Thunder Breathing

Thunder Breathing (の) is one of the five main Breathing Styles directly derived from Sun Breathing.

Description
Thunder Breathing is a Breathing Style that mimics lightning, specifically swift strikes and movements akin to lightning striking and the sound of thunder itself, and replicates it with the user's movements, techniques and abilities. Most, if not all, known techniques and forms involve utilizing blinding speeds to close in and swift and insanely fast movements to overwhelm the opponent instantly. The movements of Thunder Breathing are so immense that it creates a sound akin to thunder. Users that have mastered Thunder Breathing visualize themselves seemingly creating and manipulating lightning when unleashing its techniques.

It has been remarked by Zenitsu Agatsuma that this Breathing Style focuses on channeling strength into the user's legs, and maximizing the output of every single muscle and blood vessel in them. This combat style is very reminiscent of a swordsmanship style used in real life known as Iaijutsu. Thunder Breathing mimics lightning to such high fidelity that users cause the air to vibrate by taking a stance and create sounds akin to thunder with their footsteps. Due to this, users may be required to move at lightning speed in order to properly master this Breathing Style.

It was created from one of Yoriichi Tsugikuni's students who attempted to learn the Sun Breathing, but due to not being as innately powerful as Yoriichi, they were instead taught an alternated personalized Breathing Style that focused on their individual strengths and weaknesses, which eventually evolved into Thunder Breathing.

A known cultivator of Thunder Breathing in the Demon Slayer Corps is Jigoro Kuwajima.

Known Techniques
Thunder Breathing has 6 standard forms, with the First Form said to be the foundation for the rest of them. However, Zenitsu Agatsuma developed a Seventh Form in order to stand on equal ground with Kaigaku, his former senior disciple under Jigoro who had become the Upper Rank Six of the Twelve Kizuki.

Note: Since the second to sixth form has only been displayed by Kaigaku who uses lightning in conjunction with his sword attacks, it is unknown how a normal Thunder Breathing swordsman would perform these techniques.


 * First Form: Thunderclap and Flash (ノ) - The user unsheathes their katana, dashes forward at blinding speeds and decapitates their opponent faster than they can react before sheathing it back. This technique is extremely reminiscent of Iaijutsu and its movements are described to be akin to "lightning ripping through the air".
 * Six Fold - An extension of the Thunderclap and Flash technique created by Zenitsu Agatsuma. The user performs Thunderclap and Flash six times in quick succession while slightly augmenting the power and speed of his dashes.
 * Eight Fold - An extension of the Thunderclap and Flash technique created by Zenitsu Agatsuma. The user performs Thunderclap and Flash eight times in quick succession while slightly augmenting the power and speed of his dashes.
 * God Speed - An extension of the Thunderclap and Flash created by Zenitsu and the fastest version of the technique. The user performs Thunderclap and Flash while greatly augmenting the speed of the technique. During the first display of this technique, an unconscious Zenitsu remarked that he mustn't perform this technique more than 2 times, otherwise his legs would be rendered useless due to muscle fatigue and exhaustion. However, during the battle against Muzan Kibutsuji, Zenitsu has shown improvement in the proficiency of this technique, allowing him to use it more than 2 times while still maintaining the power and speed of the technique.


 * Second Form: Rice Spirit (ノ) - Kaigaku unleashes five arching slashes accompanied by lightning all in a single moment.


 * Third Form: Thunder Swarm (ノ) - Kaigaku surrounds the enemy with waves of lightning and sword slashes that slice them up in all directions.


 * Fourth Form: Distant Thunder (ノ) - Kaigaku generates powerful lightning strikes in several directions with his blade from a far distance.


 * Fifth Form: Heat Lightning (ノ) - Kaigaku unleashes an upward sword slash made of lightning.


 * Sixth Form: Rumble and Flash (ノ) - Kaigaku releases a series of strong ranged lightning attacks that strike his opponent from afar.


 * Seventh Form: Honoikazuchi no Kami (ノ) - The personal creation of Zenitsu Agatsuma. The user dashes forward at blinding speeds and unleashes a singular forward slash that seemingly takes the form of a yellow Asian dragon made of lightning.

Game Exclusive Techniques

 * First Form: Thunderclap and Flash, Prime (ノ ・) - An extension of the Thunderclap and Flash created by Zenitsu. The user performs Thunderclap and Flash and then causes lightning to strike next to them, cracking the ground. The user then dashes forward six times and slashes their opponent before unleashing a continuous lightning strike that electrocutes them.

Demonstrations

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Trivia

 * First Form: Thunderclap and Flash (ノ) is stated to be the basis for all the other forms, which was all Zenitsu could learn and hone, while Kaigaku couldn't despite learning the other forms after it. Two unnamed Demon Slayers stated that because of this, he wouldn't be able to master the other forms proficiently.
 * The naming of Second Form: Rice Spirit (ノ) is based on the belief in Japan that when a rice field is hit by lightning, it assures a bountiful harvest and fertilizes the rice plants.
 * Seventh Form: Honoikazuchi no Kami (ノ) may be a reference to Dancing Flash created by Tanjiro as both are related to lightning and fire.