Yorii Tsugikuni Must Do Something Chapter 3

With a slight exertion of force, he leaped up from the ground. Looking at the Nichirin Blade at Yorii Tsugikuni's waist, he said with a hopeful expression, "Let me see Mr. Yorii Tsugikuni's strength."

"I'm a bit curious, just how strong is Mr. Yorii Tsugikuni, who can hunt 'Demons'."

From a while ago, Ieyasu had already been feeling restless.

After all, Ieyasu was still young and impetuous. He couldn't find any readily available demons, but since Yorii Tsugikuni here was a demon hunter, his strength must be quite good.

Ieyasu wanted to see just how strong Yorii Tsugikuni was.

To be able to hunt 'Demons', beings that were at least special grade dangerous species.

"Ieyasu!"

"Why are you suddenly challenging Mr. Yorii Tsugikuni out of the blue?"

Seeing Ieyasu suddenly regain his spirits, Sayo rolled her eyes fiercely at him and said, "You haven't eaten all day, don't just waste your energy."

"We don't even know if Tatsumi will be able to come tomorrow."

Speaking of which, Sayo's expression turned worried.

Sayo wasn't worried about their food or lodging. If it really came down to it, they could start by finding some jobs to get by for a while starting tomorrow morning.

Sayo was mainly worried about Tatsumi.

Normally, Tatsumi should have arrived today.

Although Tatsumi was the strongest among them, Sayo was still somewhat worried.

But what if Tatsumi encountered some unforeseen circumstances.

"Tatsumi will definitely be able to come tomorrow."

"It's just a bunch of lousy mountain bandits, not worth mentioning at all."

"At worst, if Tatsumi can't come tomorrow, we'll just find some temporary work."

Compared to Sayo's worry, Ieyasu was quite carefree.

In Ieyasu's opinion, Tatsumi's strength was absolutely reliable. He could single-handedly defeat some of the stronger beings among the first-grade dangerous species, so there was no way anything could go wrong.

The reason they separated from Tatsumi back then was entirely due to it being nighttime, and the situation was quite chaotic.

They had agreed to meet in the Imperial Capital and then parted ways.

Looking at Yorii Tsugikuni, Ieyasu's eyes burned with fierce fighting spirit. "Mr. Yorii Tsugikuni, since you've traveled all the way to the center of our country, to the Imperial Capital, you must have some skill."

"Let's try it."

After speaking, Ieyasu didn't wait for Yorii Tsugikuni to say anything and drew the short sword at his waist.

Then, he stood still, waiting for Yorii Tsugikuni's response.

As for Ieyasu's invitation, Yorii Tsugikuni was somewhat silent, not responding immediately.

When he was young, Yorii Tsugikuni had once defeated an old swordsman with just a few sword technique incantations, relying solely on his young body. But after that, Yorii Tsugikuni had never spoken to anyone about his desire to become a samurai.

Because for Yorii Tsugikuni, the feeling of beating others was simply too unbearable.

"Mr. Ieyasu."

"May I ask, what is your reason for wielding your sword?"

Looking at the short sword in Ieyasu's hand, Yorii Tsugikuni paused slightly and asked earnestly, "What is it that made you pick up your sword, Mr. Ieyasu, and wield it?"

"Of course, it's to become stronger and more capable!"

"Only by becoming stronger and more capable can I make a name for myself and improve our hometown together with Sayo and that guy Tatsumi."

Ieyasu's reason was simple and direct.

However, although Ieyasu's reason was simple and direct, he did provide his reason for wielding his sword.

Ieyasu's reason for wielding his sword was not to harm others, but to protect those he cared about.

Thinking of this, Yorii Tsugikuni smiled slightly, stood up, slowly drew the Nichirin Blade that had accompanied him through his long life, and said earnestly, "Then, Mr. Ieyasu."

"Let's begin."

Chapter 5: Breathing Techniques, The Secret to Strength

"Alright!"

"Then Mr. Yorii Tsugikuni, be careful."

Upon hearing Yorii Tsugikuni's response, the expression on Ieyasu's face became excited.

Then, without using any so-called techniques, Ieyasu rapidly charged towards Yorii Tsugikuni's position.

At this very moment, Yorii Tsugikuni could clearly feel a continuous "whoosh" sound emanating from Ieyasu's body.

This was the sound of blood flowing within Ieyasu's body, like a surging river, incredibly magnificent.

Merely relying on this pure vitality, in Yorii Tsugikuni's opinion, most swordsmen, other than the top few swordsmen in the Demon Slayer Corps, would likely not be as formidable as Ieyasu if they didn't use full concentration.

"Mr. Ieyasu's body is remarkable."

"If cultivated properly, he will surely become a very formidable person."

Yorii Tsugikuni didn't hold back his praise as Ieyasu crossed over ten meters to stand before him in less than a second.

He possessed this level of strength without even using a Breathing Technique.

If he could master his own Breathing Technique and use Total Concentration Breathing, Ieyasu's strength would likely reach a terrifying level.

However, Mr. Ieyasu's technique is far too crude.

While he has immense explosive power within his body, over sixty percent of that strength is excess.

It only took a second, or even less.

Within Yorii Tsugikuni's line of sight, Ieyasu held virtually no secrets. Yorii Tsugikuni saw Ieyasu's strengths and weaknesses clearly in an instant.

Clang!

Under Sayo's astonished gaze, her partner Ieyasu's powerful, heavy slash was blocked by Yorii Tsugikuni with a single hand holding his sword.

Furthermore, Yorii Tsugikuni's arm didn't even waver in front of Ieyasu.

It gave the impression of being as steady as a mountain.

"He actually blocked it."

"Mr. Yorii Tsugikuni's strength is truly formidable."

Seeing Yorii Tsugikuni block his attack with one hand, Ieyasu didn't feel any sense of the vast difference in their combat power. He chuckled twice, rubbed his nose, and said, "In that case, I can finally relax."

"Mr. Yorii Tsugikuni, please feel the full might of my strength!"

With that, Ieyasu took a deep breath and began to continuously slash at Yorii Tsugikuni.

The entire process was fierce, overbearing, and filled with overwhelming aura.

Just as Yorii Tsugikuni had judged earlier, Ieyasu's technique was not very advanced. Back in the village, whether it was Ieyasu, Sayo, or Tatsumi who hadn't appeared yet.

They had basically been constantly training their bodies as much as possible.

Where technique was lacking, strength would compensate.

However, it was a great pity that the gap between Ieyasu and Yorii Tsugikuni was simply too immense.

Clang!

Clang clang!

Clang clang clang clang!

One impact sound after another echoed in the alley.

Every single one of Ieyasu's slashes was effortlessly blocked by Yorii Tsugikuni. From beginning to end, Ieyasu hadn't managed to budge Yorii Tsugikuni even for a moment.

After continuing like this for a while, Ieyasu finally had to stop due to exhaustion.

"Hoo, hoo hoo..."

"Alright, I admit it, Mr. Yorii Tsugikuni, you are strong."

Looking at Yorii Tsugikuni, whose expression hadn't changed and whose breathing rhythm remained steady throughout, Ieyasu was convinced. He sat down on the ground, signaling his surrender.

Only after personally sparring with Yorii Tsugikuni did Ieyasu clearly feel the terrifying strength Yorii Tsugikuni possessed.

Thinking this, Ieyasu chuckled helplessly and said, "It seems I still need to train much harder."

After leaving the village, and right up until the spar with Yorii Tsugikuni, Ieyasu had been full of confidence.

But after fighting Yorii Tsugikuni, Ieyasu's confidence quickly turned into self-doubt.

Yorii Tsugikuni looked no older than fifteen or sixteen years old.

The age difference between him and Ieyasu wasn't that large, yet the difference in actual strength was terrifyingly vast.

"Mr. Ieyasu's strength is still very impressive."

"To unleash such powerful strength without using a Breathing Technique."

Yorii Tsugikuni smiled slightly as he looked at Ieyasu, who seemed a little dejected, and said, "If Mr. Ieyasu learns a Breathing Technique, he will definitely become even stronger."

After the brief exchange just now, Yorii Tsugikuni had begun to admire Ieyasu.

With pure conviction and excellent physical condition, once he learned the appropriate Breathing Technique and was equipped with a Nichirin Blade, he would undoubtedly become a core combatant in the Demon Slayer Corps.

For some reason.

In that instant, the image of Muzan Kibutsuji flashed through Yorii Tsugikuni's mind.

Only you, Muzan Kibutsuji, will I never forgive.

"Mr. Yorii Tsugikuni."

"Are you going to teach that… Breathing Technique to Ieyasu?"

Hearing Yorii Tsugikuni's words, Sayo's heart involuntarily began to race.

From what Yorii Tsugikuni had said earlier, Sayo could easily deduce that the tip of the iceberg of power Yorii Tsugikuni had displayed was definitely closely related to that Breathing Technique.

Such a secret method for becoming stronger could certainly build a powerful force that would remain prosperous for a thousand years.

For example, the most famous powerhouse production line in the empire, the Imperial Fist Temple, was a force even older than the thousand-year empire, with unfathomable depths.

Even the Empire isn't something you can mobilize just by saying so.

And for Yorii Tsugikuni to appear willing to teach this secret to Ieyasu, how could Sayo not be excited?

Once they learned this secret, it wouldn't be as simple as just making a name for themselves.

"This isn't anything particularly precious."

Seeing Sayo's excited expression, Yorii Tsugikuni smiled gently and said softly, "If Miss Sayo wishes to learn, you are welcome to. Both Mr. Ieyasu and Miss Sayo are very talented."

"If it's Mr. Ieyasu and Miss Sayo, you will definitely be able to learn Breathing Techniques."

"You might even be able to create your own Breathing Techniques that suit you."

"However..."

As he said this, a trace of uncontrollable sadness appeared on Yorii Tsugikuni's face.

Yorii Tsugikuni remembered the companions he had met during his time in the Demon Slayer Corps.

Chapter Six: Becoming Yorii Tsugikuni's Disciple

Those who excel at practicing Breathing Techniques have a chance of awakening the Markings.

Besides himself, no swordsman who awakened the Markings lived past the age of twenty-five.

They all died the day before their twenty-fifth birthday.

However, once the Markings are awakened, all of the user's abilities will be enhanced comprehensively, whether it's skillful swordsmanship or physical capabilities; there will be a qualitative change compared to before.

Yorii Tsugikuni told Sayo and Ieyasu about the potential consequences of learning Breathing Techniques without reservation, allowing them to make their own choices.