[{"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-22":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},1676056,2141,"Chapter 22 22: Water Breathing","from-thunder-breathing-to-the-multiverse-chapter-22",22,"\u003Cp>Sabito and Giyū stood tall, their Nichirin Blades drawn and ready. Their eyes locked onto a familiar figure calmly waiting before them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Kyūjō-san? What are you doing here?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How did you even get into the Selection Grounds?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kyūjō simply responded with a laid-back smile. \"Ah, well…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He waved his hand casually, cutting himself off mid-sentence. \"Let's talk about that later.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, he gestured past them—toward the forest shadows behind them, where a massive figure loomed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That's your opponent for today.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their eyes followed his hand, and their expressions sharpened in an instant. Between the trees stood a grotesque monster with hundreds of twitching hands sprouting from its body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No further explanation was needed. That thing wasn't a normal demon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing their reaction, Kyūjō let out a faint smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This one,\" he said, \"was apparently captured long ago by your teacher, Urokodaki-dono.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"He also admitted earlier that he's been devouring fox-masked children who came to this mountain.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"All of them… users of Water Breathing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demon scratched his scalp, claws slicing through his own flesh without realizing. Bits of skin flaked off as he muttered internally,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wait... Did I really say that out loud?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I didn't… right? But then how does he know—?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He began to doubt his own memory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Kyūjō gave him no time to figure it out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This mountain is the official grounds for Final Selection,\" Kyūjō said flatly, his voice now serious. \"I'm not allowed to interfere freely.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"So this fight—you'll have to handle it yourselves.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Just don't die.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With those parting words, Kyūjō vanished from sight. One blink, and he was gone—like wind blown away by the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— — —\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Water Breathing, First Form – Water Surface Slash!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two voices rang out in unison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sabito and Giyū surged forward together, fury in their eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their blades came down from both sides, aiming straight for the demon's thick neck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two slashes—precise and synchronized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Giyū's blade sliced through two arms sprouting from the demon's left shoulder. But before he could go deeper, a third arm shot up and grabbed the blade mid-swing, stopping him cold.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the right, Sabito's slash tore through a cluster of limbs and dug deep into the side of the demon's neck—so deep it hit bone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sharp clang echoed through the forest as metal struck spine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the blade didn't go through.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sheer bulk of the demon's overlapping hands had absorbed most of the impact, robbing Sabito's slash of its killing force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, it was enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the first time in a long while… the demon felt fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His blood-red eyes widened as he saw the fox masks on their faces. Rage and memories flooded in—dread, confusion, hatred, all at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hands exploded from his body in a frenzy, growing and slamming into the ground like angry trees uprooting themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A massive shockwave blasted outward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sabito and Giyū were sent flying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They crashed into the dirt, coughing blood, limbs aching and vision spinning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Above them, the demon's countless arms began fusing—morphing into two gigantic fists the size of boulders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I'LL DESTROY YOU!! YOU… AND UROKODAKI… ALL OF YOU MUST DIE!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The ground quaked as the monstrous fists fell from the sky like twin meteors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that split second—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sabito turned to Giyū and shouted, \"Get out of here!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He shoved him with all his strength, using the recoil to roll backward—barely dodging the deathblow by a hair's breadth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The impact landed hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two giant craters tore open the earth where they had just been.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the canopy above, Kyūjō peeked through the leaves with mild amusement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Ooh? A new technique? Pretty sure this scene wasn't in the anime version.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If they lose here, I'll just have to step in, I guess.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He scratched his chin thoughtfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the battlefield, Sabito and Giyū stared into the massive holes that had nearly become their graves, cold sweat dripping from their brows.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sabito tightened his grip on his blade and looked to his comrade.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Giyū! I'll hold his arms down—go for the neck!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Giyū stepped forward instead, shaking his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"No. I'll distract him. You're faster—strike when I open the gap.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before they could argue further, another wave of arms shot toward them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They lifted their swords to block, but the brute force was overwhelming. They were flung away again, like leaves tossed into a storm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Giyū crashed hard and didn't get back up. Blood trickled from his lips as his consciousness slipped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sabito barely managed to stay standing. He'd softened the blow using controlled breathing—but his arms were shaking, and his grip was weakening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Up in the trees, Kyūjō's smile faded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Sabito! Stay focused!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Don't let your emotions take over—breathe!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Your strength alone isn't enough to go head-to-head with this one. Use the nature of Water Breathing!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Water doesn't fight with brute force—it wears things down.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Remember… even stone can be shaped by water.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And that demon—he's not as strong as you think.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"His attacks are slow. Rigid. You can avoid them. If you get hit… that's your mistake!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sabito didn't respond. But his eyes were calm now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He took a slow, deep breath.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The demon lunged again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sabito exhaled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Water Breathing – Third Form: Flowing Dance.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He moved—graceful, fluid, unpredictable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like a fish swimming through rapids.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn't attack. He simply avoided. Ducked. Slid. Weaved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One minute. Five. Ten…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how the demon flailed, he couldn't touch him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The monster's movements turned sloppy. Its massive fused fists grew slower—openings began to appear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sabito's eyes lit up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He'd lured it into a rhythm—one that he could break at any moment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Water Breathing – Ninth Form: Splashing Water Flow – Turbulent!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He became a whirlpool of motion, leaping and spinning unpredictably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He sprinted across the demon's outstretched arms, twisting and dancing like gravity no longer applied to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He reached the core.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The perfect angle. The opening he'd waited for.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Water Breathing – Tenth Form: Constant Flux!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(The longer it spins, the more power it builds—like a spiraling water dragon.)\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sabito spun again and again, blade whirling with rising force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sea-blue Nichirin Blade transformed into a raging water dragon, howling toward the demon's exposed neck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It tore through everything—air, muscle, bone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In one clean sweep, the demon's head soared through the air.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And for a brief moment, as it tumbled in the sky—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It saw Urokodaki's face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— — —\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A slow clap echoed through the forest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kyūjō dropped down from the treetops, landing gently with a smirk on his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Magnificent, Sabito.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That technique… it blends the Ninth and Tenth Forms beautifully.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"With time, it might become a whole new evolution of Water Breathing.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Sabito gave a faint smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then collapsed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His body had nothing left. He fell to the ground, chest heaving, his strength spent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kyūjō walked over and looked down at the two unconscious swordsmen, sighing as he wiped his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Welp. Miscalculated that one.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Should've stepped in earlier…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Now I've gotta babysit these two until the exam ends.\"\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 30 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>",1308,"2026-06-06T13:14:23.720Z",1,"novelbin.me","b2bb23f921028791bfd40c1b271c817f455e374362a50e04a6d68f59ce0ec9ef","from-thunder-breathing-to-the-multiverse-chapter-23","from-thunder-breathing-to-the-multiverse-chapter-21",389,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Ffrom-thunder-breathing-to-the-multiverse-cover.jpg"]