Hinokami Kagura

Early in the morning, the Kamado Family's mountaintop home was unusually lively.

"Brother Suzuki, was the Great Sage Equal to Heaven really crushed beneath Five Elements Mountain for five hundred years? Did he just stay trapped there the whole time?"

"Then Sun Wukong was so pitiful."

Takeo Kamado and Hanako Kamado peppered Suzuki Mufeng with questions about how the story ended.

"After that, a monk named Tang Sanzang freed Sun Wukong from beneath Five Elements Mountain and took him west to fetch the scriptures. Along the way, they faced eighty-one tribulations. To find out what happened next, tune in next time."

Hearing Suzuki Mufeng leave them hanging like that, the two children immediately protested, grabbing him and shaking him as hard as they could.

"Takeo, Hanako, don't bother Mr. Suzuki. Hurry up and come eat breakfast."

"Okay~" x2

Under the pressure of their older sister Nezuko Kamado's authority, the two reluctantly went to the table to eat.

"Sorry, Mr. Suzuki. Takeo and Hanako have been troubling you."

"I'm the one who showed up uninvited. It's only right that I look after Takeo and the others. Do you need any help in the kitchen?"

Nezuko Kamado was carrying the still-little Rokuta Kamado on her back. She freed her hands, which had been supporting him from behind, and waved them hurriedly.

"Mr. Suzuki bought us so many ingredients. How could we ask you to help us any more?"

Just as Suzuki Mufeng was about to say something, Kie Kamado came out of the room supporting Tanjuro Kamado. She was also carrying the medical kit they had brought from Butterfly Mansion, and her expression was grave.

"Mr. Kamado, your condition is very dangerous. If we'd arrived a few days later, I'm afraid you would have—"

As Kanae Kocho spoke, the atmosphere around them grew heavy. But there was still something they could do: if he took his medicine regularly, he could probably live another year or two.

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

Tanjiro Kamado had just finished preparing the meal. Hearing the news, he was so grateful that he immediately tried to kneel and bow in thanks. Suzuki Mufeng had meant to refuse.

In the end, the Kamado Family insisted so warmly that they accepted their gratitude.

"Mr. Mufeng, you came to see me for Hinokami Kagura, didn't you? We can do it now as a little exercise after the meal."

As soon as they finished eating, considerate Tanjuro Kamado immediately offered to demonstrate Hinokami Kagura for Suzuki Mufeng. It was a small way to repay him.

Suzuki Mufeng didn't refuse. He had long wanted to see the legendary Sun Breathing, and find out what kind of surprise Tanjuro, who had mastered the Transparent World, could offer him.

In the courtyard, the Kamado Family and the two visitors sat to one side. Tanjuro Kamado stood in the middle and took a deep breath. Kanae Kocho immediately sensed that he was using a Breathing Style.

Hinokami Kagura, First Form—Dance, all the way through the Twelfth Form, Flame Dance.

His movements flowed together seamlessly. Throughout the performance, Tanjuro Kamado was nothing like a frail, sickly man. He was a swordsman with a peerless sword technique.

To the Kamado Family, their father's dance was beautiful. To Suzuki Mufeng and Kanae, it was a sword technique far beyond their own. No wonder Sun Breathing was the origin of all Breathing Styles. In Suzuki Mufeng's mind, Sunlight Breathing, First Form—Halo was now complete.

"Mr. Mufeng, so this is why you came to see Mr. Kamado. But what is that Breathing Style? It isn't one of the five basic Breathing Styles, yet it feels as though it's above all the others."

As Kanae Kocho was still pondering this, Suzuki Mufeng gripped the hilt of the Nichirin Sword at his waist and stepped forward solemnly.

"Mr. Tanjuro, I created this Breathing Style myself. Could you please tell me what I should improve?"

Tanjuro Kamado naturally agreed. He was also very curious. Through the Transparent World, Suzuki Mufeng's power seemed chaotic, while his physical strength surpassed that of anyone Tanjuro had ever seen. What kind of Breathing Style could someone like him create? Tanjuro was eager to find out.

"Sunlight Breathing, First Form—Halo."

This time, Suzuki Mufeng didn't even make a swinging motion. Everyone saw a flash of light, and Suzuki Mufeng suddenly vanished, leaving only a rainbow-colored ring where he had stood.

"He used light to draw their attention. In that brief opening, he relied mainly on the strength of his legs and the force of bending low to deliver a swift, circular slash. Some of the movements are a little off, though."

Standing behind Suzuki Mufeng, Tanjuro Kamado guided his hands and helped him remove the unnecessary movements from the First Form. With each round of practice, Suzuki Mufeng grew faster, and his attack grew more powerful.

"The Transparent World really is incredible. You only had to watch me demonstrate once to spot every flaw and help me refine the technique."

"So that's what you call it—the Transparent World. But, Mr. Mufeng, I think you've already found the key to it. I believe all you need is the right catalyst, and you'll be able to enter that state."

A catalyst? Suzuki Mufeng remembered seeing online speculation while surfing the web that Tanjuro Kamado had mastered the Transparent World because of his tranquil, gentle heart—one that could accept everything. How much he resembled Yoriichi Tsugikuni.

"To truly master the Transparent World, I still need to reach a state of inner calm. There's no rushing it."

But after seeing Tanjuro Kamado's condition today, he felt all the more certain that he'd been right to send a letter to the Master with his Kasugai Crow.

"Mr. Tanjuro, there's something I agreed to on your behalf without asking you first."

Tanjuro Kamado wasn't surprised at all. "You mean that we should move away from here, right? I already guessed as much when I saw that demon."

No wonder Tanjuro Kamado had mastered the Transparent World at such a young age. He saw through everything at once.

That was right. Kagaya Ubuyashiki had agreed because Suzuki Mufeng had mentioned in his letter carried by the Kasugai Crow that there was a successor to Sun Breathing. After discussing it, they had decided that Suzuki Mufeng and Kanae, the Flower Hashira, would go first to protect the Kamado Family.

Other members would be sent later to escort the Kamado Family somewhere safe. Until then, they couldn't let any information leak and reach Muzan Kibutsuji.

"Mr. Tanjuro, you'll need to discuss this with your family."

"That's true. But after living on this mountain for so long, the thought of suddenly leaving makes me a little sad."

"It can't be helped. Circumstances have forced our hand. Once the Demon Slayer Corps completely destroys the Demon King, Muzan Kibutsuji, you'll be able to come back and live here again."

"I hope that day comes soon."

"Yes."

While the two were talking, Tanjuro Kamado went to chop wood for the charcoal kiln again. Suzuki Mufeng stopped him and offered to do the day's woodcutting in his place.

After receiving so much instruction from him, Suzuki Mufeng naturally wanted to repay his kindness.

Meanwhile, in the shadows, Upper Rank Three, Akaza, was still five days away from reaching the battlefield.