It still had to be Senju Hashirama in Sage Mode.
As Chu Yang completed the hand seals, a massive red torii gate materialized above the Eight-Tails' head, plummeting rapidly and landing precisely on its Eight-Tails.
This was the Wood Release sealing Ninjutsu, Myojinmon, specifically for Tailed Beasts!
The Myojinmon, originally only usable in Sage Mode, had been slightly modified by Chu Yang during his tenure at the school, allowing this Ninjutsu to be used even without Sage Chakra.
The surging Tailed Beast Chakra around the Eight-Tails abruptly halted, like a vehicle on a highway suddenly slamming on its brakes.
Its eight strong tails suddenly went limp!
Given Chu Yang's current Wood Release level, being able to somewhat restrict the Eight-Tails without having learned Sage Mode was already extremely difficult.
"What an opportunity!" Uchiha Madara let out a hearty laugh, and his Susanoo suddenly exerted force, pulling the Eight-Tails in front of him, breaking free from the tail restraints, and gathering Chakra in his hand again, a long sword appearing.
Four long swords, under Uchiha Madara's control, simultaneously slashed at the Eight-Tails' tails!
The sound of tearing muscle echoed, and the Eight-Tails fell in response, the pained Eight-Tails roaring to the sky!
Uchiha Madara pressed his advantage, giving the Eight-Tails no time to breathe, his crimson Sharingan fixed on the extremely weakened Eight-Tails.
A moment later, the Eight-Tails stopped struggling, its eyes gradually becoming numb and hollow.
Chu Yang understood that the Eight-Tails had been controlled by the Sharingan, and Uchiha Madara would now seal it and hand it over to a suitable candidate to become a Jinchuriki.
With the major battle settled, the Anbu members, after a period of rest, gradually regained their mobility.
Everyone approached Uchiha Madara, and without a word, one by one, they knelt down, their masks hiding faces filled with shame.
"Madara, it's all our fault for failing to maintain the barrier, adding so much trouble to your battle!"
"Madara, please punish us for our incompetence!"
Apologies poured out endlessly, but the indifferent Madara only found these guys noisy and said impatiently, "With your abilities, you can still remain in the Anbu? The thought of Konoha's safety relying on you guys truly makes it hard for me to rest easy."
Upon hearing this, the heads of the 12 Anbu members sank even lower; Chu Yang felt that if Madara continued speaking, they would bury themselves alive.
"You should all thank Senju Yang. If he hadn't promptly sealed the Eight-Tails' movements, at least half of you guys would have become corpses!"
After speaking, Madara snorted coldly and turned to look at Chu Yang, a hint of a smile finally appearing on his indifferent face, "If I'm not mistaken, that Ninjutsu just now should be the Myojinmon that Hashirama developed not long ago. When did he teach it to you?"
Chu Yang smiled evasively and explained, "Hokage-sama didn't teach me; I secretly learned it myself."
He didn't even know the exact time Senju Hashirama learned Sage Mode, so he could only vaguely gloss over it.
However, luckily, Madara had long heard of Chu Yang's talent, so he didn't suspect his statement.
Madara asked curiously, "Hashirama's Myojinmon requires a special state to activate, but when you used it just now, you seemed to break that restriction. Did Senju Tobirama help you make the modifications?"
Chu Yang hesitated for a moment, then shook his head, "No, Teacher, I made some adjustments myself."
Upon hearing this, Madara scrutinized Chu Yang for a long time, a strange expression appearing on his face.
"If possible, I really want to snatch you away from the Senju Clan…"
After the Eight-Tails capture plan was successfully completed, Chu Yang led the Anbu squad back to Konoha for rest.
Madara, who had returned to the Village earlier, handed the sealed Eight-Tails over to Senju Tobirama for handling.
At this point, most Tailed Beasts had already been sealed by Konoha, and now only the Nine-Tailed remained unaccounted for.
After this operation, Chu Yang also gained recognition within the Anbu, and his reputation gradually spread.
A portion of Anbu members, led by Yang Dou, began to forge closer ties with Chu Yang, and with the covert support of the Root, which Senju Tobirama secretly established, cultivating influence within the Anbu proceeded more smoothly than Chu Yang had anticipated.
The Anbu issue was progressing smoothly, but for Chu Yang, capturing the Nine-Tailed next was the main event.
Because the Anbu squad had not been as effective as expected in their direct confrontation with the Eight-Tails previously, Uchiha Madara suggested that they withdraw from the Nine-Tailed capture operation.
This meant that capturing the Nine-Tailed became a matter for Chu Yang and Uchiha Madara alone.
Chu Yang was overwhelmed by Madara's favor.
But he was inwardly resistant; the scene of the Tailed Beast Ball's destructive power was still vivid in his mind.
Honestly, if one got hit by that thing, you might not even find your ashes.
Therefore, Chu Yang expressed strong opposition to Senju Tobirama.
Facing Chu Yang's resistance, Senju Tobirama also found it difficult to insist, and the Nine-Tailed capture plan was temporarily shelved as a result.
…
Demon Slayer World.
After completing a large number of demon hunting missions, Chu Yang fully mastered the Sun Breathing Total Concentration: Constant state; judging solely by his Breathing Style level, Chu Yang was already a Pillar-level swordsman.
Of course, in terms of actual combat power, Chu Yang far exceeded the highest level of this world; even if Yoriichi Tsugikuni were reborn, it would be difficult for him to gain an advantage against Chu Yang.
At this very moment, if Muzan Kibutsuji dared to appear before Chu Yang, he would face a swordsman infinitely more terrifying than Yoriichi Tsugikuni.
During this period, Chu Yang had been almost ceaselessly slaying demons, and their number was quickly approaching 50.
This also led to him being known by everyone in the entire Demon Slayer Corps, becoming the most sought-after new swordsman.
Even Kagaya Ubuyashiki was considering whether to promote him to a Pillar-level.
Chu Yang's rapid rise not only attracted the attention of the Demon Slayer Corps but also caught Muzan Kibutsuji's eye.
However, because Chu Yang had never used Sun Breathing while hunting demons, Muzan was only somewhat curious about him and didn't focus too much attention on him.
But this didn't mean that others weren't interested in Chu Yang's performance.
"I heard from other demons that the newcomer's physical abilities are extremely strong, almost comparable to ours. I don't believe it, so I want to go and test him," said Akaza, Upper Moon Three.
His tone carried a sense of superiority, as if looking down on Chu Yang from the clouds, seeing him as an ant.
Among the Twelve Demon Moons, all demons shared the same thought; in their perception, demons were the embodiment of human evolution, and humans themselves were a species that had been naturally eliminated.
"I'm also very curious, who is it that can hunt down such a large number of demons in such a short time? If you find him, please be sure to notify me to observe the battle."
Doma, Upper Moon Two, covered his mouth with a fan and chuckled softly.
Akaza didn't even glance at him, his face full of disdain.
His dislike for Doma wasn't a new thing.
Akaza liked to fight strong opponents, becoming stronger against them. Therefore, he couldn't stand Doma, who preyed on women and children all day, believing that he lacked the dignity of a demon.
After Upper Moon Two and Upper Moon Three both expressed their interest in Chu Yang, in the eyes of the other demons, Chu Yang was already a dead man, with no value for attention.
Muzan Kibutsuji also thought so.
Meanwhile, Chu Yang was unaware that he had been targeted by Akaza and Doma; he had just completed a mission and was on his way to the Butterfly Mansion.
Under the high-intensity demon hunting, Chu Yang rarely returned to the temple where he had trained with Gyomei Himejima.
The reason was simple: he didn't have time to cook, nor was he bothered to cook. Gyomei Himejima often had to go out to patrol for demon movements, leaving him alone in the temple.
Rather than guarding a dilapidated temple all alone, Chu Yang felt it was better to mooch meals at the Butterfly Mansion. As a place for injured patients to recuperate, the food at the Butterfly Mansion was delicious, nutritious, and especially plentiful, able to withstand Chu Yang's appetite.
The Butterfly Mansion also welcomed Chu Yang; almost every patient there regarded Chu Yang as an idol, after all, besides him, few people in the history of the Demon Slayer Corps had been able to slaughter such a large number of demons in a short period.
In addition to admiration, many new swordsmen would humbly seek guidance from Chu Yang, whether it was experience in fighting enemies or sword techniques, they could learn a lot.
Makomo, who was recovering at the Butterfly Mansion, had regained some mobility.
She was unwilling to always stay in bed, so she provided some help within her capabilities at the Butterfly Mansion, alleviating the pressure on Shinobu Kocho as Kanae's assistant.
Her teacher, Sakonji Urokodaki, had not visited the Butterfly Mansion even once to this day.
Makomo was waiting for him to come see her.
Chu Yang pushed open the door of the Butterfly Mansion and happened to encounter Kocho Kanae, who was about to leave; they met each other's gaze.
Kanae was as beautiful as ever, her every move graceful and gentle.
"Where are you going, Kanae?" Chu Yang looked at her curiously. Not long ago, Kanae had asked him to address her as 'senior' and not to rigidly call her 'madam'.
"It's you." Kanae smiled gently, "I heard you've slain quite a few demons recently. At this rate, next time we meet, perhaps you'll be given the title of Pillar, just like me."
"That doesn't matter; whether I become a Pillar or not, it doesn't stop me from killing demons," Chu Yang smiled, then continued to ask, "You still haven't said where you're going?"
"Of course, I'm going on a mission!" Kanae sighed, "I have to treat the injured and go on missions. Sometimes I think, it's really busy. If this continues, I might have to retire early."
Chu Yang knew Kanae was just putting on an act; in truth, she enjoyed her current state more than anyone, and he was simply too lazy to expose her.
Most people in the Demon Slayer Corps complained, but their determination to slay demons was incredibly strong.
"Then I wish you a safe journey!"
"Thank you."
After exchanging pleasantries, the two passed each other, but after only a few steps, Chu Yang suddenly felt a pang in his heart and abruptly turned back.
What met his eyes was Kanae's slowly receding back, looking so frail, like a wisp of willow catkin in the wind, ready to be destroyed by a storm at any moment.
Chu Yang felt as if a large stone was blocking his heart, an indescribable awkwardness.
Watching Kocho Kanae's back as she walked away alone, Chu Yang had a bad feeling and couldn't help but blurt out, "Senior, if you feel bored, I can accompany you."
Kanae paused, turning back in surprise, seemingly not expecting Chu Yang to say such a thing, but immediately, a playful smile appeared on her face.
She looked at Chu Yang with a half-smile.
Chu Yang also didn't know why he had said that on a whim. He scratched his head and said somewhat awkwardly, "If you don't want to, then forget it."
To his surprise, Kanae smiled charmingly and said, "Performing a mission alone is indeed a bit boring…"
73. Chapter 73: Encountering a Demon! Power So Strong It's Terrifying! [Ten-Thousand Word Chapter, Please Subscribe, Monthly Pass!]
73.
Sunset.
Chu Yang and Kanae walked side by side, arriving at a remote small town.
The town was named Anji Town, located northeast of the Butterfly Mansion.
Recently, five women, aged between fifteen and twenty-five, had gone missing consecutively in the town.
According to intelligence from the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters, the perpetrator was likely a powerful demon skilled in Blood Demon Arts, and ordinary swordsmen were incapable of handling it, so this mission fell to Kanae.
In fact, the headquarters also knew that Kanae was working hard juggling the Butterfly Mansion, but there truly weren't suitable personnel to handle this particular situation, and the incident happened to be within Kanae's jurisdiction.