Headquarters,
"Kiyokawa Izumi fought Upper Rank Five early this morning and won a hard-fought victory, but was unable to pursue due to severe injuries."
"Before falling unconscious, he requested Headquarters to send multiple Hashira-level Swordsmen for support."
The Kasugai Crow's message caused a massive sensation. Supported by Lady Amane, Ubuyashiki Kagaya began to cough violently, unable to control himself due to his extreme excitement.
"Amane, did you hear that? That child actually defeated an Upper Rank... He must have awakened the Demon Slayer Mark, right? He really is special!"
"Cough, cough—for hundreds of years, so many Hashira have been killed by the Upper Ranks, yet that child was able to survive. Can you feel the significance of this?"
Patting Ubuyashiki Kagaya's back gently, Lady Amane said softly, "Whenever a swordsman with the Demon Slayer Mark appears, those around them will also gradually awaken their marks, as if in resonance."
"Exactly! Let Sanemi and Obanai go and support him; we cannot rule out the possibility of another attack from an Upper Rank."
"Such a change will inevitably attract Muzan's attention. We must handle this carefully. Now is not yet the time for the final battle... The children still have a lot of room for improvement; they can become even stronger."
Ubuyashiki Kagaya could not hide his excitement.
It wasn't surprising that he would jump to the conclusion that Kiyokawa Izumi had awakened the Demon Slayer Mark—Kiyokawa Izumi's strength had been questioned ever since he became a Hashira.
Lower Ranks are different from Upper Ranks; the latter haven't changed for a hundred years. For Kiyokawa Izumi, whose strength was not prominent among the Nine Hashira, to win a hard-fought victory, the Master could not imagine any other possibility besides the Awakening of the Demon Slayer Mark.
Defeating an Upper Rank was something to rejoice about.
The prospect of more Demon Slayer Mark swordsmen appearing was the main reason he was coughing uncontrollably from excitement... "Have you heard? Lord Kiyokawa Izumi successfully defeated Upper Rank Five!"
"I just don't know how that lord is doing now. I heard his injuries are extremely severe, and he's on the brink of death..."
"If it weren't for the severity of his injuries, upper rank five wouldn't have escaped..."
"We are too far from the battlefield and can't help at all. We can only hope the nearby Hidden Members can take good care of that lord."
Butterfly Mansion,
A few Hidden Members who came to help began to whisper among themselves, their faces also unable to hide their excitement.
The sensation caused by the news of victory was beyond imagination. Not only were the Hidden Members discussing it, but even the Team Members training here were greatly encouraged and began to train even more seriously.
'Severely injured and on the brink of death? He... he should be okay, right?'
Kanzaki Aoi, who was collecting laundry, paused her movements. She didn't actually want to discuss these things, nor was she as excited or agitated as the others.
She just couldn't help but worry about that bastard who occasionally acted like a jerk.
Because she heard that guy's injuries were so severe that he couldn't be moved to the Butterfly Mansion and had to be settled nearby.
Several excellent physicians had been commissioned by Headquarters and had already set off.
She also heard that his breathing was getting weaker, both sides of his ribs were broken, and he occasionally coughed up blood.
Because Kanzaki Aoi's rank was too low, she certainly couldn't get accurate information immediately.
But by observing the expression on Sister Shinobu's face and hearing some rumors, she had a general idea in her heart.
Kiyokawa Izumi might be forced to retire and no longer serve as a Hashira—even if those injuries recovered, they would leave irreversible sequelae.
Although he was very annoying at times, he was also one of the most talented swordsmen Aoi had ever seen.
It wasn't that she had any romantic feelings for that bastard; don't be fooled by Aoi's constant stern face, she was actually very kind-hearted.
It was normal to worry about an acquaintance.
"What is an Upper Rank? Can a swordsman as strong as Muddy Water Man die?"
Piggy asked with some confusion.
"..."
Murata, whose rice ball was snatched, didn't get angry. He just started explaining from the beginning, not forgetting to correct him at the end: "That person is called Kiyokawa Izumi, not Muddy Water Man!"
"Isn't it normal for the Red-Eyed One to win? Why be so happy?"
Piggy had seen many swordsmen, but that guy had left a deep impression on him.
Not knowing how powerful the Upper Ranks were, he naturally didn't think a swordsman as strong as Kiyokawa Izumi would lose—that guy could defeat me, so how could he die so easily?
"So, is he really going to die?"
Piggy didn't understand Murata's explanation and just asked again.
"Probably not, but he might have to retire... Everyone is saying he has very severe sequelae and might never be able to use a Breathing Technique again..."
Murata said with a complicated mood.
He was clearly just a junior, a newcomer who had just become a Hashira... Wisteria House,
Kiyokawa Izumi naturally didn't know how much of a sensation he had caused—let alone that a certain Master would make a misjudgment because of it.
Demon Slayer Mark?
You've got to be kidding!
With Swordsmanship Level Five, the Seven-Day Breathing Method, and the massive boost from Awakening the Demon Slayer Mark, even if he were severely injured, would Gyokko even be worthy of taking a full-power strike from him?
But the awkward part was precisely that he hadn't awakened the Demon Slayer Mark.
Who knows if there are some hidden requirements, like only Sun Breathing successors being able to awaken it or something.