Kagaya Ubuyashiki stood quietly before Tendo, holding a calico kitten in his arms, a grateful smile on his face.
Holy crap!
Tendo was stunned.
Does Ubuyashiki swing both ways?
I just admire you and want to be friends—I'm not looking for anything spicy!
"Tendo, thank you for carrying the heart to protect those around you. But don't push yourself too hard," Ubuyashiki said, his lips curving into a bright smile that shone like the morning sun into Tendo's heart.
The moment he spoke, Tendo's body trembled slightly, and a storm surged within him. His golden eyes grew even brighter.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki knew nothing about transmigrators, nor did he understand what it meant to hold the script of fate.
But in Tendo's eyes, he saw an intense desire to protect—whether it was directed at Gyomei, Amane, or even himself.
It was a sentiment even Tendo himself hadn't realized.
The eyes are the windows to the soul, and the will to guard stems from the heart.
This was Ubuyashiki's greatest talent—the power of empathy.
This was the Breathing Technique of the Demon Slayer Corps' charmer: the Breath of the Heart.
His approachability, his soothing voice—these were but trivial aspects of him.
Ubushiki's empathy was his most dazzling trait. He remembered the name of every Demon Slayer swordsman and could accurately voice their innermost thoughts.
It was a form of recognition. Those who understood each other always resonated deeply.
"Boss, as long as Demons exist, this body shall never rest, even in the depths of hell!"
Tendo knelt on one knee—a gesture of acknowledgment toward Kagaya Ubuyashiki, but only this once.
Because Ubuyashiki had spoken of a side of Tendo even he hadn't noticed.
To change the course of the story, he must protect those around him.
The ending of this tale will be decided by me!
This was the direction his heart yearned for.
"Tendo, as I said, just follow your heart."
"And Gyomei, here's the kitten you asked me to find. Take it!"
Ubushiki helped Tendo up and handed the kitten to Gyomei.
"Thank you, Oyakata-sama. This little one is so fluffy—I adore it. Namu Amida Butsu!"
The moment Gyomei Himejima held the calico kitten, tears of emotion streamed down his face, and even his aura softened like spring blossoms.
Strangely, the kitten in his arms showed no fear of the muscular giant. Instead, it let out soft, contented purrs.
"Meow, meow, meow!"
The calico licked Gyomei's arm—thicker than a bowl—then nuzzled against him.
For a brief moment, Tendo felt his worldview shatter. He knew Gyomei loved cats, but this bizarrely adorable scene was beyond comprehension.
Just imagine: a nearly two-meter-tall tough guy cradling an explosively cute kitten, begging for cuddles.
My eyes can't take this!
"Quite shocking, isn't it?"
Ubushiki smiled faintly. Even he had been taken aback the first time he saw Gyomei like this."Indeed, this is what you call contrast!" Tendo nodded, muttering dazedly.
"Master, would you please give this child a name?" Gyomei Himejima returned to normal, speaking with utmost seriousness.
"Then let's call him Caifan (Vegetable Rice)!" Kagaya Ubuyashiki answered without hesitation, naming him after Himejima's favorite food.
"Thank you, Master!" Himejima was overjoyed, his admiration for the Master surging like an endless river.
"Brother Hime, can I call you that? After all, you're much older than me—I'm just a junior!"
"The Master said you should follow your heart, Tendo!" Himejima didn't mind how others addressed him, but Tendo's familiarity made him feel closer.
"Then, Brother Hime, I want to see you demonstrate Stone Breathing—I want to learn it!" Tendo stated his purpose outright. He intended to master all five basic Breathing Techniques.
As for what came next, he would figure that out later.
As a prodigy in swordsmanship, he was destined to develop something uniquely his own.
"Tendo, aren't you Master Sakonji's disciple?"
"Learning two Breathing Techniques at once is difficult. Specializing in one is enough—Namu Amida Butsu!" Himejima sincerely offered his advice.
Tendo had expected this response. Without hesitation, he declared confidently, "Brother Hime, just demonstrate it once. I can learn it."
"If I fail, I'll give up naturally!"
Tendo's words brimmed with unparalleled confidence, evident not just in his speech but in the unwavering self-assurance radiating from his very being.
"Very well, but not here. Come with me to my training grounds." Himejima didn't refuse—perhaps he wanted to understand the source of that confidence.
Kagaya Ubuyashiki listened to their exchange, suddenly recalling Master Sakonji's evaluation of his disciple.
Born for the sword!
Yes, those were the only words the old man had used to describe his pupil.
"I'll join you. I want to witness this."
Soon after, Himejima led them to a waterfall.
Below the falls churned a rapid stream, flanked by neatly cut logs and boulders as tall as a person.
What the—?! Σ(°△°|||)
Truly befitting the strongest physique—the Hashira's training method was even more brutal than torture.
Himejima carefully tied a bell around Caifan, settling him safely before picking up his Nichirin Blade.
It was a massive axe and spiked flail connected by a long chain—just looking at it was intimidating.
"Master and Lady Amane, please move further back!" Himejima called to the Ubuyashiki couple, who stood over ten meters away.
They retreated another ten meters before Himejima felt at ease.
Tendo, however, remained close—only about ten meters away—his gaze fixed intently on Himejima, not daring to slacken his focus.
Once everything was ready, Himejima pressed his palms together and bowed to them.
"Forgive my poor display!"
"Stone Breathing, First Form: Serpentine Bipolar!"
As his voice, deep and steady as a mountain, rang out, the massive blade and axe clashed. In an instant, a gale-like force surged toward Tendo.
The overwhelming power and pressure of the technique felt like a raging storm, making it hard for Tendo to even breathe.
His heart pounded—was this the might of the Demon Slayer Corps' strongest warrior? And this wasn't even his peak.In an instant, those brilliant golden eyes burned with intensity as his blood boiled.
Himejima Gyomei resembled a massive bear, his solid muscles tensing and relaxing like gnarled dragons, brimming with power.
The clash of his broad axe and spiked flail produced crisp, rhythmic sounds, akin to an enthralling percussion performance.
Second Form: Upper Smash.
Third Form: Stone Skin.
Fourth Form: Volcanic Rock, Rapid Conquest.
Fifth Form: Arcs of Justice.
Himejima Gyomei executed one technique after another.
Since Tendo wished to learn, he held nothing back—especially after the bold declaration the young man had made.
To Tendo, Gyomei was like a musician, and the Breath of Stone was his instrument.
The striking sounds of the weapons exhilarated him, as though every cell in his body had awakened. He entered a state of exhilaration.
The last time he had felt this way was when the old man demonstrated the Breath of Thunder.
In the quiet valley, the Breath of Stone resonated like a stirring symphony, leaving Tendo utterly entranced.
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I would appreciate it if you guys comment on any mistakes/typo so i can fix it!