[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-from-thunder-breathing-to-the-multiverse":3,"chapter-from-thunder-breathing-to-the-multiverse-from-thunder-breathing-to-the-multiverse-chapter-21":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","From Thunder Breathing to the Multiverse",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1676055,2141,"Chapter 21 21: Crimson Blade","from-thunder-breathing-to-the-multiverse-chapter-21",21,"\u003Cp>\"It seems… you've gone a little too far.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tachibana Kyūjō stood tall, eyes fixed on the demon in front of him—one who had clearly lost control after days of starvation. Its face twisted into a feral grin, radiating nothing but bloodlust.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In that case… I'll just take one of your arms.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He muttered softly, voice calm but unwavering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the blink of an eye, Kyūjō drew his Nichirin Blade from his hip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The air around him split open with a sharp hiss—the blade cut so fast the very atmosphere couldn't keep up. Friction sparked along the edge, generating heat that shimmered in the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then, it happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The black Nichirin Blade flared crimson, glowing like molten metal fresh from the forge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kyūjō's version of the Crimson Blade—unleashed in an instant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— — —\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"AAAAAGHHH…! It burns… it BURNS!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The howling scream that followed didn't sound like the roar of a predator—but more like a man being dragged back from the brink of madness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demon, known as Momotarō, clutched the stump where his arm used to be. Smoke rose from the scorched flesh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why wasn't it regenerating?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why did it still burn?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was a demon. Regeneration should be as natural as breathing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this time… it wasn't.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"AARGHH! GRAAAHH!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The pain didn't stop. It dug deeper, past flesh and bone—straight into the nerves—driving him back into a haze of agony and rage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— — —\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One slash. One severed arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without even sparing a glance, Kyūjō turned and walked away, his steps light and unhurried.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was still much to be done.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was sweeping the entire mountain—searching, hunting, correcting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Demon candidates like Momotarō, who were far too powerful for a selection exam, had to be… \"adjusted.\" Personally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Any demon Kyūjō \"adjusted\" would find themselves unable to regenerate for the remainder of the Final Selection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>True, his Crimson Blade wasn't yet on the level of the legendary Tsugikuni Yoriichi—whose strikes could leave wounds that never healed, even on Muzan himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But against low-to-mid-tier demons?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kyūjō was already more than enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— — —\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three hundred years ago, when the legendary Yoriichi confronted Kibutsuji Muzan, the so-called Demon King, it only took a single strike from the Thirteenth Form of Sun Breathing…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…to leave a wound so deep, Muzan never fully recovered from it—even centuries later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yes, most of that destructive power came from Sun Breathing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the Crimson Blade played a key role.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— — —\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the world of Kimetsu no Yaiba, the three supreme powers a swordsman could ever reach were:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>1. Transparent World（透き通る世界 \u002F Sukitōru Sekai）\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>2. Crimson Blade（赫刀 \u002F Kakutō）\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>3. Demon Slayer Mark（鬼殺の痣 \u002F Kisatsu no Aza）\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— — —\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Among them, the Transparent World was the rarest—only a handful throughout history ever reached it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the Crimson Blade?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn't unreachable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The principle was simple: heat. When a Nichirin Blade's temperature rose to the extreme, its color turned crimson—like metal fresh from a blacksmith's fire.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once activated, it greatly weakened a demon's regenerative ability—inflicting even permanent wounds on Muzan himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were three known methods to ignite a Crimson Blade:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By gripping the sword with incredible strength, channeling heat through sheer will.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By repeatedly clashing two Nichirin Blades until the friction raised their temperature.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the unique method used by Kamado Tanjirō—where Nezuko's Blood Demon Art set his blade ablaze from within.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, no matter how crimson the blade burned…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its true power still depended on the swordsman wielding it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— — —\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mt. Fujikasane.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A heavy stillness hung in the air—the kind that came right before the rain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In another part of the haunted forest, a young swordsman named Murata Genichi stood frozen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes widened in disbelief as he faced a demon… with only one arm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Can demons… be crippled?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He murmured under his breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why do all the demons today look like they've lost an arm, or a leg…?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— — —\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, deep within a dark cave on the northern side of the mountain—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A monstrous figure stirred.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Hand Demon, infamous for devouring countless swordsmen over the years, slowly opened his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hundreds of hands slithered out from his body like vines creeping from damp soil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmm… so noisy today.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Final Selection… is it that time again?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Perfect. I'll eat until I'm full… Kukukukuku…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But then, the laughter turned into a snarl.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Urokodaki Sakonji… that damned bastard…!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And those bratty little kids with the fox masks…!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rage surged like a flood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He still remembered being captured and imprisoned here—by Urokodaki's hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All that hatred, buried deep within him, now came crashing back like a storm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But just as he rose to his full height—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A flash of blue and yellow light sliced through the trees like lightning splitting the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Ah. So there you are.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tachibana Kyūjō stepped out from the foliage, calmly facing the grotesque giant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kyūjō raised a brow and tilted his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…You've got way too many hands.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Should I take a few as samples?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But hmm… how many is enough?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demon furrowed his brow. Something about this kid felt… odd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he squinted down, finally getting a good look at his opponent—a small swordsman, barely reaching his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Heh. A brat, huh?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What year is it now?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…And did you see those fox-mask brats around here?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kyūjō didn't answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was still deep in thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This demon… might be on par—or even stronger—than Kyōgai, the former Lower Moon Six.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Killing him outright might be a waste.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But taking a few hands? That could make him weak enough for the other candidates to handle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then again… if he held back too much, those kids might not survive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Decisions, decisions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— — —\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Hand Demon's temper snapped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What?! You ignoring me now?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You deaf or just plain rude?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kyūjō glanced up, expression flat. A flicker of cold calculation crossed his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He almost went for the neck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But right then, he sensed two powerful presences approaching fast—Sabito and Giyū Tomioka.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perfect timing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kyūjō's lips curled into a faint smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a matter for the Water Breathing lineage. Best let them handle it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He trusted them. If they were in top form, they had a shot at this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And if anything went wrong…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He'd still be close enough to intervene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kyūjō turned and shouted—loud enough to echo through the woods:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Help! There's a demon here! Somebody help!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Far in the distance, two figures darted through the trees, heading his way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Sabito, doesn't that voice sound kinda familiar?\" Giyū asked, sword already drawn as they ran.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sabito nodded slowly. \"A bit. But who do we even know here?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— — —\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hah?! You're calling for help?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Hand Demon blinked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This brat was… odd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Must be stupid.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…But if I eat his meat, will I turn stupid too?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No good. Stupid meat's not worth eating.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Better to just… smack him to death!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demon raised one massive hand, aiming to crush Kyūjō like a bug.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before it could fall, a crimson flash tore upward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In one fluid motion, Kyūjō had drawn Zhusha—his Crimson Blade—and slashed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The giant hand was severed clean off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Hand Demon staggered, wide-eyed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn't even see the attack.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Too fast.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So fast it might as well have not existed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And in that moment… only one thought remained in his mind:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If that strike had been aimed at my neck… would I have survived?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A cold dread crept down his spine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— — —\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>✨ Special thanks to my newest Patreon supporters!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Your support keeps this series alive and growing!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Joseph Sepulveda, Big Brizzz, Michael Thomas, Austin, Just Some Guy With A Mustage, Kloud Paradizo, Hamza Ahmed\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— — — — — — — — — — — — — — — —\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>📚 Want to read more chapters or get early access?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Join my Patreon here:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>🔗 patreon.com\u002FFaaanzKun\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>✅ Enjoy 25+ chapters ahead of WebNovel\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>✅ Get 2 new chapters every day exclusively on Patreon\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>> Already caught up with the latest chapter on WebNovel?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Continue the journey early for just:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>$5\u002Fmonth\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Join now and dive deeper into the story—weeks ahead of public release!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thank you for your amazing support 💖\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— — —\u003C\u002Fp>",1387,"2026-06-06T13:14:23.720Z",1,"novelbin.me","28b5c190d718eff5b440e072549f0da1486cd829455ba0a3c47ad0a6c137024c","from-thunder-breathing-to-the-multiverse-chapter-22","from-thunder-breathing-to-the-multiverse-chapter-20",389,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Ffrom-thunder-breathing-to-the-multiverse-cover.jpg"]