Black Fang burst out laughing. "Hahaha! Don't even think about it. I'm not giving you a chance—I'll kill you right now."
"Look at you, your head nailed to the wall by my blade. Regenerating from just that would take forever."
"Oh, you were trying to control your body remotely, weren't you? Idiot. I didn't stop you earlier because I wanted to give you hope—then take it away."
"I've been a demon for decades. You think I haven't experienced decapitation before? I know exactly what you were trying to do."
"Feels hopeless, doesn't it? You thought you had a shot, but I had you figured out from the start."
"I gave you the chance, and you blew it."
"Haha—just die in despair."
As he spoke, Black Fang stepped forward and dispersed the blade pinning Kawanishi's head to the wall into crimson energy, drawing it back into his body.
He grabbed Kawanishi's head in one hand and began slamming it against the cave wall, over and over, mercilessly.
He wanted Kawanishi to suffer until sunrise—to die in agony.
With each brutal impact, Kawanishi's consciousness faded. The tenuous connection he'd established with his body vanished.
But then, faint and soft, he heard a gentle voice in his ear.
"Kawanishi… don't forget to breathe~"
In the haze of near-unconsciousness, Kawanishi remembered his father Tanjuro's teachings.
When he was eleven, he'd insisted on going up the mountain with Tanjuro to chop wood. Tanjuro had refused at first, but eventually relented and brought him along.
Hiking through the mountain was exhausting work.
Though Kawanishi had strong willpower, his young body soon gave out. Still, he stubbornly followed right behind his father.
Tanjuro eventually stopped and looked back at him with amusement.
"Little guy, if you can't keep up, it's okay to turn back."
"I can do it," Kawanishi said through gritted teeth.
Tanjuro blinked, then smiled faintly. He knelt down, fixed Kawanishi's rumpled collar, and gently patted his head.
Then he spoke in a soft, serious voice: "Kawanishi… don't forget to breathe."
Kawanishi rolled his eyes. "Dad, I am breathing. People die if they don't breathe, remember?"
Tanjuro flicked him lightly on the forehead. "You little rascal, rolling your eyes at your old man."
Kawanishi giggled. "I'm just telling the truth. Who forgets to breathe?"
But then Tanjuro's expression turned serious.
"Kawanishi, listen closely."
Noticing his father's tone, Kawanishi tilted his head and perked up his ears.
"What do you hear?"
"Hmm… I hear the rustling of leaves in the wind, some birds chirping…"
"Oh! And my stomach growling."
Tanjuro sighed. "You could've just said you were hungry. We'll finish up soon—Kie should be cooking by now."
Then, returning to his serious tone: "Kawanishi, remember—everything in this world breathes. All things follow patterns."
"Human breathing is chaotic. But if you master the right breathing technique, you'll be able to do things far beyond human limits."
"Remember my rhythm. It's our family's breathing style—Hinokami Kagura."
"You and Tanjiro will one day pass it on, along with our family's earrings."
Then Tanjuro closed his eyes and motioned for Kawanishi to observe his breathing.
In that moment, Kawanishi felt something change—his father's aura became completely different.
Vibrant, focused, passionate, fiery… and somehow, deeply compassionate.
Though Tanjuro had always been frail, right now he seemed full of boundless life and warmth—like he could embrace and nurture all things.
It was a strange, indescribable feeling.
Kawanishi committed the breathing pattern to memory.
Then, he tried it himself—but as soon as he inhaled deeply, he started coughing, eyes and nose streaming.
Tanjuro opened his eyes and patted him gently on the back, helping him breathe again.
"Did you feel the presence of the Fire God?" he teased.
Kawanishi scowled. "All I felt was the presence of the God of Death. You lied to me, didn't you?"
Tanjuro laughed heartily. When the laughter faded, he grew serious once more.
"No, Kawanishi—I wasn't lying."
"You're still small. Your body isn't ready for Hinokami Kagura yet. It's a fierce and demanding technique…"
"But one day, when you've grown strong, don't forget to breathe. Don't forget Hinokami Kagura."
"Etch this breathing style into your soul."
Kawanishi rarely saw his father so solemn. Even if he thought Tanjuro was just messing around, he still nodded seriously, promising to remember.
Tanjuro gave the tiniest sigh.
"Kawanishi… it's a shame I won't be there to watch you grow. My time is almost up."
"I can feel it. You and Tanjiro—both of you have more talent than I ever did. One day, you'll master Hinokami Kagura."
"As for me… I'll go on ahead and meet the Fire God myself."
......
"When did I start forgetting to breathe?"
"I can feel it—even in death, Father is still helping me."
"Your spirit must be watching over me from the heavens."
"I'm sorry… I forgot to breathe. I couldn't protect the family…"
In a daze, Kawanishi saw a vision of Tanjuro.
He sighed softly, then gently ruffled Kawanishi's hair like he always did.
"No… I'm the one who should be sorry."
"Because of me, you've had to carry this burden alone. I made you feel guilt and regret."
"Don't blame yourself. I never did. Neither did your mother, nor your siblings. We only wanted you to live well."
"Even as a demon… don't lose your heart."
"Kawanishi… don't forget to breathe~"
The voice faded. Kawanishi knew—Tanjuro had returned to the stars above, watching over him.
"Father… I won't disappoint you."
In Black Fang's hand, Kawanishi's head regenerated again and again, only to be smashed once more into the cave wall.
Seeing his twisted expression of pain, Black Fang was thrilled.
But then, he noticed something—the pain on Kawanishi's face was gone.
Now it was calm. Serene.
And then… a strange sound began to echo through the cave.
"What is that sound?"
"Sounds kind of like a Demon Slayer's breathing style…"
At the same time, Kawanishi's bloodied, broken face began to shine.
His dull eyes brightened with intense light.
"Dance of the Fire God."
"Blood Demon Art: Blazing Plume!"
(End of Chapter)
PS:
🔥 New Chapter Out Now!In this update, the demon unleashes not one—but two powerful abilities:☄️ Blood Demon Art: Blazing Plume🌞 Breathing Technique: Hinokami Kagura ("Dance of the Fire God." )
Yes, you read that right. A demon who uses both blood demon arts and a breathing technique... Things are about to get wild. 👀🔥
Let me know what you think of this turning point—I'm excited to hear your theories! 🖤
https://discord.gg/pQsUVp42