Demon Slayer : Breath of The Forest

Two months after Shinichi awoke.

"Forest Breathing, First Form: Iron Birch Slash!"

The green slash from Shinichi's wooden sword surged toward The Martial Demon with overwhelming force, an illusory iron birch tree seemingly barring the demon's path.

Yet The Martial Demon showed no intention of dodging, his golden eyes flashing with appreciation.

Suddenly raising both arms in an L-shaped stance, he pivoted sideways and roared.

"Blood Martial Art: Shield Form - Black Tortoise!"

A dense crimson aura erupted from The 'Martial' Demon's hands as a mist of blood instantly formed a massive scarlet shield engraved with a ferocious Black Tortoise pattern on its flank.

BOOM!!

The green slash collided with the tortoise shield, producing an ear-splitting explosion.

Shinichi's eyes flashed like lightning as he swiftly rotated his wooden sword to a new angle.

"Forest Breathing, Third Form: Thorn Stab!"

The explosive acceleration allowed Shinichi to close the distance in mere fractions of a second, his wooden sword transforming into a streak of emerald light that artfully bypassed the demon's shield, thrusting directly toward his face.

Against any ordinary opponent, this strike would have been unavoidable.

But this was The Martial Demon - the first and only demon Shokyu had transformed centuries ago.

Even as a human, The Martial' Demon had been a renowned martial fanatic, undefeated across the nation.

After becoming a demon, he had refined his combat skills to perfection.

His Blood Martial Art was an advanced Blood Demon Art developed from his foundational fighting techniques.

"Blood Martial Art: Body Form - Halting Palm!"

As the wooden blade neared his face, The 'Martial Demon calmly barked commands.

Crimson light enveloped his palm as it bent his wrist and thrust forward.

Thud!

A soft impact sent Shinichi stumbling backward uncontrollably until he regained balance.

"Little one, spare me these basic techniques" The Martial Demon said impassively.

"I've crossed blades with Shunichi Moriki countless times. My understanding of Forest Breathing rivals your own. If you wish to defeat me, show me your true capabilities."

Every form and variation of Forest Breathing was familiar to the demon - at least the first ten forms.

The ultimate secret technique of Forest Breathing remained theoretical even to its creator Shunichi Moriki, who had never fully developed it.

Seeing the anticipation in The Martial' Demon's eyes, Shinichi understood the demon wanted to face his demonized state.

But glancing around at Shokyu territory, he worried their full-powered clash might destroy the property.

"Then let's try something different" Shinichi declared, walking to retrieve a shorter wooden sword from the rack.

Crossing both blades before him in a new stance.

The demon's eyes dimmed with disappointment at the twin-sword posture.

He longed to battle Shinichi's crimson-flaming demon form.

Just like his duels with that showoff Shunichi Moriki, who always excused his losses by claiming he hadn't fully unleashed his demonic power.

As it turned out, Shunichi Moriki died before The 'Martial Demon could face his so-called strongest demonized form, which became a lasting regret for the martial demon.

"Twin blades? Kid, don't take this the wrong way, but your dual-sword style carries traces of Miyamoto Musashi, doesn't it? Heh, I've actually crossed swords with that Sword fanatic myself. For a human, he was indeed strong—but compared to me, he still fell far short." The Martial Demon chuckled.

But Shinichi didnt pay attention to him.

Gripping his twin blades tightly, the emerald-green light in his left eye shined brilliantly.

"Enough talk. Come! Forest Breathing—Thirteenth Form: Wolf Soul!!"

Awooo!!

A spectral green wolf materialized before The Martial Demon in an instant, its fierce green eyes locking onto him with malice.

"Heh, you're still a brat." The Martial Demon smirked, then took a step back, hands poised as if gripping an invisible weapon.

His golden eyes gleamed. "Blood Art—Spear Technique: Crimson Dragon!"

Crimson mist erupted from both his hands, swiftly coalescing into a blood-red spear.

The weapon seemed adorned with coiling dragon patterns.

BOOM!!

Shinichi lunged forward and the emerald wolf surged with a howl.

The Martial Demon raised his spear, baring his fangs as a draconic roar erupted from him.

Thick scarlet energy swirled around him, forming a massive crimson dragon that snarled and clashed with the emerald wolf.

BOOM!!!

Outside, the earth trembled violently.

Inside the room, Shokyu sat calmly at the table, meticulously reviewing the book in his hands, occasionally adjusting the gold-rimmed glasses on his nose.

One hand held a steel pen, jotting notes in a notebook from time to time.

But the relentless dragon roars and wolf howls outside eventually get on his nerves.

Eventually, he raised a hand, his black claws piercing his own eardrums to seek a moment of silence.

Yet, this respite was fleeting—his demonic regenerative abilities restored his eardrums within moments.

Rubbing his temples in frustration, he muttered.

"Those two… I should really separate them soon. At this rate, I'll go mad. Though, come to think of it, it's been nearly two months already."

With that thought, Shokyu walked to the experimental corner of the room and retrieved a glass vial containing Shinichi's blood.

Over this period, he had studied it extensively, yet many questions remained unanswered.

Like Shunichi Moriki blood before him, Shinichi originated from Muzan—yet unlike other demons, it bore no subservient nature.

This puzzled Shokyu greatly.

However, it seemed someone else might hold the key to this mystery.

Tamayo!

At the thought of that female demon who had broken free from Muzan control, a flicker of admiration—even shame—crossed Shokyu's eyes.

His trip to Tokyo had left him humbled, his millennia of research paled in comparison to that woman achievements.

After a moment's contemplation, Shukyu picked up his pen and began drafting a letter—to Tamayo.

Aside from their own circle, she might be the first to learn Shinichi was still alive, as Shokyu had established communication with her.

Though, of course, their exchanges remained strictly academic.

Shokyu had always been extremely interested in what Tamayo was researching, but she had never revealed even a fraction of her work.

In fact, Shokyu hadn't told anyone about his own research either—even The Martial Demon only had a vague idea that he was working on something targeting Muzan.

After finishing a letter, the commotion outside gradually quieted down.

It seemed the sparring match between The 'Martial Demon and Shinichi was coming to an end.

Shokyu let out a relieved sigh.

During this period, not only had The 'Martial Demon been acting as Shinichi's training partner to hone his combat skills and physique, but Shokyu himself had also been busy.

His main focus had been on restoring Shinichi's body and conducting bloodline experiments.

All in all, the critically injured Shinichi from back then could now be considered to have turned misfortune into blessing.

His bloodline had undergone further enhancement.

Shokyu had not only integrated the blood left behind by Shunichi Moriki into Shinichi's body but had even boldly infused traces of The 'Martial Demon's and his own bloodline into Shinichi as well.

This had forged what could be called an entirely new body for Shinichi.

If Shinichi were to activate the third stage of Raging Blood now, given his current strength he would likely only feel slightly uncomfortable.

"It's about time. I imagine you're quite eager to return to your own life" Shokyu murmured as he stepped out of the room, gazing at Shinichi sitting amidst the wreckage of the nearby courtyard.

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