Stepping into the city, what greeted his eyes were busy streets, heavy traffic, men and women in kimonos walking around, and colorful lanterns hanging from the house beams along the road.
Kamiya Seiichi casually found an inn to stay in. As for money, he had managed to "borrow" quite a bit from some proud-looking samurai who passed by.
Sitting cross-legged in the inn room, Kamiya Seiichi's chest rose and fell steadily. A warm current flowed through his body. If anyone else were in the room, they would feel the air moving strangely. The figure seated in the center was like a black hole, constantly pulling in the surrounding air, even causing the decorative paintings hanging on the wall to sway.
"Hmph!"
Kamiya Seiichi opened his eyes, his expression calm. He had just been remembering the various Breathing Styles from Demon Slayer and trying to copy them. Actually, it was quite effective. He could sense that when entering the Breathing Style state, his body and senses were greatly enhanced.
The enhancement of Breathing style follows a pattern. If a person's physical strength is 1, Normal Breathing amplification can turn his physical strength into 2. The deeper and stronger one's research into Normal Breathing, the greater the amplification, turning it into 3, 4, and so on.
For a truly strong person, their physical strength might be 3, so after Breathing enhancement, it would be 6, 9, 12. Kamiya Seiichi was well aware of this characteristic, so when allocating points, he specifically chose Spirit and Vitality to ensure that both Normal Breathing and physical strength could be fully used at the same time.
"So what kind of Breathing Style do I have?"
Kamiya Seiichi was a little curious, because when he entered the Breathing Style state just now, he didn't feel the characteristics of any element, like the cheerfulness of Flame or the gentleness of Water. It felt... ordinary, yet strangely complete.
"Normal Breathing, huh? How fitting."
"Open Panel."
Name: Kamiya Seiichi
Strength: Unranked (Human Enemy)
Spiritual Power: 60 / 60
Basic Skills: Japanese Mastery (150 / 7500), Basic Swordsmanship - Proficient (9500 / 10000)
Supernatural Abilities: Normal Breathing - Beginner (10 / 100)
Temporary Talent: Close to the Way
Evaluation: Unranked
At least the panel doesn't look so bad now!
Kamiya Seiichi drew his katana. This sword had some years on it, and there was even some rust on the blade, but it was still mostly bright. With a flick of the wrist, the snow-white blade was incredibly sharp.
"Normal Breathing: First Form - Gentle Slash!"
Kamiya Seiichi whispered. In just an instant, the sword was back in its scabbard, as if it had never been drawn. The room was very quiet. Nothing seemed to have happened, but Kamiya Seiichi smiled with satisfaction.
"Everything is ready, all that's needed is the right moment."
He continued to improve his Normal Breathing, trying to reach the Constant State before the big battle.
Meanwhile, at the Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters, Tanjiro, who had just finished a mission, met the Sound Hashira. The three youngsters and Sound Hashira Tengen Uzui officially set off for the Entertainment District.
Time flew by quickly, and several days had passed. Kamiya Seiichi had been in the Demon Slayer world for quite some time now. Aside from going outside the city during the day to practice his sword skills, he spent most of his time in his room improving his Normal Breathing.
Today, he unusually went out of the city at night because he could feel his Basic Swordsmanship was about to break through. Kamiya Seiichi carefully practiced his basic moves, combining them with Normal Breathing: parry, chop, cut, thrust...
Suddenly, he felt a certain barrier on his body break. His practiced basic sword techniques changed from stiff and predictable to smooth and varied. His speed slowly increased, and sword light covered his entire body, leaving no openings.
"Basic Swordsmanship - Masterful, achieved."
Kamiya Seiichi breathed evenly and sheathed his sword.
"Open Panel."
Name: Kamiya Seiichi
Strength: First Order
Spiritual Power: 70 / 100
Basic Skills: Japanese Mastery (550 / 7500), Basic Swordsmanship - Masterful (10 / 50000)
Supernatural Abilities: Normal Breathing - Constant State (10 / 1000)
Temporary Talent: Close to the Way
Evaluation: First Order Common
"So I've reached the First Order? Well, with this destructive power, if I were to cause trouble, I could easily destroy a small district."
Kamiya Seiichi was happy about his increase in strength, but he also warned himself not to be careless.
Entering the First Order and being unranked are completely different worlds. In Mizusawa County Private First National Middle School, the top two ranked students were both First Order in strength, which is why his former self knew he was no match.
In the Demon Slayer world, First Order strength would probably be at the Upper Moon level. Although he didn't know the specific rank, he at least had the power to fight.
From a distant place, rustling sounds could be heard. Four people, three with heavy footsteps, and one whose footsteps were almost silent.
"Experts!"
Kamiya Seiichi looked in that direction. In the darkness, at the end of the road, three people came running. A strange boar-headed person ran in front, followed by a young man with fiery red hair, carrying a wooden box on his back and a scar on his forehead. The last one was a young man with golden curly hair and a tear-stained face, his tired expression mixed with sorrow, and his walk was strange, as if he were a broken creature.
Clearly, these were the three youngsters from Demon Slayer: Tanjiro Kamado, Zenitsu Agatsuma, and Inosuke Hashibira. The characteristics of these three were very distinct, making them easy to recognize.
Slight vibration in the air.
"Isn't it rude to approach like that, sir?"
Kamiya Seiichi turned to Tengen Uzui, who had appeared behind him at some unknown time.
Tengen Uzui laughed loudly and clapped Kamiya Seiichi on the shoulder, a few dull thuds.
"You're half as flamboyant as I am!"
"What's your name? I am Tengen Uzui, the God of Festivals and Flamboyance!"
Kamiya Seiichi felt a bit awkward. Although he had known this for a long time, seeing it in person still gave him goosebumps. The three youngsters who had caught up also heard it. Zenitsu poked Tanjiro.
"He's embarrassing us. I don't know him."
Tanjiro turned his head, looking confused.
"Hm?"
"Hahaha! I am the King of the Mountains—Inosuke!"
The boar-headed boy jumped out from the side and yelled. Tengen Uzui's expression froze.
"I don't know him."
"Everyone, my name is Kamiya Seiichi, a wandering samurai. I couldn't help but notice you all as you came from that direction, each with your unique traits. Please forgive my boldness."
Tengen Uzui stroked his chin, thinking. He seemed to be genuinely considering something, his eyes flickering. The three youngsters beside him felt the strange atmosphere and were a little confused.
Tengen Uzui's muscles tensed, and his Sound Breathing continued to work, clearly showing he was ready to attack at any moment. No matter what, the other person was too suspicious.
"A wandering samurai, huh..."
"Hello, my name is Tanjiro Kamado. That's Zenitsu Agatsuma, and the one over there is Inosuke. We're here for the Entertainment District."
Tanjiro was very happy to meet someone he could talk to on the road, or rather, Tanjiro rarely had moments when he wasn't happy.
"Naturally kind, gentle good child. It's a pity I came too late. I'll have to drag Muzan out into the sun if I get the chance."
Kamiya Seiichi thought to himself.
"Hello, Tanjiro. If you don't mind, I can take you all to the Entertainment District. After all, I've been staying here for a while, so I know it somewhat."
Since he had met them, he might as well go back with them and watch the four-person group.
Tanjiro looked at Tengen Uzui with his eyes. Tengen Uzui smiled and nodded as well.
"Then let's go! You'll never imagine how flamboyant that place is!"