Takeo knew it now—without a doubt.
The ghost before him was faster, stronger, and more deadly than either he or the ghost hunter.
It had insane regeneration, supernatural blood arts, and enough raw power to overwhelm them both.
As for Takeo?
He had combat instincts, some basic self-healing…
But that was nothing in comparison.
The ghost hunter beside him had a trained breathing technique—but even he was clearly weaker than the demon. Only one thing in their arsenal had posed any threat:
The hunter's special blade.
It was the only weapon that made the demon hesitate.
But even then… the hunter hadn't been able to land the killing blow.
"What's wrong? Not gonna keep attacking?"
"Fine then..."
The demon sneered. Its reattached arm swung low, slicing toward the floor.
"Then let me go wild!"
From the ground, dozens of droplets suddenly leapt upward, shaping themselves into razor-sharp spikes.
A storm of water-needles!
There was no time to think. Both Takeo and the ghost hunter leapt back, swiping their blades to deflect the deadly barrage. The needles shattered like glass, but even a single graze could be fatal if it struck the wrong spot.
Takeo cursed.
This was no ordinary ghost. This was a walking massacre.
And even with the ghost hunter's mystical blade, they were barely surviving.
But still—they pressed forward.
The hunter slashed again, blade whistling through the air. Takeo circled, seeking openings. Though it was their first time fighting together, a kind of unspoken rhythm had developed between them.
The demon, aware of the danger, avoided the hunter at all costs, relying solely on its ranged water attacks to keep him at bay.
The ghost's body could regenerate.
But its fear of that knife was real.
Still, Takeo's stamina was waning. His self-healing helped, but it couldn't restore his energy or stop the burning in his lungs.
They were running out of time.
"That technique you're using… it's Breathing, isn't it?"
Takeo asked between breaths.
The ghost hunter's eyes widened.
"What?!"
"You're joking! Do you even understand how hard it is to learn a breathing style?!"
"I don't. But unless you have a better way to boost my strength right now—I'm out of options!"
Takeo wasn't being reckless.
He was being realistic.
They wouldn't last until dawn like this.
And even if they did—the boat was at sea. There'd be no sunlight unless they somehow broke the ceiling.
Their only chance was to fight back—and win.
"Fine," the ghost hunter muttered. "I use Wind Breathing. It has nine forms. I'm best at two of them—Second and Fifth."
He spoke quickly, just enough to get Takeo the core principles.
But the demon wasn't about to give them study time.
Another volley of water attacks tore through the air.
Takeo dodged, slashed, gritted his teeth.
He was bleeding now—small cuts opening across his arms and back. He focused on his breath.
Inhale. Exhale. Inhale. Exhale…
He remembered what the ghost hunter had told him: Breathing strengthens the heart and lungs. It floods the blood with oxygen, allowing a human to reach the physical peak required to fight demons head-on.
It was their only equalizer.
The five foundational forms:
—Fire
—Water
—Wind
—Lightning
—Stone
All Demon Slayers began with one.
And among the talented… those forms could evolve.
Takeo didn't need evolution.
He needed survival.
The hunter had only taught him two basic forms. Just two. But even that might be enough.
If he could learn to feel the rhythm…
The demon hissed, circling the warehouse, body coiling like a serpent.
He raised his arm—and struck.
A single blow landed—right in the hunter's gut.
CLANG!
The blade dropped. The hunter stumbled into a pile of crates, breath shallow.
Takeo turned—and saw the demon standing tall, almost laughing.
"What, done already? I was sure I'd have to chase you all the way to the deck! But this is it?"
He grinned wide, fangs dripping.
Takeo didn't reply.
Instead, he breathed.
In.
Out.
In.
The air was cold. Sharp. It cut into his lungs, flowed through his chest, and ignited his muscles.
He felt the shift.
He didn't know how—but the rhythm clicked.
The hunter was down. The demon was ready to kill.
But in that moment—
The wind moved.
Not outside. Not through the trees.
Inside the warehouse.
Invisible currents began swirling around Takeo's blade, gathering like a storm.
The demon's smirk faltered.
FWOOOOOSH—!
Wind Breathing, Second Form: Claw-Claw Harp Wind!
Takeo moved.
His blade slashed once—
Then three more arcs followed, like wind claws, ripping through the air faster than the eye could see.
SHRRRRIP!
Four invisible blades tore into the demon's flesh, raking across its chest and shoulders.
The ghost hunter, watching through blurry eyes, felt his breath catch.
He did it…
He'd just taught the boy Wind Breathing—and he'd used a form in battle.
Author's Note:
A demon's claws. A blade of wind. Kamado Takeo takes his first step into the world of breathing techniques—and lands a blow that shakes the battlefield.