The sun was setting, and the lingering afterglow quickly cast a soft yellow hue over the mountains, blending and intertwining with the verdant green of the forest like a fine oil painting.
Kurozawa lay half-reclining on a treetop, his head turned to the side, his eyes fixed on the pale golden horizon stretching from south to north, watching it slowly disappear below the earth.
When the gloomy night took over the land and the rustling sounds of nocturnal animals began to fill the air, Kurozawa leapt down from the tree.
A clear thud echoed in the silent forest.
Twisting his neck and stretching his limbs, Kurozawa quickly set off, heading towards Asakusa.
Deep within a hidden mountain range, a cluster of buildings sat in a secluded valley.
The valley was surrounded by dense, ancient trees, and at first glance, there seemed to be no passable roads anywhere.
It was a difficult place to find, and indeed, it was the location of the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters.
At the very center of this complex was a mansion resembling a shrine.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki sat on a cushion by the entrance, his lifeless eyes gazing at the sky.
He extended his hand and waved it in front of him, but his vision remained an unchanging expanse of dark chaos; he received no sensation whatsoever.
"What is the sky like tonight?"
Kagaya Ubuyashiki spoke, asking his wife, Amane Ubuyashiki, who was beside him.
Ever since he lost his sight, Kagaya Ubuyashiki often asked this question, seemingly because not being able to see the sky made him feel uneasy.
Amane Ubuyashiki looked up gently at the starry night sky, then softly said, "Ordinary. The moonlight is dim, not very beautiful."
"Is that so?" Kagaya Ubuyashiki waved his hand in front of his eyes again, his face showing disappointment.
No matter how strong and wise he was perceived to be by other Swordsmen, Kagaya Ubuyashiki never hid his vulnerability before his wife.
"Do you still remember the Kamado Family?" he suddenly asked.
Amane Ubuyashiki thought for a moment, then nodded and said, "I remember."
Lowering his head to face the clean ground, Kagaya Ubuyashiki said calmly, "The Kamado Family's ancestors had a deep friendship with Yoriichi Tsugikuni."
"Yoriichi Tsugikuni disappeared without leaving behind his Breathing Technique, but I think there might be something to gain from the Kamado Family."
"If the Swordsman who returned from Lotus Town didn't describe it incorrectly, the Demons might be gaining another top Upper Moon."
"Yet, we have already lost the Flame Pillar, and the Flower Pillar's life is currently uncertain."
"Now, the situation for the Demon Slayer Corps is becoming increasingly difficult. Perhaps, it might even end in my hands."
Hearing her husband's low spirits, Amane Ubuyashiki comforted him, "It won't. Didn't the Stone Pillar already go to the Kamado Family?"
"If he can bring back Sun Breathing, that might change the situation."
Kagaya Ubuyashiki thought for a moment, then said, "Considering the time, the Stone Pillar should have completed his mission and returned by now."
After speaking, he closed his eyes, unable to see anything, and waited silently, with Amane Ubuyashiki by his side.
Indeed, about an hour later, the Stone Pillar's unique steady footsteps reached Kagaya Ubuyashiki's ears.
"Master." The Stone Pillar's voice sounded slightly tired, causing Kagaya Ubuyashiki's heart to sink.
He paused, then chuckled softly, "Gyomei, how did it go? Did you gain anything?"
Across from him, the Stone Pillar's massive and imposing two-meter-tall figure was like an iron tower, blocking out all the moonlight and casting a large shadow on the courtyard ground.
He was silent for a moment, then said, "He refused to tell me the Breathing Technique."
The Stone Pillar's visit to the Kamado Family was not a coincidence; his goal was also the Sun Breathing.
For several days now, the Stone Pillar's Stone Breathing had reached its peak, and he wanted to deduce the Sun Breathing by working backward from the Stone Breathing.
Wind, Flame, Thunder, Water, Stone – these five major Breathing Techniques were all derived from Sun Breathing. In theory, with enough talent, it should be possible to deduce the true Sun Breathing.
But the Stone Pillar couldn't do it.
Regarding the highest realm of Fighting Spirit, the Transparent World, he had practiced it as if guided by a divine hand, breaking through frequently. However, despite flashes of inspiration regarding Sun Breathing, constrained by his own limits, the Stone Pillar was still unable to successfully deduce it.
However, his long hours of hard work were not in vain. The Stone Pillar came up with an unconventional, alternative Breathing Technique.
This Breathing Technique could not unleash the body's potential.
It had only one function: it allowed the user to master the ultimate anti-demon weapon, the Crimson Red Blade.
Blade Breathing - this was the name the Stone Pillar came up with, a special Breathing Technique that could turn a weapon into a Crimson Red Blade against Demons.
To obtain Sun Breathing, the Stone Pillar, following Kagaya Ubuyashiki's guidance, went to the Kamado Family on Mount Kumotori and encountered Kurozawa.
If Kurozawa knew the full story, he would have a hard time not believing that the Divine Will was behind it.
At that time, dawn was approaching. The Stone Pillar, who possessed the Crimson Red Blade and the Transparent World, abilities that greatly countered Kurozawa, could have definitely held Kurozawa back at all costs and let him perish under the impending sunlight, if he had been willing to do anything necessary.
But the Stone Pillar's nature was kind and hesitant. When Kurozawa didn't fight him and directly threatened the lives of the Kamado Family, he didn't dare to act rashly.
"Why?"
"Did you tell them about the existence of Demons and the Kamado Family's connection to our Demon Slayer Corps?" Kagaya Ubuyashiki didn't know what had happened. He had originally thought the Stone Pillar would surely bring back Sun Breathing, because the Kamado Family were good people and would choose to help the Demon Slayer Corps and humanity.
Across from him, the Stone Pillar clasped his hands together, softly recited a few calming mantras, then let out a long breath before speaking in a calm tone, "I encountered Kurozawa Danryu. He was also asking the Kamado Family for the Breathing Technique..."
After roughly recounting the events, the Stone Pillar finally said weakly, "After Kurozawa Danryu left, I explained my purpose to Tanjuro Kamado, their family's connection to the Demon Slayer Corps, and the current situation of the Demon Slayer Corps."
"But in the end, he still explicitly refused."
After hearing what happened, Kagaya Ubuyashiki sighed, a hint of disappointment on his face. He didn't ask Tanjuro Kamado for the reason behind his refusal.
It was obvious that he was afraid of Kurozawa, the villain.
If he gave Sun Breathing to the Demon Slayer Corps, he was afraid Kurozawa would return and cause trouble for the Kamado Family.
Kurozawa had said he would come back once before he left. Tanjuro Kamado didn't believe it was genuinely a reward.
If the Kamado Family only consisted of Tanjuro Kamado himself, perhaps he might have been moved by passion, even rejoining the Demon Slayer Corps to fight for humanity. But he wasn't the only one in the Kamado Family; he had family members. Giving Sun Breathing to the Demon Slayer Corps would drag his entire family back into conflict.
And the Demon Slayer Corps, as an organization of light, wouldn't make things difficult for his family, even if they were refused.
"I understand. His actions are understandable," Kagaya Ubuyashiki said.
He understood Tanjuro Kamado's decision, but inexplicably felt a sense of sadness in his heart.
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