With a light push of his feet, he leaped up from the ground. Looking at the Nichirin Blade at Yorii Tsugikuni's waist, he said expectantly, "Let me see your strength, Mr. Yorii Tsugikuni."
"I'm curious just how strong a Mr. Yorii Tsugikuni who can hunt 'demons' really is."
Ieyasu had actually been itching for a fight since earlier.
In the end, Ieyasu was still young and hot-blooded. There was no ready-made demon for him to find, but Yorii Tsugikuni before him was a demon hunter, so he had to be quite strong.
Ieyasu wanted to see just how strong Yorii Tsugikuni was.
Strong enough to hunt "demons," creatures that were at least Special Grade Dangerous Species.
"Ieyasu!"
"Why are you suddenly challenging Mr. Yorii Tsugikuni to a match?"
Seeing Ieyasu inexplicably regain his energy, Sayo rolled her eyes hard at him. "You haven't eaten all day, so don't waste your strength carelessly."
"We don't even know whether Tatsumi will make it here tomorrow."
At that, Sayo's expression became somewhat worried.
Sayo was not worried about food and lodging on their side. If things truly came to it, they could start looking for any odd jobs tomorrow morning and get by for a while.
Sayo was mainly worried about Tatsumi.
Normally, Tatsumi should have arrived today.
Although Tatsumi was the strongest among them, Sayo still could not help but worry.
What if something unexpected had happened to Tatsumi?
"Tatsumi will definitely make it here tomorrow."
"They're just a bunch of lousy bandits. They're nothing worth mentioning."
"At worst, if Tatsumi can't make it tomorrow, we'll find some temporary work first."
Unlike Sayo's concern, Ieyasu was rather carefree.
In Ieyasu's eyes, Tatsumi's strength was absolutely reliable. He could single-handedly kill some of the stronger Class 1 Dangerous Species, so there was no way anything would happen to him.
The only reason they had split up back then was because it was nighttime and the situation had been chaotic.
They had agreed to meet directly in the Imperial Capital before parting ways.
Looking at Yorii Tsugikuni, Ieyasu's eyes burned with fighting spirit. "Mr. Yorii Tsugikuni, since you came all the way to the center of our country, the Imperial Capital, you must have some skill."
"Come on, let's try."
After saying that, Ieyasu did not wait for Yorii Tsugikuni to say anything. He simply drew the short sword at his waist.
Then he stood still, waiting for Yorii Tsugikuni's response.
Yorii Tsugikuni fell silent at Ieyasu's invitation and did not answer immediately.
When he had been young, Yorii Tsugikuni had easily defeated an old swordsman with nothing more than a few swordsmanship verses, despite his childish body. Yet after that, he had never again told anyone that he wanted to become a samurai.
Because for Yorii Tsugikuni, the feeling of striking others was simply too painful.
"Mr. Ieyasu."
"May I ask why you wield a sword?"
Looking at the short sword in Ieyasu's hand, Yorii Tsugikuni paused slightly before asking seriously, "What made you take up a sword and swing it?"
"Of course it's because I want to become stronger and more capable!"
"Only by becoming stronger can I make something of myself, and improve our hometown together with Sayo and that Tatsumi guy."
Ieyasu's reason was simple and straightforward.
Still, simple and straightforward as it was, Ieyasu had given his reason for wielding a sword.
Ieyasu did not wield a sword to hurt others. He wielded it to protect the people he cared about.
At that thought, Yorii Tsugikuni smiled faintly. He stood up, slowly drew the Nichirin Blade that had accompanied him through his long life, and said seriously, "Then, Mr. Ieyasu."
"Let us begin."
Breathing Techniques, the Secret to Strength
"Alright!"
"Then be careful, Mr. Yorii Tsugikuni."
Upon hearing Yorii Tsugikuni's response, Ieyasu's expression became excited.
Then, without using any so-called technique, Ieyasu sprinted straight toward Yorii Tsugikuni.
At that very moment, Yorii Tsugikuni could clearly hear a continuous rushing sound coming from within Ieyasu's body.
It was the sound of Ieyasu's blood and vitality flowing, like a surging river, immensely spectacular.
Based on that pure physical vitality alone, Yorii Tsugikuni believed that aside from the very strongest swordsmen in the Demon Slayer Corps, most other swordsmen would likely be inferior to Ieyasu without using Total Concentration.
"Mr. Ieyasu's body is remarkable."
"With training, you will certainly become a very formidable person."
Watching Ieyasu cross more than ten meters and arrive before him in almost a single second, Yorii Tsugikuni did not hold back his praise in the slightest.
He possessed such strength without even using Breathing Techniques.
If he could master a Breathing Technique suited to himself and use Total Concentration Breathing, Ieyasu's strength would likely reach a terrifying level.
It is only that Mr. Ieyasu's technique is far too crude.
Though he possesses extremely powerful explosive force, more than sixty percent of that strength is wasted.
In barely a second, perhaps even less, Ieyasu had virtually no secrets left within Yorii Tsugikuni's sight. Yorii Tsugikuni saw Ieyasu's strengths and flaws with perfect clarity in an instant.
Clang!
Under Sayo's astonished gaze, her companion Ieyasu's powerful slash was blocked by Yorii Tsugikuni with one hand holding his sword.
Moreover, Yorii Tsugikuni's arm did not even tremble once before Ieyasu.
He seemed as steady as a mountain.
"He actually blocked it."
"Mr. Yorii Tsugikuni really is strong."
Looking at Yorii Tsugikuni, who had blocked his attack with one hand, Ieyasu showed no awareness whatsoever of the vast gap in their combat ability. He chuckled, rubbed his nose, and said, "In that case, I can relax."
"Mr. Yorii Tsugikuni, properly experience the great strength of Ieyasu!"
After saying that, Ieyasu took a deep breath and began slashing at Yorii Tsugikuni repeatedly.
The entire assault was fierce, domineering, and overwhelming.
Just as Yorii Tsugikuni had judged earlier, Ieyasu had not achieved much in terms of technique. Back in the village, whether it was Ieyasu, Sayo, or Tatsumi, who had yet to appear—
They had basically just kept training their bodies as hard as they could.
When technique was lacking, they made up for it with strength.
Unfortunately, the gap between Ieyasu and Yorii Tsugikuni was simply far too great.
Clang!
Clang, clang!
Clang clang clang clang clang!
One impact after another echoed through the alley.
Every slash Ieyasu made was casually blocked by Yorii Tsugikuni. From beginning to end, Ieyasu failed to budge Yorii Tsugikuni even for an instant.
After continuing like that for some time, Ieyasu finally had to stop due to exhaustion.
"Huff... huff..."
"Alright, I admit it, Mr. Yorii Tsugikuni. Your strength is real."
Looking at Yorii Tsugikuni, whose expression had not changed and whose breathing had remained steady throughout, Ieyasu conceded. He sat directly on the ground to admit defeat.
Only after personally exchanging blows with Yorii Tsugikuni did Ieyasu clearly understand just how terrifying Yorii Tsugikuni's strength was.
At that thought, Ieyasu smiled helplessly. "Looks like I still need to keep training hard."
From the moment he had left the village until just before he fought Yorii Tsugikuni, Ieyasu had been full of confidence.
But after fighting Yorii Tsugikuni, Ieyasu's confidence swiftly turned into inferiority.
Yorii Tsugikuni looked no older than fifteen or sixteen.
There was not much difference in age between them, yet the gap in their actual strength was so terrifying.
"Mr. Ieyasu, you are still very strong."
"You can unleash such powerful strength without using Breathing Techniques."
Seeing that Ieyasu seemed somewhat dejected, Yorii Tsugikuni smiled slightly. "If you learn Breathing Techniques, Mr. Ieyasu, you will certainly become even stronger."
After their brief exchange, Yorii Tsugikuni had already come to appreciate Ieyasu somewhat.
With his pure conviction and powerful physical foundation, if he learned the appropriate Breathing Technique and acquired a Nichirin Blade, he would certainly become a core combatant of the Demon Slayer Corps.
For some reason—
At that moment, the image of Muzan Kibutsuji appeared in Yorii Tsugikuni's mind.
You alone, Muzan Kibutsuji, I will never forgive.
"Mr. Yorii Tsugikuni."
"Are you going to teach Ieyasu that Breathing Technique?"
Upon hearing Yorii Tsugikuni's words, Sayo's heart began beating faster uncontrollably.
From what Yorii Tsugikuni had said just now, it was not difficult for Sayo to conclude that the tiny portion of strength he had displayed was surely closely connected to those Breathing Techniques.
A secret capable of making people stronger could absolutely create a powerful force that would endure for a thousand years.
For example, the Imperial Fists Temple, the Empire's most famous assembly line for producing powerful fighters, had a history even longer than the thousand-year-old Empire. Its depths were unfathomable.
Even the Empire could not simply make a move against it.
How could Sayo not be excited when Yorii Tsugikuni appeared willing to teach such a secret to Ieyasu?
Once they learned this secret, it would no longer be as simple as merely making something of themselves.
"This is not something particularly precious."
Seeing Sayo's excited expression, Yorii Tsugikuni smiled gently and said softly, "If Miss Sayo is willing to learn, you may as well. Both Mr. Ieyasu and Miss Sayo are very talented."
"If it is Mr. Ieyasu and Miss Sayo, you will certainly be able to learn Breathing Techniques."
"You may even create Breathing Techniques suited to yourselves."
"Only..."
As he said this, an uncontrollable trace of sorrow appeared on Yorii Tsugikuni's face.
Yorii Tsugikuni thought of the companions he had met during his time in the Demon Slayer Corps.
Taking Yorii Tsugikuni as Master
Those who excelled in cultivating Breathing Techniques had a chance of awakening markings.
Other than himself, not a single swordsman who awakened markings had lived past the age of twenty-five.
They all died the day before they officially turned twenty-five.
However, once acquired, markings would comprehensively enhance every ability of their bearer. Whether swordsmanship techniques or physical capabilities, all would undergo a qualitative transformation.
Yorii Tsugikuni told Sayo and Ieyasu, without holding anything back, about the possible consequences of learning Breathing Techniques, allowing them to make their own choice.
Before you continue