Gusion listened carefully to Jigoro's explanation of the Thunder Breathing theory and the demonstration of each form.
Jigoro really was a good teacher." No wonder he trained such a strong student as Zenitsu. His explanations were simple yet deep, and his demonstrations highlighted the essence of each move.
After three hours, Zenitsu was already being whacked with a cane by Jigoro, practicing the First Form over and over. Gusion, meanwhile, sat cross-legged, eyes closed, pondering the mysteries of Thunder Breathing.
"Grandpa, I really can't do it. If I go to the selection, I'll die! Grandpa, you don't want me to die, right?"
After a while, Zenitsu started to cry again, truly lacking confidence and convinced he'd be eaten by demons in the selection.
"Zenitsu, you must believe in your strength. Grandpa knows your First Form is already perfected. Even if you only know this move, it's enough."
Jigoro spoke earnestly, looking at Zenitsu more like a grandson than a disciple—their bond was obvious.
"But, Grandpa..."
Zenitsu really saw Jigoro as a grandfather, respected him deeply, and didn't want to disappoint him, but he was terrified of death and saw himself as a weakling who only knew one move.
Gusion aside, there was also his second senpai, Kaigaku, who had mastered all forms except the first—a true role model.
He believed only people like Kaigaku were worthy to succeed Jigoro as the next Thunder Pillar, not himself.
Of course, he respected Gusion too, even if he hadn't learned Thunder Breathing yet. To Zenitsu, Gusion was strong.
In his eyes, Gusion was like a mountain, solid and safe. Even without Thunder Breathing, his natural strength made him a formidable person.
And he knew Gusion was always working hard, never slacking off in training—just hadn't found the knack.
"Wait..."
Jigoro interrupted Zenitsu's words, glancing at Gusion. He seemed to sense the aura of Thunder Breathing from Gusion—a certain sign.
"Let's stop here for today, Zenitsu. You can relax a bit and get into shape for the selection."
Jigoro hoped for a quiet environment so Gusion could better comprehend Thunder Breathing, sensing a breakthrough was near.
Zenitsu wanted to complain more, but glancing at Gusion in deep meditation, he held back and quietly left the mountain.
...
Time passed. Gusion sat on the hillside, peach blossoms drifting in the wind. Taking a deep breath, his chest visibly expanded, and a toothy grin broke out as golden lightning flickered around him.
A surge of hot, steam-like gas poured from between his teeth, forming two white dragons that spread out and soared upward.
Zzzzt—Zzzzt—!
A sharp electrical sound crackled around Gusion. Golden currents danced as he stood, feeling his body grow stronger with each breath.
He looked at Jigoro, grinning. "Sensei, I've mastered it."
"Finally... finally!"
Jigoro was thrilled to see the lightning around Gusion. When Gusion had asked to join the selection with Zenitsu days ago, Jigoro still had reservations—but now, all worries faded.
Jigoro had been patient, but to say he wasn't disappointed would be a lie.
That's why, days ago, when Gusion asked again, he agreed, thinking perhaps real battle was what Gusion needed to break through.
But unexpectedly, just days before selection, Gusion finally succeeded. It was a wonderful surprise.
"Thanks to your patient guidance over the years."
Gusion said gratefully. From Zenitsu and Jigoro's words, he guessed his background was someone who'd failed for years to learn.
It made sense—only with Jigoro's patience could he have lasted so long as a disciple.
Sadly, Jigoro's patience and love were partly wasted on a certain ungrateful bastard, who would ultimately cause his death.
"It's enough that you've learned. Now I feel reassured about the selection. You know Zenitsu—while I think his First Form is great, he lacks confidence. Take care of your kouhai."
Jigoro said with relief. He had another disciple, Kaigaku, who passed the selection last year, but Kaigaku was more withdrawn—unlikely to look after the others.
"You can count on me."
Gusion glanced at the sky. The sun was setting. "Zenitsu isn't back yet?"
"That brat, probably lost track of time playing down the mountain again."
Jigoro cursed, but his face was kind.
"I'll go check, and buy ingredients for dinner."
Gusion said. He was a bit worried—if Zenitsu died before the selection, his own mission would fail.
Gusion had noticed a pattern: when a main mission's first phase was extremely easy, the penalty for failure was severe—erasure.
So he had to carefully watch over Zenitsu for the next few days. If a demon from the Muzan faction killed Zenitsu, he'd die in vain.
And it was entirely possible for demons to try and kill Zenitsu now, at his weakest. Given the world's difficulty ceiling, even a second-tier explorer could kill Zenitsu easily. Even a high-level first-tier explorer could do it.
"Alright, I'll make porridge."
Jigoro didn't think much of it, just assumed Gusion wanted to share his joy with Zenitsu.
…
Elsewhere, peach blossoms filled the spring air with fragrance, and Zenitsu, just down the mountain, was temporarily distracted from his fear of the selection by the beautiful scenery. He happily went to the market to buy some snacks to share with his senpai and grandpa.
At the market, he saw some other Demon Slayer trainees chatting and laughing. Curious, he approached to say hello, but as he listened, his face fell.
"Haha, did you hear? The Peach Mountain Squatter is joining the selection this time."
"I was shocked! That Gusion guy is way older than us, right? Been on the mountain ten years and still can't do breathing techniques?"
"So useless? I learned in two years and thought I was weak. That guy's been freeloading for ten years—what a mooch."
"Ha, I bet Lord Jigoro finally lost patience and is cleaning house. Can't just keep feeding a leech forever."
"Yeah, but he's lucky—Jigoro was a Pillar! Such a waste to get his teaching and not learn. If only I could be his disciple!"
"What a waste, squandering Lord Jigoro's guidance..."
Before the buzzcut boy could finish, a yellow blur punched him in the nose. Zenitsu, face angry: "Don't talk about Senpai like that! He's not a loser!"