"OI—is Mr. Urokodaki home?"
Within Mount Sagiri.
Following the directions provided by his master, Kuguruma Natsunishi had indeed found a small wooden cabin. However, it seemed that no one was home. Instead, there were faint sounds of activity coming from the deep mountains not far away.
It was no wonder it was called Mount Sagiri—the Mountain of Narrow Mists. The air was so damp it felt sticky, coalescing into a thick, inseparable fog that shrouded vast stretches of the mountain forest. In many places, one could vaguely see patches of rain clouds tipping over. Kuguruma Natsunishi wondered if an elderly person living here would suffer from the aches of rheumatism.
Just as Kuguruma Natsunishi planned to head into the mountains to take a look, the noises in the thick mist ceased. All that remained was the rustling of leaves and the white noise of the moist monsoon wind.
Almost simultaneously, Kuguruma Natsunishi rested his palm on the hilt of his Nichirin Sword.
Could it be an experience point pack? No, if there were a man-eating demon nearby, the master Urokodaki living here would have dealt with it long ago.
Suddenly, the extremely faint sound of fabric rubbing against fabric came from behind him.
The blade cleared the scabbard, only to be firmly pressed back down by a hand.
"High alertness, and you don't feel discomfort from the altitude? Good physical qualities. You have a Nichirin Sword, yet you aren't wearing a uniform. Child, are you the disciple of some cultivator?"
A very aged voice rang out from behind Kuguruma Natsunishi.
So fast!
Kuguruma Natsunishi was on guard, but he immediately noticed that the game interface had not entered combat mode. Oh, no hostility. An ally.
Kuguruma Natsunishi relaxed. "My name is Kuguruma Natsunishi. My master is Kazami..."
Turning around, a face of a red monster with a massive bridge of a nose and a covered head appeared before him.
Kuguruma Natsunishi: Huh? Σ(°Д°;) "A monster?"
Sakonji Urokodaki tapped his mask with a hint of amusement. "It is a Tengu."
Kuguruma Natsunishi looked upward.
[Sakonji Urokodaki]
[Power Level: 274 (Body: 105, Technique: 129, Spirit: 40)]
[Water Breathing LV.6]
His attributes were nearly a hundred points higher than those of his cheap master. Much stronger... Was this old man a former Water Hashira?
Urokodaki looked at the youth before him and frowned slightly. Did he just... daze off?
"Child." He tapped the boy's shoulder, bringing him back to his senses.
He took the letter of recommendation handed to him and read it seriously with a look of confusion. Once finished, Urokodaki finally understood.
"So, you are a swordsman cultivated by Sarayoshi. To think he actually agreed to this willful request of yours; it seems he holds you in high regard. Come inside first, child."
He patted Kuguruma Natsunishi's shoulder and then waved toward the distant woods. "Training is over for today. Rest for a bit. We have a guest."
With that, there was a rustling sound as two children emerged from the mist-shrouded forest.
One was a peach-haired boy wearing a fox mask that hid his face, walking with a stiff, upright posture. The other was a black-haired youth with a face that practically screamed "keep away," looking entirely solemn. They appeared to be a few years younger than Kuguruma Natsunishi.
Where did a Whirlpool and an Uchiha come from?
"These two are children I have taken in. They are also swordsmen in training. Sabito, Giyu. Come here. This is the disciple of an old friend, Kuguruma..."
Kuguruma Natsunishi finished for him: "Kuguruma Natsunishi."
He expressionlessly scanned the two children, only to notice the black-haired boy flinch and take half a step back in slight fear.
[Kaji Sabito (Power Level: 27)] Water Breathing LV.2
[Tomioka Giyu (Power Level: 13)] Water Breathing LV.1
The fox looked stronger than the Uchiha.
In the eyes of the youth named Tomioka, the aura emanating from Kuguruma Natsunishi was simply too terrifying. He stood as straight as steel, and every muscle in his body contained a sense of silent, violent intensity. His eyes revealed a sort of precise, sober madness.
And yet, Giyu felt something from him—something similar to himself and his senior brother Sabito. It was that flame of vengeance, the result of a fate shattered by demons. But at the same time, the man seemed cold as ice, as if he cared for nothing at all...
Powerful, yet contradictory.
Kuguruma Natsunishi glanced at Tomioka Giyu again. Did he scare him?
Giyu: A bit scared (°△°||)
The other boy, the fox-masked youth, seemed to notice Giyu's unease and stepped forward slightly, blocking Kuguruma Natsunishi's gaze.
"Sabito, he has no ill intent," Urokodaki sighed, gesturing to Kuguruma Natsunishi. "Come inside."
Pushing open the wooden door, Urokodaki fumbled to light a coal lamp. The room was not large and was very rustic; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it a common farmer's dwelling. Was the Demon Slayer Corps' pay that bad? Kuguruma Natsunishi couldn't help but look around.
"It is not because the organization or the Master is stingy," Urokodaki said, as if guessing Kuguruma Natsunishi's thoughts. "This house was left to me by my former master. I couldn't bear to leave it. Besides, I prefer the peace and quiet."
Once the room brightened slightly, the elder sat down by the sunken hearth. He took the recommendation letter and read it again, line by line, with great focus. Meanwhile, the fox and Uchiha boys stood not far away, curiously sizing up Kuguruma Natsunishi, this uninvited guest.
Sparks popped on the hearth, making faint crackling sounds. The chill in the room gradually faded.
"Young Kuguruma, I was originally disinclined to agree to your master's request."
Urokodaki Sakonji's voice came through the Tengu mask, as calm as a deep mountain pool. "Logically speaking, for a swordsman who has just passed the Selection, the most important thing is to stabilize your foundation and specialize in one style of Breathing. To think of 'absorbing the strengths of many' or even 'creating your own Breathing style' at this stage... in my view, it is bordering on nonsense."
"The advancement of Breathing techniques lies in day-after-day focused polishing. Mental state, physique, and technique—none can be neglected. To be distracted by other things before the foundation is firm is to aim too high without the means to achieve it. You will find it difficult to become a great talent."
But Urokodaki's tone shifted.
"I know Kazami's temperament. Your master gave a great deal of guarantee for you in this letter, requesting that I teach you the essentials of Water Breathing. I do not agree with your path, but I do not wish to fail his sincerity toward you..."
Kuguruma Natsunishi: Huh? What did that cheap master write in the letter? Surely he didn't owe this masked old man a massive favor?
"I do not acknowledge this path of 'absorbing the strengths of many,' but I acknowledge Kazami's vision and responsibility as a cultivator. Since he has staked his reputation to vouch for you, asserting that you might be an 'exception,' I am willing to give you a chance to verify his judgment."
"You may stay here for one month." Urokodaki's gaze swept toward Sabito and Giyu. "You will train in Water Breathing alongside these two children."
"One month. If, by then, you have failed to master even the 'Forms' and the most basic 'Essence' of Water Breathing, it will prove that you are no exception, but merely an ordinary person aiming too high." He looked at Kuguruma Natsunishi last, his tone brookng no argument. "At that point, please leave. Focusing on training Wind Breathing to its limit is what you should be doing."
This was both an explanation to his old friend and a final warning to the youth before him. "A genius's energy and time are particularly precious. I do not wish to betray Kazami's friendship, but even more so, I do not wish to see a fine piece of timber ruin its own edge by taking the wrong path. Whether you are proving your talent or a youth's arrogance, you will prove it to me yourself over this month."
Kuguruma Natsunishi, however, was not intimidated by the man's stern tone at all. Instead, he looked at his system panel.
After becoming an official member at Lake Ashi, the main quest had updated from [Chapter I: Complete the Final Selection] to [Chapter II: Become a 'Kinoe' Class Swordsman]. Simultaneously, a new feature had been unlocked: the side quest system.
[Side Quest: First Meeting! A New Breathing Style!]
[Description: Master a new Breathing style within one month.]
[Reward: 500 Breathing Technique Experience (Adaptive) Proficiency.]
Ever since unlocking this feature, the panel had been empty. He had been wondering how to trigger these so-called side quests. He hadn't expected that with just a few words, a side quest would pop up on its own.
"Then I shall trouble you for a while, Mr. Urokodaki," Kuguruma Natsunishi said.
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