Tsugikuni Kuuga had always wanted to promote Tai Chi throughout the Demon Slayer Corps, but he held no position yet, so it would probably be difficult. He planned to postpone the matter until he became a Hashira. After all, a Hashira carried considerable influence.
Though he could not promote it across the entire Demon Slayer Corps, he still had people right in front of him. So, under the banner of strengthening the body, Tsugikuni Kuuga tricked two apprentices into joining him—the Butterfly Sisters, of course.
Tsugikuni Kuuga had originally invited Aoi Kanzaki as well, but she was simply too busy. She managed every aspect of the Butterfly Mansion and truly had no time.
Suddenly, Shinobu Kocho's fist thumped against Tsugikuni Kuuga's chest, since that was as high as she could reach.
"Hey! Weren't you going to teach us that Tai Chi? Why are you spacing out? Hmph!" Shinobu Kocho complained.
"Ah! I was just reminiscing!" Tsugikuni Kuuga said, scratching his head awkwardly.
Kanae Kocho walked over and restrained Shinobu Kocho. Her restless little sister had become even more unruly since Tsugikuni Kuuga arrived, leaving her quite helpless.
"Kuuga is our teacher now, so show him some respect. Don't keep hitting him!"
Kanae Kocho patted her sister's head. Shinobu Kocho wore an expression of pure enjoyment, like a kitten, making Tsugikuni Kuuga's hand itch to do the same.
Suddenly, Tsugikuni Kuuga became serious and explained, "Tai Chi is a traditional martial art that combines the cultivation of one's temperament, physical fitness, and combat. It incorporates the transformations of Yin-Yang and Five Elements. It is practiced both internally and externally, and is gentle, slow, light, and balanced between hardness and softness."
"Then where did you learn Tai Chi? And I don't understand half the things you just said!" Shinobu Kocho cut in.
Tsugikuni Kuuga held out his index finger toward Shinobu Kocho and wagged it repeatedly. "No, no, no. Tai Chi emphasizes Overcoming Hardness with Softness and Four Ounces Deflect a Thousand Pounds. It relies on clever force, which just so happens to make up for Shinobu's lack of strength!"
"It's that amazing?"
Hearing that it could solve her problem of being physically weak, Shinobu Kocho's eyes lit up. After all, that was her greatest shortcoming.
"Forget it. Just come hit me and you'll understand. I'll let you experience it for yourself!"
Tsugikuni Kuuga placed one hand behind his back, looking every bit like a master. Shinobu Kocho froze for a moment, then laughed. It was her first time meeting someone asking to be hit, so she would not hold back.
Without another word, Shinobu Kocho charged forward. Just as her fist was about to touch Tsugikuni Kuuga, he stepped out with his left foot and seized her arm with one hand.
Then Shinobu Kocho felt as though all her strength had been drained away. Her body flew out of control, but just before she fell, Tsugikuni Kuuga caught her in his arms.
Their eyes met, and both their cheeks flushed red. Tsugikuni Kuuga unconsciously looked away. Staring at his handsome profile, Shinobu Kocho felt as though her heartbeat had quickened.
She hurriedly pulled herself from Tsugikuni Kuuga's arms, but before leaving, she viciously stomped on his foot. The pain made Tsugikuni Kuuga yelp as she put on an innocent expression.
"Shinobu, I was only demonstrating! Besides, didn't I catch you?" Tsugikuni Kuuga complained.
Kanae Kocho was clearly stunned by Tsugikuni Kuuga's technique of Borrowing Force to Strike. It really was impressive.
"By the way, Kuuga, how did you do that?" Kanae Kocho asked.
"As for me, I started practicing when I was eight. It has been six and a half years now. I practice a set every morning, but the most important thing is to grasp the spirit within it and achieve harmony with heaven and earth!" Tsugikuni Kuuga explained.
But Kanae Kocho knew that practicing without interruption for six and a half years required a perseverance most ordinary people could never possess. Yet Tsugikuni Kuuga had persisted, which showed just how remarkable he was.
Not only Kanae Kocho, but even Shinobu Kocho admired Tsugikuni Kuuga's perseverance. Why had he kept at it for so long? Shinobu Kocho was very curious.
"Alright, today we'll first learn some basic Tai Chi hand forms: the fist, palm, and hook. Tai Chi may be called a fist art, but it involves more than just fists!" Tsugikuni Kuuga said.
Tsugikuni Kuuga then demonstrated how to form a fist: curl the five fingers and close them naturally, with the thumb pressing over the second knuckles of the index and middle fingers.
The Butterfly Sisters copied Tsugikuni Kuuga's movements. He then taught them the palm and hook forms. The sisters were very clever, and within one morning, they had memorized the basic hand movements.
Tsugikuni Kuuga was greatly shocked. When he had learned Tai Chi, he had nearly forgotten each move as soon as he learned it. It had taken him a whole week just to remember all the hand forms.
Time always passed quickly while learning. The morning's practice soon ended, and in the afternoon, Tsugikuni Kuuga went to swing his blade. Of course, he did not merely swing it up and down. Instead, he continuously repeated the Twelve Forms of Sun-Breathing. He knew that linking all twelve together created the Thirteenth Form.
Only after practicing it did he understand why Yoriichi Tsugikuni had been called a god. This thing truly was not meant for humans. If Tsugikuni Kuuga had not strengthened his body since childhood, he would never have endured Sun-Breathing's torment.
Tsugikuni Kuuga had also fantasized about getting some kind of system like other transmigrators. Wouldn't that let him stomp on Upper Moons and punch Muzan into the ground?
But ideals were full while reality was thin. There was no such thing. If Tsugikuni Kuuga wanted to protect those around him, he had to train diligently. Keeping his feet on the ground was the proper path!
Soon, the next day arrived, and Tsugikuni Kuuga's little class began again. Shinobu Kocho rubbed her eyes, looking exhausted beyond belief.
"Shinobu, don't tell me you stayed up late making medicine again?" Tsugikuni Kuuga asked.
"Can't help it. It keeps failing, and your blood is very useful!" Shinobu Kocho licked her lips greedily.
Tsugikuni Kuuga instantly broke out in goosebumps. Was she going to draw my blood again? If she takes any more, I'll die of anemia.
Tsugikuni Kuuga hugged his shoulders and trembled. At that moment, Shinobu Kocho seemed like a hungry wolf, while he was a helpless little lamb.
"If you draw any more, I'll get anemia! Boo hoo hoo!" Tsugikuni Kuuga looked utterly pitiful.
"I'll make it up to you afterward, won't I? If the medicine succeeds, you'll be a great hero. After all, not everyone has regeneration abilities as powerful as a demon's!" Shinobu Kocho looked at Tsugikuni Kuuga with a wicked grin.
"Alright, stop teasing Kuuga. Let's continue learning!"
Kanae Kocho had appeared behind Shinobu Kocho at some point, startling her so badly that she jumped.
"Big sis, why don't you make any sound when you walk? If you scare your dear little sister to death, you'll be the one crying!" Shinobu Kocho complained.
"You act like such a tomboy every day. What are you going to do in the future? What if you can't get married? Sigh." Kanae Kocho helplessly pressed a hand to her forehead.
But Shinobu Kocho herself did not know why her gaze drifted toward Tsugikuni Kuuga, who was deep in thought. Tsugikuni Kuuga, however, noticed nothing.
Suddenly, Tsugikuni Kuuga raised his head and met Shinobu Kocho's eyes. Thinking there was something on his face, he hurriedly rubbed at it.
Shinobu Kocho immediately looked away and muttered softly, "How do you know I won't be able to get married?"
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