[{"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-34":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},1676068,2141,"Chapter 34 34: Awakening","from-thunder-breathing-to-the-multiverse-chapter-34",34,"\u003Cp>Even though Akaza's strength was a notch below both Kokushibō's and Kyūjō's, there was no denying that—as Upper Moon Three—he was still a deadly threat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And Kyūjō knew it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Trying to go for Akaza's neck meant leaving an opening—a moment of vulnerability Kokushibō wouldn't hesitate to exploit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he could take just one of them down with him...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It had to be Kokushibō.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So the strange, fragile balance among the three continued—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>a deadly dance stretched taut on a wire of breath and instinct.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Until finally, in a flicker of movement too fast for the eye to track—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kyūjō slashed Akaza, sending the demon flying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But at that very moment, Kokushibō spun around and drove his sword straight through Kyūjō's right lung.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A faint smile crept across Kokushibō's lips.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally... finally, the moment had come.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A punctured lung.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Breath control shattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No more Breathing Techniques.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To Kokushibō, the victory was sealed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But just as that smile began to widen—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kyūjō's hand snapped up and grabbed Kokushibō's wrist—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the wrist that still held the blade impaled in his chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He could still feel it—the remnants of Thunder Breathing coursing faintly through his veins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One more strike.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Holding his breath, Kyūjō poured every last thread of his willpower into his body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the first rays of dawn crept over the horizon—lightning surged through him like a storm reborn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His burning-red Nichirin Blade crackled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thunder Breathing, Sixth Form – Rumble and Flash: Modified Version – Lightning Rampage!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At point-blank range—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kyūjō unleashed a barrage of slashes, all aimed at Kokushibō's neck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each strike hit like a thunderclap—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>relentless, precise, unstoppable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kokushibō couldn't move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His right hand was locked in Kyūjō's grasp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All he could do...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…was watch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As his neck was carved again…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>and again…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>until it shattered into pieces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kyūjō's body, now completely spent, finally gave out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His blade slipped from his fingers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes dulled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And he collapsed backward, unconscious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Silence fell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kokushibō's head rolled across the blood-stained earth, landing face-up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stared blankly at the sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Did I… lose?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thought was unreal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He, the pinnacle of demonkind—defeated?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But even as that realization settled, a different voice screamed inside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No. No. I can't lose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even without a head… I will not die!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kokushibō, bound by obsession—his refusal to accept defeat, his thirst for immortality—didn't vanish the way most demons would.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the torn stump of his neck, tendrils of flesh began to grow again—slowly trying to reconstruct his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it was too slow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And the sun was rising.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From the corner of his eye, Kokushibō saw Akaza retreating—backing away from the incoming light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He summoned the last scrap of his strength and shouted:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Akaza!! I'm not dead yet! Take my head—RUN!!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How long had it been?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kyūjō felt like he'd been dreaming forever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A long, warm dream.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In it, he was back on Earth.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The cancer that once threatened his life was gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His body was healthy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He lived peacefully with his parents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He married.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had children.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lived a quiet, ordinary life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He died surrounded by warmth, old and content.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— — —\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside a quiet office, Ubuyashiki Kagaya sat at his desk, brow furrowed, surrounded by stacks of documents.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His body looked frail.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His breathing was shallow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But his mind remained sharp—still carrying the weight of the Corps on his shoulders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After finishing the last of his duties for the morning, he stood up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Kakushi followed him closely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Any word?\" Kagaya asked softly. \"Has the Thunder Hashira awakened yet?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Kakushi shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"…Not yet, Oyakata-sama. But Lady Tamayo believes he may regain consciousness within two days.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kagaya nodded gently and picked up his pace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their destination—the home of Tamayo, the demon doctor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tamayo's residence was located some distance from the main corps grounds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Allowing a demon into the headquarters hadn't been easy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Kagaya had faced fierce opposition from the Hashira and members of the Corps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But they'd had no choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kyūjō's injuries were far too severe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only Tamayo had the knowledge to save him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— — —\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two high-ranking slayers stood guard at the front gate of Tamayo's residence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kagaya gave them a calm nod.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you for your service.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They bowed immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"There's no need for thanks, Oyakata-sama. You've come to see the Thunder Hashira, yes? Please, go right in.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Accompanied by the two swordsmen, Kagaya walked into the house.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside, lying motionless on a futon, was the boy who had nearly changed fate itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tachibana Kyūjō.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His entire body was wrapped in hundreds of bandages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His once-black hair… had turned completely white.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And yet—he was only sixteen years old.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kagaya's eyes welled slightly, though his expression remained calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon after, more people arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Oyakata-sama!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Rengoku Shinjurō—father of Kyojuro—accompanied by his family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The moment they'd heard of Kyūjō's condition, they rushed to Tamayo's house, intending to assist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thankfully, Ruka had managed to stop her husband from leaving for the battlefield on his own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kagaya smiled gently at them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Shinjurō. Don't blame yourself.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You trusted in Kyūjō's judgment. And because of that, he came back alive.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Facing both Upper Moon One and Three simultaneously… According to the Kasugai crow's report, that battle went far beyond reason.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The room fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The price of that victory… had been immense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though Kyūjō managed to sever Kokushibō's head, the demon hadn't died.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Akaza had escaped with Kokushibō's remains.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The weight of that failure still clung to Shinjurō like a curse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why wasn't I there sooner?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why wasn't I strong enough?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If I were more powerful… would Kyūjō have allowed me to fight by his side?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because of his own weakness… he was still alive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Kyūjō—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—a true genius—might soon leave this world.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His lung was irreparably damaged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He would never use Breathing Techniques again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Worse, he had awakened the Mark and used the Burning Soul technique—both of which consumed his remaining lifespan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tamayo estimated...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kyūjō wouldn't live beyond the age of twenty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was sixteen now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That left him just three years—at best.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Corps fell into a deep silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mourning. Frustration. Rage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their hatred toward demons now burned hotter than ever.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>— — —\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A cough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A small, hoarse sound broke the silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hhh… kh… kh…\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone turned sharply.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rengoku Kyojuro's eyes lit up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stepped closer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Uncle Kyūjō's awake!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Kyūjō! How do you feel?!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Thunder Hashira is conscious!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Relief filled the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kagaya immediately instructed a Kakushi to summon Tamayo from the adjacent room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Meanwhile, Kyūjō slowly opened his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Blurry at first… but gradually sharpening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked around—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>at the faces gathered around him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And then—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like a wave crashing without warning—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The memories came rushing back.\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 40+ chapters ahead of WebNovel\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>✅ Get 2 new chapters every day exclusively on Patreon\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>",1188,"2026-06-06T13:14:23.720Z",1,"novelbin.me","91d1df700aa4a14a8ac7603ce1180e74c0cb52dde64929150f28cdbfecb21fe1","from-thunder-breathing-to-the-multiverse-chapter-35","from-thunder-breathing-to-the-multiverse-chapter-33",389,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Ffrom-thunder-breathing-to-the-multiverse-cover.jpg"]