"I can see the subtle changes in other people's bodies as well as my own. With that ability, copying the Hinokami Kagura you used back then wasn't difficult. Of course, if you object, I won't use those sword techniques again." Chiba Yo sheathed his Nichirin Blade as he spoke to Tanjiro.
Tanjiro hurriedly replied, "Of course I don't! It's a good thing that you learned the kagura dance, Yo. My family has learned it generation after generation because we wanted to pass it down. Having someone else learn it is clearly a good thing for keeping that tradition alive.
"I'd even like you to help the kagura dance flourish.
"Besides, even setting that aside, you've helped us so much with Nezuko, and I have no way to repay you. If the Hinokami Kagura is useful to you, I couldn't ask for anything better."
Tanjiro smiled, without a trace of displeasure in his eyes.
Hearing his words, Chiba Yo smiled as well.
"If you ever need help, just tell me. As long as I have time, I won't turn you down," Chiba Yo told Tanjiro. He didn't add anything about not violating his principles, because he knew Tanjiro would never ask him to do that.
"Then let me thank you in advance," Tanjiro said with a smile.
Then something suddenly occurred to him, and he asked Chiba Yo, "Oh, right, Yo. When you demonstrated the kagura dance just now, your blade turned red, didn't it? How did that happen?"
"I was just about to tell you. It's called a Bright Red Nichirin Blade, and it can suppress a demon's regeneration." As he spoke, Chiba Yo drew his Nichirin Blade. Under the pressure of his grip, the black blade slowly turned crimson.
"As long as you apply enough grip strength to a Nichirin Blade, you can turn it red regardless of its original color. That also gives it the ability to suppress a demon's regeneration.
"Would you like to try?" Chiba Yo asked Tanjiro.
Tanjiro grew excited at his words. If he could suppress a demon's regeneration, his future battles against demons would certainly become much easier.
"Okay, I'll give it a try." Tanjiro drew the new Nichirin Blade he had just received from Haganezuka.
Like Chiba Yo's, its blade was the color of obsidian.
Following Chiba Yo's instructions, Tanjiro tightened his grip on his Nichirin Blade. Yet even using all his strength, he still couldn't turn it red.
"Try using your breathing style," Chiba Yo reminded him from beside him.
Tanjiro began using Total Concentration Breathing: Constant, which he had only recently mastered, drawing a great volume of oxygen into his lungs.
His strength increased in that instant, and veins bulged along his arms.
"Aaaah!" Tanjiro let out a low roar as he summoned every bit of strength in his body, but the Nichirin Blade in his hands remained unchanged.
After a while, realizing he couldn't increase his strength any further, Tanjiro stopped and wiped the sweat from his forehead. With a rueful smile, he said, "I really can't do it yet."
Seeing this, Chiba Yo continued, "If grip strength alone isn't enough, there's actually another method. Raising a Nichirin Blade's temperature through collisions between weapons can also turn it into a Bright Red Nichirin Blade."
Chiba Yo gestured to Tanjiro as he spoke. Understanding what he meant, Tanjiro took a stance with his Nichirin Blade and nodded to him.
Then Chiba Yo and Tanjiro clashed their Nichirin Blades several times. Chiba Yo's blade was already bright red from his grip, and Tanjiro's blade turned from black to red as well.
(There's an example in chapter 190 of the original manga. I'm not making this up (＞皿＜))
"It really turned red!" Tanjiro exclaimed in delighted surprise.
"Although this method can turn a Nichirin Blade bright red too, it's a little inconvenient. So I think you should keep training and aim to turn your Nichirin Blade bright red through grip strength alone as soon as possible.
"When you performed the Hinokami Kagura earlier, I noticed that your body struggled a little with that breathing style and its sword techniques. That's also because your body isn't strong enough yet.
"From now on, you should try to maintain Total Concentration Breathing: Constant at all times. That will quickly improve your physical conditioning and strengthen your lungs, making it easier to use your breathing style.
"That way, your strength will improve quickly too."
Chiba Yo smiled as he offered Tanjiro guidance.
"Yes! I understand. I'll work even harder from now on!" Tanjiro replied with a smile.
He had gained a great deal today. He had found a lead on the Hinokami Kagura, learned that its Twelve Forms formed a cycle and could be linked together, discovered the power of the Bright Red Nichirin Blade, and received advice on how to grow stronger.
Tanjiro felt that Chiba Yo was now just like Mr. Urokodaki, with a little of Sabito and his senior fellow student Giyu mixed in.
"Thank you, Yo," Tanjiro said sincerely.
Chiba Yo smiled and waved a hand.
"It's getting late. Go back and get some rest."
"Okay."
Early morning.
The moment he stepped out of his room, a Kasugai crow flew up before him and cried loudly, "North-Northeast! North-Northeast! Signs of a demon within the patrol area! Eliminate it at once! Eliminate it at once!"
Chiba Yo had only just woken up, but the crow's racket drove away every trace of drowsiness. He immediately set off for the location it had indicated.
Inside the Infinity Castle.
A biwa sounded, and the countless scattered rooms continually shifted. Four Lower Ranks had gathered there, waiting for the demon who had summoned them to appear.
Twang!
The biwa sounded again, and the four Lower Ranks were moved to the same spot.
Apart from Lower Rank One, the other Lower Ranks looked terrified, constantly scanning their surroundings.
The next moment, a beautiful woman wearing a black patterned kimono appeared above the four Lower Ranks.
His plum-red, slit-pupiled eyes were chillingly cold.
The four Lower Ranks looked up at the woman before them, failing to recognize his identity at first.
"Lower your heads. Kneel. Bow before me."
At that cold, familiar voice, every Lower Rank except Enmu broke into a cold sweat. All four demons swiftly dropped to their knees.
"My deepest apologies. Your appearance and scent have both changed..."
In her panic, Lower Rank Four, Koyuki, desperately tried to explain, but Muzan interrupted her before she could finish.
"Who gave you permission to speak? Do not open your mouths merely because of your worthless whims. You may only answer what I ask you," Muzan said coldly.
Koyuki immediately shut her mouth and lowered her head, the fear in her heart growing stronger.
Then Muzan continued addressing the four remaining Lower Ranks. "Rui and Rokuro were both killed. One was Lower Rank Five, and the other was Lower Rank Two.
"There is only one thing I wish to ask: why are the Lower Rank demons so weak?
"Becoming one of the Twelve Kizuki is not the end. On the contrary, it is only the beginning. The beginning of eating more humans, growing stronger, and becoming useful to me.
"Over the past hundred years, the Upper Ranks of the Twelve Kizuki have never changed. It has always been the Upper Rank demons who have killed the Demon Slayers' Hashira.
"But the Lower Ranks? How many times have you been replaced already?"
He had lost two Lower Ranks in succession. One was Rui, whom he had held in high regard and whose fate resembled his own. The other was Rokuro, the second-highest of the Lower Ranks. By now, Muzan had lost all faith in the Lower Rank demons.
Even if you tell us all that...
Lower Rank Six, Kamanue, had just begun to complain inwardly, but before the thought had fully formed in his mind, Muzan's next words plunged him into terror.
"'Even if you tell us all that...' What of it? Go on, tell me," Muzan said, staring at Kamanue.
He can read my thoughts? This is bad.
Cold sweat dripped down Kamanue's face as the fear in his heart kept growing.
"What is bad? Go on, tell me!"
Veins bulged on Muzan's face, his expression twisting with anger.
As long as he was close enough, he could easily read the thoughts of other demons. The farther away they were, the less clearly he could sense them, but he could still tell where they were.
Before you continue