Sky Hashira's Little Lesson

All the Hashira examined the Genius Swordsman before them. Slaying two Lower Ranks in a single day sounded impossible, yet it had truly happened to the young man.

Naturally, it was a good thing for the Demon Slayer Corps' strength to increase. It gave them a little more confidence in facing the Demon King. Tsugikuni Kuuga, however, still had no idea what Hashira title suited him best.

"Um, I have an unreasonable request. I don't know what my title should be called."

"Our titles are generally named after our Breathing Techniques. You should do the same!" Sanemi Shinazugawa suggested.

Sun Hashira... Tsugikuni Kuuga felt somewhat resistant to it. He found the word "Sun" difficult to accept. Though no one else knew it, Tsugikuni Kuuga certainly did.

Tsugikuni Kuuga shook his head, indicating that the word would not do.

"What's wrong with it? It won't work? Starting Breathing makes you special, huh!" Sanemi Shinazugawa said forcefully.

"I don't like the title Sun Hashira!"

"Then take a character from Kuuga's name. I think Sky Hashira suits you perfectly!" Shinobu Kocho said.

The other Hashira did not know why Tsugikuni Kuuga disliked the title Sun Hashira, but they thought Shinobu Kocho's suggestion was good as well, and they all nodded in agreement.

"Then the Sky Hashira has arrived. Please take care of me from now on!"

"Oh, right. When I fought Lower Rank Four, I discovered a new skill. It can suppress a demon's regenerative ability. Is everyone interested in hearing about it?"

Tsugikuni Kuuga felt that he should tell everyone about Scarlet Blades, Marks, and the like. However, because Marked swordsmen did not live past twenty-five, he discarded that idea. Scarlet Blades were different. Aside from being exhausting, they had no other drawbacks and were very useful for now.

"Hurry up and tell us!" Sanemi Shinazugawa urged.

"Don't rush. Let me explain slowly."

"According to ancient records, this skill is called the Scarlet Blade. There are two ways to activate it. The first is through immense grip strength, and the second is by rubbing two blades together!"

"When a Scarlet Blade appears, the blade turns red like the sun. Once it cuts a demon, the wound will temporarily stop regenerating!"

"It just takes a lot of strength. It's really exhausting."

After all, not every Hashira had tremendous grip strength. Shinobu Kocho, for example, was not a strength-type fighter.

"Then we can try rubbing two blades together!" Kanroji Mitsuri said.

"Then the people of Swordsmith Village might beat you to death!" Tsugikuni Kuuga recalled Haganezuka Hotaru.

"It's fine. Let's test it right here." Sanemi Shinazugawa directly drew his sword.

He then gripped the Tsuka with all his strength. Like Tsugikuni Kuuga had been back then, veins bulged across Sanemi Shinazugawa's body as he panted heavily.

The others stared intently at Sanemi Shinazugawa's blade. After a while, the originally emerald-green sword gradually turned red.

If he had not seen it with his own eyes, Tsugikuni Kuuga would never have believed that something so unreasonable could exist in reality. But this was the world of Demon Slayer. Anything was possible.

Now, not only could he do it, but the other Hashira could as well. Their strength could rise by another great deal, and their casualties would be much lower when fighting Upper Moons.

After all, Upper Rank One, Kokushibo, was already infinitely close to Muzan. That guy was simply not on the same level as the other Upper Moons.

Perhaps only after experiencing it would one realize that nothing was as simple as it appeared. Reality was often far more complicated than imagination.

Sanemi Shinazugawa was already drenched in sweat, but he looked excitedly at Tsugikuni Kuuga and asked, "Is it like this?"

The hot-tempered Shinazugawa now looked like a child waiting for praise. Tsugikuni Kuuga smiled and nodded.

"That's right. I was just like that back then!"

Sanemi Shinazugawa proudly sheathed his sword, but burn marks had already appeared on his hand. Clearly, the Scarlet Blade also carried a certain degree of danger to its wielder.

"What does wielding a Scarlet Blade feel like? Amitabha!" Gyomei Himejima asked.

"It's very hot to hold, but I feel like it definitely has a different effect when it strikes demons. You can tell from how that kid killed Lower Rank Four!" Sanemi Shinazugawa explained.

Tsugikuni Kuuga felt that if Lower Rank Four's Blood Demon Art had not been so slippery, he could have defeated it even without a Scarlet Blade. That was slander.

"The Scarlet Blade is one thing, but I also have a personal ability I want to teach everyone. After all, the Upper Moons' strength absolutely surpasses every Hashira present here!"

"You don't mean you want to teach that strange dance step to everyone, do you?" Sanemi Shinazugawa mocked.

"That's called martial arts—Tai Chi. It's very powerful. If you don't believe me, everyone can ask Master!"

Everyone's gaze turned to Oyakata-sama almost simultaneously.

"I have to say, Kuuga's martial arts can indeed strengthen the body. I believe they should have an even better effect on all of you!" Oyakata-sama nodded with great certainty.

Only then did the Hashira realize that Master's complexion truly differed from before. He was visibly much healthier.

"Oh, right. Let someone strong try it with me, and you'll naturally understand the benefits of Tai Chi!" Tsugikuni Kuuga suggested.

"Tai Chi really is amazing. My sister and I have both practiced it!" Shinobu Kocho added.

Tsugikuni Kuuga smiled at Shinobu Kocho. As expected of his own wife—she was reliable.

"I can testify to that!" Kanae Kocho said.

Tsugikuni Kuuga's Tai Chi had not only gained Master's approval, but was also highly praised by two Hashira. This stirred the interest of the other Hashira.

After all, Hashira were already at the peak. Every one of them possessed a certain degree of pride.

"Then I will give it a try with Little Brother Kuuga. I consider my strength to be decent enough, Amitabha!" Gyomei Himejima said.

Tsugikuni Kuuga also felt that the Stone Hashira had spoken at just the right time. He truly was the strongest in the Demon Slayer Corps. He swung a flail and massive axe as though they were toys, so naturally his strength could not be lacking.

Moreover, he could use the Stone Hashira to test his own strength. If he could not even handle the Stone Hashira, then fighting an Upper Moon would only mean getting crushed.

"Then thank you, Big Brother Gyomei!"

"Everything for Little Brother, Amitabha!"

Gyomei Himejima removed his weapons, planted both feet on the ground, and assumed a punching stance. Tsugikuni Kuuga, meanwhile, stepped forward with his right foot and performed the Starting Breathing stance of Tai Chi.

To better sense heaven and earth, Tsugikuni Kuuga directly closed his eyes. At the same time, Tai Chi Sense activated.

Both Shinobu Kocho and Kanae grew somewhat worried. Every Hashira present knew the Stone Hashira's strength. He was number one, without question.

The atmosphere immediately became tense. If Tsugikuni Kuuga could not withstand the Stone Hashira's punch, he would undoubtedly be injured.

But Tsugikuni Kuuga was full of confidence. So then, the Sky Hashira's little lesson was now in session: teaching everyone how to use Four Ounces Deflect a Thousand Pounds and Overcoming Hardness with Softness.