Kyojuro Rengoku wasn't just a user of Flame Breathing—he was Flame Breathing. His understanding of combat and his unwavering will burned as brightly as the flames he wielded.
To truly integrate the profound mysteries of Flame Breathing, Lucas had to do more than mimic techniques. He had to let go of his reliance on other styles and completely surrender himself to the scorching essence of fire.
It was painful.
The fusion process dragged on, longer and more agonizing than either Rock or Thunder Breathing had been. The flames inside him consumed everything—his fear, his hesitation, his identity—until all that remained was the will to endure and rise from the ashes.
And then… something clicked.
Lucas finally understood the essence of Flame Breathing.
It wasn't just about destruction.
It was about rebirth.
A cycle where old strength was burned away so that something new and greater could be forged in its place. Destruction and regeneration, locked together like an eternal dance.
With that realization, Lucas stopped resisting and let the flames consume him entirely.
His body shuddered, his breathing slowed, and his soul merged with the power of fire.
When the fusion completed, Lucas opened his eyes slowly. A faint flicker of flame danced within his pupils.
He exhaled deeply, a glowing mist escaping from his lips.
"Hoo—refreshing!"
Though the process had been brutal—far worse than what he endured during the Rock Breathing integration—the aftermath was incredibly revitalizing.
Now, Lucas could feel the burning power constantly flowing through his veins. A moment ago, it had felt like a torment he could barely survive. But now, it had become a docile flame, ever-present, never wavering.
Lucas stood up, stretched his arms, and reached for his nichirin blade, lying beside him.
Taking a deep breath, he began channeling the Flame Breathing energy through his body and into the sword.
The blade, which had previously glowed with the golden hue of Thunder Breathing, began to change.
Bit by bit, the yellow light faded, replaced by a deep crimson aura. The glow grew brighter and hotter, until the entire blade seemed engulfed in fire. The dancing flames reflected in Lucas's eyes, mirroring his inner transformation.
This was the difference between the breathings.
Thunder Breathing was fast and explosive—like lightning crashing down in an instant.
Flame Breathing, on the other hand, was powerful, relentless, and continuous—like an inferno that consumed all in its path.
Two very different forces.
Yet as Lucas focused, he felt something unexpected.
A connection.
Flame Breathing's power didn't just exist alongside Thunder Breathing—it resonated with it. The two weren't clashing as he'd feared. They were circling each other, seeking balance.
"Could these two be merged…?" he muttered. "A Thunder-Flame Breathing Technique?"
The idea seemed crazy. As far as he knew, no swordsman had ever attempted to merge two breathing styles. But Lucas had done many things no one had ever done before. Who was to say it couldn't work?
His heart raced with excitement at the thought. But now wasn't the time.
Refocusing, Lucas began experimenting with the transformed blade.
He swung it gently in front of him, and crimson arcs of heat followed the motion, leaving trails in the air like the afterimage of a flame.
He could feel the raw energy coursing through each slash. The air around the blade shimmered with heat, and the sheer warmth of his strikes could scorch skin—maybe even ignite the battlefield itself.
If he'd had this kind of power during his fight with Shinazugawa, there was no way the Wind Pillar would've dared to casually block his attacks.
Having now integrated both Flame and Rock Breathing, Lucas felt like his body had undergone a total metamorphosis.
His realm was on the brink of a breakthrough.
He could feel it—like a thin film separating him from the next level. One final push and it would burst, propelling him forward.
Even if he didn't continue tonight, that barrier would soon break.
Integrating each breathing form always advanced his realm to some degree, though the improvement depended on the strength of the technique and the person from whom it was acquired.
For example, syncing with Tanjirou or Zenitsu again now probably wouldn't bring much of a boost. But integrating breathings obtained from the Pillars?
That was different.
With them, Lucas didn't just gain a new skill—his entire being evolved.
"Next!"
[Do you wish to integrate: Wind Breathing Sixth Form – Black Wind Smoke Haze (Mastered)?]
[Yes]
After enduring the intense pain of Flame and Rock Breathing, Lucas braced himself once more.
But this time, something surprising happened.
No pain came.
The Wind Breathing energy flowed into him like a breeze rustling through leaves. It didn't invade or overwhelm—it danced.
It swirled within him softly, gracefully, like willow branches in the wind.
Lucas blinked in surprise. Was this really a breathing technique?
It felt more like nature itself whispering through his body.
As the fusion progressed, Lucas felt his limbs becoming lighter and more flexible. The stone-heavy sensation from Rock Breathing slowly faded. His movements became fluid, effortless.
Each breath felt like he was pulling the wind into his lungs, guiding the currents around him.
He could even feel small fluctuations in the surrounding air with incredible clarity.
The fusion deepened, and Lucas surrendered himself to the vortex of wind forming within.
It was then—when he truly let go—that something remarkable happened.
A sudden flash surged through him.
Not physically. Spiritually.
A familiar but overwhelming feeling washed over him, as though some invisible force had reached into his soul and gently pushed him forward.
His mind snapped into focus.
"…My realm—it's breaking through?"
Lucas's eyes widened.
That invisible barrier he had sensed before?
Gone.
He hadn't even done anything. Wind Breathing's integration had simply unlocked it, freeing his inner world with the lightness of a breeze.
From previous experience, realm breakthroughs were usually painful. They came with struggle, as if clawing your way through yourself.
But this time, it was different.
There was no pain. No pressure.
Only release.
Freedom.
Wind Breathing had given him a new perspective. A new understanding of flow, rhythm, and harmony.
And that was enough to elevate him.
When the realm breakthrough settled, the fusion of Wind Breathing completed as well.
Lucas took another breath, now fully in tune with his new strength. He was about to rise to test his agility when—
His consciousness faltered.
The world spun.
And then…
He saw lights.
Faint at first, but quickly growing stronger—five lights, swirling inside his mind's eye.
Lucas stared at them, stunned.
Each light pulsed with energy, circling in a slow, steady rhythm like planets orbiting a star.
He could feel his realm continuing to improve—even though it had just broken through. It wasn't stopping.
Though he had just stepped into E-rank, Lucas sensed he was already approaching the threshold of D-rank.
What was going on?
Wind Breathing was powerful, but it shouldn't have caused this big a leap.
Flame Breathing should've given the biggest boost—it was an ultimate-level form, after all.
Besides, Lucas had distinctly felt Wind Breathing's impact stop once it helped him break through. There had been no lingering effects that could account for this ongoing surge.
So what was causing it?
Lucas let his mind descend into his consciousness, examining the lights again.
Five orbs of energy… each one glowing in its own unique hue.
And then it clicked.
"The five fundamental breathing styles…"
Thunder. Flame. Rock. Wind. Water.
They were all there.
He had now fused four of the five, and the energies were beginning to interact in ways even the system hadn't predicted.
Perhaps their resonance was amplifying his strength on its own.
Lucas's eyes sparkled with realization.
If this continued—if he could successfully fuse all five foundational breathing styles—then the resulting synergy could create something entirely new.
Something no swordsman had ever achieved.
A path only he could walk.
He smiled faintly, eyes locked onto the glowing lights within.
"Let's keep going."
patreon(Jutsu_143)