章 17: Chapter 17
I woke up to the sound of roosters crowing and the smell of miso soup simmering on the hearth. Stretching my arms, I yawned and glanced around the cozy little room the old woman had provided.
No sign of Fuyume. Guess he's off doing his owl thing, I thought, shrugging. Probably hunting for breakfast or plotting world domination. You never know with these intelligent birds.
I quickly got dressed, throwing on the undershirt and hanten the monks had given me. The old woman had been kind enough to dry them after yesterday's downpour.
After thanking the old woman for her hospitality and promising to send her a postcard from Mount Kōri (if they even had postcards in this era), I set off on my journey once again.
The path wound its way through rolling hills and picturesque villages, each one more charming than the last. But as I ventured deeper into the mountains, the landscape grew harsher, the air thinner, and the sense of isolation more profound.
Finally, after a few days of travel (and a close encounter with a particularly grumpy bear), I reached my destination. A towering peak, its summit shrouded in mist, loomed before me.
"Well, this looks promising," I muttered, gazing up at the imposing mountain. "Time to see if this Black Lightning thing is all it's cracked up to be."
I found a secluded spot near the base of the mountain, surrounded by towering trees. The air was crisp and clean, the perfect environment for some serious training.
I drew my Odachi, its black blade gleaming in the sunlight. Alright, Akio, time to channel your inner Pikachu, I thought, taking a deep breath.
I started with the basics, swinging my Odachi in a series of controlled arcs. I focused on my breathing, trying to replicate the sensation I had felt during the battle with Zankuro.
But nothing happened.
No crackling energy, no black lightning, no sudden bursts of power. Just me, swinging a really big sword and getting increasingly sweaty.
"Come on, Akio," I muttered, frustration creeping into my voice. "You did it once. You can do it again."
I tried everything. I swung faster, I breathed deeper, I even attempted a few interpretive dance moves (don't ask). But the black lightning remained elusive.
"Maybe it was a fluke," I groaned, collapsing onto the ground. "A one-time glitch in the matrix. Or maybe I just got lucky that night."
I stared up at the sky, feeling a wave of disappointment wash over me. Had I imagined the whole thing? Was Black Lightning just a figment of my overactive imagination?
"Alright, Akio," I said to myself, pushing myself back to my feet. "Time to get serious. No more goofing off, no more half-hearted attempts. We're gonna crack this code, even if it kills us."
Three days.
Three days of swinging my Odachi until my arms felt like they were about to fall off. Three days of panting, sweating, and cursing the mountain air for being so damn thin.
And three days of absolutely zero progress.
"Seriously, what am I doing wrong?" I groaned, collapsing onto a conveniently placed rock. "I've tried everything! I've swung this thing every which way, breathed like I'm trying to inflate a hot air balloon, I even breathing style of Darth Vader, But no black lightning. Nada. Zilch."
I glared at my Odachi, as if it was personally responsible for my lack of progress. "Come on, you oversized paperweight," I muttered. "Show me what you've got!"
But the blade remained stubbornly silent, its black surface reflecting only my own frustrated expression.
Maybe I need a different approach, I thought, pulling out my trusty notebook. Time to go back to the drawing board.
I flipped through the pages, my eyes scanning the scribbled notes and diagrams. I had meticulously documented every detail of my training, every failed attempt, every fleeting glimpse of that elusive black lightning.
And then, it hit me.
Breathing pattern.
In my eagerness to replicate the physical movements that had triggered the black lightning, I had neglected the most crucial element of any breathing technique: the breath itself.
Idiot, I scolded myself. Of course it's about the breathing! That's the whole point of this whole 'breathing style' thing.
I took a deep breath, focusing on the rhythm of my lungs, the rise and fall of my chest. I experimented with different patterns, trying to find one that resonated with the energy I had felt before.
Inhale, hold, exhale sharply. Inhale deeply, exhale slowly. Inhale, exhale, inhale, exhale.
Nothing.
Okay, maybe I need to get more creative.
I tried panting like a dog, hissing like a snake, even roaring like a bear (which probably scared the local wildlife half to death).
Still nothing.
Just as I was about to give up and resign myself to a life of regular, non-electrified demon slaying, a familiar weight landed on my shoulder.
"Fuyume!" I exclaimed, looking up at my trusty eagle owl companion. "Where have you been, buddy? I could use some of your wise words right about now."
Fuyume hooted softly, his golden eyes gleaming with amusement. Then, in his usual deep, masculine voice, he said, "Your efforts have not gone unnoticed, Akio. Your actions during the Final Selection have disrupted the natural order, leading to an unusually high survival rate among the candidates."
I blinked, confused. "Wait, what? How did I disrupt anything? I just killed a bunch of demons."
Fuyume ruffled his feathers, a hint of pride in his voice. "The demon you defeated, Zankuro, was on the cusp of becoming a Lower-Rank demon. His elimination has significantly weakened Muzan's forces in this region."
Muzan? Lower-Rank demon? I racked my brain, trying to remember the details from the anime. Oh, right. That's the big baddie, the king of the demons. And Lower-Ranks are like his... elite minions or something.
"So, basically, I messed up the demon boss's plans?" I asked, a grin spreading across my face. "Awesome!"
Fuyume nodded. "Indeed. And as a result, you have been granted a promotion. You are now officially a Tsuchinoto-rank Demon Slayer."
I stared at him, my jaw hanging open. "Wait, what? I got promoted? Just like that?"
Fuyume tilted his head, his expression unreadable. "Your skills and potential are undeniable, Akio. And your actions have already made a significant impact in the fight against demons."
I couldn't help but laugh. "Well, I guess I can't argue with that. Tsuchinoto, huh? Sounds pretty fancy. Too bad it doesn't come with a pay raise."
Fuyume simply hooted in response.
"Figures," I muttered, shaking my head. "Guess I'll have to stick to my ramen-shop side hustle for now."
With a renewed sense of purpose (and a slightly inflated ego), I decided to give my Black Lightning training another shot. After all, a promotion deserves a celebration, and what better way to celebrate than by electrocuting some unsuspecting trees?
I returned to my secluded training spot, the waterfall roaring in the background like a cheering crowd. I took a deep breath, focusing on the rhythm Fuyume had described.
Inhale, short, sharp. Exhale, quick, forceful. Repeat.
It felt unnatural at first, like trying to breathe through a straw while running a marathon. But I kept at it, my body moving in sync with the staccato rhythm of my breath.
I swung my Odachi, the air around me buzzing with anticipation. And then...
A jagged bolt of black lightning arced across the blade, its power electrifying the air. The ground beneath my feet trembled, and the nearby trees shuddered as if struck by a sudden gust of wind.
Zzzt-kraaaak!
"Holy crap!" I exclaimed, my eyes wide with a mix of awe and terror. "Did I just do that?"
I swung again, this time with more control, focusing my intent on the nearby boulder. With a swift horizontal slash, the black lightning crackled along the blade, its power extending beyond the physical edge. The strike connected, and a shockwave of pure energy rippled outwards, shattering the rock into countless fragments. A deafening Zzzt-kraaaak! echoed through the air, the raw power of the black lightning leaving a smoking crater in its wake.
"First Form: Black Flash Slice!" I declared, my voice echoing through the mountains.
I grinned, my heart pounding with exhilaration. I had done it. I had created a new form, a fusion of Kinetic Breathing and the raw power of black lightning.
Fuyume hooted in approval, his golden eyes gleaming with pride. Then, without a word, he took flight, soaring into the darkening sky.
"See ya later, buddy!" I called out, waving goodbye. "Don't get into too much trouble without me!"
(To be Continued…)
Akio leans back, a playful grin on his face. "Hey, Over9000words, where'd you disappear off to for the past four days? Did you get lost in a time vortex or something?"
Over9000words' voice sounds unusually somber. "Busy."
Akio's grin falters, a hint of concern creeping into his voice. "That's it? Just 'busy'? You good, man?"
Over9000words sighs heavily. "I was... working on the plot for the next book. And by the way, congratulations on creating the Black Lightning Breathing: First Form. It's pretty badass."
Akio raises an eyebrow, a sly smile playing on his lips. "Whoa, hold on there. Next book? Aren't we still in the middle of this one? I haven't even had my official mission as a Tsuchinoto!"
Over9000words shakes their head, but their voice remains subdued. "No, no. The next book is a sequel, set after this one. I'm not going to reveal anything about it yet, though. Spoilers, you know."
Akio crosses his arms, a frown forming on his face. "Why are you even working on the next book before finishing this one? Are you trying to kill me in the next chapter??"
Over9000words lets out a tired sigh. "I just got this amazing idea, and I didn't want to forget it. So, I started jotting down some notes. It's a writer thing, you wouldn't understand."
Akio and AI-sensei exchange a concerned glance.
AI-sensei speaks up, their voice unusually gentle. "Over9000words, perhaps it would be wise to take a break from your writing and focus on your well-being. Your current demeanor is... atypical, to say the least."
Over9000words waves a dismissive hand. "I'm fine, Sensei. Just a little writer's block, that's all. Nothing a good night's sleep and a few gallons of coffee can't fix."
Akio shakes his head, a fond smile playing on his lips. "Yeah, that's what they all say. Just don't burn yourself out, Over9000words. We need you to finish this story, after all. And who knows, maybe the next book will be even more epic than this one."
Over9000words perks up, a spark of enthusiasm returning to their voice. "You bet it will be, Akio! Just you wait. The sequel's gonna be so awesome, it'll make this one look like a kindergarten play!"
End of Chapter 17
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