A Blurred Future

'However, even within a Two-Star World,'

'the Tsugikuni Yoriichi before me has already surpassed the strength of a Two-Star level, hasn't he?'

Sarutobi Hiruzen's intuition as a ninja was incredibly sharp; the pressure Tsugikuni Yoriichi exerted on him was nearly greater than that of the Kage from enemy villages.

"This gentleman..."

"My name is Tsugikuni Yoriichi."

"I am currently a wandering swordsman."

"I wish to join the Demon Slayer Corps to eradicate demons."

Tsugikuni Yoriichi introduced himself, appearing quite polite toward his elder.

"Since we are heading the same way, let us go up together."

Sarutobi Hiruzen took the opportunity to extend an invitation; he had not expected such a coincidence.

On the very day he arrived at the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters, he had encountered the powerhouse who descended upon the Demon Slayer World, Tsugikuni Yoriichi.

Sarutobi Hiruzen had originally been prepared for the possibility that Tsugikuni Yoriichi did not exist in this era, and had been ready to find his own way to deal with Kibutsuji Muzan.

Tsugikuni Yoriichi was indeed just as described in the original work: a gentle, calm, kind, and handsome man.

Yet, no one who met him could ever harbor feelings of jealousy.

He was a perfect man.

"So it is Mr. Sarutobi..."

Tsugikuni Yoriichi was somewhat surprised.

"It seems you share the same surname as that famous ninja..."

"It appears you are a ninja as well, sir."

Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded.

"That is correct..."

"However, if we are being precise, I am not an ordinary ninja..."

"Just as you are not an ordinary swordsman."

Tsugikuni Yoriichi shook his head, looking earnest.

"That is not the case..."

"I am merely a swordsman who knows how to wield a blade a little..."

"How could I compare to you, sir?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen fell silent upon hearing this, saying nothing more.

Although it was severely inconsistent with the facts, Tsugikuni Yoriichi was entirely sincere and had no intention of being humble-bragging.

But that was precisely what left Sarutobi Hiruzen feeling speechless.

If Tsugikuni Yoriichi were considered an ordinary swordsman in this world, then the rest of the swordsmen could basically be said to not even know how to hold a blade.

Seeing that Sarutobi Hiruzen had stopped speaking, Tsugikuni Yoriichi assumed he had said something wrong, so he also fell silent.

While on the way to the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters, someone had already come to meet them.

"My lords..."

A young man dressed like a samurai walked up to Sarutobi Hiruzen and his companion.

"Please follow me."

"The Master has been waiting for a long time."

Tsugikuni Yoriichi looked somewhat surprised.

"Did that Master know in advance that I was coming?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen, however, was not surprised; he knew that the Ubuyashiki clan generally possessed abilities beyond those of ordinary people.

They possessed an extraordinary charisma and the ability to see glimpses of the future, which allowed them to contend with Kibutsuji Muzan over a long period of time and ensure their family did not decline.

"Please, this way..."

The young samurai had no intention of answering Tsugikuni Yoriichi's question, instead smiling and gesturing for them to follow.

Tsugikuni Yoriichi did not intend to probe further, and seeing Sarutobi Hiruzen take the lead, he followed closely behind.

Leaving the town's market and reaching the remote hillside behind the town, bypassing layers of guards and the Wisteria Grove, Tsugikuni Yoriichi and Sarutobi Hiruzen finally arrived at the location of the Demon Slayer Corps.

It was also the secluded residence of the Ubuyashiki clan.

"This is the place."

"Hoo, hoo..."

"Please, come inside, both of you..."

The mountain path was neither flat nor short, leaving the young samurai panting for breath.

But for Sarutobi Hiruzen and his companion, it didn't even count as a warm-up; their composed expressions left the young samurai inwardly astonished.

So these are the powerhouses the Master instructed us to respect; they truly are extraordinary.

This was a vast, flat area equipped with various training facilities, where samurai were leading many young children through grueling drills.

"They are truly full of vitality..."

"The Demon Slayer Corps..."

"It is just as I imagined..."

Tsugikuni Yoriichi felt a sense of joy, for these were people who shared his aspirations.

Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded.

"Indeed, to do such a thing in this era requires considerable courage."

Given the limited food production and resources of this ancient era, maintaining a large group of non-productive warriors was undoubtedly a feat that required immense wealth and resolve.

Not to mention that they were doing this not to vie for hegemony, but to risk their lives against monsters.

The two did not linger in the front courtyard for long, instead heading toward the deepest compound.

The leader of the Demon Slayer Corps was waiting for them there.

A maid appeared and led the two inside, where they met the Ubuyashiki Clan Head, who was rumored to possess the bloodline of the gods.

Pushing open the doors, they found a man with a frail frame and shoulder-length hair sitting on the floor, awaiting their arrival.

At a glance, the man's appearance was far from ordinary; the area above his lips was covered in an ugly, burn-like birthmark, and his eyes were abnormally cloudy, appearing almost completely blind.

Yet, despite this, the man before them was exceptionally composed, wearing a kind and gentle smile, seemingly untroubled by his own appearance.

Seeing such an unusual visage would unsettle most, but neither Sarutobi Hiruzen nor his companion were ordinary men; they looked him straight in the eyes without the slightest change in expression.

"I have finally waited for you."

"This is truly a joyous occasion."

The Ubuyashiki Clan Head spoke, his voice warm and clear, pleasant like a mountain spring.

As he said this, he was clearly facing Tsugikuni Yoriichi, evidently having foreseen his existence in the future.

This man who had descended from the heavens would be the one to shift the balance of power between the Demon Slayer Corps and the demons; everything was about to begin with Tsugikuni Yoriichi.

"Of course... I am also pleased by your arrival."

The Ubuyashiki Clan Head then turned to Sarutobi Hiruzen, though his expression shifted ever so slightly.

"Not at all."

Tsugikuni Yoriichi felt a great deal of goodwill toward this Master who possessed such an indomitable spirit despite his physical frailty.

"I am merely an ordinary swordsman."

"It is not something worth celebrating..."

"If I can make a contribution toward slaying demons, then I will not have failed your expectations."

Tsugikuni Yoriichi remained as humble and steady as ever, completely unaware of his own immense power.

"You cannot say that."

"Your arrival will completely change the situation between us and the demons."

"The contributions you will make to this world..."

"No matter how much respect and gratitude we show..."

"It would not be enough."

Upon hearing this, the Ubuyashiki Clan Head bowed slightly, expressing his gratitude toward Tsugikuni Yoriichi.

"Can you see my future?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen held no particular reverence for the Ubuyashiki Clan Head; in terms of age, he was more than old enough to be his father.

He also lacked the bushido sentimentality of this world that would compel him to be loyal to the Ubuyashiki clan just because he was in the Demon Slayer Corps.

Furthermore, the natural aura of affinity the Ubuyashiki Clan Head possessed was like a drop in the ocean compared to the sun-like presence of Tsugikuni Yoriichi, and it could not influence Sarutobi Hiruzen's feelings in the slightest.

Tsugikuni Yoriichi, hearing this, looked at Sarutobi Hiruzen and the Ubuyashiki Clan Head with equal confusion.

Please keep reading and following, or I'll have Tsugikuni Yoriichi stab your backside 1,500 times in a second.