Shadowed Prelude: A Fateful Encounter [Phantom Troupe x Reader]

𝔠𝔥𝔞𝔭𝔱𝔢𝔯 3

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Breathing Styles.

They all stemmed off from one breath type; Sun Breathing, the birth of all breathing styles.

Passed down through generations of your family, was what they called the art of "Breathing Styles". Basically, they were martial arts techniques that were created to enhance a swordsman's combat abilities by channeling specific breathing patterns to enhance the destructive power when wielding a katana. Though breathing styles were initially only used to slay man-eating demons. In the current era, they have all been exterminated, but the traditions and deep history of this certain technique has been passed down my family for safe-keeping and to preserve the rich culture that existed a few hundred years back.

—

The actual origins of this technique is shrouded in unveiled mystery, but from what I know, the L/N family line has held the training manual for how to utilise breathing styles for at least a hundred years. In each manual, there is an in-depth description that depicts the use for the breathing style and practitioners it is best suited for. Each breathing style is associated with a certain breathing technique that (generally, but not always) enhances the wielder's physical prowess and swordsmanship.

There are combative breathing styles, such as Sun Breathing, the most original and purest form of breathing, and a 'recovering breathing style'. As the name suggests, it;s a certain breathing pattern that allows the user to recover some stamina, energy and as preparation for the next attack using their combative breathing style.

These breathing styles have been honed over centuries to combat man-eating demons that appeared in ancient times. Each breath was used for specific purposes, though they have one common goal which was to enhance strength, speed, ability, and agility in order to slay demons. Sun Breathing birthed the other breath styles, as skilled swordsmen couldn't successfully perform the twelve forms of sun breathing. They had to find another solution to their problem; hence they created their own breaths, which all stemmed from the original breath: Sun Breathing.

Some breathing styles which have been created include Water Breathing, Thunder Breathing, Flame Breathing, Wind Breathing, and Insect Breathing. Water Breathing, which focuses on fluid movements with precise strikes to main the opponent increases the cutting power and agility of a swordsman. Thunder Breathing on the other hand utilises lightning-like speed and impact to perform swift, and powerful strikes to the enemies.

Wind Breathing and Flame Breathing both focus on increasing the power in attacks to overwhelm opponents. With Wind Breathing enhancing speed and mobility of users, and Flame Breathing allowing for intense heat and destructive power.

Insect Breathing, on the other hand, is a special Breath form. Users who do not possess the physical strength to cut off a demon's head use rapid and unpredictable strikes, similar to that of an insect's movement. In these strikes, the katana contains poison specially concocted to end a demon's life. The wisteria poison. Demons who encounter such users believe they can kill the breath user, as their heads have not been severed. However they will shortly find that the wisteria poison injected in their body through the smooth slashes causes unimaginable pain to their cells, quickly destroying them from the inside out. All in all, Insect Breathing is a much more brutal and gruesome way to end a demon's life.

Those in the organisation who have either slayed at least fifty demons, or had taken down a demon who is favoured by the progenitor of demons, the Twelve Kizuki, were open to take on the rank of a 'Hashira', or 'Pillars'. Pillars is the highest rank in the organisation, and only few achieved that notable rank. Each Hashira was also required to be a master of their respective breathing style.

In order to master a breathing style, slayers underwent rigorous training regimens and were sent out on many missions to synchronise their breathing with specific techniques. More mastery of a breathing style allowed users to access more advanced techniques and achieve the ability to perform the more complicated forms of a Breathing Style.

But I knew I had to achieve the rank of a Pillar. Or at least, have the potential to become as strong as a Pillar to at least withstand against anyone in the Spiders.

.

.

.

As I narrated the long history behind Breathing Styles, my Nen master, Bisky listened on attentively whilst nodding along periodically.

"Ah, I see. That is a good way to begin your combat training, since you already know how to start with it. Am I correct to assume so, Y/N?" Bisky inquired

"Yes, I believe it is the best way to begin combat training, as I have been practising in my own time." I replied.

I hesitated briefly, wondering how my family and loved ones were faring, before I quickly erased the thoughts from my head, repeating a mantra in my head:

"For the safety and sake of my family and loved ones, I will sever our ties to keep them away from the people fate shackled me to."

It was a line that I would find, repeat in my head mindlessly and eternally for as long as I was on the run from my other halves, and a line I would be sick of very quickly as time progressed.

↬ Author's Note:

This chapter thoroughly explains the concept of 'Breathing Styles', which is very similar to that from the manga 'Kimetsu No Yaiba'. This amazing piece is not my work, it is the work of Koyoharu Gotouge. I will be creating a new Breathing Style on my own, which will deviate from the plot of Kimetsu No Yaiba. Most likely, the new Breath Style I will create will also be a Nen ability for the main character as well, so please keep in mind this is not canon to any of the two series I am basing this fanfiction off of. This work is merely for fun, and a project for self-indulgence that I wish to share!

This concludes chapter three of "Shadowed Prelude: A Fateful Encounter [Phantom Troupe x Reader]". Thank you for reading and see you in the next chapter fellow reader!

- Signing off yakshaa_ [2024]