A Fantasy Born of Wishful Thinking

Ubuyashiki Clan Head was a little surprised.

"Is that so? Then that's wonderful..."

"We can focus our attention on Muzan's movements and concentrate our forces on dealing with him."

Although Sarutobi Hiruzen was bringing unexpected information, Ubuyashiki Clan Head instinctively trusted the powerful old man.

Sarutobi Hiruzen paused.

"I made some discoveries during my trip to Kyoto..."

"I encountered Muzan."

Sarutobi Hiruzen then described several human disguises Muzan had worn in his past life's memories, telling the Ubuyashiki intelligence network to keep an eye out for them.

"If I go alone, I'm afraid I'll scare Muzan off."

"Muzan is usually very good at hiding. If you discover his whereabouts again..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen said calmly,

"Just have Tsugikuni Yoriichi and me go deal with him together."

Ubuyashiki Clan Head found each of Sarutobi Hiruzen's remarks more astonishing than the last.

Kibutsuji Muzan, the seemingly unbeatable enemy who had plagued the Ubuyashiki Clan for centuries, apparently didn't amount to much in Sarutobi Hiruzen's eyes.

As far as Sarutobi Hiruzen was concerned, dealing with a Scum Boss was no big deal.

He was a Hokage, and he had Tsugikuni Yoriichi, a complete cheat, with him. If Muzan still escaped, it would be utterly humiliating.

Moreover, looking into Sarutobi Hiruzen's sharp, authoritative eyes, Ubuyashiki Clan Head suspected that Lord Sarutobi might possess some kind of ability to foresee the future.

Sarutobi Hiruzen's next words and actions only strengthened that suspicion.

"I made another discovery..."

"This is it..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen handed Ubuyashiki Clan Head a piece of Scarlet Crimson Iron.

"This iron ore is found on high mountain peaks, where it absorbs the sun's power."

"It has an extremely strong effect against demons..."

"Blades forged from this iron can kill demons with ease..."

"You can test it for yourselves..."

Ubuyashiki Clan Head solemnly took the Scarlet Crimson Iron.

If Sarutobi Hiruzen was right, this discovery would be second only to the Breathing Style in value to the Demon Slayer Corps.

It would undoubtedly reduce casualties among the Demon Slayer Corps considerably. They wouldn't have to fight demons until daybreak every time.

Tsugikuni Yoriichi suddenly interjected.

"Let me take a look."

As he spoke, Tsugikuni Yoriichi took the Scarlet Crimson Iron and examined it.

As a master of Sun Breathing, Tsugikuni Yoriichi seemed able to sense the sun's power.

"Oyakata-sama, there is indeed a considerable amount of Yang Power in this iron..."

"It can counter the power of demons..."

"With blades forged from this ore, demons can indeed be slain!"

Ubuyashiki Clan Head knew that Tsugikuni Yoriichi wielded the Breathing Style of the sun.

"On behalf of the members of the Demon Slayer Corps, I thank you, Lord Sarutobi..."

Ubuyashiki Clan Head bowed slightly. His terminally ill body could manage no more than that.

Sarutobi Hiruzen's expression remained unchanged. He didn't take the Ubuyashiki Clan's gratitude to heart.

From the start, he hadn't been interested in anything about the Demon Slayer Corps. There was only one person who interested him: Tsugikuni Yoriichi.

Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at Tsugikuni Yoriichi.

Everything he had done had ultimately been meant for Yoriichi to see. Now that Yoriichi was bound to the Demon Slayer Corps and had become a subordinate of Ubuyashiki Clan Head, he naturally wouldn't ignore Sarutobi Hiruzen's repeated assistance. He would feel grateful, and even feel indebted to him.

As a result, Yoriichi would put even more effort into researching the Breathing Style Sarutobi Hiruzen had asked about.

Sure enough,

As soon as they left the Ubuyashiki estate, Tsugikuni Yoriichi took the initiative to seek out Sarutobi Hiruzen.

"Mr. Sarutobi..."

This time, Tsugikuni Yoriichi wore a rueful smile.

"I may not be capable enough to meet your request..."

"I still can't do what you asked."

"To imitate the breath of nature..."

"After all, the concept of nature and the world is too vast, and it has no fixed rhythm."

Tsugikuni Yoriichi admitted that he was powerless.

"I've thought it over for a long time, but I still can't find a way in."

"So the natural Breathing Style you asked for is impossible to develop..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen wasn't surprised.

Back then, Tsugikuni Yoriichi had asked him what kind of thing he was most interested in, or what sort of rhythm would suit him best.

On a whim, Sarutobi Hiruzen had answered with the concept of All Things in Nature.

But if a Breathing Style could encompass all things in nature, its level would probably surpass the world of Naruto and be on par with a five- or six-star world.

Of course, Sarutobi Hiruzen had only been trying his luck. Maybe Tsugikuni Yoriichi really could defy all logic.

"Maybe my request was too unrealistic..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen nodded, unsurprised.

In fact, his true goal wasn't nature itself. The concept was too vast for the supernatural power of a low-star world to contain.

He meant the Natural Energy found in the Naruto world.

If there were any way in the Naruto world to gain eternal life safely, without getting involved with Otsutsuki bloodlines and with limitless potential,

it was Natural Energy—Sage Mode.

But compared with the crude Sage Mode humans had learned, which could only remain inside the body briefly,

Sarutobi Hiruzen wanted to use Breathing Styles to interact with the Natural Energy in the air and attain the same survival abilities as the animal sages.

But even the cleverest housewife can't cook without rice...

Sarutobi Hiruzen felt a little regretful.

If I could take Tsugikuni Yoriichi straight to the Naruto world and let him sense the Natural Energy there...

There probably wouldn't be much of a problem...

But there's no such energy in the air of the Demon Slayer World.

It would be incredibly difficult to make Tsugikuni Yoriichi produce it from nothing.

As for actually taking Tsugikuni Yoriichi to the Naruto world, Sarutobi Hiruzen had asked the system. Bringing such an important person to another world would cost an astronomical number of Spacetime Source Points—far more than Sarutobi Hiruzen could gather in this world.

"But that's all right, Yoriichi."

Sarutobi Hiruzen now had a new idea for a Breathing Style suited to himself.

"Come with me. I'll show you something interesting."

As Tsugikuni Yoriichi looked on in confusion, Sarutobi Hiruzen led him into his room.

Tsugikuni Yoriichi stared at Perfect 1, who seemed neither human nor demon, and for once fell briefly silent.

It wasn't that Tsugikuni Yoriichi objected to experimenting on people.

Though kindhearted, he wasn't a foolish, inflexible man. The Ubuyashiki Clan had also experimented on humans in their research on demons.

The subjects, however, were condemned criminals guilty of the most heinous crimes.

Such sacrifices were worthwhile for the future of humanity.

With the Transparent World, Tsugikuni Yoriichi could instantly understand a living being's physical structure.

The moment he saw Perfect 1, he understood the terrifying potential this creature possessed.

After a long while, Tsugikuni Yoriichi finally spoke.

"Lord Sarutobi..."

"This kind of creature shouldn't exist."

"If it were to spread..."

"It would mean the end for the people."