Butterfly Mansion.
Rengoku Kyoujurou loudly said, "Tetsuya, it's a pleasure to meet you for the first time! I am Rengoku Kyoujurou!"
Kamihara Tetsuya observed the other person, who had long yellow hair with red edges, thick black sword-like eyebrows, bright, piercing eyes, and wore a coffee-colored Demon Slayer Corps uniform, but did not yet have the Flame Pillar's flame haori.
His voice was very loud. Good, very spirited!
"This is my first time teaching someone, so first let me assess your physical abilities. Run!" Rengoku Kyoujurou said, then charged forward on his own.
Kamihara Tetsuya ran behind him.
The two ran one after the other, circling the Butterfly Mansion three times. Rengoku Kyoujurou would sometimes burst forward, instantly accelerating, and sometimes suddenly change direction, testing Kamihara Tetsuya's reaction speed, which greatly astonished him.
Kamihara Tetsuya kept close behind him, and after the entire routine, he was only slightly sweating.
"Hmm!"
Rengoku Kyoujurou nodded in satisfaction, "Your physical abilities are up to par!"
Kamihara Tetsuya's face showed no complacency. Being up to par wasn't a perfect score, and Rengoku Kyoujurou clearly hadn't used his full strength; of course, neither had he.
Other new swordsmen needed to start training from physical conditioning, but Kamihara Tetsuya had already met the standard and could directly skip to learning Breathing Technique.
The two sat cross-legged on the ground.
"Hoo! Hoo!"
Rengoku Kyoujurou took deep breaths, demonstrating the rhythm of Flame Breathing for Kamihara Tetsuya.
Kamihara Tetsuya followed his rhythm, inhaling large amounts of air. His lungs felt as if a roaring flame was burning fiercely within them. Unlike the peacefulness of Flower Breathing and Water Breathing, Flame Breathing was impetuous, domineering, and difficult to tame.
But the amplification it provided was also unprecedented.
Kamihara Tetsuya clearly felt that as the inhaled air increased, power continuously surged from within his body.
Rengoku Kyoujurou looked at Kamihara Tetsuya in surprise. He was learning so fast. He heard that the other party had a foundation in other Breathing Techniques, but was that the only reason?
Rengoku Kyoujurou asked, "Next is combining it with sword techniques. What are your thoughts?"
"Show me the entire Flame Breathing from beginning to end," Kamihara Tetsuya replied.
Rengoku Kyoujurou's face froze for a moment. Trying to learn too much at once would lead to poor results; normally, one would learn slowly, one move at a time.
"Alright!"
Rengoku Kyoujurou did not refuse. He picked up a wooden sword from the courtyard and began to demonstrate the sword techniques of Flame Breathing.
First Form: Unknowing Fire!
Second Form: Rising Scorching Sun!
Third Form: Blazing Universe!
Fourth Form: Blooming Flame Undulation!
Fifth Form: Flame Tiger!
...
A crimson light flashed in Kamihara Tetsuya's eyes, deeply engraving the other party's movements into his mind. Because the person in front of him was Rengoku Kyoujurou, he was even more careful and cautious than usual.
From First Form to Fifth Form.
Rengoku Kyoujurou performed them twice in a row, a fine layer of sweat appearing on his forehead. "Did you understand?"
Kamihara Tetsuya replied, "A tiny bit!"
Rengoku Kyoujurou didn't understand what Kamihara Tetsuya was trying to express. "Hahahaha, no problem! No matter how many times, I will demonstrate it for you!"
"However, I need to go to the Headquarters for a meeting now and won't be back until tomorrow. You can practice tonight first."
"Understood!"
...
Deep in a secluded mountain, a courtyard was nestled, with a crystal-clear stream flowing and towering trees reaching into the clouds, isolating it from the outside world, making the interior seem like a hidden paradise.
This was the Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters.
One of the most highly classified locations of the Demon Slayer Corps.
Only Pillar-level members or important members of the Demon Slayer Corps knew its exact location. Others who came here had their senses sealed and were carried in and out by members of the "Kakushi" to prevent information leaks to demons.
Inside the mansion.
Ubuyashiki Kagaya stood in the corridor, a faint smile on his face that made people feel very comfortable, as he quietly listened to the young man in front of him speak.
"...This is my father's situation, Master. I am very sorry," Rengoku Kyoujurou apologized.
Ever since his mother passed away from illness, his father, the Flame Pillar Rengoku Shinjuro, was greatly affected, becoming dispirited, abandoning his duties as the Flame Pillar, and even began to drown his sorrows in alcohol every day.
"There's nothing that could be done about it. Don't blame your father, Kyoujurou," Ubuyashiki Kagaya said softly.
"Yes!"
Rengoku Kyoujurou responded.
He had expected to be reprimanded, but this Master was indeed as gentle and kind as the rumors said.
Rengoku Kyoujurou said, "If I can become the new Flame Pillar, Father will surely pull himself together."
"Hahahahahahaha!"
Unrestrained, mocking laughter came from the two other young men in the courtyard.
Sound Pillar, Uzui Tengen!
Wind Pillar, Sanemi Shinazugawa!
Uzui Tengen lifted his chin high, "Impossible, you're not flashy enough!"
Sanemi Shinazugawa sneered, "Don't make me laugh, you little brat, you think you can become a Pillar?"
Rengoku Kyoujurou seemed not to hear their mockery, crossing his arms and loudly saying, "I'm not a brat, I'm 16 this year, only one year younger than you, and I'll catch up soon!"
A vein throbbed on Sanemi Shinazugawa's forehead, "Bastard, that's impossible to catch up to!"
Whoosh!
Sanemi Shinazugawa's palm was wreathed in fierce wind as he fiercely grabbed at Rengoku Kyoujurou.
"So fast!" Rengoku Kyoujurou felt a heavy weight in his heart. He was even stronger than the demons he had encountered before.
Rengoku Kyoujurou retreated repeatedly, dodging Sanemi Shinazugawa's attack. "Stop! What's the point of our fight? Teammates attacking each other is against Corps rules!"
Sanemi Shinazugawa sneered, "Flower Pillar Kanae Kocho just died in battle, and we are short-handed. Your father is hiding at home, content to be useless. What exactly is he thinking?"
Rengoku Kyoujurou remained silent for a moment, then solemnly said, "I will do it for him!"
"You can't do it!"
Sanemi Shinazugawa slammed a punch forward.
Giyu Tomioka, standing alone in the corner, shouted, "Stop! This is in front of Master!"
Sanemi Shinazugawa's fist stopped ten centimeters from Rengoku Kyoujurou's head. He glanced over, saw Ubuyashiki Kagaya looking at him, quickly withdrew his hand, and knelt on one knee.
"Sanemi, Kanae is dead, and we are all very sad, so don't vent your anger on others," Ubuyashiki Kagaya said.
"Yes!" Sanemi Shinazugawa's eyes were bloodshot, and he crushed a pebble on the ground into powder with one hand.
Ubuyashiki Kagaya turned, smiling, "Kyoujurou, I have a mission for you. There have been many sightings of demons recently in the Asakusa area of Tokyo Prefecture. Go investigate. Remember, it's an investigation; don't do anything dangerous."
Rengoku Kyoujurou respectfully said, "Yes, Master."
"That's all for today. Meeting adjourned."
Ubuyashiki Kagaya was supported by his two children as he entered the inner room to rest.
The others left the Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters and returned to their respective assigned areas.
Before leaving, Sanemi Shinazugawa coldly glared at Giyu Tomioka.
"Is that what Tetsuya meant by 'hateful gaze'?" Giyu Tomioka muttered to himself, but he didn't seem to have done anything. It was truly difficult to get along with people.
Life is not easy, Giyuu sighed!