As Yuki watched Tomioka depart, he couldn't help but mentally grumble.
Sending Tomioka, the Water Pillar, to Mount Fujikasane to slay the Hand Demon was like sending a high-level boss back to the beginner's village to farm low-level mobs.
He wondered if the Hand Demon, who had been hiding on Mount Fujikasane for so many years, would curse the Demon Slayer Corps for playing dirty when he encountered Tomioka...
Yuki couldn't help but imagine Tomioka, even at the Swordsmith Village when teaching the Pillars the Crimson Blade, still maintaining his aloof "I'm different from you" demeanor, remaining stubbornly out of sync with the others.
If that's the case, Yuki thought, maybe he's still just a beginner-level demon slayer.
Before long, Yuki saw Tomioka descending Mount Fujikasane.
The fox-shaped Calamity-Attracting Mask had been pushed aside, revealing his usual calm expression.
But Yuki could clearly see a flicker of emotion in Tomioka's eyes, as if he had shed a heavy burden. Even his steps seemed lighter than before.
Moreover, through his Transparent World observation, Yuki noticed that Tomioka's aura seemed significantly stronger than before.
Yuki stared in stunned silence.
What's this?
Defeating an elite monster in the tutorial area grants experience points?
Tomioka, unaware of Yuki's thoughts, bowed deeply and said, "Thank you, Mr. Yuki."
His gaze darkened slightly. "I have finally slain that demon. Sensei Urokodaki's future disciples will no longer suffer such a fate."
"Also, though I apologize for this, I must ask you to keep today's events a secret, especially from Sensei Urokodaki."
Hearing this, Yuki was genuinely surprised.
He understood why Tomioka hadn't told Urokodaki about what happened on Mount Fujikasane. He didn't want Urokodaki to feel that the Disaster-Repelling Mask he had personally carved had become a death warrant for his disciples.
This news would undoubtedly be a devastating blow to Urokodaki.
But the person who said these words was none other than Tomioka!
Yuki never imagined he would one day associate "emotional intelligence" with Tomioka.
He couldn't help but remark, "It seems your gains have been substantial."
Tomioka nodded and revealed something even more astonishing: "While slaying the Hand Demon, I mastered the twelfth form of Water Breathing."
Yuki's eyes widened slightly.
Originally, Water Breathing only had ten forms. Tomioka's ability to develop an eleventh form on top of that already marked him as a prodigious talent.
But now, he had actually mastered a twelfth form!
No wonder Yuki had sensed Tomioka's aura growing stronger.
He instinctively asked, "What's the name of your twelfth form?"
At this question, a hint of guilt flashed in Tomioka's eyes. "When I developed the eleventh form of Water Breathing, I drew inspiration not only from my own experiences but also from Sensei Urokodaki's teachings."
"Without consulting him, I rashly named it Dead Calm."
"The Twelfth Form of Water Breathing was inspired by you."
"But since I couldn't communicate with you, I presumptuously named it 'Torrent.'"
"The Eleventh Form of Water Breathing has already been recorded by the Demon Slayer Corps, so its name cannot be changed."
"However, before the Twelfth Form is officially recorded, we can still discuss its name."
Yuki genuinely had no idea when he had inspired Tomioka to develop the Twelfth Form of Water Breathing.
Therefore, he felt he shouldn't interrupt Tomioka's naming process.
However, Tomioka clearly didn't understand Yuki's thoughts and continued earnestly:
"Speaking of naming, I recall your comments on Water Breathing from back then."
Yuki was stunned!
I commented on Water Breathing?
When did that happen?!
Tomioka continued:
"This Twelfth Form perfectly embodies what you said: water is not only calm and steady but also capable of surging and overwhelming power."
"With this form, I sliced through the Hand Demon's layered defenses and severed its head in a single strike."
"Therefore, I'm considering naming this form based on your comments."
"Hmm... Emphasizing both the nature of water and the result of severing a Demon's head."
"The nature of water, the result of severing a head."
"Water Tune, Head Cutter..."
Yuki suddenly reached out and grabbed Tomioka's arm!
He was genuinely afraid that if he didn't stop Tomioka, the man would name his new Twelfth Form "Water Tune Head Cutter"!
Thinking this, Yuki declared firmly:
"It's called 'Torrent'! That name is perfect. No need to change it!"
Tomioka blinked, clearly surprised:
"Your reaction now is remarkably similar to Sensei Urokodaki's back then."
"When I later mentioned to him about renaming the Eleventh Form, he reacted the same way."
"He insisted that 'Dead Calm' was perfect and needed no alteration."
Yuki chuckled awkwardly, abruptly changing the subject:
"Speaking of which, I haven't asked you yet about your investigation with Murata regarding the demon's trail on the train."
"According to you, the demon had already vanished by the time you arrived?"
Tomioka frowned, recalling the situation:
"After Murata and I left, we received another message from the Kasugai Crow on the way."
"During the train's journey, passengers and staff suddenly vanished simultaneously."
"Based on experience, it's almost certain a Demon had infiltrated the train."
"Those who disappeared were likely devoured by the Demon rather than simply missing."
"However, when Murata and I arrived, we found no trace of a Demon's presence on the train."
"I specifically inspected the last known locations of the missing individuals but found no bloodstains whatsoever."
"I even wiped various surfaces of the train with bandages I brought from the Butterfly Mansion, sealed them, and gave them to Tanjiro."
"But after comparing the Demon's scent with the bandages, Tanjiro confirmed there was no demonic presence."
Yuki was momentarily stunned.
Has Tomioka discovered a new way to use Tanjiro?
Suppressing his urge to retort, he asked:
"So, as you said, all traces and clues the Demon might have left behind vanished into thin air?"
Tomioka nodded solemnly.
Just then, Tomioka's Kasugai Crow suddenly swooped down:
"Caw! Message! Message!"
"Lord Ubuyashiki's orders!"
"Pillar-class Swordsman Tomioka, return to Headquarters immediately!"