The sun gradually rose higher.
Muichiro's breathing became quite erratic.
Whether long or short, fast or slow...
He was constantly adjusting and correcting his breathing rate.
finally.
At a certain moment.
Muichiro's breathing rhythm suddenly changed.
A sense of lightness and ethereal grace emanated from him.
Did it work...?
Teiichi stood silently beside Muichiro, watching with delight in his eyes.
The Transparent World unfolds once again.
Muichiro's breathing rate changed drastically from before.
Only those with a profound understanding of the Wind Breathing can discern even a trace of its Wind Breathing.
"Master!"
Muichiro quietly turned his head to look at Teiichi.
Things that would make most people very happy couldn't cause him much emotional fluctuation.
"Has it been created?" Teiichi to confirm.
"Yes!" Muichiro nodded.
"Then give your Breathing Style a name!"
"Should we name it...?"
Muichiro murmured, his gaze once again fixed on the nearly vanished dawn, and said:
"Then let's call it..."
" Mist Breathing!"
Mount Fujikasane.
Aoi Kanzaki walked cautiously through the mountains and forests alone, carrying her Nichirin Blade.
Even though I already knew I might be afraid of ghosts!
But when she actually reached the mountains and forests, she realized that her previous worries were too light.
rustling...
A soft, rustling sound came from behind.
Aoi Kanzaki, who was walking, suddenly froze.
Aoi Kanzaki turned around stiffly.
They carefully made their way towards the bushes from which the strange noise had just come.
The Nichirin Blade reached out and gently parted the weeds obscuring its view.
As the weeds were cleared away, Aoi Kanzaki's heart pounded faster and faster.
finally...
The eyes of the man and the squirrel met in mid-air. Startled, the squirrel quickly hopped away.
"What?! It's a squirrel! It gave me quite a fright!"
Aoi Kanzaki patted her chest and complained, then turned and continued walking forward.
After the squirrel's interruption, Aoi Kanzaki felt much more relaxed and less tense than before.
There wasn't a single light in the dimly lit forest.
In a mountain forest where countless ghosts have been unleashed, starting a fire will only attract more ghosts.
Nobody was stupid, so nobody dared to start a fire.
At least, it wasn't something these newbies who came to participate in the trial would dare to do.
Fortunately, the weather has been fine these past few days, and the bright moonlight has allowed us to roughly see the mountain forest.
"Yahoo..."
A strange laugh rang out, Aoi Kanzaki quickly looked in the direction from which the sound came.
A emaciated figure with exposed skin was seen leaping rapidly toward him.
Another figure was chasing after him, but instead of leaping through the trees, it was running on the ground.
"I'm telling you, I found this Demon Slayer first! He's mine!!" the chasing demon shouted anxiously.
"Hey... I don't care what you say, whoever catches it first is mine!"
"Damn it! If you dare to take it all by yourself, just you wait!"
The figure in front laughed arrogantly, "We're all ghosts, what can you do to me... Hahahaha..."
Two... two ghosts?
Aoi Kanzaki stood frozen in place, her mind going blank for a moment.
Ignoring Aoi Kanzaki's reaction, the first jumping demons had already reached a short distance in front of Aoi Kanzaki.
With a push from the tree branch, he leaped high into the air.
"You're mine now, you brat!"
Sharp claws swung towards Aoi Kanzaki.
My mind was still somewhat blank, but my body's instincts had already spurred it to spontaneously begin to rebel.
The Nichirin Blade was drawn.
Whoosh--!
A flash of cold light, and the demon's head flew straight out.
"Whoosh--! Whoosh--!"
Heavy breathing came from Aoi Kanzaki's mouth; only at this moment did Aoi Kanzaki remember that she could still breathe.
but...
So easy!
Is it because I've been practicing diligently these past few days and have already mastered the Total Concentration - Constant?
Aoi Kanzaki thought to herself, then looked at another demon not far away.
Under Aoi Kanzaki's gaze, the other demon, which had been running towards them, suddenly stopped.
Oh no, this is a tough one!
The ghost realized this, then immediately turned around and ran away.
Although it was just a physical instinct, it still gave Aoi Kanzaki a little bit of confidence.
Go for it, Aoi!
You can do it!!
Aoi Kanzaki encouraged herself in her heart.
He then pushed off with his feet and chased after the fleeing ghost.
Whoosh--!
The other ghost's head was also thrown into the air.
As she gazed at the slowly dissipating demon's head on the ground, Aoi Kanzaki couldn't help but smile.
Does this mean...?
At least I'm not completely incapable of carrying out the task.
However, before Aoi Kanzaki could be happy for long...
Suddenly.
The smile froze on Aoi Kanzaki's face.
Aoi Kanzaki stiffly turned her head, looking at the hand on her left shoulder.
My heart started pounding uncontrollably.
When... when...?
No, now is not the time to think about that; I need to fight back!
right!
Counterattack!!
He twisted his body swiftly, slashing his Nichirin Blade behind him.
Clang!
A hard impact sound rang out.
The attack was blocked, and Aoi Kanzaki was completely relieved.
" Muichiro, don't you know that scaring someone can kill them?!" Aoi Kanzaki said angrily.
He was initially quite happy to have killed two demons, but after being scared by Muichiro, he felt nothing at all.
"Really?" Muichiro, somewhat doubtful.
"Forget it, forget it!"
Aoi Kanzaki waved her hand.
It's exhausting to talk to Muichiro. He's only slightly better than Kanao. I can't even understand his exaggerated expressions.
"But you, didn't I tell you not to follow me? Why did you still come along?" Aoi Kanzaki asked.
Muichiro replied, "After thinking about it, I think it's better to do as Master said and protect you!"
Aoi Kanzaki said, "I'm very strong too! You saw me kill those two demons just now, right?"
"Yes, I saw it!" Muichiro nodded.
"So I don't need your protection. Compared to me, the others who came to participate in the trial might need your protection more. You can go and protect the others!"
Upon hearing Aoi Kanzaki's words, Muichiro lowered his head and thought for a moment, then shook his head.
"No, the others have nothing to do with me. Compared to them, protecting you is far more valuable!"
Hearing Muichiro's words, Aoi Kanzaki became somewhat angry.
People cannot be measured by value!
Every life is precious!
There's no such thing as one being more important than the other!
"But... everyone's value is indeed different!"