DS Chapter 90:Ren's Original Technique
Silence fell over the arena.
A heartbeat later, the spectators erupted in stunned disbelief.
"My God! Did you see that? Ren actually broke through Wind Hashira-sama's technique!"
"Wait... didn't he just use a sword technique with his bare hands? He doesn't even have a Nichirin Blade anymore! How did he do that?"
"Wasn't that the same principle as Wind Hashira-sama's body-based swordsmanship?"
"That technique must have been Ren's own creation! The power behind it was unbelievable!"
"Wind Hashira-sama's in trouble! Ren's almost on top of him!"
---
In the spectators' section, Inosuke leaped to his feet.
"That's my master!"
"I knew it! Even without a sword, he can still pull off something that awesome!"
Zenitsu immediately protested.
"Stop claiming him as your master! If anything, he should be my master!"
"If Ren-sensei trained me, I'd finally feel safe...!"
Tanjiro ignored the two of them.
Holding Nezuko's box tightly against his chest, he watched Ren's every movement with unwavering focus.
I have to learn this.
If Haganezuka-san breaks—
He quickly corrected himself.
If I break another one of Haganezuka-san's swords...
Then I won't be helpless just because my Nichirin Blade snaps.
Inside the box, Nezuko nodded enthusiastically.
"Mhm! Mhm!"
---
The Hashira were no less astonished.
Tengen burst into laughter.
"Ren, you flashy little genius! Keep going! Show everyone what you've got!"
Muichiro tilted his head.
"That's strange..."
"How is he performing sword techniques without a sword?"
Mitsuri pressed both hands against her chest.
"Oh no...!"
"Ren-sama almost got hurt just now..."
"I was so worried..."
Obanai clicked his tongue in irritation.
"Tch."
"How is he still uninjured?"
"Shinazugawa isn't trying hard enough."
Gyomei quietly folded his hands together.
"Namu Amida Butsu..."
Meanwhile, Giyu spoke softly to himself.
"...He's different from me."
"If Ren wins..."
"He'll be qualified to become the Water Hashira."
---
Inside the Ubuyashiki Estate—
Amane smiled warmly.
"You were right again, Kagaya."
"That child never fails to surprise us."
Her gaze drifted toward Ren's wounded shoulder.
A trace of tenderness appeared in her eyes.
"But..."
"He's only fourteen."
"And yet he's throwing himself into battle with such determination."
"It's heartbreaking to watch."
Kagaya nodded gently.
"Yes."
"Ren is an orphan."
"It's likely that demons destroyed his family."
"To him..."
"The Demon Slayer Corps is his only home."
He paused before continuing.
"I believe that's why he trains so desperately."
"Because of the Butterfly Mansion."
A gentle warmth appeared in Kagaya's expression as he instinctively clasped Amane's hand.
"I've noticed something recently."
"Shinobu speaks about Ren less and less."
"But whenever his name comes up..."
"She becomes embarrassed."
A knowing smile appeared on Kagaya's face.
He had realized long ago that something had begun to blossom between the two.
Lately, he had deliberately reduced Shinobu's missions whenever possible.
Ever since Kanae's death...
Shinobu had buried her true emotions beneath a smiling mask.
It had always worried him.
But now...
Ren had entered her life like a warm sun.
Little by little...
He was changing her.
And that was something Kagaya welcomed wholeheartedly.
Perhaps...
The reason Ren worked so tirelessly...
Was because he already regarded the Butterfly Mansion as his home.
Still holding Amane's hand, Kagaya asked softly,
"Amane..."
"Can you tell me where Ren is standing?"
She leaned close and quietly described the scene before pointing toward the arena.
At that exact moment...
A brilliant ray of sunlight broke through the clouds and fell directly upon the young swordsman.
Though blind, Kagaya smiled.
"It seems..."
"I've finally glimpsed the future of the Demon Slayer Corps."
---
At the center of the arena—
Ren sprinted forward with everything he had.
Earlier, while in his Hyper Memory state, he had analyzed Sanemi's Wind Breathing, Fourth Form: Rising Dust Storm.
He had then modified its principles into a bladeless variation—
Black Rope Great Whirlwind.
Using it, he'd neutralized Sanemi's wide-area attack.
Now...
He had only one objective.
Recover his Nichirin Blade.
Everything depended on that final step.
Just as the thought crossed his mind—
A familiar sensation washed over him.
Wind Breathing, First Form: Dust Whirlwind Cutter!
A violent whirlwind surged toward him.
Thanks to the enhanced reactions granted by Bullet Domain, Ren instinctively rolled to his left.
The attack barely missed him.
As he regained his footing, he quickly assessed the battlefield.
Then—
His pupils contracted.
Sanemi was suddenly standing directly before him.
More importantly...
A green, pinwheel-shaped mark had appeared across his right cheek.
The Demon Slayer Mark.
At the worst possible moment...
Sanemi had awakened it.
Ren frowned.
Although the paralysis still affected half of Sanemi's body, the Mark had strengthened him enough to wield his sword with both hands once more.
That last attack proved it.
Yet judging by Sanemi's expression...
He didn't even realize the Mark had appeared.
A savage grin spread across the Wind Hashira's face.
The veins in his arms bulged once again.
For the first time...
Ren truly understood the overwhelming power of a Hashira.
If Sanemi is already this strong...
Then how terrifying are the Upper Ranks?
He took a slow breath.
Then forced himself to calm down.
Stay calm.
As long as the opponent is human...
There will always be a weakness.
His mind raced.
Judging from his stance...
He's about three seconds away from releasing Wind Breathing, Second Form.
Ren closed his eyes once more.
Bullet Domain—activated.
You devote everything to analyzing your opponent.
Your opponent swings his blade.
Powerful wind blades are released.
Fortunately, his speed hasn't increased significantly.
You can barely keep up.
Ren carefully observed every movement.
Then...
He entered Hyper Memory once again.
His head snapped aside.
Another slash narrowly missed him.
Ren closed his eyes.
Hyper Memory—activated.
Carefree Movement Technique—activated.
Keen Hearing—activated.
Total Concentration!
At that moment...
He entrusted his vision entirely to his hearing.
At the same time, every ounce of his focus flowed into Hyper Memory.
His consciousness drifted backward.
Back to his battle with Inosuke.
The wild, beast-like movements that had once left such a deep impression on him resurfaced.
Just as before...
He dissected every motion.
Frame by frame.
The instincts of a beast.
The structure of the human body.
The fusion of the two.
Within a single instant...
Ren simulated the movements more than ten thousand times inside his mind.
An unbearable pressure swelled inside his skull.
Warm blood streamed from both nostrils.
His brain was reaching its limit.
But...
He was still missing one final piece.
Ren refused to stop now.
Gritting his teeth...
He forcibly pushed Hyper Memory beyond its limits.