Was Shinjuro Rengoku weak?
Although Xia Xi often teased the Old Geezer...
And Gyomei was gradually surpassing him in strength...
Just how strong was he in actual combat?
His dozen-plus years among the Nine Hashira were the most compelling answer.
To this day, his limbs remained healthy, and he could still continue his career in the Demon Slayer Corps intact.
The demons he had slain in his lifetime were too numerous to count.
He had even personally killed several Lower Ranks of the Twelve Kizuki.
Whose talent was greater, his or his son's, remained unknown.
But even if the two were about equal, or even if Big Owl was judged a notch weaker...
That was already a rather frightening prospect.
Just imagine.
After only a few years of training, Kyojuro had swiftly gained strength approaching that of the Nine Hashira after joining the Demon Slayer Corps.
But what if he were allowed another dozen years to grow and develop?
The present Shinjuro Rengoku... was the answer to that question.
Obanai Iguro attacked first.
With Viper Breathing running at full power...
The short, frail-looking boy unleashed agility and strength rivaling those of the finest swordsmen.
He had no intention of holding anything back.
He activated Total Concentration at full power right from the start.
Holding back against Shinjuro, who ranked highly even among the Nine Hashira, would have been far too arrogant.
His figure resembled a wisp of smoke bent by the wind.
At a speed the Red Team's nearby Senior Swordsman could not even perceive...
He eerily appeared less than three inches in front of Shinjuro.
The specially made Bokken, curved like a snake's belly, vibrated rapidly.
First Form: Snake-Shaped Slash.
The blade's gleam wound toward him.
It veered left and right like a venomous snake slithering through tall grass,