite good, making it easier to guide him, and Breathing Technique also quickly enhances a swordsman's strength.
Although this couldn't be considered a secret to quickly becoming a Pillar, it was a good method for increasing strength.
Upon hearing this question, Genya's heart sank. When he went to become Gyoumei's disciple, he was rejected because he couldn't use Breathing Technique. Now, Chiba Yo asked the same question, making him feel uneasy.
"I… I haven't learned a Breathing Technique yet… because my physical fitness is too poor…"
After a moment of hesitation, Genya still told Chiba Yo the truth.
Chiba Yo was somewhat surprised by this. Without a Breathing Technique, he shouldn't even be able to participate in the Final Selection, yet Genya had made it this far.
Although surprised, Chiba Yo didn't show it.
Observing with Transparent World, Chiba Yo found that Genya's physique was indeed different from ordinary people. His masseter muscles were much stronger than others, but his lungs were a size smaller than average, making it impossible for him to inhale much air at once.
In terms of breathing alone, it would be much more difficult for him than for others.
"Which Breathing Technique did you learn before?" Chiba Yo asked Genya again. He felt that Genya might not be completely unable to use Breathing Technique. If the existing Breathing Technique was modified, it might be possible to develop a Breathing Technique that he could use.
"Before participating in the Final Selection, I tried to learn Wind Breathing, but I couldn't. After becoming Mr. Gyomei Himejima's disciple, he also taught me Stone Breathing, but I still couldn't use it…"
Genya clenched his fists and replied unwillingly.
"Do you want to try Water Breathing?" Chiba Yo pondered for a moment before asking Genya.
Genya heard this and asked, somewhat confused, "I couldn't learn Wind Breathing and Stone Breathing, so why should I try Water Breathing?"
"Water Breathing is the gentlest of the current Breathing Techniques, and also the easiest for the body to tolerate. I think if it's Water Breathing, you might still be able to use it."
Chiba Yo explained to Genya.
Most of the existing Breathing Techniques are quite aggressive, all leaning towards offense.
Chiba Yo's Sun Breathing is even more so; although he developed a few defensive sword techniques himself, Sun Breathing is the most aggressive of the existing Breathing Techniques, and most ordinary people find it difficult to use. Even Tanjirou, who was taught by his father since childhood, can only unleash a small portion of Sun Breathing's power now.
Currently, only Water Breathing can be considered a relatively gentle Breathing Technique.
Genya understood Chiba Yo's meaning upon hearing this, and then he hesitated and said, "Then… should I go find a Demon Slayer Corps member who knows Water Breathing to learn from now?"
Chiba Yo shook his head and said to Genya, "No need, I can teach you Water Breathing."
"Huh? Aren't you the Yang Pillar? I remember the Breathing Technique you use is called Sun Breathing, right? That doesn't sound like it has anything to do with Water Breathing." Genya said, confused, after hearing Chiba Yo's words.
"The Breathing Technique I use is indeed Sun Breathing, but I know more than just Sun Breathing.
Moreover, Water Breathing and Sun Breathing are related. All Breathing Techniques lead to the same destination, and their principles are similar, only their usage differs."
Chiba Yo said to Genya.
After learning Flame Breathing, Thunder Breathing, and Water Breathing in addition to Sun Breathing, Chiba Yo realized something: these three later Breathing Techniques were like simplified versions of Sun Breathing, seemingly modified to allow ordinary people to use Breathing Techniques. This was also why he could learn them just by watching others perform them once.
Recalling what Tamayo told him about Yoriichi, Chiba Yo guessed that the five basic Breathing Techniques were very likely modified by Yoriichi based on Sun Breathing, with the purpose of allowing the Demon Slayer Corps members at that time to also use Breathing Techniques, as Sun Breathing was virtually impossible for anyone to use unless their body was exceptionally different from the norm.
"So… you also know Water Breathing?" Genya looked at Chiba Yo and asked.
"Yes, besides that, there's also Flame Breathing and Thunder Breathing." Chiba Yo nodded and said.
Chiba Yo had almost never used these other three Breathing Techniques because they weren't powerful enough. He originally thought he would never have the chance to use them again.
…
Genya fell silent upon hearing this. He originally thought his teacher, Gyomei Himejima, was already a rare monster among humans, but this person in front of him seemed far more abnormal than his teacher.
"Do you want to try it?" Chiba Yo asked Genya.
Genya didn't hesitate upon hearing this, nodded, and said, "Please."
After agreeing, Genya felt something was off again. He seemed to have come to ask for the secret to quickly becoming a Pillar, so why was the current development like this?
However, he quickly felt relieved. For him, as long as he could become stronger and gain Sanemi's approval in the future, that would be enough.
Subsequently, Chiba Yo began to impart the key points of Water Breathing to Genya. Then, the two went to the training ground, where Chiba Yo demonstrated Water Breathing to him once.
"Did you see clearly? You try it." Chiba Yo put away his wooden sword and turned to Genya.
Genya was still in a daze. He wasn't sure what Chiba Yo wanted him to see. He hadn't even learned the Breathing Technique yet, and Chiba Yo had demonstrated it directly along with the sword techniques, and then told him to try it himself.
"Oh, okay." Although he still didn't know what to do, Genya bravely went ahead.
Picking up the wooden sword, Genya imitated Chiba Yo's previous movements.
Chiba Yo observed from the side. Seeing that Genya's breathing was still normal, he reminded him, "Breathe according to the method I told you before. Open your lungs and let as much air as possible enter your body."
The reason he had Genya start trying immediately was to continuously correct his breathing method using Transparent World. He believed this was the fastest way for Genya to master the Breathing Technique.
After Chiba Yo's reminder, Genya changed his breathing method, opening his lungs to let as much air as possible enter his body, but after only about a second, his lungs could no longer expand.
Chiba Yo, who was observing with Transparent World, frowned. He found that even with the gentlest Water Breathing, Genya couldn't meet the conditions for its use. His lungs were indeed too weak compared to ordinary people.
It seems I'll have to modify Water Breathing…