The sunlight was bright at noon, but Shinichi only found it a bit glaring.
He walked leisurely with his arms crossed, occasionally glancing back at the slender figure trailing behind him.
The fat Maru-ni ran around Yuichiro, wagging his tail cheerfully and even Yuichiro, who was playing with Maru-ni, wore a rare smile on his face.
To be honest, before seeing Yuichiro's smile, Shinichi had once thought this child only knew how to keep a stern expression.
Now, it seemed there was still some childlike innocence in him.
Speaking of which, why was Yuichiro following Shinichi?
This had to be traced back to two days ago.
After the Insect Hashira Shinobu Kocho arrived, Shinichi planned to entrust Amane and the Tokito brothers to Shinobu's care, having her escort them back to the Demon Slayer Corps while he returned to the Moriki Mansion and the Swordsmith Village.
It was a reasonable decision, but Yuichiro became an unexpected complication.
For some reason, the boy suddenly approached Shinichi and Shinobu while they were whispering and declared he wanted to join the Demon Slayer Corps.
Shinichi was admittedly a bit annoyed and embarrassed by the abrupt interruption, but he couldn't be too harsh on a child.
So, at the time, Shinichi told Yuichiro that before joining the Demon Slayer Corps, he would need to train under a cultivator, master a Breathing Technique and pass the Final Selection.
[Not that cultivator mind you! was about to change it but when i check, people like urokodaki was really called a cultivator]
To Shinichi's surprise, Yuichiro nodded firmly and then outright demanded to learn Shinichi's Forest Breathing Technique.
"Kid, do you realize that Forest Breathing is currently the most difficult Breathing Style to master in the entire Demon Slayer Corps? Dozens, even hundreds of outstanding members have tried and failed. Are you sure you want to learn it?"
Yuichiro looked up at Shinichi, meeting his gaze with determination.
"I want to learn Forest Breathing! That woman said it, didn't she? Our ancestors were the first-generation demon slayers and all the current Breathing Styles evolved from theirs. If my ancestors could master the original Breathing, why can't I master Forest Breathing?!"
There was more Yuichiro didn't say aloud.
His desire to learn Forest Breathing stemmed largely from the power he saw in it—the power to protect others.
It was those illusory yet vibrant green willow branches, shimmering with life, that had saved his younger brother Muichiro from danger.
From that moment on, Yuichiro had yearned for that strength—the strength to shield those he cared about.
He deeply loved and worried about Muichiro.
His refusal to let Muichiro join the Demon Slayer Corps had only been out of fear for his brother's safety.
But when the Demon's claws tore through Muichiro's chest that night, when despair forced their bodies to unleash that miraculous power, Yuichiro understood.
There was no escape for them.
Demons existed and they truly were descendants of the legendary first-generation demon slayers.
If this was their fate—and if they possessed such talent—Yuichiro would no longer resist or refuse.
Perhaps the Demon Slayer Corps was where he and his brother belonged.
Ever since their parents died, Yuichiro had told Muichiro that doing good deeds was foolish, that kindness was a weakness.
But now, he saw things differently.
In truth, it was merely the indignation of a child who had lost their parents.
At his core, Yuichiro was just as kind-hearted as his younger brother Muichiro.
After all that was said, Yuichiro stubbornly clung to Shinichi, insisting on learning Forest Breathing.
This gave Shinichi a headache—he wasn't a cultivator, he was the Forest Hashira!
Where would he find the time to teach Yuichiro breathing techniques?
So he could only shoot a pleading look at Shinobu.
"Um, Shinobu, don't you think Yuichiro's injuries are still quite serious? Maybe he should return to the Butterfly Mansion to recuperate first. Learning breathing techniques requires strict physical conditioning, doesn't it?"
The hint in Shinichi's tone was obvious, but Shinobu clearly didn't pick up on it.
Instead, she shook her head earnestly and said.
"Not at all. Yuichiro-san wounds are only superficial and with the healing from Shinichi-kun Forest Breathing, he'll recover quickly. It won't affect his training in breathing techniques."
This girl!
Why isn't she cooperating at all!?
Shinichi frowned at Shinobu, who responded with an innocent smile.
Ahem.
Since that approach didn't work, Shinichi tried promoting other breathing techniques to Yuichiro.
"How about learning Water Breathing? It's easy to pick up, versatile in its forms and serves as the foundation for many derivative styles. Training in Water Breathing makes it easier to find your own path!"
"Can Water Breathing heal injuries?"
"Uh, then what about Flame Breathing? It's swift and powerful, with techniques as fierce as raging flames, capable of slaying countless demons!"
"Can Flame Breathing heal injuries?"
Wind Breathing, Stone Breathing, Thunder Breathing, Flower Breathing, Sound Breathing—Shinichi even brought up Shinobu's self-created Insect Breathing in the end.
But Yuichiro remained unmoved, rebutting each one with the same question.
"Can it heal injuries?"
"You won't learn this, you won't learn that—kid, if you're so fixated on healing, why not just join the Kakushi Corps and train to be a medic?" Shinichi's expression turned cold.
But Yuichiro seriously asked in return.
"Can the Kakushi Corps wield swords to slay demons? I want to learn a breathing style that can both heal and kill demons."
Whoosh!
Shinichi's face grew even colder, living up to his reputation as the "Stone-Faced Man."
Before long, their argument caught the attention of Amane Ubuyashiki.
After learning the details, she bowed deeply to Shinichi and earnestly requested that he either take Yuichiro under his wing or, when returning to the Moriki Estate, ask Moriki Mitsuyo to train Yuichiro.
Faced with Amane request, Shinichi couldn't refuse.
And truthfully, his heart wasn't as cold as his expression suggested.
Yuichiro's persistence had actually impressed him.
If Forest Breathing weren't so difficult to master, Shinichi would have long taken on many disciples.
His initial reluctance stemmed from fear that Yuichiro would be discouraged upon encountering the challenges of Forest Breathing.
But now, under these circumstances, Shinichi agreed to Amane request.
And so, the original party of one man and his dog became two men and a dog.
Before leaving with Shinichi, Yuichiro sought out his unconscious younger brother, Muichiro.
Holding Muichiro's hand, Yuichiro said firmly.
"Muichiro, whether now or in the future, your big brother will definitely protect you! Absolutely! Absolutely!"
***
After walking halfway, Shinichi and Yuichiro stopped to rest.
Shinichi took out two dorayaki, rice balls and a bamboo water bottle from his silver mirror and handed them to Yuichiro, receiving a soft "thank you" in return.
Shinichi smiled slightly.
"You've become much more polite now."
He casually gave Maru-ni a large piece of meat steak, while he himself took out a dorayaki covered in honey and sugar and began chewing on it.
After finishing lunch, Shinichi watched Yuichiro getting along harmoniously with Maru-ni and pondered silently.
Currently, the users of Forest Breathing were only himself and the Old Man.
He wondered if there would soon be another Forest Breathing swordsman in the near future.
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