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Nojiko and Tashigi opened their eyes wide, watching Tanjiro Kamado's movements carefully.
For Nojiko, this was her only chance to study Tanjiro Kamado as he demonstrated the sword techniques she would need to challenge.
For Tashigi, she had been completely captivated by the exquisite swordsmanship of Water Breathing.
Not only Tashigi, but even Miss Hina, who had never wielded a sword herself, was impressed by the Water Breathing techniques.
"Although these aren't overwhelmingly powerful sword techniques, each move seems perfectly suited for its specific situation," Miss Hina remarked, exhaling a puff of white smoke. "If mastered skillfully, one could become quite a formidable swordsman."
"Amazing!" Tashigi exclaimed.
"I want to compare it with my swordsmanship style."
"Also, the Water Breathing techniques are far more sophisticated."
"And how on earth does he make the water dance when he performs these sword skills?"
"Isn't this actually a Devil Fruit ability?"
Taking advantage of Tanjiro Kamado's brief pause after performing the Ninth Form of Water Breathing, Tashigi was finally able to catch her breath.
"It's not a Devil Fruit ability," Ikki explained.
"When Water Breathing is utilized properly, it automatically transforms the Life Force within the body into soft yet resilient water flow."
Ikki casually took hold of his Zangetsu, and as he employed Water Breathing, a surge of water immediately flowed along the Zangetsu blade.
Observing the water flowing along Zangetsu from such close proximity, Tashigi was once again amazed.
But soon her attention was drawn to Tanjiro Kamado's voice coming from the arena.
"Water Breathing, Tenth Form: Constant Flux!"
Roar!
As he finished speaking, a dragon's roar suddenly echoed around Tanjiro Kamado.
To the astonishment of Tashigi and the others, the water surrounding Tanjiro's sword surged wildly and eventually formed into a water dragon.
The water dragon twisted and coiled in response to Tanjiro's movements.
With each rotation Tanjiro and the water dragon completed, the slash concealed beneath the water dragon grew more powerful.
In an instant, most of the center of the arena was engulfed by water dragons and cascading waves.
"So... so powerful!"
"This technique is incredible!"
Tashigi clutched the long sword in her hand excitedly, her eyes fixed on Tanjiro Kamado's every movement.
Standing outside the arena, she could clearly observe every motion and every twist of Tanjiro's sword.
Tashigi didn't want to miss a single moment of this masterful display of swordsmanship.
'So powerful! Can I really win using just the Third Form of Water Breathing?' Nojiko frowned, feeling a touch of uneasiness in her heart.
'No, how could I think such a thing.'
'My basic speed and strength are obviously much higher than the current Tanjiro Kamado.'
'If I were to lose in this situation, Captain Ikki would be very disappointed.'
Nojiko shook her head and looked at Ikki with determination.
'I must win!'
Miss Hina frowned slightly, placed her hand on Ikki's shoulder, and asked:
"Hey, Ikki, has Nojiko over there mastered the Ten Forms of Water Breathing?"
With her understanding of Tashigi, Miss Hina did not believe that Tashigi would lose to Nojiko.
But after watching Tanjiro Kamado demonstrate all ten forms of Water Breathing, she had become uncertain.
"As you know, Nojiko's training time has been relatively short," Ikki explained with a smile.
"Currently, she has only mastered the Third Form of Water Breathing, 'Flowing Dance.'"
"Is that so? I hope you won't deceive Hina," she replied skeptically.
"Don't worry, I would never lie to you, Miss Hina."
Miss Hina's eyes narrowed slightly. She couldn't shake the feeling that Ikki was hiding something from her.
Just as she was about to inquire further, Tashigi's exclamation drew her attention.
"Fire?! How did the water dragon transform into a fire dragon?"
"Is this also Water Breathing?"
Tashigi's eyes widened in confusion as she looked toward Ikki.
Even Nojiko gazed at Ikki with the same bewilderment.
Miss Hina frowned and looked toward the arena.
She saw that the water dragon guided by Tanjiro Kamado had transformed into a dragon of fire.
The blazing flames appeared as though they might break through the arena's isolation glass at any moment and set the entire Sword Room ablaze.
"That's no longer a Water Breathing technique," Ikki explained.
"It's Hinokami Kagura, the power of Sun Breathing."
"The boy in the arena is now forcibly changing his breathing method to Sun Breathing while using the Tenth Form of Water Breathing."
"That's why the water dragon has transformed into a fire dragon."
"However, forcibly changing sword forms like this takes a tremendous toll on the body."
"If your physical strength isn't sufficient, the moment you stop, you may never rise again."
"Of course, the young man inside is a virtual swordsman created by my ability, so he won't collapse."
Ikki smiled and turned to look at Nojiko.
His words weren't simply an explanation but a warning to Nojiko not to forcefully switch between the two breathing methods after she mastered both Water Breathing and Hinokami Kagura.
"Hinokami Kagura, Sun Breathing?"
"Though I don't know exactly what kind of power this is, it seems more formidable than the so-called Water Breathing."
Miss Hina extinguished her finished cigarette, took out another, and brought it to her lips.
Seeing this, Ikki raised his left hand toward Miss Hina, utilizing Sun Breathing as he snapped his fingers.
A flame ignited at his fingertip.
Looking at the flame before her—identical to those surrounding Tanjiro Kamado in the center of the arena—Miss Hina raised her eyebrows, leaned forward, and used the flame on Ikki's fingertip to light her cigarette.
"Hina likes convenient abilities. Ikki, could you teach me?"
Hearing this, Ikki smiled and replied:
"Not everyone is suited for my swordsmanship techniques."
"That said, if Miss Hina could help me acquire some famous swords..."
"I could provide Miss Hina with some guidance, if you are interested in learning swordsmanship."