Chapter 71: Ren Enters Meditation! The Wind Hashira and Flame Hashira Clash!
Whoosh!
A violent gust of wind erupted across the training grounds.
The scene completely overturned the Demon Slayers' understanding of Breathing Techniques.
Although everyone had heard that Sanemi, the Wind Hashira, was the only member of the Corps capable of producing sword aura, seeing him create such powerful winds without even wielding a Nichirin Blade was still astonishing.
Every pair of eyes immediately turned toward Ren.
They all had the same thought.
How would Ren respond?
Sitting cross-legged in meditation, Ren's expression shifted ever so slightly.
He had already sensed Sanemi's movements.
Wind Breathing, Second Form: Claws – Purifying Wind.
It was a wide-range frontal attack. According to the style's teachings, it represented a wind that swept away infamy and false accusations.
Looks like Sanemi really intends to win.
Being able to generate such force simply by twisting his body, without a Nichirin Blade, was beyond Ren's expectations.
But...
So what?
Ren remained completely calm.
This was exactly the result he wanted.
Although Sanemi could perform Breathing Techniques without a blade, the lack of a Nichirin Blade greatly reduced the attack's actual power.
To Ren, it posed almost no threat.
He slowly opened his eyes and looked at the four patients under his care.
Perhaps because he had warned them beforehand, all four wore solemn expressions and remained unmoved despite Sanemi's interference.
Then he looked toward Shinobu.
She was even more focused.
Her eyes remained tightly shut, her long eyelashes trembling only occasionally.
Her butterfly-patterned haori rested neatly around her as she sat perfectly upright.
A faint furrow appeared between her brows from time to time, as though she were contemplating something deeply.
Ren couldn't help admiring her concentration.
It seems Shinobu is the first to truly meet my expectations.
Soon...
Sanemi's attack arrived.
The fierce wind whipped everyone's clothing, causing Shinobu's haori to flutter loudly.
Yet the result was obvious.
Not one of the six meditators—including Ren himself—lost concentration because of Sanemi's interference.
Ren smiled faintly.
Everything was proceeding according to plan.
Now...
Sanemi could obediently serve as his training tool.
Bullet Domain activated.
«[You have entered a meditative state.]
[You are attempting to improve your concentration and have begun adjusting your Breathing Technique.]
[You are using Total Concentration: Focus Breathing to temper every cell in your body, increasing your physical abilities.]
[Your concentration has improved.]
[Your focus has deepened.]
[You have memorized Sanemi's movements and are analyzing them. You are exploring the possibility of using your body alone to perform Breathing Techniques.]
[Your thinking has broadened.]
[You continue your deductions...]
[Meditation in progress...]»
"The Flame Hashira's side is almost finished too!"
A cry suddenly rang out from the spectators.
Sanemi's expression froze.
The second technique he had been charging instantly came to a halt.
He immediately turned toward Kyojuro's training area.
Kyojuro stood there with his usual spirited smile.
"Excellent work, young ones!"
"One day, you'll thank your present selves."
"True success begins when you learn to stop your wounds from bleeding through Breathing Techniques!"
That was the fourth stage of Kyojuro's rehabilitation training.
His self-created method taught injured Demon Slayers to use Breathing Techniques to control bleeding.
It was the same technique Tanjiro would later learn under Kyojuro's guidance.
Its effectiveness had already been proven.
That was precisely why Kyojuro had made it the fourth stage of rehabilitation.
Under the Flame Hashira's encouragement...
One of the patients suddenly stood up.
His face overflowed with excitement.
"I did it!"
"I can stop my bleeding with Breathing Techniques!"
"Excellent! I saw it!"
"You're amazing!"
Kyojuro immediately gave him a thumbs-up.
"You're one of the finest Demon Slayers I've ever seen!"
"How about we have a meal together later?"
"Hahaha!"
With that...
Another patient successfully completed Kyojuro's rehabilitation.
Before this, three members of his group had already mastered the technique.
Now this made four.
Which meant...
Only one patient remained.
Not far away, Sanemi's sense of crisis immediately intensified.
Ren was troublesome enough.
But Kyojuro...
He was even harder to deal with.
Sanemi clicked his tongue in frustration.
Although he had been leading Kyojuro earlier, none of his own patients had completed their training.
If Kyojuro finished first...
He would still lose.
Without hesitation, Sanemi strode off the field.
Moments later, he picked up a wooden sword lying nearby.
Grinning fiercely, he muttered,
"Sorry, Kyojuro."
"Wind Breathing, First Form: Dust Whirlwind Cutter!"
Whoosh!
The wooden sword slashed through the air.
A whirlwind resembling a spinning blade surged straight toward Kyojuro.
At the same time, Sanemi concealed himself within the whirlwind, rapidly closing the distance.
The moment he entered range...
His next technique was already complete.
Mindful of the nearby patients, he deliberately held back some of its power.
"Wind Breathing, Fourth Form: Rising Dust Storm!"
Twisting his body in midair, Sanemi swung the wooden sword repeatedly.
A raging tornado erupted upward.
In an instant, violent winds swept across the training grounds.
The spectators squinted as dust and wind lashed against their eyes.
Even Kyojuro's patient couldn't remain focused.
The moment Sanemi unleashed his technique...
The patient's rehabilitation was forcibly interrupted.
Seeing that his objective had been achieved, Sanemi lowered his sword with a helpless shrug.
"Rengoku, don't blame me."
"This is completely within the rules."
Kyojuro narrowed his eyes slightly before bursting into hearty laughter.
"Of course!"
"I simply didn't expect your first target to be me."
"But, Sanemi..."
"Aren't you worried that Ren will interfere with your patients while you've come all the way over here?"
Sanemi answered without the slightest shame.
"It's fine."
"My patients have already passed out."
"They can't be disturbed anymore."
Kyojuro fell silent.
"..."
After exchanging a few more words, Sanemi claimed it was for the sake of fairness and tossed Kyojuro a wooden sword.
He proposed changing the rehabilitation competition into a direct duel.
According to Sanemi, as long as he remained free to interfere, neither Ren nor Kyojuro would ever be able to complete their rehabilitation training.
As the saying went...
The barefoot fear no one wearing shoes.
As long as Ren and Kyojuro continued training their patients, Sanemi would simply keep disrupting them with Wind Breathing.
He had no other choice.
If he lost this competition...
He wouldn't obtain the method for awakening the Demon Slayer Mark.
And if he couldn't awaken his Mark...
Wouldn't that mean he was weaker than Ren?
Sanemi had no intention of accepting that.
No matter what...
He had to win.