After Himejima Gyomei, Qingshui also shared his experiences and insights.
Next was Uzui Tengen.
He introduced the Score training method to each Hashira, which could essentially be considered a simplified version of the Transparent World.
The Transparent World is difficult to learn, and so is the Score, but the latter is significantly less difficult than the former.
Hashira, no matter how poor their talent, are still exceptional individuals with outstanding aptitudes, so there's a good chance they can learn it.
Even if they ultimately fail to master the Transparent World, simply learning the Score and entering the Score state during combat can still steadily improve their overall combat strength by a notch.
"Sounds like a lot of trouble," Shinazugawa Sanemi commented.
"But it's worth our dedicated time to learn," Iguro Obanai interjected.
"Ahem, this relates to the upcoming arrangements," Ubuyashiki Kagaya coughed twice more.
The initial burst of excitement had passed, and he seemed somewhat fatigued.
"With more than half of the Twelve Kizuki dead or injured in such a short time, and losses like Upper Rank Two and Upper Rank Five, given Muzan's personality, the Demon Slayer Corps will face his most furious retaliation."
"In fact, I suspect the appearance of so many Twelve Kizuki this time is because we've killed multiple Lower Rank Demons consecutively over the past year. Muzan wanted to cripple our strength quickly to prevent this from happening again, but he just happened to run into the strongest, Qingshui and Gyomei, and Kyojuro, whose strength has vastly improved due to Sun Breathing."
"I believe that, with Muzan's 'those who obey me prosper, those who defy me perish' personality, he will definitely launch even crazier retaliation next, and might even act personally," Ubuyashiki Kagaya said to everyone.
Having opposed Muzan for hundreds or even thousands of years, no one understood his personality better than the Demon Slayer Corps.
"This is our chance, a real chance to eradicate this thousand-year scourge!"
"However, the Twelve Kizuki have suffered heavy losses. If I were Muzan, I would definitely want to use this opportunity to wipe us out in one fell swoop. But no matter how powerful Muzan is, he is still just one person. He will definitely replenish the Twelve Kizuki."
"This interim period is our best and only chance to improve our strength. But we also need to prevent Muzan from letting other Twelve Kizuki continue to cause chaos, to avoid losses to our strength."
Speaking so much at once left Ubuyashiki Kagaya, who was already gravely ill and so physically weak he needed assistance to walk, gasping for breath.
"Qingshui, Gyomei, and Tengen, please organize the Hashira's training during this period, and try to help everyone master the Transparent World."
"Also, as I just mentioned, once the Twelve Kizuki cause trouble, to prevent our strength from being weakened in the future, the upcoming missions will require two Hashira to team up. Now that most of the Lower Rank Demons have been killed, the Demons sent by Muzan are very likely to be Upper Rank Demons. Even if you are the strongest generation of Hashira in terms of average strength in many years, you will still need to team up to ensure safety."
"And Amane, next week's Mount Fujikasane selection trial..."
Ubuyashiki Kagaya continued to ramble on about his arrangements.
Although he was incredibly frail and only in his early twenties, his capabilities were indeed excellent, managing the vast Demon Slayer Corps with great order.
The ten Hashira were divided into groups: Himejima Gyomei and Tokito Muichiro in one group, Iguro Obanai and Kanroji Mitsuri in another, and Shinazugawa Sanemi with Uzui Tengen.
Tomioka Giyuu was with Rengoku Kyojuro, who, uncharacteristically, didn't dislike him. The last group was Qingshui and Kocho Shinobu.
"I can't help but feel there's a deeper meaning to your arrangements?" Amane asked her husband as the Hashira left the Ubuyashiki Mansion.
"Naturally. Gyomei is experienced and has already awakened the Transparent World; Muichiro is exceptionally talented, so being with him is the easiest way to awaken the Transparent World. Giyu has a difficult personality, but only Kyojuro doesn't mind it. Sanemi is naturally volatile, while Uzui was once a ninja and acts cautiously, making them highly complementary. Iguro is also a very introverted child, so being with the cheerful Mitsuri will make him more comfortable."
"As for Qingshui and Shinobu... honestly, Qingshui is different from the other Hashira. He is a Hashira of the Demon Slayer Corps, but he is also from a noble family and a public official, not a retainer of the Ubuyashiki family."
"Furthermore, he is too powerful. He single-handedly killed two Upper Ranks. If we want to end Muzan in this generation, we must rely on his strength. So, I want him to form more bonds with the Demon Slayer Corps."
Ubuyashiki Amane's face showed a look of realization.
"Shinobu and Qingshui... their ages are quite close. But have you talked to Shinobu about this?"
"No need to. Haven't you noticed Shinobu's gaze towards Qingshui was a little different today?"
"That's true. Qingshui did act as a hero saving her, and he avenged Shinobu's sister. Plus, Shinobu is at that age now, so she might actually have such thoughts. A young, handsome, powerful man with a good family background like him would be a good match for Shinobu."
Actually, besides Kocho Shinobu, Kanroji Mitsuri was also an option, as she joined the Demon Slayer Corps specifically to find a husband.
However, if that were to happen, Iguro Obanai would probably go insane.
...
...
Half a month later.
Night, Saitama Prefecture, Mount Kumotori.
Three figures quickly moved through the forest, and soon the sounds of intense combat could be heard.
Qingshui stood on a tree, not intervening, observing the battle below.
He stood quite far from Kocho Shinobu to avoid disturbing her.
The Transparent World's sensory range is closely related to spiritual power, and Qingshui, as a Puppet Master, had also trained in this aspect.
While not as exaggerated as the Byakugan, it covered a range of over a hundred meters.
Kocho Shinobu darted back and forth, evading the attacks of an Alien Demon that could temporarily vanish into shadows. Yet, she didn't strike back, only brandishing her sword to block its escape attempts.
It wasn't until a faint light appeared on the horizon, scorching the Shadow Demon, that Kocho Shinobu unleashed her full power. She pierced the Shadow Demon's head with a single thrust, injecting concentrated Wisteria Flower Poison.
As the sun slowly rose, the Shadow Demon's head, affected by the Wisteria Flower Poison, rapidly decayed. Finally, with a mournful wail, it turned to ash and dispersed.
"Still no success."
Kocho Shinobu sighed.
"The Transparent World isn't that easy to activate. A mere Alien Demon, whose movements seem incredibly slow to you, can't truly awaken your instincts. But at least, it looks like you've grasped the basics of the Score."
Qingshui jumped down from the treetops, bathed in the rising sun, and landed before Kocho Shinobu.
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