Chapter 115 The Final Attempt
Mount Kumotake.
Tanjiro stepped out of his room, a blast of cold air hitting him.
"Ha! It's getting colder and colder!"
He cupped his hands, blew warm air into them, then picked up his axe, preparing to chop some firewood.
"Getting to work so early?"
A familiar voice suddenly rang out beside him. Tanjiro turned his head, his eyes lighting up, and he jogged over.
"Mr. Aomura Kazuhiko, long time no see!"
Aoki said. "I've been quite busy these past few days."
Tanjiro sniffed, looking puzzled. "Mr. Aomura Kazuhiko's scent seems to have changed a bit."
"You have a really good nose!" Aoki smiled.
This was his first visit to Tanjiro's house since overcoming the sunlight.
Tanjiro smelled happiness emanating from Mr. Aomura Kazuhiko and smiled too. "Mr. Aomura Kazuhiko, shall we go learn the Hinokami Kagura now?"
Aoki glanced at the axe in his hand.
Tanjiro placed the axe back against the wall. "It's alright, my brother Takina can chop it later. Actually, the money Mr. Aomura Kazuhiko gave us is enough for us to live on for a long time, so it's okay if we don't burn charcoal for a while."
Creak.
At that moment, the door to the room opened again.
Nezuko came out, saw Aoki, and ran over to him, looking up at him with a bright smile.
"Mr. Aomura Kazuhiko!"
"Miss Nezuko!"
Aoki glanced at her; the jade pendant around her neck was still there.
Tanjiro's family got up one after another.
After greeting Kamado Aoi, Aoki led Tanjiro away.
This time, he didn't choose the shade of a tree, but rather an open space.
Sun Breathing, perhaps sunlight could be helpful.
Bright sunlight enveloped the two of them.
However, as November approached, the temperature dropped, and the midday sun only offered a faint warmth.
One taught, one learned, and time flew by.
Although Tanjiro wasn't a qualified teacher, he didn't need to improvise; he just needed to follow his father's instructions.
Soon, they finished today's lesson, and Aoki fell into deep thought.
He hadn't felt any improvement, nor had he acquired a profession.
If a "breathing technique swordsman," like a "martial artist," needed a master of the corresponding profession to guide them, Tanjiro's skill in Hinokami Kagura was indeed insufficient.
However, as his trust in the Demon Slayer Corps deepened, he had also sought instruction in breathing techniques from the Pillars, especially Kanae Kochō.
The Pillars were all masters of breathing techniques.
Yet, he still hadn't learned the breathing techniques, nor had he acquired any profession.
"Could it be that I'm incapable of mastering breathing techniques?" Aoki frowned slightly.
This wasn't surprising.
Looking at the origins of breathing techniques,
they came from Yoriichi Tsugikuni, who was practically born to defeat Muzan Kibutsuji.
To broaden the scope, one could say that breathing techniques were created to defeat demons.
What would it mean if demons could also master breathing techniques?
From the perspective of breathing techniques, it's perfectly normal that demons can't use them.
Breathing techniques involve concentrated breathing, which works by inhaling large amounts of air to accelerate blood flow and heart rate, raising body temperature and gaining greater power.
Even the external enhancements to breathing techniques that allow swordsmen to break through their physical limits require a body temperature exceeding 39 degrees Celsius and a heart rate exceeding 200 beats per minute.
However, as a demon, even if he inhales a lot of oxygen, his body temperature is difficult to raise.
"Demons can't master breathing techniques? Is my talent insufficient? Or is there another reason?"
Aoki couldn't be sure for a moment.
He still felt a pang of regret.
The potential of breathing techniques was no less than that of demons.
Considering Yoriichi Tsugikuni, a freak, his combat power might even have a higher ceiling than that of demons. He
was likely a two-star class as well.
Tanjiro wiped the sweat from his brow and took a sip of water.
For him, practicing the Hinokami Kagura was extremely strenuous.
He wondered how his frail father had managed to practice it all night.
"Mr. Aomura Kazuhiko seems a little regretful, a little troubled."
Tanjiro glanced at Aoki; he sensed the "regret" and "trouble," though it wasn't very clear.
Aoki snapped out of his reverie: "Thank you for your hard work, Tanjiro. Let's call it a day!"
Tanjiro smiled憨厚ly: "It's alright, Mr. Aomura Kazuhiko learns very quickly. At this rate, it won't be long before you've mastered it all. It took me several years."
"Going fast doesn't necessarily mean going far, and going slowly doesn't necessarily mean falling behind,"
Aoki said calmly.
Tanjiro was the best example.
At first glance, Tanjiro wasn't a genius.
It took him two whole years to learn the Breathing Technique, from the beginning to mastering it.
Tokito Muichiro, on the other hand, only took two months to become a Pillar.
Kanroji Mitsuri took a little longer, but still less than a year.
Compared to these geniuses, Tanjiro's initial performance wasn't particularly outstanding.
However, Tanjiro is one of the very few who simultaneously mastered the Crimson Blade, the Transparent Blade, and the Demon Slayer Mark.
In the original story, by the time of the final battle, Tanjiro, having mastered the thirteenth form of Sun Breathing, was truly the strongest member of the Demon Slayer Corps.
Aoki returned with Tanjiro.
"Mr. Aomura Kazuhiko, brother!" Nezuko immediately greeted them: "You're back!"
Kamado Aoi also came out of the charcoal-burning shed, wiping her hands on her apron: "Mr. Aomura Kazuhiko, would you like to stay for dinner?"
"No, madam, I have other matters to attend to and must leave." Aoki glanced around.
Thick smoke billowed from the house; charcoal was likely being burned.
Tanjiro and Nezuko's younger siblings, though not approaching, watched him curiously.
Compared to their first meeting, the Kamado family's faces were rosier, and their living conditions had clearly improved.
After looking around, Aoki's gaze returned to Tanjiro: "Tanjiro, I probably won't be coming back anytime soon."
This was his last attempt.
If he could learn the Breathing Technique, or acquire another extraordinary profession, it would allow his strength to reach new heights.
Unfortunately, he failed.
There was no more time to waste.
He had to focus his time and energy on Muzan Kibutsuji.
After defeating Muzan, he would have enough time to test whether he could truly learn the Breathing Technique.
"I understand."
Tanjiro smiled brightly and bowed, "I wish Mr. Aomura Kazuhiko all the best!"
"Live well!"
Aoki waved and disappeared.
Tanjiro walked towards the charcoal shed.
"Mom, I'll help."
"Okay!" Kamado Aoi smiled.
"Has Mr. Aomura Kazuhiko not been coming for a while?" Nezuko touched the jade pendant around her neck, the first real gift she had ever received.
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(End of Chapter)