"Forest Breathing focuses on listening to the sounds of nature, connecting every blood vessel and muscle in one body to the natural world, harnessing the immense vitality behind the breathing technique to fight."
Within the bamboo grove, Elder Moriki held a wooden sword as he explained to Shinichi.
"Forest Breathing consists of eleven forms, created by our Moriki family ancestor, Moriki Shunichi.
Apart from the final form which only exists in records, the remaining ten sword techniques are all incredibly powerful.
However, we his descendants are low in talent—even the most outstanding Moriki Descendants can only comprehend the first eight forms."
Hearing this, Shinichi frowned slightly.
"What about you, Elder?"
At this question, a trace of melancholy and sorrow flashed across Elder Moriki face.
"This old man comprehension is also lacking—I've only mastered seven forms."
"What? Even you can only perform seven sword techniques?" Shinichi was genuinely shocked.
He knew the elder strength well—if not for his aging body, Elder Moriki power wouldn't be inferior to Rokuro.
Elder Moriki shook his head with a smile.
"Some things are fated, Shinichi. You're different from us. I believe you're the one who can truly elevate Forest Breathing. Now, let me demonstrate the first seven forms for you."
As soon as he finished speaking, Elder Moriki took a deep breath and closed his eyes.
Hum!!
An invisible wave of energy stirred the fallen bamboo leaves on the ground.
Through Shinichi crimson eyes, he could sense an immense surge of vitality rapidly gathering toward Elder Moriki body.
The withered muscles and aged blood vessels were washed over by the torrential vitality.
Muscles regained fullness, blood vessels became plump again, and in mere moments, Elder Moriki originally hunched posture gradually straightened.
His pale hair swayed without wind and a faint green light flickered in his somewhat cloudy eyes.
Taking a step forward with his right foot, he bent slightly, assuming the standard iaido stance.
Standing beside him, Shinichi suddenly felt an overwhelming fighting spirit, as if the clashing of metal echoed in his ears.
"Forest Breathing-First Form · Iron Birch Slash!"
Elder Moriki shouted clearly, swinging the wooden sword horizontally in an instant.
Hum!!
The blade was wrapped in a green glow and in a fleeting moment, the green sword light carried an indomitable momentum like an unstoppable force.
Crack! Crack! Crack!
Wherever the sword light passed, countless bamboo branch shattered!
[First Form · Iron Birch Slash: A horizontal slash infused with the power of vitality, carrying the essence of the world hardest wood, the iron birch tree—unbreakable and unstoppable!]
Before Shinichi could react, Elder Moriki figure flashed, appearing before a particularly thick bamboo stalk. The wooden sword spun and thrust diagonally.
"Forest Breathing · Second Form · Willow of Life!"
Squelch! Squelch!
Where the wooden sword cut the thick bamboo, numerous illusory green branches suddenly sprouted, swaying gently like willow tendrils.
In an instant, the bamboo lost all color as if withered, only to revive in the next moment, brimming with vitality once more!
[Second Form · Willow of Life: Communing with the power of nature, using vitality as a guide, the blade infused with life force pierces the body. For enemies, it becomes a nightmare that drains Vitality, For allies, it becomes a powerful aid to capable of healing them!]
Swish!
A flash of blade light and Elder Moriki body shot forward like a sharp sword.
"Forest Breathing, Third Form: Thorn Stab!"
The brown wooden sword instantly transformed into a streak of emerald-green light, piercing into a massive boulder in the blink of an eye.
Stone fragments flew as dust settled, revealing the ordinary wooden sword deeply embedded in the rock, with only the hilt exposed.
[Third Form: Thorn Stab—a straight thrust delivered at blinding speed, sharp as a thorn point, piercing through anything.
Modified Form: Thorn Stab - Entanglement—a rapid series of thrusts encircling the enemy, making them feel as if wrapped in countless thorns!]
Pulling the wooden sword from the rock, Elder Moriki closed his eyes slightly and casually swung a slash—though not with much force.
The surrounding bamboo trembled, shedding countless leaves in a rustling cascade.
Then, Elder Moriki stomped the ground with force, propelling himself nearly ten meters into the air.
A flash of emerald-green light—"Forest Breathing, Fourth Form: Dandelion Dance!"
Midair, his body swayed like a dandelion caught in the wind—gentle yet leaving behind dozens of afterimages.
When he landed, not a single bamboo leaf clung to him.
[Fourth Form: Dandelion Dance—the user body sways like a scattered dandelion, evading even the fiercest attacks with impossible grace and speed!]
But it didn't end there!
Suddenly, Elder Moriki surged forward, gripping the wooden sword in a reverse hold with the blade tilted upward, its tip grazing the ground—then with a swift upward flick!
"Forest Breathing, Fifth Form: Soaring Bamboo Slash!"
An emerald-green slash arced upward, shearing off countless bamboo branches high above.
[Fifth Form: Soaring Bamboo Slash—an upward aerial slash, standing tall like bamboo piercing the sky!]
After delivering the slash, Elder Moriki flipped the wooden sword, gripping it with both hands as he bent his knees into a horse stance, standing firm.
"Forest Breathing, Sixth Form: Resilient Grass - Hurricane Strike!"
Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish!
Countless emerald-green slashes erupted from Elder Moriki like a hurricane, violently expanding outward.
The entire bamboo grove was engulfed in a storm of blade light, countless stalks shattering and snapping.
Yet, Elder Moriki body, like resilient grass in the gale, swayed but remained unshaken.
[Sixth Form: Resilient Grass - Hurricane Strike—innumerable slashes unleashed in all directions, as unyielding as tough grass!]
Having executed six forms in succession, Elder Moriki panted slightly, his wooden sword now riddled with cracks.
After a moment, he raised the sword before him, gripping it tightly with both hands.
Crackle!
A dazzling, almost visible emerald-green light burst forth from the blade.
"Forest Breathing, Seventh Form: Wooden Dragon Soaring - Slash!"
As Elder Moriki voice rang out, he leaped into the air, delivering a single strike.
The blinding emerald-green light seemed to materialize into a roaring, clawed dragon of the forest.
BOOM!!
A deafening explosion echoed, sending dust and debris flying.
Shinichi stared intently as the dust gradually cleared, revealing a deep trench carved into the ground before him.
[Seventh Form: Wooden Dragon Soaring - Slash—a full-powered strike manifesting the legendary beast, the dragon, in a devastating blow. Modified Forms: Wooden Dragon Soaring - Flash! Wooden Dragon Soaring - Rising Dragon!]
Crack!
The wooden sword in Elder Moriki hand finally gave way, shattering into pieces.
Panting heavily, Elder Moriki looked at Shinichi and said.
"This... is Forest Breathing. Child, are you ready?"