In the Demon Slayer Corps, the conditions to become a Hashira are to either slay fifty demons or defeat a member of the Twelve Kizuki.
But the strength of the current nine Hashira clearly far exceeds the power level defined by this condition. Every single one of them is a force to be reckoned with.
Just as one member of the Twelve Kizuki cannot be compared to another, the same is true for the Hashira.
Perhaps when they first became Hashira, their strength was not that formidable, but after years of tempering, the current generation of Hashira is undoubtedly an extremely powerful one.
And the strength of this man, Kyojuro Rengoku, is ranked among the top of the Hashira.
Undeniably powerful, a master who has touched the supreme domain!
Even the Upper Rank Three of the Twelve Kizuki, after fighting with Kyojuro in the later story, could not hide his admiration and appreciation for the man, repeatedly trying to get Kyojuro Rengoku to become a demon.
Lexon's intuition was also warning him of the power of the Flame Hashira before him.
Perhaps, in his current state, he would have difficulty defeating this man without using his Demonization ability.
"The Flame Hashira..." Lexon murmured.
"You know of me?" Kyojuro Rengoku's hearing was very sharp, and he heard Lexon's murmur.
Lexon nodded. "I have heard of you from my master."
Urokodaki Sakonji had, of course, said no such thing. It was just an excuse Lexon made up.
"It's a good opportunity for you two to get to know each other," Kagaya said with a gentle smile, supported by his wife.
"Of course, Master. You should hurry inside and rest," Kyojuro Rengoku said with concern.
The Ubuyashiki family was cursed because of the birth of the demon Muzan. Every heir of the Ubuyashiki family, while gaining the ability of "short-term foresight," was plagued by serious illness and did not live long.
"Alright, alright," Kagaya replied and returned to the house.
Seeing the Master go back to rest, Rengoku asked Lexon, "What is your name?"
"Lexon."
"Lexon, is it?" A smile appeared on Kyojuro Rengoku's energetic face. "I felt the aura you released just now. You are very strong! Would you like to have a spar?"
"Let's skip the spar, Mr. Rengoku." Lexon had no interest in fights where he wasn't confident of an even match. He only liked to dominate his opponents. With his sign-in system, he could surpass others just by lying low for a while; there was no need to spar with people.
However...
A faint smile suddenly appeared on Lexon's expressionless face. He extended his hand to Kyojuro, signaling a handshake to express friendliness.
His request for a spar having been rejected, a look of disappointment inevitably showed on Kyojuro's face, but he still very enthusiastically shook Lexon's hand, releasing his own goodwill.
"I look forward to working with you in the future, Lexon. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me."
"Of course," Lexon said with a grin.
[Sign-in Successful]
[Flame Breathing - Proficient: One of the five basic breaths derived from the original breath, Sun Breathing. Members of the Demon Slayer Corps can obtain powerful combat strength by cultivating breathing techniques, which is an important method for fighting against demons.]
Although he didn't get to touch Kagaya today and obtain his precognitive ability, signing in on the Flame Hashira to get his Flame Breathing was also a good choice.
[Notice: Water Breathing can be fused with Flame Breathing]
'Then let's fuse them...'
Lexon thought to himself.
[Notice: Water Breathing - Expert and Flame Breathing - Proficient are of different levels. Fusion requires subjects of the same level]
'Hmm?'
'They need to be the same level?'
Lexon's proficiency in Water Breathing had long surpassed the Proficient level and reached the Expert level. Because of this, and since he hadn't had a burst of luck to sign in for Flame Breathing - Expert, only getting the Proficient level, he couldn't fuse the two for the time being.
'In that case, my only option is...'
Lexon shifted his gaze to Kyojuro Rengoku's face and said slowly, "I've suddenly changed my mind. Would it be possible for me to stay at your place, Mr. Rengoku, so that we may spar and improve together daily?"
"Of course, you can," Rengoku agreed instantly with a nod.
Although he wasn't sure why Lexon had suddenly changed his mind, the chance to spar with someone of similar strength still made him feel a surge of joy.
Kyojuro Rengoku's current mission was to guard the Master, acting as a line of defense in case of a sudden demon invasion, which was why he wasn't out on other missions.
But for Rengoku, staying in one place every day was a bit dull. Having a sparring partner to keep him company could alleviate some of the monotony.
"Shall we spar now?" Rengoku asked, full of vigor.
"Er... let's start tomorrow. I'm a bit tired today," Lexon deferred.
"Alright then."
"Come, Lexon."
Next, Kyojuro led Lexon to his own estate, arranged an empty room for him, and instructed the logistics team members to take good care of this newcomer before leaving.
...
"Clang!"
The sharp sound of steel blades colliding rang out.
They were two Nichirin Swords, one a vibrant red, the other a deep blue.
Immense power burst from the point where the blades met, pulling at everything around them and kicking up a fierce gale that swept outwards in a circle.
The two men holding the Nichirin Swords both retreated after the clash, lowering their blades.
"Your progress is too fast! Lexon!" Kyojuro Rengoku, holding the Nichirin Sword inscribed with "Annihilate Destructive Demons," felt the tingling numbness in his arm and couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.
Lexon chuckled. "Not at all, Mr. Rengoku."
He was wearing his Demon Slayer uniform, which he had altered to be much looser.
The azure Nichirin Sword in his hand emanated a deep, bewitching light.
Combined with Lexon's own appearance and temperament, it made him look exceedingly handsome and dashing.
"When you first arrived, your strength when our blades met was still slightly insufficient, but now it's clear that you've surpassed me by a lot," Kyojuro Rengoku said, swinging his sword to relieve the numbness in his arm.
"That's because you haven't used your breathing technique yet, Mr. Rengoku..."
"Neither have you," Kyojuro's gaze was bright, his expression full of life. "Neither of us used a breathing technique, yet your strength now surpasses mine by a great deal. Your progress this past month has been simply divine."
As he marveled, he couldn't help but think of the Mist Hashira, who had become a Hashira in just a few months...
'But Muichiro's progress slowed down after his strength reached a certain level. Lexon's strength, however, is like a rushing torrent with no signs of stopping... It's simply terrifying.'
"You flatter me," Lexon sheathed his Nichirin Sword, walked forward, and habitually extended his hand to Kyojuro Rengoku.
Rengoku also very enthusiastically shook Lexon's hand.
This had already become their customary behavior after their daily sparring sessions.
A handshake after a spar to express friendliness.
Of course, that was only what Rengoku thought.
[Sign-in Successful]
[Obtained Flame Breathing - Proficient. Stacking is possible.]
'Stack.'
[Obtained Flame Breathing - Expert]
[Flame Breathing - Expert can be fused with Water Breathing - Expert. Fuse?]
'Fuse.'
[Fusion successful. Obtained "Unknown" Breathing Style. Name it?]
[Reviews - Power St0nes - Comments are highly appreciated to keep me going.....(+50 chapters) patre0n.c0m/talecrafter]