In Urokodaki Sakonji's eyes, Tanjirou was just wildly swinging his sword, occasionally rolling around on the ground as if suddenly attacked, as if fighting something.
Making himself look so disheveled, what else could it be but madness?
Just as he was about to step forward, Mizuki reached out and stopped him.
"Wait, Urokodaki-sensei."
She placed her fingernail against her palm, about to cut it, then looked at Urokodaki Sakonji's eyes and suddenly paused.
"...Could I trouble you to remove your mask? I have something I'd like to show you."
She couldn't get the eyedrops in!
Although Urokodaki Sakonji was a little anxious, he knew that Mizuki wouldn't be indifferent to such matters. Coupled with Mizuki's serious expression, he took off the Tengu mask on his face.
As expected, it was a kind-faced old man.
This face couldn't intimidate demons, which is why he wore a mask, right?
"Please bear with it for a moment, don't resist," Mizuki reminded, gently cutting her palm and squeezing out a few drops of blood.
"What are you..."
Although Urokodaki Sakonji was still puzzled, their interactions over the past few days had made him accept Mizuki.
After dripping the blood into Urokodaki Sakonji's eyes, Mizuki said, "Alright, Urokodaki-sensei, you can open your eyes now."
Urokodaki Sakonji endured for a moment, then opened his eyes, not noticing any problems.
He looked at Mizuki with confusion, and Mizuki smiled, moving two steps to the side.
When Urokodaki Sakonji looked down at the 'mad' Tanjirou, his whole body froze.
"...Sabito... Makomo..." Urokodaki Sakonji's hands trembled slightly, and his feet instinctively stepped forward.
Mizuki softly said, "Please wait a moment."
Tanjirou... is about to master Total Concentration Breathing.
The battle between them ended in an instant; Tanjirou's blade cut down Sabito's mask and also split the rock in front of him.
Seeing this, Urokodaki Sakonji was no longer as calm as usual, and the speed of his steps increased.
Tanjirou, who was bewildered by the disappearance of Sabito and Makomo, smiled brightly upon seeing Urokodaki arrive and said, "Urokodaki-sensei, I split the rock!"
However, at this moment, Urokodaki Sakonji's attention was not on him at all.
Mizuki waved her hand, signaling to Tanjirou, "Come with me."
Tanjirou looked at Urokodaki-sensei and followed Mizuki.
Mizuki turned slightly, looking at Urokodaki Sakonji standing in front of the giant rock.
Perhaps this is the meaning of ghosts' existence.
"Right here," Mizuki stopped in an open space.
Tanjirou, covered in dust with shoulder-length hair, looked around curiously.
"Is there something, Miss Mizuki?"
Mizuki explained, "The Demon Slayer Corps' Final Selection is still a few months away. During this time, I will be the one to guide your training."
Because of her interference, Tanjirou mastered Total Concentration Breathing much earlier.
Tanjirou blinked, "Miss Mizuki's... guidance..."
After a brief adaptation, Tanjirou said with full vigor, "I will definitely give it my all!"
It's amazing he can speak so loudly when he's so exhausted.
Mizuki drew the Nichirin Blade from her waist.
Is she going to fight Miss Mizuki?
Tanjirou couldn't help but be lost in thought.
Mizuki raised her eyes and said, "Do you remember the Hinokami Kagura Dance, the Kagura dance passed down through your family for generations?"
Tanjirou asked in surprise, "Miss Mizuki knows about the Kagura dance too?"
Mizuki nodded, "Its predecessor was actually Sun Breathing, also known as Origin Breathing."
"Is the Kagura dance... a Breathing Technique?" Tanjirou had never thought of it that way before.
"More precisely, it's a Sword Form."
Mizuki took a stance, "You watch first."
Watch?
"Hiss~"
A peculiar, somewhat harsh breathing sound came from Mizuki's mouth.
A wisp of flame coiled around the black blade, and an orange-red flame suddenly burst forth from the blade.
"Hinokami Kagura!"
Tanjirou exclaimed in surprise; there were others who knew his family's Kagura dance. And it was even more beautiful than his father's.
The figure wielding the blade amidst the flames made Tanjirou feel an inexplicable familiarity, as if he had seen it somewhere before.
The twelve forms of Sun Breathing were simply demonstrated by Mizuki.
"Cough..." Mizuki coughed lightly, spitting out a mouthful of blood foam.
Tanjirou rushed forward in alarm, "Miss Mizuki!"
Mizuki waved her hand, "I'm fine."
Her body had already healed.
This was the advantage of being a demon; she could use the self-harming Sun Breathing as much as she wanted.
"My physique is not suited for Sun Breathing," Mizuki explained, looking at Tanjirou, "but yours is."
"I can?"
"You must have heard that there is no superiority or inferiority among Breathing Techniques, right?"
Tanjirou nodded lightly, "Mm."
Urokodaki-sensei said that choosing the Breathing Technique that best suits one's individual physique and cultivating it to the end will lead to mastery.
Mizuki shook her head, "But in terms of restraining demons, Sun Breathing is undeniably the best."
Tanjirou asked, puzzled, "Why do you say that?"
"Sun Breathing has the effect of suppressing demons' regenerative abilities."
Moon Breathing might have surpassed Sun Breathing in range and power, but it still doesn't have Sun Breathing's ability to suppress demon regeneration.
"Suppressing regeneration..."
At that time, Tanjirou still couldn't quite grasp the power of Sun Breathing.
Looking at Tanjirou's state, Mizuki said, "Let's practice Constant Concentration today."
"Constant Concentration?" Tanjirou was a bit dizzy; weren't they just talking about the Hinokami Kagura Dance?
"Constant Concentration means maintaining the state of Total Concentration Breathing at all times," Mizuki explained. "Sun Breathing has very high physical requirements, and just mastering Total Concentration Breathing isn't enough to use it freely."
"At all times?" Tanjirou's eyes widened.
Mizuki nodded slightly, "Including when you sleep."
Tanjirou couldn't help but ask, "Can anyone really maintain that state constantly?"
He felt like his lungs were going to burst just using Total Concentration Breathing with Sword Forms.
"Of course, Tomioka Giyu, whom you know, can."
Tanjirou gasped.
"Next, you'll try to maintain Total Concentration Breathing, extending the duration as much as possible. Consistent practice is key."
"It's not something that can be rushed. As for practicing Sun Breathing, we'll start that tomorrow."
"I understand!"
Tanjirou's heart was strong; as long as he had a goal, he could grit his teeth and push forward.
He tried to maintain Total Concentration Breathing according to Mizuki's guidance, but after just one attempt, he felt like he was going to die from holding his breath for not long.
Can anyone really maintain it constantly?
Tanjirou lay on the ground, gasping for air, somewhat questioning his life.
Watching Tanjirou continuously try, Mizuki smiled with satisfaction.
She was having Tanjirou familiarize himself with these things early because she had saved his family.
And there was a very crucial element in the Demon Slayer plot.
The Life Lantern.
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