Perhaps Tsugikuni Yoriichi was so powerful because he was like Senju Hashirama, possessing a body akin to a natural sage.
However, he didn't have Senju Hashirama's powerful self-healing ability. Instead, he had an extremely high affinity for natural energy, instinctively using it from birth.
What is known as Sun Breathing was merely a Breathing Style Yoriichi created based on his own breathing method to teach others.
It's just that others couldn't learn it, so they could only simplify Sun Breathing into other Breathing Styles.
This means their Breathing Styles are imperfect. Even when cultivated to the highest level, they cannot perfectly adapt to natural energy. To forcibly wield volatile natural energy with a mortal body, they must push their physical state to its absolute limit.
But which normal person can maintain their body at its limit indefinitely? Not to mention, their method of wielding natural energy could place a heavy burden on their bodies, even diminishing their lifespan.
This might be why Demon Slayer Mark awakened swordsmen don't live past twenty-five.
Because they lose so much vitality, they can only live up to twenty-five at most.
"Hmph... Namu Amida Butsu, Gyomei thanks you, Master."
Himejima Gyomei rose from the ground. He "looked" at the sealing incantation that appeared on his arm, then clasped his hands together and bowed to Qingshui.
With Muzan gone, according to Ubuyashiki Kagaya's last wishes, Qingshui was now the Master of the Demon Slayer Corps.
"What exactly... is going on?"
Tokito Muichiro asked, utterly bewildered.
"It's the Demon Slayer Mark."
A voice suddenly drifted from beyond the crowd.
The Demon Slayer Corps members suddenly parted, creating a path.
A tall, scruffy-bearded middle-aged man, who looked eighty percent like Rengoku Kyojuro and had the exact same hair color, walked in with a sake flask and a Nichirin Blade strapped to his waist.
The newcomer was the former Flame Hashira, Rengoku Shinjuro.
Shinjuro had only stepped down from the Flame Hashira position a little over three years ago. Many of the swordsmen present had worked with him, so most recognized him.
"Father!"
Rengoku Kyojuro exclaimed in surprise.
"Kyojuro."
Shinjuro saw the eye his son had lost, and a flicker of heartache crossed his eyes. He heavily patted Kyojuro's shoulder, then surveyed the Demon Slayer Marks on Kyojuro and the other Hashira.
"Shinjuro-senpai, are the Demon Slayer Marks you just mentioned these patterns that appeared on us? Is this why Gyomei almost died earlier?"
Uzui Tengen, having bandaged his wounds, stood up from the ground and asked Rengoku Shinjuro.
Among all the Hashira present, he and Gyomei had worked with Rengoku Shinjuro the longest.
"Yes."
Shinjuro nodded and began to explain:
"I found information about the Demon Slayer Mark in my family's ancient texts.
It hasn't appeared in the past three hundred years. Besides you all, only the very first generation of swordsmen had it. When the first person with a Demon Slayer Mark appears, others who have mastered their Breathing Styles to the extreme will subsequently awaken the Mark.
Without exception, they all possessed strength far exceeding that of previous generations of Hashira, even achieving feats like single-handedly defeating an Upper Rank. However, none of them lived past twenty-five. Even without illness or disaster, they would suddenly die. "
Shinjuro looked at Himejima Gyomei, who stood beside Qingshui.
Among these Hashira, only Gyomei was currently twenty-five.
Rengoku Shinjuro's sudden transformation from a cheerful, enthusiastic middle-aged man to a decadent one had multiple reasons.
The most significant, of course, was the death of his wife, Rengoku Ruka, and another was the Demon Slayer Mark.
This middle-aged man, over forty, had actually mastered Flame Breathing to its absolute limit, beyond which he could not improve.
When he sought to advance further, he discovered the truth of the Demon Slayer Mark in his family's ancient texts. He learned that once he awakened a Demon Slayer Mark at his age, he would surely die. And at that time, no swordsmen capable of awakening the Mark had yet appeared. He then concluded that there was no possibility of defeating Muzan during his lifetime.
Coupled with the death of his beloved wife, the blow to Shinjuro was too great. He suddenly lost all enthusiasm for life and became decadent, believing that the Flame Hashira and Breathing Styles were meaningless.
However, after learning from Amane that Muzan might be vanquished tonight, he, having just woken from a drunken stupor, picked up the Nichirin Blade he had once put down and came here.
But by the time he arrived, Muzan had already been defeated.
"You must be the current Master, then? Shinjuro greets the Master!"
Rengoku Shinjuro finally turned his gaze to Qingshui and bowed respectfully to him.
Qingshui naturally adopted the posture of a wise ruler welcoming talent, reaching out to help up this elder of the Demon Slayer Corps.
"Shinjuro-senpai, please, no need for such formality."
"Master, about this method of sealing the Demon Slayer Mark..."
"There's no cost. I can perform it on Kyojuro and the other Hashira in a moment."
"That's good, that's good."
"Alright, Shinjuro-senpai, and everyone else. Now that Muzan has been eliminated, this is a moment for joy and celebration. There's no need to be so serious. Let's cheer!"
Now, the struggle between the Demon Slayer Corps and the demons had essentially been decided. There was no harm in letting these swordsmen relax for a while.
That night, for the first time, no Demon Slayer Corps members went out on missions. Instead, they all gathered at the Ubuyashiki Mansion for a victory banquet.
This isn't a small area at all; it's much more than just that one courtyard.
Beyond the bamboo forest, following the path from the courtyard, lies the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters, which includes multiple training grounds.
In the original timeline, some of the Hashira training took place here.
By simply tidying up the space and arranging some tables and chairs, it could accommodate everyone in the Demon Slayer Corps.
To ensure everyone was catered to, Qingshui specifically arranged for people to contact some of Tokyo's largest restaurants, procure a vast amount of ingredients, and hire a team of highly professional chefs at great expense.
During the feast, some rejoiced while others wept.
Most of them had joined the Demon Slayer Corps after their loved ones or close friends were killed by demons.
With their great vengeance fulfilled, it was natural for them to weep tears of joy.
Before the banquet concluded, Amane announced to all members of the Demon Slayer Corps that Qingshui would officially assume the position of leader of the Demon Slayer Corps.
After that, Qingshui departed that very night, arriving in Tokyo.
Kocho Shinobu was now in her final stages of pregnancy, and with his top-tier Medical Ninjutsu skills, he could undoubtedly ensure a completely safe delivery.
...
...
Naruto World.
Qingshui's home had transformed.
It was still in the same location, but Qingshui had purchased several surrounding buildings at great cost and was now renovating them.
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