He signaled that he was fine.
At that moment, Shinazugawa seemed to realize something was wrong. He spoke up. "Su Chen, it's not impossible for you to learn my Wind Breathing. I see your talent is pretty good. For the Insect Pillar's sake, you can become my successor. How about I teach you Wind Breathing then?"
Shinazugawa's plan was clear. Even though he and Su Chen didn't get along, that didn't stop them from being master and disciple. Besides, any problems would vanish when they had a common enemy. And if Su Chen became his successor, he could secretly watch how Su Chen used his Mark every day. Then, he could use his own talent as a Hashira, train a little, and even the Stone Hashira, Gyoumei, wouldn't be able to beat him.
Shinazugawa grinned. He thought his plan was perfect. He looked at Su Chen, waiting for his reply.
Su Chen put on an expression just like Giyu's. "I really don't know what your simple mind is thinking. When did I say I wanted to secretly learn your Wind Breathing?"
Shinazugawa was stunned. He didn't react. "What did you say?"
"No, nothing." Su Chen waved his hand. His look was full of helplessness. He had only said they could interfere with each other during the match. He never said he wanted to be the Wind Hashira's successor. Why was he being so presumptuous?
Su Chen looked calm. "Actually, you don't need to teach me. Wind Breathing... I can learn that Breathing Style just by watching it once. Isn't it very simple?"
Shinazugawa's brain almost short-circuited. He just kept repeating, "What did you say?!"
The Wind Hashira was clearly rattled. Isn't Wind Breathing simple? What kind of nonsense was Su Chen spouting? If Wind Breathing was really that easy to learn, then why would the Demon Slayer Corps even need trainers?
But the Flame Hashira's next words made Shinazugawa even more confused.
Kyoujurou loudly declared, "It's true! Mr. Su Chen learned all of Flame Breathing just by watching me do it once yesterday! Not only that, he also improved my Breathing Style! This improvement cured my leg, and he also created a new 'Breath of Flame' based on the original 'Breath of Fire'!"
Hiss!
Shinazugawa's brain felt like it was shrinking. He asked again, just to be sure, "Are you sure you're using the right word for 'Flame'?"
Kyoujurou nodded firmly. "I am!"
Shinazugawa scoffed. He didn't know how Su Chen tricked the Flame Hashira, but this was impossible.
Deriving a new Breathing Style was normal. But deriving one on your first try? That was outrageous! And Kyoujurou said this new 'Breath of Flame' was better than the original 'Breath of Fire'? That was just spouting nonsense. 'Breath of Fire' (Flame Breathing) was one of the five main Breathing Styles! Claiming it could be improved was like saying the original style had problems. And Su Chen discovered it? Impossible.
Anyway, Shinazugawa wouldn't believe it until he saw it himself.
Shinazugawa turned back to Su Chen. His words were even crazier. Learn my Wind Breathing just by watching once? How did he think he became the Wind Hashira? What did he take him for?
Shinazugawa put on an arrogant expression and roared, "Let's start! Let's start! I'm going to turn the tables now! What was the last round again?" he asked, looking at Kochou Shinobu.
Kochou Shinobu smiled slightly. "It's rehabilitation training."
"Rehabilitation training?" Shinazugawa was stunned. He looked thoughtful.
Su Chen saw right through him. This guy definitely didn't understand.
So Su Chen said, "Shinazugawa, did you not understand? You don't even know what rehabilitation training is, do you?"
Shinazugawa glared. "What's it to you! My wounds pretty much heal in half a day. Who needs rehabilitation training? My body's too tough to even know what that is!"
Too arrogant. Su Chen's eyes narrowed. It seemed that having Marechi blood really let him do whatever he wanted. He had underestimated Shinazugawa's physical abilities. He thought he could already compete with him, but he had been too simple. Based on the Infinity Castle battle, Shinazugawa's strength was in the upper tier of the Hashira. If Su Chen underestimated him, he might lose badly tomorrow.
"Let me explain."
At this moment, Kochou Shinobu gracefully walked out. She had a sweet smile as she stood between them.
"Next is the introduction to rehabilitation training. Everyone, listen carefully! Our Butterfly Mansion's training is divided into joint stretching, recovery of reaction ability, and a 'cat-and-mouse game' for full-body exercise. This final round requires everyone to take our newly recovered patients and help them regain their physical functions. You get one point for each patient you successfully train."
"Then what about Su Chen's three hundred-odd points?" Shinazugawa shouted. "There aren't three hundred patients in this Butterfly Mansion! Weren't you going to change the rules? Then change that!"
Su Chen smiled faintly. "It seems Mr. Shinazugawa has a lot of opinions about my score. But that's fine. Since I proposed the rule change, I'll definitely give you a chance. Otherwise, with you trailing by three hundred points, even if we added all the dogs in the Butterfly Mansion, it wouldn't be enough for you to train."
"What did you say?!" Shinazugawa looked ready to explode.
Shinobu stopped him. "Alright, alright, Mr. Shinazugawa. This is the Butterfly Mansion. If you want to settle this, do it during the match."
Shinazugawa glared at Su Chen but gave up. The anger was so stifling it made his chest hurt. He would definitely find a way to vent later.
Seeing Shinazugawa back down, Shinobu sighed in relief. Her gaze toward Su Chen, however, seemed to hold a hint of resentment. It was as if she was saying, "This is all your fault! Say one more word, and I'll throw you out!"
But Su Chen acted like he didn't notice. His eyes softened, and he gave her a warm smile.
Shinobu's face immediately turned red. Her heart skipped.
In this staring contest, she lost completely.