Sparring

Ever seen a fist as big as a sandbag? Today, Tsugikuni Kuuga saw one. The Stone Hashira's boulder-like fist came straight at him.

The weight of stone was reassuring, yet its weight made Tsugikuni Kuuga panic. From the wind carried by that fist, he could tell the Stone Hashira was serious, throwing a punch powerful enough to kill a bull.

Luckily, Tsugikuni Kuuga practiced Tai Chi. Otherwise, he would have completely panicked. Feeling the Stone Hashira's fist wind, Tsugikuni Kuuga followed the force of his attack.

The Stone Hashira only felt as though his strength had been stolen away, then he flew in the direction of his punch. Just as he was about to fall, Tsugikuni Kuuga pulled him back in time.

Everyone revealed incredulous expressions. It was like an Evil Demon suddenly turning vegetarian—The strongest person in the Demon Slayer Corps had been defeated by a newcomer.

"Thank you, Brother Kuuga, for pulling me back in time. Amitabha!"

"This really is impressive. The instant I came into contact with my young friend, my strength vanished. Amitabha!" the Stone Hashira explained.

"Excuse my poor showing, everyone!"

Like a street performer, Tsugikuni Kuuga began thanking them.

Oyakata-sama remained calm, but he intended to strike while the iron was hot. This martial art truly deserved to be promoted.

"What do you all think? Kuuga's martial art is indeed very strong!"

"Of course we should learn it!" the Flame Hashira answered loudly.

"I second that!"

"I second that!"

Even Sanemi Shinazugawa, who had always called Tai Chi a dance, agreed to learn it. Kuuga had come out ahead this time; not only had his influence grown, but the culture had been promoted as well.

Afterward, Oyakata-sama made some work arrangements. Since Tsugikuni Kuuga had not truly sparred with the Stone Hashira, he did not accept the top position.

Tsugikuni Kuuga had thought becoming a Hashira would make things easier, but he had not expected to become even busier. Hashira were responsible for guarding enormous areas, gathering intelligence related to demons, and training to improve their swordsmanship.

As for intelligence, Tsugikuni Kuuga found it effortless. He had been unable to explain things before, but after becoming a Hashira, he could gradually leak some information about the Upper Moons.

At last, amid his busy work, Tsugikuni Kuuga gained some rare time to rest. But Sanemi Shinazugawa came looking for him and started shouting outside Kuuga's room as soon as he arrived.

"Kuuga, come out and spar! How long have you been putting me off? A man has to keep his word!"

Tsugikuni Kuuga rubbed his sleepy eyes and opened the door, muttering, "Why are you shouting so early in the morning? Don't you know there are wounded people in the Butterfly Mansion?"

Sanemi Shinazugawa grabbed Tsugikuni Kuuga by the collar and snarled, "How long are you planning to dodge this?"

Tsugikuni Kuuga deeply regretted agreeing to spar with this guy. The man harassed him whenever he had free time. Didn't he have work to do?

So Tsugikuni Kuuga began playing dumb. "Oh, White Hair. The weather's nice today. Perfect for sunbathing!"

"Don't try to change the subject. It's useless. If we don't spar today, don't even think about sleeping!" Sanemi Shinazugawa was resolute.

"Spar over what?"

"A spar!"

"Who's sparring with who? Let me go watch!"

"Me and you!"

"Why are you sparring with me?"

"Go to hell!" Sanemi Shinazugawa irritably drew his Nichirin Blade and put it against Tsugikuni Kuuga's neck.

"Young man, no need to be so impulsive!"

"Come on, move the blade away. It wouldn't be good if someone got hurt!" Tsugikuni Kuuga said with a grin as he pushed Shinazugawa's blade aside.

"Are we sparring or not?" Sanemi Shinazugawa moved his blade even closer to Tsugikuni Kuuga.

"We are. Tonight, then. Don't be late!"

Only after hearing Tsugikuni Kuuga's confirmation did Sanemi Shinazugawa withdraw his blade and leave the Butterfly Mansion.

Tsugikuni Kuuga yawned and turned back into his room. They had to settle this sooner or later. Otherwise, if he was joking around with his Shinobu-wife one day and that hotheaded old brother barged in, it would be unbearable.

The agreed time soon arrived. Tsugikuni Kuuga brought Shinazugawa to the place where he trained. Even the hotheaded old brother was impressed by the scenery.

"You're pretty good at finding places, kid. Not bad!"

"Why do you have alcohol in your hand? Hey!"

"If you win, I'll treat you to a drink. It's expensive!" Sanemi Shinazugawa looked at the liquor as though it were treasure.

"Uh... Let's just start. Looks like I'll have to drink today!"

Both of them drew their wooden practice swords, and Sanemi Shinazugawa immediately assumed a fighting stance.

Tsugikuni Kuuga seriously activated Tai Chi Sense right away, but Sanemi Shinazugawa attacked first: Wind Breathing, Second Form: Claws!

Four green wind blades shot straight at Tsugikuni Kuuga's face. Sanemi Shinazugawa intended to use this move to disrupt him before closing in for a melee attack.

Tsugikuni Kuuga used Sun-Breathing First Form: Vortex Waltz to shatter the wind blades, then unleashed Sun-Breathing: Fourth Form - Mirage Sun Rainbow to accelerate. In an instant, he arrived before Sanemi Shinazugawa.

"You're pretty fast!"

"You can't describe a man as fast!" Tsugikuni Kuuga quipped.

Then he launched Sun-Breathing First Form: Vortex Waltz again. Tsugikuni Kuuga had no intention of tangling with Sanemi Shinazugawa, planning to use the Thirteenth Form to end the fight outright.

Sanemi Shinazugawa was also battle-hardened. He immediately used Wind Breathing, Third Form: Clear Gale Forest to neutralize Tsugikuni Kuuga's attack, then followed with Wind Breathing, Eighth Form: First Gust.

But by then, Tsugikuni Kuuga had already brought Sun-Breathing to Sun-Breathing, Eleventh Form: Halo Dragon Head Dance. The fire dragon, its maw wide open, bit apart the wind blades swirling around Sanemi Shinazugawa and blocked his spinning slash as well.

Sanemi Shinazugawa was driven back several steps by Tsugikuni Kuuga's attack. He hurriedly used Seventh Form: Gale, Tengu Wind. Several tornado-shaped wind blades attacked Tsugikuni Kuuga from every direction, giving Sanemi Shinazugawa a chance to catch his breath.

But Tsugikuni Kuuga's Flame Dance directly neutralized the tornado-shaped wind blades. Stepping through the flames, Kuuga charged forward. Though Sanemi Shinazugawa had only a single breath to recover, he still managed to steady himself.

At the same time, he used Wind Breathing's ultimate form: Ninth Form: Idaten Typhoon. He rapidly circled his enemy and unleashed repeated spinning slashes, his speed having improved by leaps and bounds.

But Tsugikuni Kuuga's cycle had linked back up, forcibly driving Sanemi Shinazugawa back several more steps. The web between Sanemi Shinazugawa's thumb and forefinger ached from the shock.

Kuuga really was monstrously strong. No wonder he was a user of the Initial Breathing. Fighting him could help me improve. Sanemi Shinazugawa directly became the Roaring Emperor. If his fighting power was lacking, he would make up for it with his voice.

Ferocious wind and the scorching sun collided in the air, splitting the sky above the entire grassland in two—one side dazzling gold-red, the other emerald-green wind.