Tanjirou actually really wanted to understand the idiot elder brother that Young Miss Mizuki constantly spoke of.
It wasn't just because of his respect for Young Miss Mizuki, but also the friendship between Mr. Yoriichi and his ancestor, and his own curiosity about Mr. Yoriichi.
After viewing his ancestor's memories, things were exactly as Tanjirou had imagined.
The same kindness.
When Sumiyoshi's wife mentioned wanting to see a Sword Form, the taciturn young man didn't say much, but simply brandished stunning Sword Forms in the open space in front of the house.
The thirteen Sword Forms of Sun Breathing, executed by Mr. Yoriichi himself.
The exquisite Sword Forms also made Tanjirou understand why they were passed down as the Hinokami Kagura Dance.
A dance unlike any in the mortal world.
In Tanjirou's view, there wasn't much difference between Mr. Yoriichi's performance and the Sword Forms Young Miss Mizuki performed when teaching him.
Perhaps it was because the two had similar features... No, actually, Young Miss Mizuki's replication was more accurate, wasn't it?
Only now, with the performance by the founder of Sun Breathing, could Tanjirou gradually understand the original posture of Sun Breathing.
Sword Form, Sword Form—the Legacy of the so-called 'Form' often cannot escape the physical requirements of the successor.
Just like their family's Hinokami Kagura Dance, over hundreds of years of Legacy, the angles and force applied in certain 'Forms' inevitably differed from the Forms of Sun Breathing.
Once a 'Form' differs, the power that can be exerted usually also differs, and this difference often tends toward a negative outcome.
Tanjirou somewhat understood why Young Miss Mizuki took such pains to correct his minute differences in movement when teaching him Sun Breathing.
The Legacy of a 'Form' is often inextricably linked to the successor; height and physique are reasons why the Legacy deviates.
However, the Sun Breathing Sword Forms Young Miss Mizuki taught him were a perfect replication of Mr. Yoriichi's Sun Breathing Sword Forms.
If he ignored the height difference, he wouldn't even be able to tell the two apart.
Given Young Miss Mizuki's height and physique, which are inferior to Mr. Yoriichi's, this must have been the result of her deliberate effort.
To perfectly pass down the Legacy of Sun Breathing.
Whether it was the angle of the wrist, the footwork, or the rhythm of the breath, Young Miss Mizuki taught him Mr. Yoriichi's 'Form' almost flawlessly.
Sumiyoshi... no, Tanjirou, intently stared at Yoriichi, whose figure was dancing in the open space.
Suddenly, the scenery at the edge of the sky seemed to twist slightly.
At the same time, Tanjirou felt someone pat his shoulder from behind.
He subconsciously looked back.
Mizuki was standing behind him, smiling as she watched him.
"Mizuki..." Tanjirou was surprised to find that he had actually spoken the name aloud. Was it because his ancestor had said the exact same thing?
Before he could react, the smiling Mizuki suddenly raised her hand. Just as Tanjirou wondered what she meant, Mizuki fiercely slapped him across the face.
The scene before his eyes instantly collapsed, and Tanjirou abruptly sat up, shouting.
"Young Miss Mizuki!!!"
Why did she hit him?!
"Hiss~ That hurts..." Tanjirou subconsciously covered his cheek and found that it was indeed stinging painfully.
"Tanjirou, can you explain why you shouted Mizuki's name?" Kochou Shinobu's voice, carrying a faint Killing Intent, sounded from behind him.
Tanjirou looked back and saw Kochou Shinobu squatting beside him. It seemed that it wasn't Young Miss Mizuki who had slapped him just now, but Miss Shinobu.
Tanjirou was stunned for a moment. After regaining his senses, cold sweat beaded on his forehead.
"Ah... well... I think I dreamed..."
Kochou Shinobu narrowed her eyes: "Dreamed of Mizuki?"
"..." That's technically true... but not entirely!
"I think I dreamed of my ancestor's memories..." Tanjirou scratched his head, "With Mr. Yoriichi and Young Miss Mizuki..."
Kochou Shinobu interrupted him, standing up: "Alright, if you can move, get moving. The battle isn't over yet."
She had first checked the boy's injuries, and after gentle pats failed to wake him, she decided to be a little more forceful.
Hmph, it wasn't because she was inherently violent.
Hearing Kochou Shinobu's voice, Tanjirou belatedly turned his head to look into the distance. Everyone was gathered near the monster, and the person leading them... that red figure, seemed to be Young Miss Mizuki.
There was the smell of Young Miss Mizuki's blood.
Kochou Shinobu explained, "That is Mizuki's Blood Demon Art, formed from her blood."
Tanjirou touched his chest: "Is that so? Did Young Miss Mizuki save me?"
When he was struck, he felt like his chest was about to be ripped apart.
Now, he barely felt any pain.
Although Kochou Shinobu would have liked to chat with him more, the pressure everyone faced against Kokushibou was immense, and she had to go help.
Kochou Shinobu, holding her Nichirin Blade, stood observing the battlefield from a distance.
She knew her role clearly: her strength was insufficient to cut off the opponent's head, so she could only try her best to create opportunities for everyone.
Using her confident speed.
In terms of speed alone, Kochou Shinobu didn't feel she would lose to anyone else.
Her petite body, while costing her strength, granted her flexible speed and technique.
Mizuki's Blood Demon Art couldn't fully replicate her own strength; it wasn't a strong fighting force, only capable of putting out fires at best.
Facing the group's siege, although Kokushibou no longer had the initial leisurely ease, he hadn't been forced into a desperate situation either.
He could even occasionally injure the others.
Thankfully, Mizuki's current role was like a team healer, providing recovery the moment anyone was injured.
With the others helping to divert the attacks, it wasn't easy for Kokushibou to cause casualties.
Only now did Kokushibou realize the disgusting nature of 'Demons'.
As long as he couldn't deliver a decisive blow, the opponent could recover infinitely.
"Is this many people still not enough to crush him..." Mizuki observed Kokushibou's state.
He still had strength left.
His breathing and the precision of his movements were still maintained, indicating he hadn't been pushed to his limit yet.
While Mizuki analyzed Kokushibou's condition, Kokushibou was also analyzing how to break through.
His gaze subtly shifted toward Mizuki's crimson figure.
That Blood Demon Art... was there a way to defeat it?
If he didn't deal with Mizuki first, he couldn't eliminate the others.
He would try.
Kokushibou parried attacks from Inosuke and Kanae on the left and right, twisted his body, and used immense force to fling the two away. Then, he unleashed another Crescent Moon Slash, forcing back Kanao and Muichiro who were charging forward.
The next moment, his figure vanished from its spot.
"Is he coming for me?"
As Mizuki thought this, her entire right arm was severed, and fragmented Red Crystals scattered into the air.
Kokushibou couldn't escape her sight, but this state couldn't withstand Kokushibou's attack.
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