Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
In the woods beside that solitary grave on Mount Kumotori.
The Yaoshi feels like she's about to go moldy o(╯□╰)o.
These three days were even more unbearable for him than three months of Muzan overtime work in front of Lord Muzan.
He was a top scholar with extreme fastidiousness, and science and elegance were ingrained in his very being.
Now, however, they can only huddle together like primitive people among a pile of tangled tree roots.
During the day, he had to endure that damned sunlight that stung his very cells.
At night, you have to endure this damp, cold primeval forest teeming with all sorts of unclean creatures!!
"Clatter."
A pine cone fell from the tree and landed precisely on his gold-rimmed glasses.
The Yaoshi's body stiffened abruptly, and he was on the verge of breaking down.
He paused, then slowly raised his head to look at the squirrel that was holding another pine cone, its two small, black bean-like eyes curiously examining him.
A chilling killing intent surged into the sky!!
"Ah!!"
The squirrel was so frightened that its fur stood on end. With a screech, it clutched its pine cone and scrambled away, disappearing into the depths of the treetops.
The Yaoshi's murderous intent subsided somewhat.
He slowly took off his glasses and carefully wiped them with a special silk handkerchief.
"Call..."
He exhaled a heavy breath.
No, I need to calm down.
To become the ultimate, perfect god, walking in the sunlight.
This trivial humiliation must be endured.
He blamed all his displeasure on the laughter and cheerful voices coming from the wooden house not far away.
For three days, he was like a voyeur, forced to witness that family's happy life.
He watched that silly boy named Tanjiro, who went down the mountain to sell charcoal every day before dawn.
In the evening, carrying a pile of mountain produce and some cheap candies for his younger siblings, he happily went home.
He watched as the girl named Nezuko gently cared for each member of her family, her small figure constantly busy inside and outside the house.
He looked at his sickly father, who would sit under the eaves every day, smiling as he watched his children chase and play in the snow.
That warmth, that contentment amidst poverty, that inexpensive sense of happiness...
The Yaoshi felt a wave of physical nausea.
"A bunch of... worthless... carbon-based life forms."
His cold gaze swept over the wooden house, which was warmly lit, and a cruel smile curled at the corner of his mouth.
"Let you enjoy these last few more days of this false peace..."
"Soon, you will become my new... clinical data."
He could almost see himself swallowing that Blue Spider Lily and becoming Perfect Lifeform.
How he would smile as he walked up to this family.
Then, amidst their grateful and adoring gazes, the adorable little virus was injected into their bodies.
Observe how they transform from extreme pain into a collection of fascinating works of art amidst the sweetest illusions.
Just imagining that scene brought a touch of... pleasure to his anxious heart, which had grown impatient with waiting.
The Yaoshi was engrossed in his bright future plans...
At the same time...
Mount Sagiri.
The atmosphere on the training field was tense and tense.
"Water Breathing, Tenth Form, Constant Flux!"
A peach-colored figure, like a ghost, darted rapidly among countless high-speed spinning mechanical puppets covered in sharp bamboo blades!
With each swing of the wooden sword in her hand, a continuous, swirling stream of water, like a giant dragon, was created!
With each rotation and each leap, the attacks of those mechanical puppets were neutralized in a way that seemed to deflect all force with minimal effort, and the attack was redirected to the next target!
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
With the final strike, the dozens of mechanical puppets that had caused countless disciples so much suffering were all cut in half at the same time and collapsed to the ground with a thud!
The Sabito sheathed its sword and stood still.
Her breathing was steady and long, without the slightest disturbance.
On that face, which had become much softer, a pair of clear eyes shone with a sharper, more confident light than ever before!
"Pretty!"
Kanae Kocho, standing to the side, clapped her hands sincerely, her beautiful eyes filled with admiration.
"Sabito, your understanding of the Water Breathing has transcended the constraints of form and reached the realm of meaning."
"You're much better now than you were a month ago."
"Hmph, not enough."
Sabito pouted, secretly pleased, but his tone remained arrogant and smug.
"We're still a long way from twisting that bastard doctor's head off and using it as a chamber pot!
"Ara ara~"
A voice with a hint of mischief came from the side.
Shinobu Kocho, arms crossed, leaned against a tree, tilted her head, and looked Sabito up and down, a kind smile on her lips.
"Still as arrogant as ever, 'Miss Sabito.' I wonder if your small frame can withstand even one charge from Upper Rank demon?"
"You!!"
Sabito's face flushed red instantly, whether from anger or embarrassment, it was hard to tell.
"Shinobu Kocho! Believe it or not, I'll tie you to a waterfall and let you experience what Water Breathing is all about!!"
"How scary!"
Shinobu Kocho patted her chest, feigning fear (trembling. jpg).
"But with my sister here, you dare to touch me?"
"You... you... you..."
Sabito was so angry he could barely speak (╬▔皿▔)╯, and was about to rush up and give this sharp-tongued woman a good physical dressing down.
"Gaa--!"
A mournful caw, as sharp as a funeral call, descended from the sky!
"Urgent intelligence!! Urgent intelligence!!"
The crow struggled to raise its head and screamed madly in a hoarse voice, as if it were about to die.
"Found... a possible... Upper Rank Seven... Yaoshi's trail!!"
"What?!"
The three people playing around and laughing in the room immediately stopped!
Sakonji Urokodaki's figure appeared in front of the crow with lightning speed, almost like teleportation.
"Place!!"
His voice was brief and hurried.
"Cloud... Mount Kumotori!!"
The crow rolled its eyes and foamed at the mouth (x_x), clearly exhausted to its limit.
"Based on the report from... the eastern observation post..."
Three days ago... a young doctor... wearing a white Western-style coat... and gold-rimmed glasses... appeared in the small town at the foot of the mountain...
"His appearance... and demeanor... are a perfect match for the Yaoshi on the wanted poster!!"
"Currently... this person is lurking on Mount Kumotori under the guise of practicing medicine... their purpose is unknown... we request immediate dispatch of Pillar-level combatants to eliminate them!! ASAP!! Gaa..."
The training ground fell into a deathly silence.
"Yaoshi..."
Sabito pronounced the name slowly and deliberately.
The next second, a chilling, bone-chilling killing intent erupted from her petite body!
Her peach-colored eyes were instantly dyed blood red by the flames of revenge!
"Teacher!!"
She turned abruptly and bowed deeply to Sakonji Urokodaki!
"Please allow me to fight!!"
Her voice was resolute, leaving no room for anyone to refuse!
"No."
Sakonji Urokodaki refused without even thinking.
"The enemy is Upper Rank; it's too dangerous for you to go alone."
"But..."
"Ah, Mr. Urokodaki is right."
Shinobu Kocho dropped her nonchalant expression and immediately became serious.
"Although it's very frustrating, I have to admit that guy's Blood Demon Art is extremely bizarre. We still know too little about him."
"Let's leave it to Mr. Giyu."