He Was Very Dangerous

"It's useless."

The water column walked over and pressed down on the wind column's shoulder.

He was the only one who remained relatively calm at the scene.

In fact, as dawn approached, Shiwei already felt that Long's behavior was very strange, and that he was very likely not a ghost.

Logically speaking, Oboro could easily get rid of them, and even escape in time after killing them.

It won't wait until dawn.

From a worldly perspective, they were powerless against Oboro's identity.

Even if they wanted to avenge Lei Zhu, they couldn't kill him with their power.

Fengzhu's eyes were bloodshot with rage; he was extremely unwilling to accept this.

His eyes seemed to want to devour Oboro.

Deep down, however, he knew that what his partner said was true.

"I have a question."

The Shiwei stared directly at Long.

The story continues in a quiet and serene atmosphere.

"Why?"

It's just three very simple words, but I vaguely understand what he means.

They don't know swordsmanship, their physical bodies are average, and they don't show any signs of powerful breathing techniques, so why are they able to easily suppress them?

"Here."

Long stretched out his finger and gently tapped his temple. "It's experience."

Countless battles, far more dangerous and complex than this one... His targets in the Hunter x Hunter combat are many beyond the comprehension and experimentation of this world, such as those rule-based life forms and extraordinary powers. They have all transcended the level of 'traditional power,' coupled with the complex settings and dazzling effects of Nen ... These are not things that swordsmen or demons possess.

Before this, he had always played high-level games.

However, to the Pillars, his words were as good as nothing.

Experience is something I accumulate personally and it's not convenient to share.

"My breathing, the way I wield the knife... Although I don't know swordsmanship, every technique in the world has its own pattern, and the essence remains the same despite the variations. When you swing your swords, you first use your limbs, so as long as I can capture the movement of your bodies, I can judge the angle and speed of the blade... Even if I only maintain my physical fitness at a level comparable to yours, I can still break through the surface by attacking from a single point and strike first after being attacked later."

Long said softly, "Your thinking has been bound by your breathing techniques and your long-standing swordsmanship, forming subconscious habits... After fighting all night, the fact that you still can't be sure of my 'movements' speaks volumes."

"Long ago, there was a swordsman whose breathing and swordsmanship were at their pinnacle... When others fought him, they couldn't find any exploitable information or weaknesses in him; they were completely one. By the time they tried to see or react, the sword had already struck... His swordsmanship was not fixed, and breathing was merely a tool for him to use his techniques... He did not rely entirely on this power. In other words, to you, breathing is breathing, and swordsmanship is swordsmanship; the two seem to be integrated, but in reality, they are separate."

As she said this, Oboro's mind conjured up the image of Kamado Tanpei Kagura Dance.

Merging with a blurry shadow, that is Yoriichi Tsugikuni.

The Kamado Clan couldn't reach Yoriichi Tsugikuni's level, so if they wanted to pass on the Sun Breathing, they still had to rely on formalized movements, but for the former, that was clearly unnecessary.

By observing the Sun Breathing, Oboro can determine the level of Yoriichi Tsugikuni's strength.

"The ways I destroyed your sword techniques were all due to your own weaknesses. You should have remembered them all... Use your memories of this battle to change them."

After speaking, Oboro raised his hand and used two fingers to push aside the Nichirin Sword of the Wind Pillar, then slowly walked away.

In the morning light, his words drifted over on the gentle breeze.

"His death had value... at least you learned something, didn't you?"

This refers to Lei Zhu.

"Aaaaaaah!"

Then, as they watched the man leave, the heart-wrenching roar of the wind pillar echoed high in the sky.

This night was the most shocking and embarrassing moment for the Pillars since they joined the Demon Slayer Corps.

In some people's hearts, it is an indelible stain that can never be erased.

"It's not sympathy..."

"It is charity with a manipulative purpose."

Shui Zhuo held his forehead and said calmly.

The hand gripping the Nichirin Sword tightened involuntarily.

Was he angry?

He was naturally angry... but he didn't show it as obviously as Feng Zhu; instead, he suppressed it in his heart.

Undeniably, Oboro was helping them... helping them evolve, inspiring them to grow through a deeply memorable event.

But if becoming stronger comes at the cost of sacrificing his comrades, then... he would rather not have that power.

Why do we say it's manipulation? Because there are many ways to transfer power, and Oboro chose one that... at least they couldn't accept.

Those villagers... what did this man value his life for? What difference was there between him and a ghost?

A few days later, at the Ubuyashiki Clan's residence.

The six pillars, led by the Shiwei, recounted in detail their battle with Oboro.

That's how it is.

The person who reported was from the Shiwei.

The six people looked dejected, as if they hadn't recovered even after all these days.

A body covered with a white cloth was placed to the side; it was Lei Zhu, who had died.

It already smells terrible...

They brought back their companion's remains and brought them to see their lord.

Ubuyashiki Kuno gazed at Raiju's body, her expression seemingly calm, but her eyes betrayed an unconcealable tremor and heartache.

"I see."

His voice remained calm.

After speaking, supported by his wife, he rose and knelt beside the corpse, taking Raiju's stiff, cold hand in his palm. Then, he smiled at the six listless and clearly frustrated people, "This is not your fault, it's my responsibility, I misjudged... If I had discovered sooner that he had broken Muzan's control, this situation wouldn't have happened. After I die, before I go to hell, I will personally apologize to Ikki and explain everything."

"My lord."

These words darkened the eyes of the pillars.

The phrase "going to hell" is enough to illustrate the immense pressure and responsibility that Ubuyashiki Kuno shoulders.

What kind of awareness do they hold?

This man took all the responsibility for the deaths of all the Demon Slayer Corps members of his generation upon himself, believing that he was also a 'murderer'.

Ubuyashiki Kuno believed what Shiwei and Tanjuro had seen: Oboro had indeed become a demon in Qinglin Town, but had now returned to human form... It sounded absurd, but it wasn't impossible. At least, the Ubuyashiki Clan knew that Muzan had been searching for something all these years, trying to get rid of some of the drawbacks and effects brought about by his bloodline.

Furthermore, judging from Long's series of actions, this person is extraordinary, even beyond imagination... It's not surprising that such a person would do some unbelievable things.

Oboro's understanding of the Demon Slayer Corps and Muzan, and of this long-standing, fated struggle, is probably even greater than theirs.

Soon, the Demon Slayer Corps' ninjas appeared and properly placed the Raiju's body, awaiting burial.

Led by Ubuyashiki Kuno, discussions about 'Oboro' began.

But soon, the six pillars disagreed.

The water column and the wind column each maintained their own viewpoints and argued their points.

"Even you said he was deliberately toying with us... He's a guy who can't even use a sword, and he's our enemy. Why should we accept his charity? From now on, I will never practice that Breath Control Technique again. I have my own breathing method, and I can kill demons just like that, including Muzan ... I will prove it!"

"Calm down... You're just acting on impulse."

The water column frowned slightly.

"Acting on impulse? Kawai Ichie, you heartless bastard! Don't forget, Otomo Issui died for us. If he hadn't led the charge, you would have been the one who died, any one of us!"

Enraged, Wind Pillar grabbed Shiwei by the collar and pulled him up, his eyes bloodshot. "I've made up my mind. If I can't find Muzan within a certain period of time, I'll go to the Entertainment District where that guy lives and kill him... Even if I can't defeat him, I'll kill the people around him and let him experience the pain of losing loved ones!"

"Yes, I don't want to accept the power he gives me either... but it can indeed make us stronger, allow us to kill more demons, and change the situation of our Demon Slayer Corps! It can reduce the number of our comrades who will sacrifice themselves when we face Muzan Kibutsuji one day! Compared to everything Oboro has done for us, I don't want to witness you all falling in front of me tomorrow, the day after tomorrow... or at some point in the future, and I'm powerless to do anything about it! Once is enough!"

Shiwei looked at Feng Zhu with calm eyes, showing no sign of backing down.

"You can call me a coward, laugh at me all you want, I don't care... Otomo Issui is dead, and I hate Oboro too, but I know I can't avenge him right now! So, instead of venting my frustrations here, I'd rather become stronger... even if that power comes from my enemy. As long as I'm strong enough to kill Muzan, to kill him... I'll do anything."

"..."

Fengzhu gritted his teeth, but couldn't utter a single word in rebuttal.

Using the power given to him by Oboro to kill Oboro... that's certainly a viable option.

Because without the breathing exercises and the lesson that Long taught them that night, they wouldn't have been able to break through the bottleneck using only their own strength.

"I don't know what you all think..."

Shiwei glanced at his other companions. "Apart from Tanjuro and Tsukahara were promoted to Pillar by killing the Lower Moon of the Twelve Kizuki, the rest of us, including myself, reached Pillar level by killing a certain number of demons... I have fought with an Upper Moon. Although I don't want to say it so bluntly, if I relied solely on my own efforts, I might never be able to kill an Upper Moon in my entire life. I'm not denying myself; I'm just stating a fact."

"Our generation of Demon Slayer Corps suffered heavy casualties... Now only six Pillars remain. In my opinion, the main reason for this is that we Pillars failed to protect our juniors well, and failed to put pressure on Muzan and those demons, allowing them to attack us with impunity. For a time, those demons would even actively attack and kill our members whenever they heard of a 'Demon Slayer' appearing..."

"Therefore, considering all these events, even if it goes against my conscience, I will still accept this power."

After hearing what the Shiwei said, Fengzhu snorted, let go of the water column, and pushed it to the ground.

He turned and walked to the side.

"I think he's amazing! Surprisingly strong!"

Suddenly, Rengoku Tenjuro shouted loudly.

"The breathing technique can help not only us, but all members of the Demon Slayer Corps... With this training method, the new blood that emerges in the future will easily surpass our generation, and it will also accelerate the time of Muzan's death. Therefore, I support the Shiwei. This power must be passed on intact."

"It's rocky," the pillar said in a deep voice.

"You!"

Upon hearing this, Fengzhu became even angrier.

Seeing that the group was about to start arguing again, Ubuyashiki Kuno, who had been silent all along, finally spoke up.

The breathing technique has been widely implemented in the Demon Slayer Corps. In addition to the Pillars, many high-ranking swordsmen have already started practicing it. Not only within the Demon Slayer Corps, but also some trainers who have left the Demon Slayer Corps have read and gradually studied it.

For Ubuyashiki Kuno, Muzan could have survived by his hand and not ended with his generation.

But it must be done as soon as possible, because the longer it is delayed, the more innocent lives will be Muzan.

He didn't care about the honor of killing Muzan... his demand was that Muzan must die.

Anyone can be the hero.

Seeing that the lord had made such a statement, Fengzhu had no choice but to shut his mouth.

"Judging from Oboro's actions, he seems to have some ideas about the Demon Slayer Corps as well... although his indifference to human life is unacceptable."

The pillars all quieted down and listened to their lord's analysis.

"What worries me more is that if someone like him were to join forces with Muzan one day, or even turn against the demons, the impact on us would be devastating."

"..."

"However, there's no need to worry too much. Although I've only met him once, someone like him can't be controlled by Muzan... He turned into a demon before to get rid of his illness. Now that he's appeared, Muzan must have sensed it... Based on my understanding of Muzan, he will definitely go after Oboro, because Oboro has something he wants!"

Nothing is absolute. Who knows what will happen once Oboro comes into contact with Muzan? Maybe he'll actually be persuaded? "No way."

Seeing the change in their expressions, Kuno shook his head. "He was already a demon. If he were greedy for demon power or wanted to live longer, he wouldn't have become human... This shows that, at least in his heart, there is an element of contempt and disdain for the identity of a demon. Muzan's blood is just a tool he uses. He is very determined to retain his human side and has his own attitude, so even if Muzan meets him in person, the result is already predetermined... He might even suffer for it."

"This might be the only good news."

"I don't quite understand."

At this moment, Sayuri, the only woman among the Pillars, suddenly spoke up, "If he hates demons so much, why did he refuse to join the Demon Slayer Corps? If he didn't want to be with us or looked down on us, there was no need for him to befriend us, teach us breathing techniques... and even give us special pointers."

Ubuyashiki Kuno.

Thinking back to the scene when I first met Oboro.

Looking up at the azure sky, I thought, "He has a purpose... Although we don't know what that purpose is, at least for now, we must remain extremely vigilant."

"He... is dangerous."