Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba: Hinokami Flames

Chapter 13: Synchronized Breathing Style

Separating from the group, Zenitsu went to the west side of the mountain feeling the weak heartbeats. "Dammit. I've been feeling this pain for a while when I separated from my friends. There are so many spiders crawling around. This mountain is indeed infested with spider demons."

Then, something crawled out of the bushes. It was a massive spider with human head. Zenitsu swiftly cut its head off and continues forward. Soon he comes to a clearing where a house was suspended by threads. hanging by the threads are humans, civilian and demon slayer. They appeared to have lost their hair and are slowly mutating into demonic spiders. 'These are the people whose heartbeats I've heard. And that stench! Tanjiro wouldn't be able to withstand it!'

Suddenly, he heard something exit the house. It was a demon with a Tarantula body. 'This is indeed sinister!' "You welcome to fight or run. But it's already over!" the demon said. "Huh?" "Look at your hand." Zenitsu looked down to see a bite mark on his hand with venom spreading throughout his body. "You were bitten by a poisonous spider. And now you will become a spider slave alongside these yummy humans. In a mere half hour, you will join the side of the demons."

The Arachnid Demon pulls out a watch. "Once this as the long arrow slowly moves, your limbs will become numb and the pain begins, you will feel dizzy that you can't think, and your body will begin to shrink. And when you wake up, you will become like me a monster with no hope of returning to your normal life. I know it's an inescapable fate, but since you are a demon slayer, I can accel you transformation. It's an older brother's job to protect their younger siblings. My minions, sick him!"

The spiders attempt to bite him again, but Zenitsu was indeed quick enough to dodge their strikes and leaped to a tree branch. There were many more. "There's no point in hiding. Once the venom swirls around your body, you'll lose your brains." The spider brother was right. The effects started to take root. Zenitsu began to cough up blood.

'No way. I've only been a demon slayer for a week, and I'm already about to die? Ironic, succumbing to poison when you learned so much about it during your training. And after you made such good friends. Tanjiro, Nezuko, Inosuke. How pathetic of me.' He then heard Jigoro's words of wisdom repeat. 'It's ok to run. It's ok to cry. It's ok to fight. Just believe in yourself.' 'He's right! I can't give, not when I just started this thousand step journey!' Little did he realize that he grabbed a handful of his hair. Confused that the symptoms are starting, he lost his balance and fell off the branch.

Little did the Spider brother know that it was what Zenitsu wanted.

Total Concentration

Thunder Breathing: 1st Form

Thunderclap and Flash

Zenitsu launched himself at the Brother Spider, but it wasn't going down so easily.

Blood Demon Art

Poison Sputum

The Brother Spider sprays a poisonous liquid at Zenitsu only for him to twist his body midair dodging the attack. He takes a stance to use the First Form, but the demon wasn't going to give him time to breath. "Pounce this mere insect!" The mutated spiders pounce towards Zenitsu, so he had to try clear the distance. The spiders kept pursuing him while the spider brother continued spray its acid which caught the edge of his haori. 'Shit!! My limbs are slowly getting numb, and the spiders are swarming around me!! Can I win this?! There are so many people who care about me, that can rely on me! I need to live and repay them! "Envenom him even more!!" The spiders pierce Zenitsu all over. He couldn't do anything until he remembered his immense training.

(Flashback)

Zenitsu was speaking with a Hashira who was training him. "Explosive Beads?" Zenitsu questioned.

"Of course. In order to successfully use my techniques, they are essential." He handed him a small pouch. "If you feel like you're in a pinch, use them."

Zenitsu took his new equipment and bowed before him. "Thank you very much for taking the time for training me!"

"You just have to promise me one thing." "Yes sir?" "Whenever you are fighting, always perform in the flashiest way possible!!"

(Flashback ends)

Zenitsu was able reach into his chest pocket and grabbed the pouch of explosive beads.

'Let's see if this works.'

Sound Breathing: 1st Form

Roar

Zenitsu tossed a bead into the air and slammed it down on the ground creating a small explosion destroying the spiders. "No! NO WAY YOU DESTROYED MY MINIONS SO FAST!!"

'I can't believe it worked! Which means, if I can used this, then it can change the tide of the war!'

He took his stance once again closing his eyes to maximize his concentration. He opens them back up revealing yellow eyes.

Thunder Breathing and Sound Breathing

Synchronized Breathing Style Technique

1st Form: Echoing Thunder: Sixfold

The Spider Brother made one last attempt launching his acid, but Zenitsu was too quick. The brother could not see where he would attack from. All he could see was a zooming thunderbolt and explosions. It was forced to retreat into the house, but Zenitsu took this chance and launch into the house using a thread severing the brother's head. 'Did I really allow myself to be defeated by that ammeter?!' That was all the demon could think of before disintegrating.

Zenitsu landed on the house slowly succumbing to the poison. "Well Grandfather, you were able to find a worthy successor." Chuntaro landed right beside his partner. "Chuntaro, I'm sorry." The sparrow was in tears. He lost his family before like Zenitsu and his new friend is slowly dying. "Listen to me. I want you to fly away and find help. Please." Chuntaro follow Zenitsu's instructions and flew away. 'Don't ever give up. Remember everything that's led to this moment. 'The Total Concentration Constant'. It's your only chance to maintain your humanity.'

Zenitsu began to hold long breaths. As time kept moving, he began to feel his limb grow smaller. 'This pain is indeed unbearable. I'm sorry, Tanjiro, Nezuko, Inosuke. I'm sorry everyone.' As his vision gets blurry, he sees a butterfly. 'Wait. The markings on its wings. They look familiar.'

As the butterfly gets closer, it was revealed to be Shinobu who gently lands right beside him. "My oh my. A full week and you already succumb to poison? Though I will give you credit for using what you learned Zenitsu."

"Sh-Shinobu?"

"It's really good to see you again." "My life was flashing before my eyes." "Then that's your body trying to survive. I know you want to help your friends and comrades, but you can rest now." She then injected an antidote in his vein. 

"Your body can't move anymore. But don't worry. I'll make sure you and the victims you saved get proper treatment." Zenitsu look down to see the Kakushi helping the humans down to the ground. "And you'll be receiving double treatment at home. We are family after all." Zenitsu quietly cried falling to sleep. He hoped that his friends would be safe.

Notes

So, the Synchronized breathing Style is where you master two Breathing Styles or if the Breathing styles are the exact same.

Shinobu sees Zenitsu as a brother alongside all the girls at the butterfly Mansion, but I'll explain that story another day.

Comment down what you think of this chapter.

Stay tuned for the next chapter and for the Season 3 premiere in theaters.