It wasn't until Tanjirou and the others returned after lunch, which was already late afternoon, almost evening.
When Tanjirou came back, he saw the two still sitting on the porch, paused for a moment, then walked over excitedly.
Kochou Shinobu pulled Kanao aside with concern: "What happened? Why are you back so late?"
The child looked a bit dazed, perhaps scared silly by these people.
Meanwhile, Tanjirou walked straight to Mizuki.
"Miss Mizuki!"
"Hmm?" Why is this child so excited?
"Does Sun Breathing have a Thirteenth Form?"
Mizuki's brain crashed for a moment, then she looked at Tanjirou with clear eyes: "Didn't I tell you?"
"Ah?"
Mizuki explained: "It's just connecting the First Form: Circle Haze all the way to the Twelfth Form: Flame Dance. See, aren't the names homophones?"
Tanjirou was a bit dumbfounded: "Is that so?"
"Mm."
It was a bit too simple, causing Tanjirou to almost doubt his life. He had thought it would be some super powerful secret technique that he hadn't yet mastered, which was why Miss Mizuki hadn't taught him.
He didn't expect she had just forgotten... Actually, Mizuki couldn't be entirely blamed, because strictly speaking, it couldn't be considered an independent Sword Form.
To execute all twelve forms in an instant like Yoriichi, that was simply something no human could do.
Perhaps she could try it after Demonization, but that Breathing Technique would cause extremely slight stiffness in her movements.
This slight stiffness would be negligible elsewhere, but if facing an opponent of her own level, or even surpassing it, it would be infinitely magnified.
From Tanjirou, they learned that after lunch, they had been invited by Kyoujurou.
The Rengoku Family is not far from the Butterfly Mansion. Water Breathing and Flame Breathing are the mainstays of the Demon Slayer Corps, with a Flame Hashira and Water Hashira almost always born in each generation.
The Rengoku Family is practically a family legacy; most Flame Hashira come from their household.
So Kyoujurou dragged everyone over for a visit, even taking Kanao with them.
Upon arriving at the Rengoku Family, Kyoujurou's father recognized Tanjirou's identity by his earrings.
Speaking of which, Tanjirou couldn't help but ask: "Miss Mizuki, did you also recognize me by these earrings?"
"Do you have any connection to my family...?"
He had wanted to ask this question a long time ago.
The same red hair, could they be distant relatives or something?
Why does Miss Mizuki know his family's Hinokami Kagura, and why is Hinokami Kagura called Sun Breathing... Kochou Shinobu interjected: "That's it, we were just talking about that."
They were just talking about Tanjirou.
Mizuki was a bit confused: "Didn't I tell you?"
Tanjirou: "..."
No!
Nothing at all!
He originally thought Miss Mizuki had her own reasons for not telling him many things, but it turned out she had completely forgotten!
Mizuki scratched her ear-length hair: "Is that so? Then I'll just talk casually."
Tanjirou straightened his expression: "Please be sure to be thorough!"
"…"
"Those earrings were owned by my elder brother, Yoriichi, the creator of Sun Breathing, during the Sengoku Period."
Zenitsu: "Sengoku Period?"
Inosuke: "Elder brother?"
Tanjirou: "So Miss Mizuki's surname is Tsugikuni?"
"I didn't tell you..."
"No!" x3
Mizuki was startled by their combined intensity and swallowed the words in her throat: "Anyway, those earrings were originally mine..."
"Wait!" Zenitsu suddenly yelled, his face full of shock, "Sengoku Period? Isn't that hundreds of years ago?"
"I'm a demon, isn't that normal?"
Tamayo is even hundreds of years older than her... Muzan was born in the Heian Period, over a thousand years ago.
Inosuke foolishly pointed at Mizuki: "So, this guy is an old woman who's hundreds of years old?"
Zenitsu subconsciously wanted to reply, but suddenly noticed the rising dark aura beside him and decisively chose to shut up.
Inosuke looked at Zenitsu in confusion: "Hey, did I say something wrong?"
As soon as he finished speaking, his whole body trembled as if electrocuted from head to toe.
Inosuke's blue Pig Head eyes showed wisdom, and he said in a muffled voice: "Did you feel that?"
"There's a very strong gaze, just like being watched by a beast..."
Everyone looked behind him, not daring to make a sound.
Bang!
Inosuke lay on the ground with a red lump on his head, foaming at the mouth.
Mizuki's fist was still smoking as she calmly sat back down: "Any more questions? Ask away."
The two shook their heads rapidly, almost creating afterimages.
Kochou Shinobu covered her mouth, stifling a laugh.
Mizuki rolled her eyes: "Anyway, Yoriichi and I met Tanjirou's ancestor during the Sengoku Period. Those earrings were a gift from Yoriichi to your ancestor."
"Hinokami... and Sun Breathing too?"
"Yes, your ancestor was a very talented person. He only needed to see a Sword Form once to memorize it and pass it down."
Speaking of which, it can indeed only be described as a miracle.
"I see..."
He thought Miss Mizuki was a distant relative of his family... So that's how it was.
Mizuki raised her eyes: "What's wrong? You still seem to have questions?"
Tanjirou scratched his head: "No, I'm just a bit confused..."
"Is there a problem somewhere?"
"It's just..." Tanjirou was silent for a moment, then couldn't help but say, "Miss Mizuki, do I really have the qualifications to practice Sun Breathing?"
Mizuki raised an eyebrow: "Of course, you should be able to feel your compatibility with Sun Breathing yourself, right?"
"Indeed, it feels more natural than when I use Water Breathing, but..." Tanjirou hesitated, "Miss Mizuki, you once said that Sun Breathing is the most effective Breathing Technique against demons, but I haven't been able to fully utilize it, and its restraint on demon regeneration is extremely limited..."
Mizuki opened her mouth, forcing a reassuring smile: "That's because you haven't mastered the scarlet blade yet."
"scarlet blade?"
"It's a method to turn your Nichirin Blade red with grip strength. It's an ability you can only learn after mastering the Demon Slayer Mark."
"It has the ability to suppress demon regeneration and can perfectly unleash the power of Sun Breathing."
She was lying... Sun Breathing itself possesses the ability to suppress regeneration, it's just that Tanjirou is too weak... Even as fellow users of Sun Breathing, their strengths are vastly different, and Tanjirou has not yet grown to be as powerful as Yoriichi.
People like Yoriichi are like shooting stars; it has nothing to do with Breathing Techniques. Even without using Sun Breathing, he could defeat Muzan.
Tanjirou looked at Mizuki's smile, hesitated, and nodded.
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