Chu Yang immediately changed his expression, baring his teeth as he said fiercely, "We've already gone this far—by any standard, we've done our utmost. What's wrong with keeping a few safeguards for ourselves? If someone wants to settle scores over this, then forget playing nice—flip the table and settle it with a fight."
Uchiha Izuna burst out laughing. "You've got quite a temper for a youngster—but I like it."
Uchiha Madara nodded as well. "Yang is right. The safeguards that need to be kept must be kept. We do hope for peace, but not to the point of offering ourselves up on a platter."
Hashirama Senju and Tobirama Senju exchanged glances, then also agreed to Chu Yang's distribution plan.
Both Hashirama and Chu Yang were hiding a bit of their own thinking, unspoken.
The Uzumaki clan's sealing techniques were extraordinarily powerful, ranked among the highest priorities in the shinobi world. They could seal tailed beasts and ninjutsu—and even things on the level of the world's rules themselves.
Yet the Uzumaki clan's own combat strength was relatively weak, making them prone to being targeted by forces that feared them. With the Nine-Tails' power, the Uzumaki clan's safety could be guaranteed.
At the same time, Chu Yang was also guarding against Black Zetsu.
The Uzumaki clan's sealing techniques could directly threaten Ōtsutsuki Kaguya.
Once the Tailed Beast Capture Plan was finalized, Hashirama Senju formally issued orders, assigning the Anbu to track down the tailed beasts.
Losses were inevitable—tailed beasts were not something you could bully at will. They wouldn't obediently wait in one place to be captured.
Another wave of ambitious young Uchiha charged forward one after another. The family-ending strategy Chu Yang had set in motion was beginning to show its effects.
Tobirama Senju was responsible for contacting the Uzumaki clan. Sealing the tailed beasts required their strength, and both sides also needed to formally establish an official alliance.
For over a thousand years, the Senju and Uzumaki clans had relied on blood ties to stand together.
When the alliance was signed, Hashirama Senju himself—as Hokage—would need to appear in person.
As for Lord Madara, he was Konoha's gold-medal enforcer.
His only job was beating people into submission. Once a tailed beast appeared, he would rush to the scene immediately to subdue it.
As for Chu Yang…
A diligent and selfless people's teacher. Aside from nurturing the village's future flowers, he had no special contributions. Everything progressed in an orderly fashion.
Demon Slayer World
Returning to reality from the Soul Palace, Chu Yang's physique underwent explosive growth overnight.
His once-skinny frame suddenly sprouted eight rock-hard abdominal muscles, and his height shot up by five centimeters.
All of this was thanks to the other versions of himself generously sharing their talents and abilities, allowing this formerly useless body to undergo a qualitative transformation.
Of course, once he learned Breathing Techniques, that would in turn nourish the others as well.
To avoid exposing the secret of his body, Chu Yang wrapped himself up tightly. Fortunately, the weather had recently turned colder, and no one grew suspicious.
During his days recovering at the Butterfly Mansion, Chu Yang spent every day eating heartily and training hard. A week later, he was told he could be discharged—that is, leave the Butterfly Mansion.
Naturally, Chu Yang didn't want to leave.
So he sought out Shinobu Kocho and made a request to become a member of the Demon Slayer Corps.
"Lady Shinobu, could you teach me how to become a swordsman?"
His request seemed to stump Shinobu. She stood there hesitantly, wanting to speak but stopping herself.
Not taking the bait?
Chu Yang clenched his teeth and shouted, "Lady Shinobu, please take me as your Tsuguko!"
In the Demon Slayer world, a "Tsuguko" referred to a successor-in-training—in simpler terms, a true disciple of a Hashira.
Generally, Hashira took Tsuguko who practiced the same Breathing Style, though there were also special cases involving different styles.
Hashira possessed the authority to command Demon Slayer Corps members of any rank, but to command someone else's Tsuguko, they had to obtain that Hashira's consent.
Tsuguko were a very special status within the Corps.
Upon hearing Chu Yang's request to become her Tsuguko, Shinobu's pale face flushed visibly red.
She waved her hands in a panic.
Chu Yang smacked his lips, feeling that something about this Shinobu was off—very different from the one he remembered.
"Hahaha! Someone wants to become little Shinobu's Tsuguko? How interesting!"
A bell-like laugh rang out behind Chu Yang. He turned around to see a woman who resembled Shinobu by seven or eight parts, but appeared more mature and gentle.
She had lively light-purple eyes, long glossy black hair reaching her waist, butterfly-shaped hairpins on either side, and a colorful haori patterned like butterfly wings draped over her shoulders.
She hopped over to Chu Yang and teased, "Little Shinobu isn't a Hashira—she's not qualified to take a Tsuguko. I could, though. Interested, little brother?"
Chu Yang stared blankly at her—not because she was beautiful, but because she was—
Kanae Kocho.
Kanae Kocho was still alive!
That meant the current point in time was at least four years before the main story began.
No wonder Chu Yang felt that the Shinobu before him looked like a baby—she really was one.
"Staring at a lady like that is quite rude, you know," Kanae stepped closer and whispered into Chu Yang's ear.
Chu Yang jolted, hurriedly stepping back and apologizing repeatedly. His head was a bit of a mess right now.
"I can sense the aura within you. For someone who's never undergone training, your physique is exceptional—you have the potential to become a powerful swordsman."
Kanae smiled softly. "I was just teasing you earlier. Your body isn't suited for my Breathing Style, but if you truly wish to join the Demon Slayer Corps, I can introduce you to another Hashira."
Chu Yang snapped back to his senses and nodded vigorously. "Then I'll be in your care."
"You're lucky—he'll be arriving shortly," Kanae said with a smile, clearly looking forward to seeing what kind of sparks would fly between Chu Yang and that Hashira.
Shinobu seemed to have guessed which Hashira her sister meant, and instinctively showed a look of surprise.
Chu Yang watched the sisters speak in riddles, utterly confused.
After a while, a tall, imposing figure pushed the door open, murmuring "Amitābha." He had a long scar across his forehead, was completely blind, wore prayer beads around his neck, and held another string of beads in his hands.
A monk.
Gyomei Himejima.
Chu Yang glanced at Kanae Kocho, who was smiling from ear to ear, and let out a deep breath.
Gyomei Himejima was incredibly strong.
One could even say he was the strongest Hashira—bar none.
The moment Gyomei entered the room, he noticed Chu Yang. With his blindness came extraordinarily heightened perception. Had he not failed to detect the scent of a demon on Chu Yang, he might have already swung his weapon.
Kanae smiled. "Mr. Gyomei, if it weren't for a Hashira meeting, it's rare to see you. Are you training every day?"
Gyomei nodded, then asked eagerly, "And who is this beside you?"
"A survivor," Kanae summarized Chu Yang's background in just three words, then added, "He wishes to remain with the Demon Slayer Corps."
If it were an ordinary person, Gyomei would have advised them to return to a normal life. But the profound aura emanating from Chu Yang was impossible to ignore.
Gyomei said solemnly, "This will be a path of hardship far beyond what you imagine."
"I understand," Chu Yang replied.
Kanae suggested, "I think you should personally teach him. A regular trainer may not be able to fully draw out his talent."
Gyomei hesitated for a moment, sensing Chu Yang's presence once more. In the end, he couldn't help but nod.
At last—
His Stone Breathing had found a successor.
(End of Chapter)