Tanjirou's face couldn't help but flash a look of disappointment, but it quickly recovered.
As the protagonist, he could naturally stabilize his mindset quickly and wouldn't give up easily.
Kiyokawa Izumi didn't say much more.
Was he supposed to tell the person in front of him, "Maybe you could look for Young Miss Tamayo?"
Given Tanjirou's current strength, even if he found the demon doctor Tamayo, it wouldn't be of much use.
Ultimately, it was still a lack of strength; there were too many things he was powerless to do.
"Tanjirou, you are a child of the flame, right?"
"Ah, I am..."
"Families engaged in work related to fire consider it auspicious if a child is born with red hair and red eyes; I'm not asking who your biological parents are."
"Is... is that so?"
"I've heard a saying that the so-called child of the flame can also be called a gift from the Fire God."
Kiyokawa Izumi calmly shifted the topic.
"Whenever the New Year comes, a ritual to the Fire God is held to thank Him for a year of protection... does your family have such a tradition?"
Hearing this, Tanjirou subconsciously nodded and spoke with a nostalgic and devout expression.
"Our family has a special tradition, an ancient dance called the 'Hinokami Kagura'."
"Since I can remember, every New Year, my father would dance in the courtyard all night long."
"Father said this is a Kamado family tradition, a dance meant for the Fire God."
Seeing the boy lost in memory, Kiyokawa Izumi, who was intentionally guiding the conversation, continued.
"The Hinokami Kagura? Have you inherited this dance?"
"Mr. Izumi, are you very interested?"
Meeting the boy's gaze, Kiyokawa Izumi chuckled and said frankly.
"I am indeed very interested. Could you dance a bit for me to see?"
He felt that playing such small tricks was indeed a bit unscrupulous.
But there was no choice.
After all, it was related to Sun Breathing.
"No problem!"
Tanjirou stood up enthusiastically and quickly added, "Although my dancing is far inferior to my father's, I have every movement firmly memorized in my heart."
The boy's body seemed to be ignited by some ancient and fiery rhythm, his steps echoing; the movements, which appeared broad and open, seemed to contain an indescribable subtlety.
'The Hinokami Kagura? With just ordinary eyes, it really is a bit hard to understand... I'll have to push myself a little!'
The Sharingan emerged in his eye sockets, hungrily recording and analyzing.
Every insignificant detail was noted by him.
The unique breathing method and the seamless movements actually possessed an unspeakable beauty.
Kiyokawa Izumi subconsciously tried to imitate this breathing.
"Cough—"
His throat felt as if it were on fire; the violent coughing caused Tanjirou's movements to stop instinctively, and he looked with some confusion and bewilderment at Mr. Kiyokawa Izumi, whose eyes were once again turning red.
'The source of all Breathing Techniques to this day is Sun Breathing... I really couldn't help myself!'
Kiyokawa Izumi, who had subconsciously tried it, thought to himself.
The strongest swordsman of all time was Tsugikuni Yoriichi, and Sun Breathing was created by him.
Before he joined the Demon Slayer Corps, the swordsmen of the Corps could only fight against demons with exquisite swordsmanship and painstakingly honed bodies.
After he joined, Breathing Techniques appeared.
As the source, Sun Breathing is said to contain power close to the sun, being incredibly effective against demons.
There is a saying that the prerequisite for learning Sun Breathing is to be a child of the flame.
There is also a saying that Sun Breathing places an enormous burden on the body and must be highly compatible with the learner's breathing rhythm; otherwise, one cannot even get started.
Kiyokawa Izumi had never learned Sun Breathing, after all, so he didn't dare speak recklessly.
With his Sharingan, it was easy for him to memorize everything.
However, he vaguely sensed that he might be unable to learn Sun Breathing!
The compatibility was very, very low, even lower than with Water Breathing.
To say he wasn't disappointed at all would definitely be a lie.
But this result was also somewhat expected.
If Sun Breathing were really that easy to learn, Tsugikuni Yoriichi's brother, Michikatsu Tsugikuni, wouldn't have had to create Moon Breathing.
"When your father danced the Hinokami Kagura, did he never feel tired, no matter how long he danced?"
Hearing this, Tanjirou looked shocked.
"How did you know?"
"Because it's not simply a dance; it's actually also a Breathing Technique."
Kiyokawa Izumi showed no sign of disappointment and said with a smile.
"There's no need to try it rashly. If you can, practice the Hinokami Kagura more; it will be beneficial."
After saying this, Kiyokawa Izumi, suppressing the discomfort in his lungs, slowly stood up and walked toward the small hut in the distance.
'Neither Sun Breathing nor Water Breathing is suitable for me!'
The purpose of coming to Mount Sagiri had been achieved, much more smoothly than he had thought.
He had already witnessed the swordsmanship and the perfected Water Breathing of the Former Water Hashira, as well as the famous Sun Breathing.
It seemed there was no longer a need to stay.
"Mr. Kiyokawa Izumi, are you leaving?"
Sensing the atmosphere of departure, Tanjirou couldn't help but ask loudly as he watched Kiyokawa Izumi's receding back.
--