The Fluctuations of All Things

Sarutobi Hiruzen was well aware of the abilities of Tsugikuni Yoriichi, so he asked directly.

"Is it possible to adapt it to my body?"

"To develop a breathing style exclusive to me?"

This was what Sarutobi Hiruzen cared about most; in his view, it was far more valuable than the so-called immortality of demons.

That was the nature of breathing styles: they not only possessed a universality that allowed them to be learned, but they also carried various elemental powers and improved one's physique to a great degree.

If it could be perfectly integrated into the system of Chakra, it would be of immense use to Sarutobi Hiruzen, who had already reached the end of the ninja's path.

"Fortunately, your body also possesses the capacity for breathing and lung function..."

Tsugikuni Yoriichi wore a humble and amiable smile.

"This is the foundation of breathing styles..."

"So, there should be no problem..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen naturally trusted the abilities of Tsugikuni Yoriichi, as the first generation of breathing styles in the Demon Slayer Corps had basically been brought up by him single-handedly.

With the Transparent World ability, the human body held almost no secrets before Tsugikuni Yoriichi.

However, compared to an ordinary swordsman, Sarutobi Hiruzen had more thoughts on the matter.

"I understand the function of breathing styles."

"They can greatly improve lung capacity and allow for a brief burst of greater speed and strength..."

"But beyond that, regarding your power of the sun..."

"That extremely high temperature..."

"Where does it originate?"

Just after Sarutobi Hiruzen had demonstrated his own strength, Tsugikuni Yoriichi had also displayed his Sun Breathing.

He had easily sliced through a ten-meter-tall boulder.

If it had been merely that, Sarutobi Hiruzen would not have been curious, but on the flat surface of the severed boulder, there were marks as if it had been scorched by flames.

The temperature was so high that it rivaled the nature transformation of Sarutobi Hiruzen's Fire Release; it was not caused by friction with the air.

This left Sarutobi Hiruzen unable to fathom how a breathing style that purely acted upon lung function could generate elemental power.

It was not just the high heat, but also the later manifestations of lightning, wind, water, and so on.

Tsugikuni Yoriichi replied, "That is correct. The foundation of breathing styles is indeed to improve physical ability,"

"But breathing styles also possess another nature."

Tsugikuni Yoriichi paused.

"By using human breathing to simulate the breathing of all things..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen narrowed his eyes, and with the wisdom of the Professor of Ninjutsu, he instantly understood the meaning.

"Saying 'the breathing of all things' is a bit vague..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen corrected him.

"It should be called the vibrations of all things, perhaps..."

Upon hearing this, Tsugikuni Yoriichi nodded, feeling a sense of admiration.

"Mr. Sarutobi's wisdom is truly remarkable..."

"Vibrations..."

"This description is indeed more accurate..."

There was nothing mystical about it; in Sarutobi Hiruzen's understanding, the so-called breathing of all things, or the vibrations of all things, According to modern scientific theory, meant that everything in the world had a specific frequency.

Whether it was stone, the human body, lightning, or flowing water, each had its own unique frequency of motion.

And Tsugikuni Yoriichi was able to imitate the frequency of the sun through his breathing, thereby generating the energy of the sun.

"It is truly too remarkable..."

"This kind of breathing style."

Sarutobi Hiruzen praised him without reservation. Although the combat power displayed was limited, based on the nature of its development, it had considerable potential even in many high-level worlds.

"But Yoriichi, you know that I am not suited for your breathing style."

Sarutobi Hiruzen said to Tsugikuni Yoriichi, "I have my own power system, which can also achieve the effects of a breathing style."

"Forcing a burst of lung capacity would, for me, be a burden instead..."

Breathing styles were actually not much different from Chakra in a certain sense; both involved squeezing one's own life energy, without any restorative effects.

In fact, breathing styles were even more extreme, approaching the toll of the Eight Inner Gates.

After activating the Demon Slayer Mark, one wouldn't even live past the age of twenty-five.

Sarutobi Hiruzen could not imagine his own aged body squeezing out Chakra while simultaneously utilizing a Breathing Style.

That would be far less pleasant than simply opening the Eight Inner Gates.

"Although you might look down upon it."

"I truly do need to linger on for a while longer..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen stated his needs without any attempt at concealment.

"I require a Breathing Style that can nourish the body and extend one's lifespan."

He needed a Breathing Style that could prolong life, not one that would shorten it.

If there were any way to achieve longevity in this world other than turning into a demon, then only the man before him could possibly make it happen.

Tsugikuni Yoriichi was the only individual to have activated the Demon Slayer Mark yet still live to the age of eighty; surely, it wasn't purely due to a gifted constitution.

Seemingly sensing Sarutobi Hiruzen's sincerity, Tsugikuni Yoriichi also turned serious.

"Since it is a request from Mr. Sarutobi, I will certainly do my best..."

Although Tsugikuni Yoriichi had always been a man who followed his heart without overstepping boundaries, he had never cared at all about things like lifespan.

For a person like Tsugikuni Yoriichi, how one lives is far more important than how long one lives.

However, Tsugikuni Yoriichi was also willing to respect the wishes of others, provided it did not harm anyone else.

In Tsugikuni Yoriichi's view, it would have been very easy for this Mr. Sarutobi, who possessed such great power, to turn into a demon.

The fact that he had not sought the longevity of a demon already proved him to be a man of immense principle.

Looking into Tsugikuni Yoriichi's incredibly pure eyes, Sarutobi Hiruzen could not help but feel a tinge of shame.

Not everyone can see through life and death like Tsugikuni Yoriichi.

Possessing such a calm and firm will.

But immediately after, Sarutobi Hiruzen cast this trace of shame to the back of his mind and faced his own desires squarely.

But likewise.

Not everyone can be born with everything, just like Tsugikuni Yoriichi.

Power, glory, will, spirit—he lacks nothing.

To be born divine is nothing more than this.

Later on, Tsugikuni Michikatsu had fallen into the abyss of demonhood precisely because of the massive disparity between himself and Tsugikuni Yoriichi, like the difference between the scorching sun and the starlight.

And I am merely an ordinary person with more choices.

If I were in his shoes, I wouldn't be any better than Tsugikuni Michikatsu.

Possessing the wisdom of two lifetimes, Sarutobi Hiruzen had a profound understanding of himself.

Desiring a longer lifespan is simply human instinct.

In the secret base of the Demon Slayer Corps, A cold, damp basement was illuminated by candlelight, its wooden shelves filled with various intricate blades and instruments.

There was also a table welded from refined iron.

Sarutobi Hiruzen stood to the side, observing the reaction of the test subject on the table with a calm expression.

"Ah!!!"

The test subject was none other than the old friend Sarutobi Hiruzen had seen at the very beginning: the Four-Armed Demon.

At this moment, the Four-Armed Demon was groaning in extreme agony, its voice so shrill and terrifying that it would strike fear into anyone who heard it.

Unfortunately, this secret chamber was built several meters underground, so the sound could not reach the surface at all.

Traces similar to burns from sunlight had appeared on the Four-Armed Demon's body.

Furthermore, as if infected by a virus, the marks on the Four-Armed Demon's body spread continuously, covering the majority of its skin in the blink of an eye.

Keep reading! Yes, you, the one with the big... talent!