"Moon Breathing, First Form: Dark Moon, Evening Palace."
Kokushibo lightly stepped forward, and with a whoosh, swung his sword widely. I tried to block it casually, but when crescent-shaped slashes poured forth in profusion, I stepped back to evade.
"That must be your Blood Demon Art. Releasing multiple slashes with one swing—interesting. I like it."
At my words, Kokushibo looked puzzled.
"What are you talking about? Is your mind wandering from fear? 'I like it', you say?"
He didn't understand, but that guy's Blood Demon Art would soon beco mine through my [Steal & Kill] ability. That's why I said 'I like it', but I didn't feel the need to explain.
Kokushibo quickly approached and swung his sword twice more, attacking again.
"Moon Breathing, Third Form: Loathso Moon, Chains!"
I jumped above him, spun in the air, and aid a slash at Kokushibo's back.
"Sun Breathing, Fifth Form: Fire Chariot!"
SWOOSH—!
But he didn't even try to defend, taking the slash directly. He looked at with surprise.
"That technique... that's Sun Breathing!"
He seed more surprised that I had used Sun Breathing than that he had been cut.
"I can't let you live."
At that, I was dumbfounded.
"So if I hadn't used Sun Breathing, you would have let live?"
"Of course. If I saw potential, I intended to make you a demon. Muzan wanted that."
"Really. In your standards, 'potential' ans giving up your humanity and succumbing to power?"
"No, it's evolution. Escaping the weak, fragile human body and obtaining the far stronger demon body."
This guy, like 'Akaza', was a devotee of the demon body.
"Then how do you explain losing to your younger brother even after obtaining that vaunted demon body?"
At my words, Kokushibo looked briefly flustered.
"I don't know how you know such old history... but I didn't lose."
"You did. You never beat him while he was alive, and after he died, you took out your frustration by cutting his body in two. If that's not losing, what is?"
"..."
He was silent for a while, then adjusted his grip on his sword and said, "I've changed my mind. I'll capture you alive first and find out how you know about that. Forget about dying peacefully."
I chuckled at that.
"Do you have the ability? Were you wondering why those who use breathing techniques call the 'Sword Saint'? I'll show you now."
I approached him at a speed surpassing human limits and swung my sword horizontally. To an ordinary person, it would have looked like I had suddenly disappeared from my spot.
"Moon Breathing, First Form: Dark Moon, Evening Palace."
CLANG!
Startled by the incredible speed, Kokushibo hurriedly raised his sword to defend.
"Kuh! How…"
He seed shocked that I had used Moon Breathing and couldn't continue.
"I tried using a slightly modified version. How was it?"
"..."
"Still not sure?"
I quickly approached again, this ti swinging twice in succession.
"Moon Breathing, Third Form: Loathso Moon, Chains!"
CLANG! SWOOSH—!
"Kugh!"
He blocked the first attack, but couldn't block the second, and his arm was deeply cut.
"Unbelievable..."
Seeing the flustered Kokushibo, I smiled and said, "Judging by your panic, that one was pretty good. But unfortunately, I've only seen two of the Moon Breathing techniques. If you showed more, I could use more. Too bad."
Kokushibo quickly regenerated his wounded arm and asked again, "What is your true identity?"
"I told you. Among those who use breathing techniques, I'm called the Sword Saint."
At that, Kokushibo scowled, gripped his sword with both hands, and began to change its shape. As in the original, the blade lengthened, and multiple smaller blades extended from it like branches. Now he intended to fight seriously.
"I see you're no ordinary man."
"Oh~ How flamboyant?"
Ignoring my words, Kokushibo swung his sword like a baseball bat. Five long, vertical slashes extended forward, devastating the surrounding area. This seed to be 'Moon Breathing, Seventh Form: Mirror of Misfortune, Moonlit'. The characteristic of this technique was not just unleashing large slashes, but irregular smaller slashes within them, sweeping in an arc and gouging the surrounding ground.
CRRRAAASH!!
"Water Breathing, Eleventh Form: Calm Surface."
I used Water Breathing to slash apart all the approaching slashes as I slowly walked toward Kokushibo.
"Moon Breathing, Fourteenth Form: Catastrophe, Tenman Crescent Moon!"
Kokushibo swung his sword repeatedly horizontally, layering enormous crescent-shaped slashes and sending them straight at .
"Mist Breathing, Fifth Form: Sea of Clouds and Mist."
SWISH-SWOOSH—!!
I cut apart all the slashes with Mist Breathing and continued advancing.
"Kuh! This bastard...! Moon Breathing, Sixteenth Form: Moonbow, Half Moon!"
"Wind Breathing, Fourth Form: Rising Dust Storm!"
Again, it was the sa. Kokushibo swung his sword vertically, raining down several large slashes from above, but I cut them all down with Wind Breathing.
As I approached to within arm's reach, Kokushibo broke into a cold sweat. Now he too understood. That I was far stronger than him.
"You monster!!"
"Who's calling who a monster? You're the one with six eyes. If you have nothing left to show, just die."
"Kuh..."
As I gripped my sword to finish it, Kokushibo tensed and held his sword. Just then, Tamayo, from the car, called out, "Teacher Jin! The blood!"
"Ah~ that's right, the blood! I need a blood donation."
I took a large syringe out of my inventory as if pulling it from my pocket. Seeing that, Kokushibo flared up.
"Are you mocking now?"
"No, I'm quite serious. So just donate your blood nicely."
"You bastard!"
Unable to contain his anger, Kokushibo tried to swing his sword, but I quickly grabbed his arm, stopping his attack, and precisely inserted the syringe into his heart.
Stab!
"Kugh!"
"Bear with it. It won't take long."
With one hand, I quickly drew blood from Kokushibo's chest. Suddenly, blades began sprouting from his body, so I quickly pulled out the syringe, secured it, and distanced myself.
"Really, a hedgehog-like fellow."
"To be so humiliated!"
While Kokushibo fud, I checked the syringe. It had been a short ti, but using my [Telekinesis] ability as well, I had drawn a considerable amount of blood. It would be more than enough for Tamayo's research. I sealed the syringe carefully and put it back into my inventory.
"Now that I've got what I need, let's finish this. I suppose Sun Breathing is appropriate for the end, don't you think?"
"Damn you!!"
Enraged by my words, he began swinging his sword wildly in all directions, unleashing a storm of slashes.
"Sun Breathing, Thirteenth Form."
I combined all the Sun Breathing forms, continuously linking them, and advanced, cutting down each incoming slash.
"Kraaah!!"
Kokushibo roared and swung his sword faster, but he couldn't keep up with my cutting speed.
SWISH-SWISH-SWISH-SWOOOOSH~!!!
Eventually, unable to withstand my continuous attacks, he collapsed to the ground, his sword and entire body in pieces.
Thud, thud, thud!!
I looked down at Kokushibo, who was left with only half a torso and a head, and asked, "Any last words?"
"Kuuh... To think you could use every breathing technique... You're worse than Yoriichi. Why do monsters who defy the laws of nature keep being born? What becos of those like who devoted their entire lives to training…"
His words revealed the inferiority complex he had harbored toward his younger brother.
"You were too narrow-minded, only looking at Yoriichi. It's not just about your brother. Soone once said, 'The person who can do what you devoted your entire life to is being born right now as a four-year-old.'"
At my words, Kokushibo closed his eyes and thought for a mont. Then, as if resigned, he said, "I see... Grant one request. Please pass on Moon Breathing to a suitable person so that it is not forgotten."
"I understand. I'll do that."
When I promised, Kokushibo looked at his severed half-torso and said, "In there is the blood I received from Muzan to increase the number of demons. Take it. I have no regrets now."
"Thank you. If you are born into the next world, make sure to get along with Yoriichi."
Kokushibo chuckled at my words. I watched his smile for a mont, then quickly severed his neck. He slowly began to turn to ash and disappear.
Ding~!
You have acquired [(S) Moon Breathing] and [(S) Blood Demon Art: Crescent Moon Slash] abilities.
[(S) Moon Breathing] combines with [(S) Sun Breathing], [(A) Water Breathing], [(A) Fla Breathing], [(A) Stone Breathing], [(A)...], [...] to evolve into the [(SS) Total Concentration Breathing] ability.
[(S) Swordsmanship] ability upgrades to [(SS) Swordsmanship].
Having obtained almost all of the Total Concentration Breathing techniques, they were integrated into a single ability. It seed that, like [Oga Magic], if I studied and collected swordsmanship, it too would integrate.
'I'll have to diligently collect swordsmanship.'
Following Kokushibo's instruction, I found a bamboo tube designed to hold liquid near his severed upper body. This seed to contain Muzan's blood.
After collecting the blood, I returned to the car where Tamayo was and handed her Muzan's blood and Kokushibo's blood. Of course, these were duplicates made with [Material Duplication].
"This is Muzan's blood that Upper Moon One had. He said Muzan gave it to him to make demons. And this is Upper Moon One's own blood."
Tamayo was astonished as she received the blood.
"Goodness... to obtain Muzan's blood so easily. And to defeat Upper Moon One, whom even demons fear... Teacher Jin, you are truly strong."
I imdiately got in the car and started the engine.
"We need to hurry. We're late because of that unexpected fight."
"Understood."
I drove through the night and arrived at the clinic. I guided them to a room with little sunlight and prepared accommodations by putting multiple layers of black curtains over the windows.
"You must be tired, so rest well today. I'll prepare your room and laboratory tomorrow, so think about what furniture or supplies you'll need."
"Thank you."
The next day, the Tanjiro family and Tamayo's group gathered in one place to greet each other. I brought Hanako to show to Tamayo. She began examining Hanako's condition using her own dical instrunts.
"Ms. Tamayo, how is Hanako?"
Tanjuro asked Tamayo with a worried expression.
"Hmm... She's certainly different from other demons. You say she hasn't eaten any humans so far?"
"That's correct."
"I see. I'll need to analyze Hanako's blood to know for sure, but since we've secured Muzan's blood and have so other demon blood as well... I think I can develop a dicine to turn her back into a human with further research."
At Tamayo's words, the family all smiled brightly and relaxed.
"We look forward to working with you, Ms. Tamayo."
Over the next few days, I purchased the necessary furniture for Tamayo and Yushiro's room, built a laboratory for Tamayo in the basent, and acquired or supplied various tools needed for her research. Additionally, I provided blood packs from donations for surgery in the basent refrigerator as their food supply.
This ti, even with demons in the house, the Ubuyashiki sisters said nothing. They had also seen the letters that ca to Tanjiro. Moreover, if a dicine to turn demons back into humans was completed, it would be a great help in breaking the curse on their own family, so they had no reason to object.
A few days passed, and once the research facility was sowhat equipped, Tamayo began her research in earnest. Yushiro actively assisted her or, when she went out at night, always accompanied her and acted as her guard.
Every night after sunset, Yushiro bought various luxury goods, most of them to decorate Tamayo's room. Since he bought them with his own money, I didn't stop him, but Tamayo, thinking it was excessive, often scolded him.
"Yushiro, this candlestick is too much. Return it imdiately."
"Yes!"
Thus, after being severely scolded and going to return sothing, he would bring back so other strange ornant.
Once the lab was sowhat stable, I decided to request the Demon Slayer Corps' cooperation in Tamayo's research and to go there myself to obtain necessary information. I inford Tamayo of this.
"So you intend to request the Demon Slayer Corps' cooperation?"
"Yes. We've secured Muzan's blood, but we need to know how it affects the demon body. For that, we'll need more blood from various demons. So I thought it would be good to get their cooperation. Of course, if you oppose it, I won't proceed."
Then Yushiro imdiately reacted, "I oppose, Lady Tamayo! They are a group with deep grudges against demons. They won't trust us; they might even attack us."
I dismissed Yushiro's concern. "You don't need to worry about that. As long as I'm here, the Demon Slayer Corps cannot attack this place. And even without , Hanako's father, Tanjuro, is a fairly skilled swordsman. He would also help. So don't worry about that."
"No matter how strong you are, isn't it impossible for two people to fend off nurous Demon Slayers?"
"No, it's possible. If they attacked the clinic, the Demon Slayer Corps would disappear from history that very day."
"..."
When I spoke so confidently, Yushiro seed at a loss for words. And there wasn't a single lie in my words. Of course, I hope such a thing never happens, but if the Demon Slayer Corps were to attack this clinic, regardless of Playful Life, I would not hesitate to erase them.
"Understood. Let's ask the Demon Slayer Corps for cooperation."
"I also agree to cooperating!"
The mont Tamayo agreed, Yushiro imdiately followed suit without a mont's hesitation. Yushiro's opinion had never mattered in the first place.
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