"Yohan, are you ready?"
"I won't hold back in the slightest."
Rengoku Kyojuro's expression was serious.
He knew very well that giving his all was the best way to show Yohan respect. And if Yohan were to lose outright, then perhaps he would abandon the idea of venturing out alone.
On the other side, Yohan casually swung his arms, as if loosening his muscles. But in reality, he was asking his system a crucial question.
"Hey, hey, system."
"If I fight Rengoku Kyojuro and my skill Counter Spiral activates, what then?"
"Is there a way to prevent that?"
That was what truly worried him.
His Counter Spiral skill activated when he took damage—if that happened, wouldn't Rengoku be in danger?
[Host can temporarily disable passive skills.]
[This way, there's no need to worry about unintended consequences.]
[Additionally, for skills like Berserker's Roar, the host can manually designate allies beforehand, preventing them from being affected.]
[Also, please check your new mission.]
[Mission: Astonish Rengoku Kyojuro.]
[Reward: Mastery of Grappling Techniques.]
Grappling techniques? The art of subduing an opponent without causing harm?
Yohan couldn't help but feel exasperated with the system.
When it said it wouldn't give him offensive skills, it really meant it.
Now it was giving him self-defense techniques instead.
Was the system trying to teach him when to let himself get hit and when not to?
He shook his head.
Still, this was good. Up until now, most of his enhancements had been defensive. He had been forced into a reactive fighting style.
But if he mastered grappling techniques, he could finally take control of his movements—turning defense into offense.
If that was the case, then he needed to display more of his strength.
Outside the battlefield, Kanroji Mitsuri, two Demon Slayer intelligence officers, and Granny Reiko stood off to the side.
The two intelligence officers didn't seem to think much of this fight.
They whispered among themselves.
After all, from their perspective, Rengoku Kyojuro was already on the cusp of becoming a Hashira.
And the Hashira were the absolute pinnacle of the Demon Slayer Corps.
Even if this Yohan had somehow managed to take down a Lower Moon…
There was no way he could win.
After all, anyone who could become a Hashira was capable of slaying a Lower Moon alone.
What they didn't know was the exact circumstances of Yohan's battle with Lower Rank Three.
At that time, he had no Nichirin Blade, so he had simply endured until dawn, letting the sunlight finish the job.
And even more importantly—
Yohan was far stronger now than he had been back then.
Kanroji Mitsuri didn't bother arguing with the intelligence officers.
She simply pouted slightly and mumbled under her breath.
"Don't underestimate him. Just watch—Yohan will win."
She had always believed in him.
Granny Reiko, on the other hand, simply smiled and said nothing.
"Are both sides ready?"
"This is just a sparring match—keep it controlled."
Granny Reiko's voice rang out as she looked between the two combatants.
In the training yard—
Rengoku Kyojuro frowned slightly when he noticed Yohan wasn't holding a weapon.
"Take out your weapon, Yohan. You're not seriously planning to fight me with your bare hands, are you?"
Yohan raised his fists in response.
"That's exactly what I'm planning, Rengoku Kyojuro."
"My fists are my strongest weapon."
Rengoku was momentarily taken aback.
Did this guy seriously believe he could fight a sword-wielding opponent with just his fists?
He must have been overestimating himself.
Very well, then.
In that case, Rengoku decided he would use the back of his blade, ensuring he ended this fight without injuring Yohan.
"Then—begin!"
The instant those words were spoken—
First Form: Unknowing Fire!
Rengoku Kyojuro exploded forward, a blazing inferno of motion.
His sword came at Yohan with terrifying speed—
Flames surged toward him, burning bright.
Yet Yohan didn't move.
He stood completely still.
Did he not react in time?
No—that couldn't be right.
Seeing this, Rengoku prepared to pull back his attack.
"It's over already."
"Yeah, yeah."
"He must be too scared to move after seeing Rengoku Kyojuro's attack."
The two intelligence officers spoke in raised voices, their eyes glancing toward Kanroji Mitsuri.
But Kanroji didn't seem to hear them.
She simply kept her eyes fixed on the battlefield.
Then—
Just as the flat of Rengoku's blade was about to strike—
Yohan raised his arm.
Not good—he's going to make contact!
That was the last thought that flashed through Rengoku's mind before—
BANG!
A deafening impact rang out.
A powerful shockwave rippled through the yard, kicking up dust and sending bystanders stumbling.
Gradually, the dust settled—revealing the scene at the center of the battlefield.
"What?!"
The two intelligence officers, who had been so sure of Yohan's loss, gasped in unison.
At the very heart of the yard—
A single, shocking sight stood frozen in time.
Rengoku Kyojuro's blade—
Had been caught.
Firmly held in place by—
Yohan.
Rengoku's expression showed unmistakable surprise.
Because from where he stood, he could see more clearly than anyone else—
Yohan hadn't just caught his sword.
As one of the top three strongest in the Demon Slayer Corps in terms of raw strength—
Rengoku knew firsthand that his sword couldn't be easily restrained.
And yet—
He couldn't pull it free.
Yohan's grip was just as strong as his own.
Not only that, but the sensation from the moment of impact—
It was as if he had struck a solid slab of iron.
So it was true, then.
Yohan, the one who had taken down Lower Rank Three—
Was no ordinary man.