"You…"
Jigoro Kuwajima stared at Raiden, speechless.
Judging by Raiden's control and execution of Thunder Breathing First Form, his strength was no weaker than Zenitsu's.
That made no sense.
When training first began on the mountain, Raiden struggled more than anyone. Thunder Breathing refused to respond to him.
When Zenitsu finally grasped the First Form, Raiden had still been stuck at the beginning.
So how had he mastered it now?
"How did you suddenly learn the First Form?" Jigoro asked, his gaze sharp.
"An accidental epiphany," Raiden replied calmly, his expression unchanged.
Epiphanies were vague by nature, difficult to prove or disprove, and convenient when explanations were unwanted.
"An epiphany?" Jigoro muttered.
It was possible. Rare, but possible.
Still, the timing felt suspicious. An epiphany right before the Final Selection?
"Come," Jigoro said, lifting his cane slightly. "Use the First Form on me."
Raiden glanced at Jigoro, noting that the old man held only a walking stick. He silently activated his Investigation ability.
Name: Jigoro Kuwajima
Race: Human
Condition: Former Thunder Hashira, crippled leg
Comprehension: Upper
Aptitude: Upper
Breathing Style: Thunder Breathing
Techniques Mastered:
First Form, Thunderclap and Flash
Second Form, Rice Spirit
Third Form, Thunder Swarm
Fourth Form, Distant Thunder
Fifth Form, Heat Lightning
Sixth Form, Rumble and Flash
Total Concentration Breathing, Constant
Raiden's eyes narrowed slightly.
Even injured, Jigoro remained terrifying.
He stepped forward and lowered his stance. His feet pressed firmly into the ground, posture steady.
His breathing deepened, slow and deliberate.
With each breath, the air around him seemed to shift. Static gathered, subtle at first, then unmistakable.
Raiden's figure straightened, framed by faint sparks of gold.
He closed his eyes.
The sound of electricity filled the space, soft crackling whispering through the courtyard.
Energy gathered within him, then surged outward with his breath, forming thin arcs of lightning that circled his body.
Raiden opened his eyes.
Golden light danced in his pupils.
"Thunder Breathing First Form, Thunderclap and Flash."
Light exploded.
Raiden vanished.
A streak of lightning tore across the courtyard, thunder snapping behind it. The blade gleamed gold as electricity surged along its edge.
The air trembled.
Jigoro did not move.
The sword stopped inches from his chest.
Lightning licked at his clothing, scorching the fabric lightly without causing harm.
The courtyard fell silent.
Jigoro's expression changed completely.
Shock replaced doubt.
Thunder Breathing First Form was defined by extreme speed. That speed brought devastating power, but also a fatal flaw.
It was difficult to control.
Even Jigoro himself had taken years to master precise control.
Yet Raiden had stopped perfectly.
Clean. Stable. Controlled.
"Impossible…" Jigoro murmured.
Raiden, meanwhile, was silently cursing.
He was not holding the sword there to look impressive.
His wrist was cramping violently, muscles screaming as he struggled to keep control.
His entire arm was numb.
"Show me the other forms," Jigoro said seriously.
Raiden's expression stiffened.
Other forms?
He knew only the First Form.
Saying he had an epiphany for only one technique would sound ridiculous.
As his mind raced, he remembered Jigoro's panel.
Perfect.
"Ahem," Raiden said. "Grandfather, are we friends?"
The question caught Jigoro completely off guard.
"Friends?" Jigoro echoed.
"We're master and disciple," Raiden continued smoothly. "And friends, right?"
Jigoro frowned, confused by the sudden shift, but seeing Raiden's sincere expression, he hesitated.
"…Yes. I suppose we are."
"Ding."
Sangijoro Kuwajima added as a friend.
Relationship confirmed, master and disciple.
Friendship level: Friend.
Two rewards available.
Second Form, Rice Spirit, Mastery
Fifth Form, Heat Lightning, Proficient
Fuse now?
"No."
Raiden refused instantly.
Fusing now would cause visible changes.
"Grandfather," Raiden said, forcing a strained smile. "My wrist is cramping. Give me a moment."
As he lowered his arm, Jigoro suddenly grabbed his wrist.
A faint current surged through Raiden's arm.
The cramp vanished.
So did the fatigue.
Raiden blinked.
He had not known Jigoro could do that.
"Better?" Jigoro asked, concern in his eyes.
"Yes," Raiden replied honestly.
Jigoro's expression hardened with resolve.
Thunder Breathing had nearly vanished with him. Zenitsu knew only the First Form. Kaigaku had abandoned the style entirely.
Now, Raiden stood before him.
"There's no time to waste," Jigoro said. "Again."
Raiden had no choice.
He allowed the fusion.
Golden lightning erupted around him, brighter than before.
Jigoro stepped back, startled.
"That stance…" he muttered. "That is the beginning of the First Form?"