The days that followed were pretty much the same. Ryuji would learn swordsmanship and sword techniques from Sakonji Urokodaki every day, while Tanjiro would do his physical strengthening exercises on the side. At mealtimes, Tanjiro would go to the designated place to catch fresh fish.
Tanjiro's mandatory nightly exercise was to run back to the wooden house from Mount Fujikasane.
Although this exercise didn't seem very difficult, according to Tanjiro's own description, Sakonji Urokodaki had set up many traps on the mountain.
Moreover, the locations of the traps changed every day, and as Tanjiro became more adept at navigating them, the nature of the traps gradually changed. From simply restraining him, they became attempts to kill him.
Tanjiro also gradually progressed from only being able to clean up the remains of Ryuji and Sakonji Urokodaki's dinner when he returned, to being able to eat a few mouthfuls of leftover soup and rice, then returning before dinner was halfway through, and finally, returning to the wooden house before dinner preparations even began.
Every night, Tanjiro had the habit of talking to Nezuko and writing in his diary. Ryuji would lie in his sleeping spot, staring at the ceiling.
After Tanjiro could avoid all the traps, he also began to formally learn the basics of swordsmanship—swinging the sword.
As Tanjiro grew, he needed to learn more and more. Ryuji, on the other hand, was still exploring swordsmanship and the Ten Forms of Water Breathing that the old man had taught him.
Compared to Tanjiro, Ryuji had much less to learn. For example, Ryuji didn't need to practice the physical training that Tanjiro had to do every day.
During this long period, Tanjiro's sister, Nezuko, remained unconscious. Sakonji Urokodaki couldn't provide a reasonable explanation for why she was always unconscious.
Half a year later, Sakonji Urokodaki finally formally taught Tanjiro the secrets and essence of Water Breathing.
"Tanjiro, today I'm going to teach you Water Breathing. You have to listen carefully!" Sakonji Urokodaki said to Tanjiro with a very serious expression.
"Yes, Master!" Tanjiro immediately became serious.
Ryuji stood quietly beside Tanjiro, not saying anything.
"Breathing is about consciously breathing for a long time, allowing oxygen to reach every cell in your body. This can improve your body's natural healing ability, as well as your strength and reaction speed. This breathing is called Total Concentration Breathing!"
"Water Breathing is based on Total Concentration Breathing. You maintain a specific frequency of breathing. At that specific frequency, you'll generate the rhythm of water. This is Water Breathing. Other breathing styles are the same, each with its own rhythm."
—"Tanjiro, now relax your upper body, stabilize your lower body, and start breathing."
Sakonji Urokodaki changed his tone and said to Tanjiro.
Hearing this, Tanjiro began to try breathing according to Sakonji Urokodaki's instructions.
After just one breath, Tanjiro's expression became painful, and he let out a cry.
Looking over, it turned out that Sakonji Urokodaki had slapped Tanjiro's abdomen.
"No, Total Concentration Breathing must be powered by your dantian. You must inhale oxygen through your dantian, not just your nose. Your nose is only the passageway for oxygen to flow in."
"Try again. Sink your breath into your dantian, and use your dantian to spread oxygen to every cell in your body."
"Yes, Master!" Tanjiro responded again and tried again.
"Ah, ah, ah…"
What followed was Tanjiro's cries of failure as he tried again and again.
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