Tanjirou didn't quite understand Tsugikuni Yoriichi's words.
My sister's soul…
At first listen, they were quite familiar words.
He could understand them when taken apart individually.
But when combined, for some reason, they were as obscure as a heavenly script.
"Mr. Tsugikuni, are you…"
Tanjirou's expression was quite hesitant, his simple and gentle red eyes carefully observing Tsugikuni Yoriichi.
His mouth inadvertently opened, and a question, accompanied by his confusion, spilled out:
"Are you not human?"
As soon as he said this.
He regretted it.
He quickly covered his mouth, shaking his head repeatedly, indicating that he hadn't said anything at all.
He remembered that his mother's storybook had mentioned it.
If a person had a strong obsession before death, then after he died, his soul would remain in the world.
He would live a life like an ordinary person.
And at this time, if someone pointed out his cause of death.
He would be unable to accept reality and his soul would scatter.
The current Mr. Tsugikuni might be in this situation.
"Don't be afraid." Yoriichi watched Tanjirou take a small half-step back, and gently shook his head twice.
He took a half-step forward, grabbed Tanjirou's arm with one hand, and without explanation, pressed him against his chest.
The sudden movement made Tanjirou feel as if he was facing a great enemy. However, the next second.
"Don't move!"
Thump! Thump!
Feeling the powerful and strong heartbeat, Tanjirou's stiff expression immediately relaxed.
While sighing in relief, he cautiously looked at Tsugikuni Yoriichi, and then slowly pondered the two suggestions he had just made.
Until, after a long time.
He raised his eyes.
"Mr. Tsugikuni…"
Tanjirou pressed his hands tightly against his body and bowed solemnly:
"Please teach me Sun Breathing!"
"I want to personally avenge my family!"
After saying this.
The air was as still as if frozen.
Tanjirou slowly looked up.
Cautiously looking upwards.
His reddish-brown pupils shone like jewels under the moonlight.
Bang.
He could feel his shoulder being violently patted, and a comforting voice entered his ears:
"Your courage is commendable."
"Tanjirou."
"Since that's the case, then work hard."
Yoriichi released his right hand, holding his Zanpakuto and walking towards an empty space nearby.
He spoke as he walked:
"Your aptitude is acceptable, but your physical fitness is still insufficient. Sun Breathing is the original breathing technique, and it is my own breathing technique."
"I don't know if your ancestor passed down this experience."
"But back then, I personally demonstrated it in front of Tanjiro."
Tanjirou slowly puffed out his chest.
Pondering his words.
Suddenly.
A vague memory flashed in his mind.
That was… a sunny afternoon.
Tsugikuni Yoriichi, wearing a red haori, was "dancing" in a courtyard.
He held a black blade, his expression focused, and as he danced, flames like meteors ignited in the air…
The movements were simple and elegant, and Tanjirou found them somewhat familiar.
Just as he wanted to "watch" carefully.
Whoosh.
The previously clearer memory instantly turned into bubbles and vanished.
Tanjirou came back to his senses, his expression somewhat startled and uncertain…
—What just happened?
He had never seen Mr. Tsugikuni before today, so why did he have such a memory? Whose memory was it?
Was it Ancestor Tanjiro's?
He seemed to have seen an adult Nezuko…
"What's wrong?"
Noticing a slight disorder in Tanjirou's breathing, Yoriichi looked back, frowning as he asked.
Tanjirou forced a smile, indicating that there was no need to worry.
Until he reached the open space.
He saw.
The same expression as in his memory, the same starting stance, the same sword technique…
His eyes widened slightly.
Accompanied by somewhat flustered breathing, Tanjirou seemed to witness a myth.
He actually didn't want to believe that a person could live for four hundred years.
This overturned his worldview.
However.
Mr. Tsugikuni had done it.
Did he eat mermaid flesh?
Amidst his wild thoughts.
The thirteen sword techniques of Sun Breathing demonstration ended. Although his thoughts were chaotic, Tanjirou deeply etched them into his mind.
After comparing them, he realized…
This was the Hinokami Kagura passed down through his family for generations.
However, compared to it, Mr. Tsugikuni's movements had an extra touch of "divinity," while Hinokami Kagura only had the "form"…
But even having only the "form" was impressive.
He finally understood why his father, despite being seriously ill, could instantly kill a three-meter-tall bear.
It turned out to be Mr. Tsugikuni's contribution back then.
Taking a deep breath.
Tanjirou bowed again: "Mr. Tsugikuni, thank you so much for taking care of my Kamado family."
"I already believe you are Ancestor Tanjiro's friend, because your sword techniques have been compiled into Hinokami Kagura by the ancestor and passed down completely."
"If there's anything you need help with in the future, please don't be shy and just tell me."
"I will do my best to help you!"
"Hmm…" Yoriichi walked over to Tanjirou, patted his shoulder, and did not decline this offer.
He indeed needed the help of humans in this world.
He had been gone for three hundred years.
He had long been out of touch with society.
Before the Senkaimon appeared.
To conserve his strength, he would inevitably have to rely on the Demon Slayer Corps' intelligence network.
After all, Japan was neither too big nor too small.
If Kibutsuji Muzan wanted to hide, for example, by escaping into the deep sea or underground, he wouldn't be able to find him in a short time.
He also didn't have the Soul Society's customized locator specifically for finding demons.
"Remember my movements just now."
Yoriichi instructed,
"That is the complete Sun Breathing. Only when you fully master it will you have the strength to fight Kibutsuji Muzan."
"I don't know what you mean by Hinokami Kagura, but you clearly don't have the ability to master Sun Breathing right now."
"Keep working hard. Only by continuously strengthening your body can you avenge your family."
"Only then can your sister turn back into a human."
"Now, come back with me."
…
When the two returned to the original spot.
Urokodaki Sakonji had already roughly repaired the small house.
Nezuko, lying unconscious in the futon on the ground, had a sweet smile on her peaceful face, as if she was in a beautiful dream.
Completely unaware of everything that had happened tonight.
Seeing this.
Tanjirou's mouth curved slightly upwards.
At this moment.
He suddenly noticed that Tsugikuni Yoriichi walked up to Master Urokodaki and said something to him.
The distance was too far to hear clearly, but Tanjirou smelled a sense of relief.
After a while, he understood.
He would still undergo training here as an apprentice Demon Slayer swordsman under Urokodaki Sakonji until his physical fitness was sufficient to master Sun Breathing.
As an old friend of the ancestor, Mr. Tsugikuni was about to leave. Before he left, Tanjirou wanted to ask his name.
However, before he could even speak, Mr. Tsugikuni suddenly transformed into an illusion and disappeared.
Tanjirou stood in place, feeling a little dejected. And even more dejected than him…
Urokodaki Sakonji didn't even see how Yoriichi disappeared.
Hmph…
Bowing his head slightly, Urokodaki's eyes flickered beneath his Tengu mask.
Thoughts surged like a tide.
A sense of admiration spontaneously arose.
—He truly was the strongest Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps back then.
—This speed…
Headquarters… they're going to be busy.