"A nichirin blade is also called a color-changing blade; its color changes according to its wielder."
"Try it out, see if it feels right."
Saying this, Mori Tekko handed the nichirin blade to Tomioka Giyu.
Tomioka Giyu took the nichirin blade, first gripping the hilt, then fully drawing the blade.
Soon, the white blade was covered in an azure blue, as if immersed in seawater.
Seeing this, Mori Tekko couldn't help but exclaim, "As expected of your Disciple, Urokodaki, the blade's color is even more beautiful than yours."
Urokodaki Sakonji's mouth curved slightly upwards beneath his mask; he was even more certain that Giyu would surpass him in the future.
Tomioka Giyu sheathed his blade and once again expressed his gratitude to Mori Tekko.
"It feels very good. Thank you for the nichirin blade. I'll be relying on you from now on."
"No need, no need~" Mori Tekko was clearly a bit embarrassed and quickly stood up.
"Then I'll be going now. I hope you can use this blade to slay even more demons!"
After seeing Mori Tekko off, Tomioka Giyu called out to the outside, "Kanzaburo!!"
The next second, a black crow flew in and landed on his shoulder.
Indeed, this was Tomioka Giyu's Kasugai Crow, Kanzaburo.
"Please deliver this letter to the Master. I'm counting on you."
"Don't worry, this old man will deliver the letter at the first opportunity," Kanzaburo said, then flew away with the letter in his beak.
Urokodaki Sakonji instructed, "Giyu, the Cultivate ground you requested is complete. You can go anytime."
"Thank you, Master!" Tomioka Giyu's heart filled with joy, and he quickly thanked him.
That's right, he had discussed with Master Urokodaki before that he wanted to Cultivate here for a year before venturing out.
He created this training regimen based on his own memories, mimicking the 'Pillar Guidance' from the Late Stage.
It included physical conditioning, flexibility exercises, high-speed movement, sword technique correction, infinite assault, and muscle strengthening training.
Although it couldn't be a 100% reproduction, the advantage lay in the extended training time, which, when accumulated, would be enough to exponentially increase his strength!
The content of that letter was also very simple: a plea to the Master for a year of completely secluded training.
At this moment, one more or one less of him in the Demon Slayer Corps wouldn't make much difference, so it would be better for him to focus on Cultivating for a while.
After a year, he would slay fifty demons or a Twelve Kizuki as quickly as possible, becoming the Water Hashira!
Tomioka Giyu had that much confidence.
One month later, Tomioka Giyu no longer used a wooden sword but instead held his nichirin blade and arrived at the large rock.
Sabito was sitting on the rock at this time, smiling, "You finally came, Giyu. Is that your nichirin blade?"
"Not bad, very manly! It looks like you're confident you can defeat me?"
Tomioka Giyu returned a smile, gripping the hilt with his right hand, and softly said, "Give it your all, Sabito!"
Free from pain, no longer lost, at this moment he had only one belief: to become stronger!
"Total Concentration!!"
"Water Breathing, Fourth Form: Striking Tide!"
In the blink of an eye, a wave-like slash had reached Sabito, but he wasn't flustered. He pulled his blade back, pointing the tip at Tomioka Giyu.
"Water Breathing, Seventh Form: Drop Ripple Thrust."
With this offensive and defensive Move, the moment he blocked Tomioka Giyu's attack, Sabito sheathed his blade, turned, and delivered another horizontal sweep.
After several months of sparring and simulated Pillar Guidance, Tomioka Giyu not only became familiar with Sabito's attack patterns but also significantly increased his strength.
While retreating to dodge Sabito's attack, Tomioka Giyu lowered his center of gravity, twisted his wrist, and immediately counterattacked, continuously pressuring Sabito.
"Water Breathing, Third Form: Flowing Dance!"
Sabito tried to use a Move several times but was interrupted by the Third Form. However, he wasn't annoyed; instead, he showed a happy smile.
"Very good, Giyu, that's it! That's how a man fights!"
Before he finished speaking, Sabito forcefully swung his blade, forcing Tomioka Giyu back, and he himself was also pushed back several steps.
But because of this, the two opened up a considerable distance!
Sabito didn't hesitate, excitedly shouting,
"One last Move to decide the victor!"
Tomioka Giyu's eyes flickered, the corners of his mouth unconsciously turned up, and gripping his blade with both hands, he and Sabito shouted out the final Move together.
"Water Breathing, Tenth Form: Constant Flux!"
Two Water Dragons surged out from Tomioka Giyu's and Sabito's blades, letting out roars!
Immediately after, the two collided at an extremely fast speed, but this attack was not over, and both of them knew this very well.
Bang bang bang bang — — — — —
"Again, again! This isn't enough to defeat me, Giyu!"
Tomioka Giyu constantly adjusted his breathing. If they continued to clash like this, he would likely lose in the end.
"In a contest of strength against strength, the weaker one will always lose."
"Don't clash head-on with him; use the power of water to neutralize and resolve it!"
With a thought, when Sabito slashed again, Tomioka Giyu adjusted the angle of his blade, using the gentleness of water to perfectly resolve that slash!
Sabito, whose attack had been neutralized, was stunned for a moment, and the victory was decided at that instant!
A blue light flashed, and the two stood still. Sabito's smile now turned into one of relief.
"Giyu, I truly didn't misjudge you. It's time for you to go and do what you need to do."
"Take my place and slay even more demons!"
Tomioka Giyu nodded without speaking, but his gaze remained fixed on the slowly disappearing Sabito. No words were needed between them.
"Don't worry, it won't be long before my Junior Brother helps you, and avenges Master's previous Disciples."
Tomioka Giyu thought to himself. After Sabito completely vanished, he slowly walked away, heading to the simulated Cultivate ground.
A year's time was neither long nor short. During this period, Tomioka Giyu was either sleeping or undergoing simulated Pillar Guidance.
Total Concentration: Constant was mastered one month after defeating Sabito.
Perhaps it was Sabito's blessing, or perhaps he had diligently read the manga in his previous life, or perhaps it was due to innate talent.
In any case, the speed of his strength growth was so incredible that even he found it hard to believe.
One morning, Urokodaki Sakonji clearly already guessed that his Disciple was about to leave.
"Come sit. You've worked hard this year, and it's time for you to leave."
Saying this, Urokodaki Sakonji took out a pair of scissors and handed them to Tomioka Giyu.
"Your hair has grown long. Let's cut it."
"Master, please cut it for me. It's uncertain when I'll be back to see you again, so consider this your gift to me this time."
It's worth mentioning that Tomioka Giyu's hair was very stiff and could easily hold its shape.
Urokodaki Sakonji didn't refuse. He found a white cloth, draped it over Tomioka Giyu, and then began to cut his hair.
During this time, Urokodaki told him many things: about the understanding and state of mind of Water Breathing, and about the types of demons and Blood Demon Art.
After more than ten minutes, Urokodaki Sakonji announced that he was finished cutting.
In fact, it didn't need to be perfectly styled, because his hair naturally grew into a certain shape (like Uchiha Madara from the neighbor~).
"And this clothing..." As he spoke, Urokodaki Sakonji held out a pieced haori and handed it to Tomioka Giyu.
"Carry the will of your sister and Sabito, and continue strong on your path."
"Thank you, Master!"