Tanjirou was momentarily stunned to see what looked like flames suddenly ignite on his blade.
This interruption in his breathing rhythm caused the fire on the blade to’snuff out’ instantly.
Along with the disappearance of the flames came a strong, oppressive feeling in Tanjirou’s chest.
If he had used it for more than just an instant, or even attempted a few sword techniques, he probably would have collapsed on the spot, lying next to Nezuko and being out of commission for a while.
“Sis…
sister…
fire came out just now, right?
Fire came out, right?!” Despite the discomfort in his chest, Tanjirou couldn’t contain his astonishment at this moment.
It was different from the watery ripples of Water Breathing, but it had indeed produced similar sword energy ripples.
Moreover, anyone could see there was something unusual about these flames.
“It looks like our family’s Hinokami Kagura is also a Breathing Technique.
Should we go ask Master Urokodaki about it?” Chika lowered her head, pretending to think deeply for a moment, then raised a finger to offer a suggestion.
Consulting Urokodaki was unavoidable.
Chika couldn’t possibly let Tanjirou hide it from him—there was no reason to, and it wasn’t a big deal anyway.
She could roughly guess what reaction Urokodaki would have and what he would say upon seeing this sword technique.
Upon hearing Chika’s suggestion, Tanjirou nodded emphatically.
The two then turned and ran back to the wooden cabin to find Urokodaki.
At first, Urokodaki was dumbfounded.
A family-inherited Breathing Technique?
Flames appearing?
Flame Breathing?
Wasn’t that the Breathing Technique passed down solely through the Rengoku Family?
With this confusion, Tanjirou performed Hinokami Kagura for about five seconds right in front of Urokodaki.
Watching the suddenly blazing flames before him, Urokodaki remained silent.
Though Chika could guess a little, she was still intensely curious about what expression lay beneath that mask.
“How is this possible?
What’s the relationship between your family and the Rengoku Family?
Kamado…
Rengoku?
No, no.
Although these flames somewhat resemble those produced by Flame Breathing, this shouldn’t be Flame Breathing.
Could it be another derivative Breathing Technique…”
Most Demon Slayer Corps swordsmen had only a vague understanding of that concept; only the Rengoku Family possessed a certain degree of knowledge about it.
After pondering for several minutes, Urokodaki still couldn’t figure out the answer and could only classify it as a derivative Breathing Technique.
If Tanjirou used it a few more times or even performed sword techniques with it, Urokodaki might have been able to guess more.
However, seeing Tanjirou—who was already weak and exhausted from using Hinokami Kagura twice in a short span—further investigation had to be temporarily shelved.
“Should I write a letter to the Rengoku Family to ask…?
Better not.
I have a feeling I wouldn’t get a clear answer…
Forget it, let’s not think about it for now.
Tanjirou, you should temporarily stop practicing this.
This Breathing Technique clearly places a severe strain on the body.
Focus on building a solid foundation first!”
After a bout of muttering, Urokodaki finally snapped back to reality.
He cleared his throat and voiced his opinion.
Tanjirou, still weak, nodded.
He also knew he was being too hasty in trying to use this Breathing Technique.
On the way back to the outdoor training ground after bidding farewell to Urokodaki, Chika effortlessly got Tanjirou to tell her the breathing method of Hinokami Kagura.
How did she do it?
Joking aside, her status as the elder sister was right there.
If Tanjirou didn’t give it willingly, she could always resort to a little ‘coercion and inducement.’
Of course, such tactics weren’t needed.
As soon as he heard Chika’s inquiry, he decisively told her the breathing method, saving both time and effort.
However, even after obtaining it, Chika didn’t start practicing immediately.
After all, Urokodaki wasn’t wrong; Hinokami Kagura consumed too much energy.
Building a solid foundation was the most important thing right now.
After resting for a while, Tanjirou resumed his training.
The title of ‘training maniac’ was undoubtedly his.
Soon, a year had passed.
Urokodaki watched somewhat numbly as Tanjirou trained diligently on the field, with Chika even acting as an assistant instructor beside him.
The gentle breeze brushed against the mask on his face, and he felt a slight, stinging pain on his cheeks.
Although he had heard of someone becoming a ‘Pillar’ after just two months of training, rumors were rumors.
Seeing someone reach this level after a year of training with his own eyes was shocking enough.
After all, a normal person training for a year would probably only master two or three moves of Water Breathing.
Was there nothing left to teach…?
Urokodaki raised his head to look at the newly risen sun, then lowered his gaze to the two of them and called them over.
Chika walked over calmly.
The breeze brushed against her, lifting her long hair.
She lightly raised a hand to tuck a slightly unruly strand behind her ear.
Chika: My aura is just brimming with style!
Urokodaki: So you really do have a quiet, refined side.
Chika:…
When Chika and Tanjirou stood before him, Urokodaki cleared his throat softly.
He had intended to say he had nothing left to teach them, and if they wished, they could participate in the Demon Slayer Corps’ Final Selection…
Just as Urokodaki was about to say this, Tanjirou spoke first, cutting off his words.
“Master Urokodaki!
What are we learning next?!”
Tanjirou’s eyes sparkled with a thirst for knowledge.
As a training maniac, he had taken his desire to the extreme.
Faced with Tanjirou’s words, Urokodaki was choked up.
Deep down, he didn’t really want Tanjirou and Chika to participate in the Final Selection.
Slaying demons was a dangerous business; 90% of Demon Slayer Corps members ultimately didn’t survive to resign.
Furthermore, for unknown reasons, the disciples he taught often failed to pass the Final Selection.
Urokodaki believed in his own teaching ability and also trusted in his disciples’ strength.
After countless disciples, having learned from him, went to participate in the Final Selection and died, Urokodaki gradually became withdrawn.
If not for Giyuu’s introduction, he would never have taken on new disciples again.
Should he just let Chika and Tanjirou go to the Final Selection like this?
No, wait!
It wasn’t that there was absolutely nothing left to teach.
That one technique hadn’t been taught yet.
Let them learn that before going to the Final Selection.
I absolutely cannot let my disciples die during the Final Selection again!
A glimmer of light appeared in Urokodaki’s somewhat dusty eyes beneath his mask.
Looking at Tanjirou and Chika before him, he spoke: “One last technique…
I have only one last technique to teach you.
Once you master this, I will agree to let you participate in the Final Selection.
And the name of this technique is [Total Concentration Breathing Constant]!”