Hinokami Kagura

Early in the morning, the Kamado family home atop the mountain was unusually lively.

"Brother Suzuki, was the Great Sage Equaling Heaven really pinned under the Five Elements Mountain for five hundred years after causing such chaos in the Heavenly Palace? Did he just stay trapped like that the whole time?"

"That makes Sun Wukong sound so pitiful."

Takeo Kamado and Hanako Kamado circled around Suzuki Mufeng, incessantly pestering him for the end of the story.

"As for what happened next, a monk named Tang Seng eventually freed Sun Wukong from beneath the Five Elements Mountain and brought him along on a pilgrimage to the Western Heaven. Along the way, they faced eighty-one tribulations. If you wish to know how the story unfolds, you shall have to wait for the next installment."

Hearing Suzuki Mufeng leave them hanging like that, the two children immediately grew dissatisfied, grabbing onto him and shaking him vigorously.

"Takeo, Hanako, stop bothering Mr. Suzuki. Come and eat your breakfast now."

"Yes~" x2

Compelled by the bloodline authority of their older sister Nezuko Kamado, the two reluctantly headed to the dining table to eat.

"I am sorry, Mr. Suzuki. Takeo and Hanako have been a nuisance to you."

"I am the one who invited myself here; looking after Takeo and the others is only right. Do you need my help in the kitchen?"

Nezuko Kamado, who was carrying the young Rokuta Kamado on her back, freed her hands—which had been supporting him—to wave them repeatedly.

"Mr. Suzuki, you have already bought us so many ingredients; how could I possibly trouble you further?"

Just as Suzuki Mufeng was about to reply, Kie Kamado helped Tanjuro Kamado walk out from their room. She carried the medical kit brought from the Butterfly Mansion, her expression grave.

"Mr. Kamado, your physical condition is extremely dangerous. If we had arrived even a few days later, I fear that—"

As Kanae Kocho spoke, the atmosphere grew heavy. However, it was not entirely hopeless; as long as he was diligent about taking his medicine on time, he could manage to live for another year or two.

"Thank you both, Mr. Suzuki and Miss Kocho."

Tanjiro Kamado, who had just finished cooking, heard the news and was so grateful that he wanted to perform a dogeza to thank them. Although Suzuki Mufeng initially wanted to decline, they eventually accepted this gratitude under the earnest insistence of the Kamado family.

"Mr. Mufeng, you came to see me for the Hinokami Kagura, didn't you? It would be the perfect post-meal exercise."

Having just finished eating, the perceptive Tanjuro Kamado immediately offered to demonstrate the Hinokami Kagura for Suzuki Mufeng, considering it a small token of his appreciation.

Suzuki Mufeng did not refuse; he had long wanted to witness the legendary Sun Breathing and see what kind of surprises Tanjuro, who had mastered the Transparent World, could offer him.

In the courtyard, the Kamado family and Suzuki Mufeng sat to the side. Tanjuro Kamado stood in the center and took a deep breath. Kanae Kocho immediately sensed that Tanjuro was using a Breathing Style.

Hinokami Kagura, First Form: Waltz, all the way through to the Twelfth Form: Flame Dance.

The movements were fluid and executed in one continuous motion. During the performance, Tanjuro Kamado did not look like a sickly patient at all, but rather a swordsman with exquisite and peerless sword skills.

To the Kamado family, their father's dance was beautiful; to Suzuki Mufeng and Kanae Kocho, it was a sword technique far superior to their own. It was truly worthy of being the origin of all Breathing Styles, the Sun Breathing. In Suzuki Mufeng's mind, the Sunlight Breathing, First Form: Halo, was now complete.

"Mr. Mufeng, so this was your purpose in seeking out Mr. Kamado. But what is that Breathing Style? It is not one of the five basic styles, yet it feels as though it transcends all others."

While Kanae Kocho was still deep in thought, Suzuki Mufeng gripped the Nichirin Sword at his waist and stepped forward solemnly.

"Mr. Tanjuro, this is a Breathing Style I created myself. Please, help me see where it needs improvement."

Tanjuro Kamado naturally did not refuse. At the same time, he was very curious. Through the Transparent World, the power within Suzuki Mufeng's body appeared chaotic to him, and his physical strength exceeded anyone he had ever met. He was intrigued to see what kind of Breathing Style such a person would create.

"Sunlight Breathing, First Form: Halo."

This time, Suzuki Mufeng did not even swing his blade. Everyone saw a flash of light, and Suzuki Mufeng suddenly vanished, leaving behind only a multicolored ring of light in his place.

"You use the light to create an opening, relying primarily on leg and lower back strength to execute a rapid circular strike. However, some of your movements are not quite standard."

Tanjuro Kamado stood behind Suzuki Mufeng, guiding his hands to eliminate the unnecessary movements in the First Form. Through repeated training, Suzuki Mufeng's speed grew faster and his power increasingly formidable.

"The Transparent World is truly remarkable. You were able to pinpoint all my flaws and improve upon them after seeing me demonstrate it only once."

"So that is what you call the Transparent World. But Mr. Mufeng, in my eyes, you have already obtained the key to it. I believe that with just the right catalyst, you will be able to enter this state."

A catalyst? Suzuki Mufeng remembered surfing the internet in the past, where people speculated that Tanjuro Kamado was able to master the Transparent World because of his calm, water-like heart and his gentleness that could embrace everything—much like Yoriichi Tsugikuni.

"To truly master the Transparent World, one must indeed reach a state of inner stillness. This cannot be rushed."

But having seen Tanjuro Kamado's condition today, he felt that the letter he had sent to the Master via the Kasugai Crow was the right decision.

"Mr. Tanjuro, there is something I took the liberty of agreeing to on your behalf."

Tanjuro Kamado did not seem surprised in the slightest. "You are talking about us moving away from here, aren't you? I had already guessed as much when I saw that demon."

As expected of Tanjuro Kamado, who had mastered the Transparent World at such a young age; he saw through everything so clearly.

Indeed, Kagaya Ubuyashiki had only agreed to his request because he had mentioned the successor of the Sun Breathing in his message via the Kasugai Crow. After discussing it, they decided that Suzuki Mufeng and the Flower Hashira Kanae Kocho would set out first to protect the Kamado family.

As for the rest, other members would be sent to rendezvous and escort the Kamado family to safety. During this time, they must not let any information leak that might alert Muzan Kibutsuji.

"Mr. Tanjuro, you should still discuss this with your family."

"That is true. However, having lived on this great mountain for so long, I cannot help but feel a sense of sadness at the thought of leaving."

"There is no other way; the times demand it. Once our Demon Slayer Corps has completely eradicated the Demon King, Muzan Kibutsuji, you will be able to return and live here once more."

"I hope that day comes soon."

"Indeed."

As the two conversed, Tanjuro Kamado prepared to go chop wood and make charcoal, but Suzuki Mufeng stopped him, taking over the day's labor himself.

Having received so much guidance from the man, he naturally wanted to repay the favor.

In the shadows, Upper Rank Three, Akaza, was five days away from reaching the battlefield.