Even though they were over three hundred points behind Su Chen, it was clear both Hashira had tried very hard.
"Hm?" Kochou Shinobu suddenly murmured. Her gaze landed on the last line of the score sheet.
Inosuke: -9 points!
Shinobu blinked and looked again, her pale purple eyes filled with confusion.
Just then, Kanzaki Aoi walked over. "Lady Shinobu, about that," she said. "Inosuke's injuries healed a little while ago. Kanao and I saw that he healed himself, so we gave him one point."
Shinobu blinked again. For a second, her brain felt like it was shutting down. But she held back her reaction. It didn't matter. One point more or less was irrelevant; his score was still negative. It was just a small comfort for the boar-headed boy.
Shinobu smiled and nodded at Aoi. "Okay, I understand. Aoi, you can rest well after you finish cleaning."
"Yes, Lady Shinobu." Aoi bowed and went to get a broom.
Su Chen glanced out the window. The sun was setting over the mountains. It would be dark in an hour or two.
Even though he had clearly won, Su Chen wasn't satisfied. His main goal wasn't just to solve the Butterfly Mansion's financial problems. He also wanted to learn a Breathing Style from Shinazugawa. He wanted Wind Breathing.
Su Chen had a theory. He wanted to learn all five main Breathing Styles: Water, Flame, Wind, Stone, and Thunder. Everyone knew they were all derived from the original Sun Breathing. But what if he learned all five and then... reversed the process?
Could he create Sun Breathing again? Or maybe, it would be an even more powerful Breathing Style. A style derived this way would combine the best parts of all the others. Its power would definitely surpass the original Sun Breathing.
Besides, Su Chen believed that the Hinokami Kagura that Tanjiro used wasn't perfect Sun Breathing. Yoriichi Tsugikuni was strong because of his own personal power; the Breathing Style was just a way for him to use that strength. Su Chen wanted to use his own knowledge to develop a unique Breathing Style, one that had never existed before.
And to do that, the Wind Breathing that Shinazugawa used was what he needed most right now. He had to find a way to keep this competition going.
Just then, Shinobu called Shinazugawa and Kyoujurou out of the pediatrics department. As soon as they saw her, they knew the competition was over.
Shinazugawa excitedly ran out and snatched the score sheet from Kanao. "Let me see! How many points did I beat Su Chen by this time?!"
Shinazugawa's gaze sharpened. When he saw Su Chen's score—198 points—his eyes widened. It was impossible to miss. How?!
Shinazugawa felt like he was suffocating. He had never felt this way before, this feeling of being completely unable to catch up.
Kochou Shinobu walked over with her usual smile. "Mr. Shinazugawa, it looks like we won't need a third round."
Kyoujurou walked over and glanced at the score sheet in Shinazugawa's hand. "It seems so!" he said admiringly. "Mr. Su Chen is as amazing as ever!"
Shinazugawa crushed the paper in his hand. His breathing became heavy. How could he possibly win with a 300-point difference? Was he really going to lose his bet just like that? My o-hagi!
He clenched his fist, staring hard at Shinobu. "Isn't there still a third round?" he said slowly. "I haven't lost yet. Let's do one more!"
Shinobu looked at Su Chen. Su Chen nodded.
"Then..." Shinobu began.
"Wait a moment," Su Chen interrupted. "I think we should change the rules for the next competition."
Hearing this, Shinobu blinked, looking puzzled. Logically, Su Chen had already won. Why would he change things? She didn't ask, but just looked at him with a smile.
Su Chen looked at everyone. "For the third round, we will focus on rehabilitation training. Each of us will design a training session for the patients. The winner will be decided by the number of positive reviews." He paused, then added the most important part. "Also, contestants can interfere with their opponents. And... we can use our Breathing Styles."
Shinazugawa grunted. "Hmm?" What trick was this kid playing? He already had a huge lead. Why change the rules? Did he really think he could win if the Wind Hashira was allowed to use his Breathing Style? Shinazugawa didn't object. Instead, he actually started to think about it.
Beside him, the Flame Hashira looked excited. Su Chen's words meant he might get to see him use Flame Breathing! This way, he could openly learn from him! Kyoujurou decided he would have to pay very close attention.
Everyone was quiet for a moment. The Flame Hashira said he had no problem.
Shinobu, however, looked worried. "Mr. Su Chen, are you sure?" she asked, her voice quiet. "Your opponents are Hashira. If interference is allowed, they could just... stop you from finishing. If you can't complete the round, you'd be eliminated. Your previous scores wouldn't count."
Shinazugawa froze. Then, a slow grin spread across his face. He realized what she meant. That's right! He could just stop Su Chen from ever finishing the third round! That would be the same as Su Chen forfeiting! Why didn't I think of that?
Shinazugawa let out a stupid-sounding chuckle, his eyes filling with confidence.
Shinobu leaned in and whispered to Su Chen. "Mr. Su Chen, I know what you're thinking. If you want to learn a Breathing Style, I can have someone teach you secretly. Wind Breathing... Mr. Shinazugawa isn't the only one who knows it."
"What?!" Shinazugawa's voice suddenly boomed. "You want to secretly learn my Wind Breathing with him in a room?" His tone was full of shock.
He was the Wind Hashira; of course his hearing was strong. Shinobu's quiet scheming didn't escape him.
The moment he spoke, Shinobu's smile froze on her face. Her hands clenched tightly onto Su Chen's sleeve. Her gaze toward Shinazugawa was now filled with a dark, angry smile.
Su Chen just smiled and shook his head. Shinazugawa was really... a very straightforward man. Who hears a girl whisper and then shouts what they said? So loudly, too! He probably didn't mean any harm, but he gave the Insect Hashira no face at all. Su Chen wondered how this man ever had the nerve to pursue Shinobu's sister, Kanae. His emotional intelligence was just terrible.
Looking at Shinobu, whose face was practically twitching with anger, Su Chen gently took her hand.