The detailed battle report describing the fight against two Upper Rank demons was formally dispatched and reached the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters just as the sky began to lighten at dawn.
Unable to sleep due to illness, Ubuyashiki Kagaya received the report at once. After reading only the first page, the hands holding the letter began to tremble uncontrollably.
Suppressing his excitement, he read through the entire document. When he finished, he let out a long breath, as if expelling all the pent-up heaviness he had carried for so many years.
Hearing the movement, Ubuyashiki Amane entered the room and saw her husband sitting by the window. She had expected him to be in discomfort from his illness—yet instead, his face was filled with joy.
"What happened?" she asked softly as she walked over and draped a coat over his shoulders. "What could make you this happy?"
"The wind is strong at night. For someone in your condition, even a small chill could turn into a serious illness by morning."
"Amane," Kagaya said, still trembling slightly from excitement, "do you believe there truly exists someone in this world who can kill demons through sheer personal strength alone?"
Amane smiled and shook her head. "Isn't every swordsman in the Demon Slayer Corps killing demons through their own skill? What's so surprising about that—enough for you to sit by the window in the cold in the middle of the night?"
"No matter how strong a swordsman is, they still need a Nichirin Blade to sever a demon's neck," Kagaya replied, his eyes burning with intensity as he looked at her—sincere, almost childlike."I'm talking about someone who doesn't need a Nichirin Blade at all—someone who can kill demons using nothing but their physical body."
"You should be past the age of idolizing heroes," Amane laughed gently.
But her smile quickly faded.
Because Kagaya's gaze was utterly serious—as though he were speaking of something that truly existed.
To anyone in the Demon Slayer Corps, such a thing sounded like pure fantasy. No one understood better than they did how terrifying demons were. A being capable of crushing such monsters with raw physical strength alone could only be an even greater monster.
It could not possibly be human.
Amane noticed the report in her husband's hands and took a slow breath."Is what's written in that report the reason you're thinking this way?"
Every piece of intelligence in the Demon Slayer Corps was delivered at the cost of a slayer's life. The Ubuyashiki family had never questioned such reports—this might have been the first time.
The moment the question left her mouth, Amane herself froze.
"This report was sent back by Kanae," Kagaya said gently. "As for the person she mentioned… I spoke to you about him not long ago."
Amane searched her memory.
"Gyomei's adopted disciple?"
Realization struck her, followed by shock."I remember—it's only been a few months since he passed the Final Selection…"
"There are always those born with extraordinary talent," Kagaya said softly.
He closed his eyes and fell into deep thought. The room grew quiet as Amane watched him silently.
After a long while, Kagaya spoke in a low, firm voice:
"I'm calling a Hashira Meeting."
Tokyo.
The progenitor of all demons, Kibutsuji Muzan, was currently residing with a pharmaceutical family, taking the appearance of a young child.
He wasn't there to enjoy the wealth of a medical household—but for their vast collection of medical texts.
From the day he became a demon, Muzan had pursued one thing with unwavering obsession.
The Blue Spider Lily.
No matter how many ancient texts he searched through, Muzan could find no record of the flower's existence. At times, he even doubted whether it existed at all.
And whenever that doubt surfaced, Muzan would immediately plunge into extreme rage.
Whenever Muzan's mood deteriorated, the number of disappearances in Tokyo would surge.
As he flipped through a book, a scene he had never witnessed before suddenly flashed through his mind—
In the image, "he" was being held aloft, stared down upon with utter contempt.
That gaze instantly reminded him of the swordsman who had once driven him to the brink of death centuries ago.
As more images flooded his mind, Muzan's expression twisted violently. His fury grew so intense that he nearly lost control of his childlike form and revealed his true body.
Within that raging anger lurked an unnameable fear.
How could such a person exist in this world?
Had he consumed some special medicine?
Or worse—
Was he another demon created by that doctor, besides Muzan himself?
Questions crashed over Muzan's mind like a tidal wave. The absolute power Chu Yang displayed had nothing to do with the word human.
Because Chu Yang had killed Doma and Akaza with his bare hands, Muzan did not connect the terrifying youth in his visions with the recently reported Demon Slayer Corps rookie swordsman.
But when Muzan witnessed the full scene of Akaza's death—
The terror buried deep within his soul, mixed with profound self-doubt, began to expand wildly.
That familiar blaze—like the blazing sun—
Was a nightmare Muzan could never erase.
He knew it clearly.
That was Sun Breathing.
"Impossible! I was there in that era—I killed every swordsman who knew Sun Breathing!"
"There's no way that breathing style still exists in this world!"
"No way!"
Muzan tried to deny it, but the images in his mind struck him like slaps to the face. The domineering flames enveloping Chu Yang's body were powerful enough to suppress two Upper Rank demons at once.
The moment Muzan saw those flames, he became certain—Chu Yang was human. Because no demon in existence could withstand the burning of Sun Breathing.
The overwhelming fear caused Muzan's body to tremble uncontrollably.
As the progenitor of demons, he found himself unable to calm down.
The inhuman power Chu Yang displayed far surpassed even Yoriichi Tsugikuni of the past. Yoriichi had been terrifying—but he still needed a sword to kill demons.
Chu Yang did not.
He shattered Upper Rank demons' heads with his fists alone.
"I must gather the remaining Twelve Kizuki."
Forcing down his fear, Muzan issued a summons to his subordinates. Demons across the land began moving toward the Infinity Castle.
What Muzan had bestowed upon the Ubuyashiki family was not only a curse—but also a mysterious power of foresight. Once the Ubuyashiki line resolved to eradicate Muzan, the ability to glimpse the future began manifesting among their descendants.
Through this foresight, the Ubuyashiki family escaped Muzan's pursuit time and again, continuously strengthening the Demon Slayer Corps and contending with him for a thousand years.
Kagaya desperately wished to meet Chu Yang—hoping to glimpse the future through him.
This might be the greatest turning point the Ubuyashiki family had seen in a millennium.
Kasugai Crows flew in and out, messages flowing endlessly, until all information converged into two words:
Assemble.
Across the land, the Hashira set aside their duties and returned to headquarters at top speed.
Kanae, recovering at the Butterfly Mansion, also received the order.
Unlike the others, she also received a personal message of concern from Kagaya himself.
The meeting was scheduled for five days later. By then, her body would be nearly recovered, ensuring she wouldn't miss the Hashira Meeting.
Chu Yang, naturally, received the summons as well.
He was the centerpiece of this gathering.
Butterfly Mansion.
After changing her sister's bandages, Shinobu stepped outside and saw Chu Yang lying in the courtyard, basking in the sun beneath a cherry blossom tree.
It was a rare break in days of relentless rain.
Shinobu stood there watching him for a long time, her face gradually turning red as she recalled her previous outburst toward him.
She could excuse herself by saying it was worry clouding her judgment—but she still felt guilty.
If not for Chu Yang, she might truly have lost her only family.
"What are you doing here all by yourself?" Shinobu asked, forcing herself to approach. She wanted to apologize, but the words stuck in her throat.
"No need for awkward small talk," Chu Yang said lazily, eyes half-closed as he glanced at her."If you want to apologize, just do it. Don't waste time on pointless things."
Her embarrassment instantly exposed, Shinobu flushed and glared at him. Still, she didn't argue and honestly apologized.
Chu Yang smiled faintly and nodded. "Good. Apology accepted."
Shinobu felt as though a weight had lifted from her shoulders. Chu Yang suddenly seemed far more agreeable.
Smiling, she asked, "I heard you're going to attend the Hashira Meeting with my sister?"
"Since I killed two high-ranking Upper Moons, headquarters needs a detailed account. Kanae-senpai's report alone isn't enough."
Chu Yang gazed idly at the sky. Watching him, Shinobu felt he seemed oddly unconcerned about the tense situation.
Curiosity resurfaced.
She hesitated, then asked carefully, "Just how strong are the Upper Moons? Is it really like my sister said—almost impossible for a single Hashira to face them alone?"
Chu Yang picked up a few fallen cherry blossoms and casually chewed on them. Once the faint floral scent filled his mouth, he replied indistinctly:
"It depends. Even among the Hashira, there are differences in strength. If it were Gyomei-san, he could still suppress either Doma or Akaza one-on-one."
Shinobu blurted out, "Then what about fighting two at once—like you did?"
Chu Yang did not answer.
Chu Yang began to quietly admire the ever-changing clouds drifting across the sky.
Shinobu did not continue pressing him for an answer.
Even without a direct response, she already had one in her heart.
"You two look pretty relaxed."
Kanae, dressed in a spotless white haori, slowly walked over. Her complexion looked noticeably rosier than before.
"Big sister, you should be resting more in your room!" Shinobu hurried to Kanae's side, reaching out to support her—only to be gently refused.
"I've rested enough," Kanae said softly with a smile. "It's time to prepare for the Hashira Meeting. Chu Yang, you should get ready as well."
Her voice was gentle and calm, never giving the impression of forcing anyone.
"I don't really have anything to pack," Chu Yang replied as he stood up, brushing the dirt from his clothes. "If you're fine, we can leave right now."
Shinobu turned and glared at him. "My sister isn't fully healed yet. Can't you wait a little longer? Why are you in such a hurry?"
"It's not him who's in a hurry—it's me," Kanae said, tapping Shinobu lightly on the forehead with a finger. "The other Hashira are already arriving at headquarters. If we keep delaying, are we supposed to let the Master and everyone else wait around for us?"
Shinobu's eyes welled up with tears as she looked at Kanae pitifully.
"Anyway, while I'm gone, you and Makomo need to look after the Butterfly Mansion," Kanae continued, her voice growing softer. "And take good care of Kanao. She's still young, and she's already been through so many unpleasant things…"
As she spoke, her voice gradually faded. Shinobu lifted her head and realized her sister's eyes were just as misty as her own.
Kanae suddenly pulled Shinobu into a tight embrace."Just wait a little longer, Shinobu. We're about to end all of this. When that happens, you can live like an ordinary girl—enjoy your life, instead of running around the Butterfly Mansion every day, worrying about my safety."
"Don't worry about me, big sister," Shinobu whispered as she hugged Kanae back. "As long as you're here, I've always been happy."
After a while, the sisters separated. Shinobu no longer sulked and once again offered Chu Yang a solemn apology.
Chu Yang waved it off, not taking it to heart at all.
Soon after, Chu Yang and Kanae left the Butterfly Mansion under the escort of the Kakushi. Despite the urgency of the situation, they still followed protocol and kept their eyes completely covered.
The more critical the moment, the more important it was to maintain composure and do things as usual.
Chu Yang's tall build made transportation troublesome, and the Kakushi expended quite a bit of effort getting him to headquarters. By the time they arrived, the sun had already set beyond the mountains.
Ubuyashiki Kagaya and the assembled Hashira were already waiting.
Even before the blindfold was removed, Chu Yang sensed a familiar presence.
Gyomei Himejima stood at the forefront of the Hashira and walked toward him. A compassionate smile appeared on his face as he personally removed the black cloth covering Chu Yang's eyes.
"Well done," Gyomei said softly.
He then turned and led Chu Yang and Kanae into the courtyard.
Ubuyashiki Kagaya stood there, quietly observing Chu Yang. Though he had not yet gone completely blind, his vision was already badly blurred—he could only vaguely make out the outline of the young man.
Their gazes met in midair.
In that brief instant, countless images flooded Kagaya's spiritual world.
The scenes flashed one after another, then froze.
Kagaya's breathing suddenly quickened.
He strode toward Chu Yang and grasped his hands tightly, his voice trembling with emotion.
"You are the one who will bring everything to an end!"
The one who ends it all.
Faces changed dramatically across the courtyard.
Those words carried immense weight—representing nearly a thousand years of blood-soaked hatred between the Demon Slayer Corps and demons, and the first glimpse of its conclusion.
Kanae, standing not far behind Chu Yang, covered her mouth in excitement, tears shimmering in her eyes.
This was exactly what she had come here to hear.
"The one who ends it all…" Gyomei clasped his hands together in prayer, bowing his head as tears streamed down his face.
"Hahaha! Looks like my luck isn't bad at all," a young man about Kanae's age laughed heartily. "I've only been a Hashira for a short while, and I might actually get to see all demons wiped out!"
His blazing red-and-gold hair, like the sun itself, caught Chu Yang's attention.
This generation of Hashira was largely close in age—Kanae included, most of them around seventeen or eighteen years old. In modern terms, they were little more than high school seniors.
They had also become Hashira around the same time.
Only Uzui Tengen and Gyomei Himejima were a bit older—twenty-three and twenty-five respectively.
"Rengoku Kyojuro, don't joke around," a scar-faced boy sneered. "That brat's so young, and he's only been in the Corps for a few months. You don't seriously believe he killed Upper Rank demons by himself, do you?"
"In my opinion, he probably used some cheap trick to fool Kanae. Those two demons weren't Upper Ranks at all."
The speaker had a long scar running across his nose, spiky silver-white hair, and an extremely striking presence.
More importantly, his attitude was the most arrogant Chu Yang had encountered so far.
Chu Yang could clearly sense it—
This white-haired boy looked down on everyone in the courtyard.
"Watch your mouth, Sanemi!" Kanae snapped angrily, staring him down. "Do you think I can't tell truth from lies? Or do you think just any random demons could leave me completely unable to fight back?"
As she spoke, Kanae placed her hand on the hilt of her Nichirin Blade."If you really think so little of my strength, why don't you come and test it yourself?"
"That's not what I meant, Kanae!" Realizing he had misspoken, Shinazugawa Sanemi panicked and hurriedly tried to explain. "What I meant was… those two demons might have been Lower Moons. Even if they weren't Upper Ranks—"
His explanation only made Kanae's expression darker.
"Wow, you're really bad with words, Sanemi-senpai," Mitsuri Kanroji, the youngest among them, said helplessly with wide eyes. "With a mouth like that, how are you still alive?"
"You—watch how you talk!" Sanemi snapped back, teeth bared as if ready to bite.
Chu Yang reached out and gently pushed Kanae's half-drawn blade back into its sheath, smiling."There's a better way to prove it."
He walked toward Sanemi and crooked a finger at him."Why don't you try it yourself?"
Sanemi grinned viciously. "Don't tell me you think I'll go easy on you."
Kanae frowned again, clearly displeased.
"You look like a lovesick, chuunibyou teenager," Chu Yang clicked his tongue with a mocking smile. "You're already eighteen—surely it's not that bad?"
"Bastard."
Sanemi lunged at Chu Yang, moving at incredible speed. Air currents surged around him as he activated his Breathing Technique—though he hadn't drawn his blade or used any sword forms.
As a practitioner of Wind Breathing, Sanemi specialized in speed. Among all the Hashira, his attack speed and movement speed were second to none.
To onlookers, Sanemi vanished in an instant, then reappeared directly in front of Chu Yang. Before Chu Yang seemed able to react, Sanemi's fist was already swinging toward his face.
Gyomei Himejima and Rengoku Kyojuro instantly moved to Kagaya's side to protect him. The others also closed in—they believed that regardless of Chu Yang's strength, Sanemi himself might end up harming the Master.
Kagaya, however, stared intently at the two of them, not blinking once.
Sanemi was at least decent enough not to use a weapon, attacking Chu Yang bare-handed. Deep down, he likely believed Chu Yang wasn't even worthy of facing his blade.
Yet at the instant Sanemi's fist was about to strike Chu Yang's cheek, he suddenly felt—perhaps mistakenly—that Chu Yang was smiling.
Not mocking.
Smiling at him.
Sanemi froze for a split second.
Why was he smiling?
Then Sanemi's fist connected with Chu Yang's face—and a crisp cracking sound rang out.
The sound of bone breaking.
Sanemi's lips curled upward.
A fractured facial bone hurt like hell. He hoped the kid wouldn't scream too loudly—it might look like he was bullying him.
The next second, Sanemi's expression began to change.
A piercing pain surged from his knuckles, growing more intense by the moment.
Only then did he realize—
It was his own bones that had broken. Not Chu Yang's.
That bastard hadn't even dodged—he had taken the punch straight to the face!
Sanemi's scalp went numb. Instinctively, he tried to pull back, but the moment he withdrew his arm, he felt something clamp down on it with terrifying force.
He looked up—
Chu Yang had already grabbed his arm, the smile on his face deepening, along with a chilling coldness.
Sanemi shuddered. Fear flickered through him.
At last, he reached for his Nichirin Blade with his other hand.
Chu Yang noticed the movement but didn't stop him.
To Chu Yang, Sanemi's resistance was nowhere near as fierce as Doma's.
He wanted everyone present to understand—
Just how strong he truly was.
Shinazugawa Sanemi was nothing more than a pitiful reference point.
Already burning with rage, Sanemi no longer held back. He drew his Nichirin Blade and slashed straight at Chu Yang's hand without hesitation.
He refused to believe that even now, Chu Yang still wouldn't let go.
Everyone held their breath as they watched. Gyomei Himejima wanted to intervene, but Ubuyashiki Kagaya reached out from behind and lightly tugged on his sleeve.
"Don't move."
Kagaya spoke softly, causing the Hashira around him to remain where they were.
Kanae was relatively calm, because she knew very well that Sanemi's Nichirin Blade might not actually be able to cut through Chu Yang's hand.
And so, before everyone's eyes, Sanemi's Nichirin Blade collided violently with Chu Yang's arm.
Sparks erupted instantly—like two metals of equal hardness crashing into each other.
Pupils shrank sharply. Expressions of utter disbelief spread across every face.
The most shocked of all was Shinazugawa Sanemi himself.
But Chu Yang gave him no time to react. As the blade came down, Chu Yang smoothly raised his right fist and smashed it straight into Sanemi's face.
Pshhk!
Blood blossomed in midair like a brilliant flower.
"AAAAAAHHHH!!"
Sanemi let out a howl as he was sent flying, the sheer pain easy to imagine.
Even though Chu Yang had held back, Sanemi's facial bones were very likely fractured.
After hitting the ground, Sanemi's head spun violently. He struggled to get up, but his limbs refused to obey.
Blood blurred his vision as he squinted, staring stubbornly at Chu Yang.
Just one punch.Just one exchange.
He had been utterly defeated by this man with overwhelming superiority!
The opponent hadn't even used a Nichirin Blade!
And yet Sanemi had gone all out!
A complete rout.
An unquestionable rout.
With Sanemi's pride, how could he possibly endure such a defeat?
He clenched his Nichirin Blade desperately.
"Wind Breathing, Ninth Form: Idaten Typhoon!"
Sanemi burst forward again, unleashing his strongest attack. He circled Chu Yang at high speed, executing continuous spinning slashes. Countless wind blades were torn free from the Nichirin Blade, drawn together into a true raging typhoon.
Chu Yang stood at the very center—the eye of the storm—enduring the most terrifying assault.
Kanae took several anxious steps forward. The fight had already exceeded her expectations.
She was afraid that if this continued, Chu Yang might truly lose control and kill Sanemi.
At this level of combat, it was difficult to leave room for restraint.
Countless wind blades scraped across Chu Yang's body like steel knives. Separated by the wall-like cyclone, people could only vaguely hear the sounds of metal colliding, along with bursts of sparks—brilliant as fireworks.
Only Sanemi, who was also within the storm's center, could clearly see the truth.
Chu Yang wasn't deliberately defending against the dense wind blades at all.
He was simply standing there, watching him with amusement.
That gaze seemed to say—
Is this really the full power you're so desperately throwing at me?
Sanemi felt overwhelming unwillingness rise in his chest. He wanted to roar, but his mouth was filled with nothing but bitterness.
Yes.
This was everything he had.
As self-doubt took hold, Sanemi's eyes gradually grew vacant. The combined physical and mental blow completely crushed this once–brilliant young prodigy.
He couldn't hold on any longer.
Sanemi's vision went black as consciousness slipped away. Aside from distant, frantic shouts, his body grew numb, as though the entire world were peeling him away.
It felt like his soul was leaving his body.
If Chu Yang hadn't held back, his life would have ended that very day.
Everyone stared at the unconscious Shinazugawa Sanemi lying on the ground. Aside from Kagaya and Kanae, who remained relatively composed, the expressions of many others shifted repeatedly, their thoughts in utter chaos.
A Hashira being defeated was shocking enough.
But even more horrifying was the absolute dominance Chu Yang had displayed in that fight.
If this had been a true life-and-death battle, Sanemi's fate would have been utter annihilation.
"Is this… the gap between Hashira and the Upper Moons?" Uzui Tengen asked in a low voice, fear flashing briefly in his eyes. "Against enemies this strong, how are we supposed to win?"
His question plunged most of those present into silence. Only Rengoku Kyojuro and Gyomei Himejima remained unaffected, their expressions steady.
Both men possessed unshakable hearts. Though they too felt fear, they chose to face it head-on.
Chu Yang picked up the unconscious Sanemi and carried him back, then handed him to Kanae to take care of. Turning to Uzui Tengen, he said:
"You said one thing wrong just now. This isn't the gap between you and the Upper Moons—this is the gap between the Upper Moons and me."
Uzui Tengen's face instantly flushed red.
Nearby, Iguro Obanai and Kanroji Mitsuri whispered to each other.
"Did you see that? He doesn't have a single wound on him—not even his clothes are torn!"
"Yeah. If I hadn't seen him in daylight, I'd think he was a demon. This isn't something a human should be able to do."
"But he really is strong. Defeating Shinazugawa so easily… His personality might be rough, but his strength is unquestionable."
"Honestly speaking, Shinazugawa is stronger than me. If that fight had been me instead, it probably would've ended even faster."
Tomioka Giyu stood quietly to the side, listening to their exchange, and silently nodded in agreement.
In truth, he harbored goodwill toward Chu Yang. Though he had never met him before, he had heard stories from Urokodaki Sakonji and Makomo.
Chu Yang had slain the Hand Demon during the Final Selection, helping Sabito fulfill his unfulfilled wish. For that alone, Giyu felt deep gratitude.
Thus, toward Chu Yang's abnormal strength, he felt no jealousy or suspicion—only respect for a human who had reached such heights.
Ubuyashiki Kagaya was trembling uncontrollably, overwhelmed with emotion. He had long glimpsed fragments of the future, yet witnessing it firsthand still made it nearly impossible to contain himself.
If not for his frail body, he might have shouted aloud, venting the resentment the Ubuyashiki family had carried for a thousand years.
"How did you do it?" Rengoku Kyojuro stepped forward, stopping before Chu Yang, his eyes clear and earnest. "Could you teach me?"
For most people, it would have been difficult to set aside pride and ask so sincerely.
Had anyone else asked, Chu Yang might have brushed it off with "talent."
But facing Rengoku's genuine gaze, he couldn't bring himself to be perfunctory.
"Not long ago, while carrying out a mission, I accidentally came across an ancient Breathing Technique," Chu Yang said slowly. "At first glance, it looks extremely similar to Flame Breathing—but in truth, it's entirely different."
"Later, I learned that this Breathing Technique is called Sun Breathing. It was created by a man named Yoriichi Tsugikuni…"
Chu Yang calmly recounted the origins of Breathing Techniques and Yoriichi's story. His plain words nonetheless sent shockwaves through everyone present.
After Yoriichi's death, the Demon Slayer Corps had suffered brutal retaliation from Muzan Kibutsuji, enduring several catastrophic losses in history, nearly losing its legacy entirely. As a result, that era had long faded from common knowledge.
Only through Chu Yang's account did they finally understand how Breathing Techniques had truly come into existence.
Even Kagaya, as head of the Ubuyashiki family, was hearing these details for the first time. Chu Yang's explanation resolved many long-standing doubts he had held about his family and the Corps.
So there truly had been a glorious age—one where demons had nearly been eradicated completely.
"May I… see what Sun Breathing looks like?" Kagaya asked softly, hope shimmering in his eyes.
In truth, he wasn't the only one.
Everyone else wore the same expression.
Even though Kanae had already witnessed it once during her battle with Doma, she still wanted to see that reassuring, overwhelming power again.
Chu Yang demonstrated the state of Sun Breathing to everyone. When flame-like currents of air wrapped around his body, the momentum indeed looked very similar to Flame Breathing at first glance.
But before long, everyone noticed the difference.
The temperature generated by Sun Breathing was far higher than that of Flame Breathing. It truly carried the sensation of being scorched by blazing sunlight. Thinking of how demons feared sunlight above all else, everyone could finally understand why the Demon Progenitor, Muzan Kibutsuji, so deeply feared practitioners of this Breathing Style.
Just when everyone thought that was all there was to it, Chu Yang borrowed Rengoku Kyojuro's Nichirin Blade and began to demonstrate the Hinokami Kagura.
After Yoriichi Tsugikuni refined the thirteen forms of Sun Breathing, they could be described as flawless—every movement perfect, possessing a beauty that defied words.
The sword techniques of Flame Breathing carried flame-shaped fighting spirit, but the Hinokami Kagura demonstrated by Chu Yang not only had similar fighting spirit—it also contained a distinct white halo at its core, like the sun itself, radiant and dazzling.
In that instant, Rengoku Kyojuro was completely captivated by the Hinokami Kagura.
Over generations, some techniques of Flame Breathing had been lost, and the same was true of other Breathing Styles. Thus, when the complete thirteen forms of the Hinokami Kagura appeared before them, everyone instinctively felt as if a missing piece within themselves had been restored.
Both Rengoku Kyojuro and Gyomei Himejima found inspiration within it to further refine their own sword techniques.
From this moment on, they were absolutely certain that the Sun Breathing Chu Yang spoke of was the true origin of all Breathing Styles.
Standing at the farthest edge, Ubuyashiki Kagaya felt the heat radiating from Chu Yang. Night had already fallen and the temperature had dropped sharply, yet he felt as though he were embracing the midday sun.
After repeating the demonstration several times, Chu Yang finally stopped. A fine layer of sweat covered his body—every performance of the Hinokami Kagura pushed him beyond his own limits.
As the warm sunlight faded, everyone wore expressions of lingering longing.
In just over ten minutes, they had gained immeasurable insight.
"If everyone in the Demon Slayer Corps could practice Sun Breathing, wouldn't demons have been eradicated long ago?" Kagaya said with deep emotion.
Chu Yang shook his head. "Sun Breathing is indeed powerful, but its threshold is extremely high. Not everyone can cultivate it to a profound level. Hundreds of years ago, besides Yoriichi Tsugikuni, there were other practitioners as well—but in the end, Muzan Kibutsuji still slaughtered them all."
Kagaya nodded, smiling bitterly. "You're right. I was thinking too idealistically."
Since things had already gone this far, Chu Yang didn't mind doing a bit more.
"Sun Breathing is powerful, but that doesn't mean its derivative Breathing Styles are weak. In fact, after achieving Total Concentration: Constant, any Breathing Style can elevate the body's functions to a much higher level."
"At that stage, mysterious markings will appear on the body. Yoriichi Tsugikuni was born with such markings and possessed even greater abilities."
Chu Yang went on to explain the concept of the Demon Slayer Mark in detail—but during his explanation, he deliberately concealed the fact that the marks would consume one's lifespan.
Because that drawback was something Chu Yang could solve.
If the marks consumed life force, then he could simply replenish it.
The case of Tanjiro's father was different—he had been gravely ill, and there was little Chu Yang could do.
Replenishing vitality and curing terminal illness were two completely different things.
Medicine was not something Chu Yang understood.
But if someone could cure Tanjiro's father's illness, Chu Yang could restore his life force to its peak and allow him to live a normal life.
"So, as long as we awaken the mark, we can become as strong as you?" Uzui Tengen asked, his eyes blazing.
"It varies from person to person," Chu Yang replied. "If you really awaken it, come find me and we'll see."
Uzui Tengen chuckled, genuinely looking eager to try.
After learning about the Demon Slayer Mark, Tomioka Giyu—who had been silent all this time—suddenly spoke up."Then how do we awaken the mark?"
"It's very simple."
As Chu Yang spoke, marks began to surface on his face and arms—patterns resembling feathers of some animal, or perhaps scales.
"Among swordsmen, once someone awakens the mark, others will gradually awaken as well, because the mark resonates just like Breathing does," Chu Yang said calmly. "You only need to let things take their natural course."
Rengoku Kyojuro scratched his head and laughed awkwardly. "That feels a bit like cheating."
Chu Yang shook his head. "The mark isn't the pinnacle of Breathing Techniques."
"Although the mark can be 'passed on,' you must refine your Breathing further on your existing foundation—using the smallest movements to unleash the greatest power. During this process, your mind will gradually become transparent."
"As your five senses open up, you'll perceive more and more information from your body. These sensations, usually blocked by the brain, will cause great pain. You must endure it and learn to control it."
"Then, you can shut down unnecessary functions, allowing all your movements to be as swift and precise as blinking. You'll be able to hide your presence at will. At that point, your mind will enter a transparent world—this state is known as the Transparent World."
"In the Transparent World, the body's performance is vastly enhanced. You'll be able to read the flow and surges of blood vessels through an enemy's breathing, seeing their movements and weaknesses with absolute clarity."
Everyone listened with rapt attention, afraid to miss even a single detail.
It wasn't until a cold night wind blew in, causing Ubuyashiki Kagaya to cough violently, that everyone snapped back to their senses and hurried to help him inside.
They gathered in the brightly lit hall and began discussing their next course of action.
"My appearance, along with the deaths of the Upper Moons, has likely already drawn Muzan Kibutsuji's attention," Chu Yang said. "What stance he'll take is uncertain, but there are only two possibilities."
"Either he'll mobilize his strongest forces to eliminate me before I grow even stronger, or he'll fear my power and hide away somewhere, just as he did centuries ago."
As they listened, everyone wore different expressions. These two possibilities represented two extremes.
No one spoke in the hall as they pondered which outcome was more likely.
"Regardless of what Muzan chooses, we must first do what we need to do," Kagaya said gently, his gaze sweeping over everyone. "Awaken the mark and comprehend the Transparent World. Before that, any preparations are meaningless."
"Therefore, starting today, I will temporarily recall all of the Demon Slayer Corps' forces and deny the enemy any chance to whittle us down. Once all of you have fully awakened your marks, we will launch our final, decisive battle against Muzan Kibutsuji."
At the same time, within the Infinity Castle, Muzan Kibutsuji had gathered a massive number of demons.
In addition to the Twelve Kizuki, there were many long-lived demons who had mastered Blood Demon Arts.
Muzan did only one thing.
He gave them vast quantities of his blood, allowing them—with an exceedingly slim chance—to advance through evolution.
Most of the demons present would die, unable to withstand his blood.
But Muzan didn't care in the slightest.
Within the Infinity Castle, blood surged like a tide.
Amid the grotesque horror, there was also an indescribable, eerie beauty.
(End of Chapter)