On several small carts, people of different appearances sat or lay, with a few Kakushi pulling the carts. This was Seiichi and his group returning to the Demon Slayer Corps Headquarters.
The morning sun was warm and gentle, not scorching. The trees along the road were lush with branches and leaves, and dewdrops on the green leaves were crystal clear. Every now and then, scattered specks of light from the sky fell, merging into several drops. The leaves bent under the weight, and large water droplets fell.
Zenitsu, who was still sound asleep, was hit on the face by a water droplet, startling him awake. He looked around blankly, then lay back down to sleep.
"Seiichi, we still have some time before reaching Headquarters. Let me tell you a bit about the Demon Slayer Corps."
Tanjiro came to Seiichi's cart and sat cross-legged.
Seiichi looked at the young boy. He was cheerful and bright at the moment, unaware of the challenging fate that awaited him. However, since he had arrived in this world, he naturally wouldn't let the tragedy unfold as it did in the original script.
"Go on, I'm very interested in demons, the Demon Slayer Corps, and such."
"Seiichi, the Demon Slayer Corps was formed specifically to hunt demons. Because Muzan Kibutsuji can turn people into man-eating demons, countless tragedies have occurred. Grieving people spontaneously organized to hunt demons and protect ordinary people. Therefore, most members of the Demon Slayer Corps have tragic pasts."
Tanjiro recounted the story, occasionally gesturing with his hands to help Seiichi understand.
"Ubuyashiki is the master of the Demon Slayer Corps. He is a wise and enlightened person. He organizes the Demon Slayer Corps to resist the demon invasion and protects its members. To him, everyone in the Demon Slayer Corps is like his own child."
Tanjiro thought of the young man, afflicted with illness, yet gentle and intelligent.
"The Demon Slayer Corps is mainly divided into six major departments: the Head Family, the Hashira, the Demon Slayers (divided into ten ranks), the Kakushi, the Trainers, and the Swordsmiths. The ones taking us back now are the Kakushi. They are very capable and responsible for everyone's daily needs and aftermath. Trainers are the teachers of the swordsmen, responsible for teaching everyone Breathing Styles. They were all very strong swordsmen before. My Water Breathing was taught by Urokodaki-sensei. He's a very good person!"
"The Swordsmiths are responsible for forging Nichirin Swords for everyone. Seiichi has always lacked a good sword. I believe with the Swordsmiths' skill, they can definitely forge a sword that satisfies you!"
At this, Tanjiro paused. He suddenly realized that he seemed to have broken his sword again. There were many irreparable nicks on the blade. Thinking of Haganezuka's terror, his face immediately fell, looking miserable.
"I do indeed lack a good sword."
Seiichi agreed.
"Oh right, can you tell me about Breathing Styles?"
"Breathing Styles, huh? I practice Water Breathing, but I don't seem to be very compatible with it, hehe. Hinokami Kagura is a dance my father performed for rituals. It's said to be related to some other breathing, but I'm not very clear on it either."
Tanjiro gently inhaled, and air rushed into his nostrils and mouth. Seiichi felt the surrounding environment slowly become humid, with a faint mist of water vapor filling the air.
Then, Tanjiro exhaled slowly, adjusted his breathing for a moment, and inhaled again. Unlike before, the air now slowly became hot and dry, and the temperature grew even more intense.
"Seiichi, that was Water Breathing and Hinokami Kagura. I don't understand the others. Zenitsu uses Thunder Breathing, Inosuke uses Beast Breathing. Beast Breathing is Inosuke's self-created Breathing Style. There are also derivative Breathing Styles, for example, Uzui's Sound Breathing is a derivative of Thunder Breathing. Anyway, there are many types of Breathing Styles. You should be like Inosuke, creating his own Breathing Style."
Tanjiro rubbed the back of his head, smiling sheepishly.
"Thank you, Tanjiro. From now on, just call me Seiichi. Actually, I'm around your age, you know."
Seiichi said earnestly.
"Eh!?"
Tanjiro nearly jumped up.
"Eh!?"
Zenitsu, who was sleeping nearby, immediately jumped up.
Although Seiichi was young, in modern society, with sufficient nutrition and continuous exercise, he was a full 175cm tall, half a head taller than Tanjiro and others. Moreover, his manner was mature, his actions dashing and fluid, and his eyes held a sense of world-weariness like a wandering samurai, so Tanjiro and the others had preconceived notions from the start.
Seiichi smiled. In fact, what they thought wasn't wrong. Although Seiichi's body was only 15 years old, his soul, being a transmigrator, was already nearly thirty, so he naturally had the maturity of an adult.
"It seems you're a genius too."
Uzui in the front row turned his head.
"Too?"
Zenitsu shrieked.
"There's someone in the Demon Slayer Corps who became a Hashira within two months of wielding a sword, and he's only 14 years old."
"He is Mist Hashira Muichiro Tokito."
Uzui casually picked up a fruit and put it into his mouth.
"Since I've already started talking, I'll tell you about the Hashira in the corps. You'll be comrades fighting side by side in the future."
Seiichi nodded.
"Currently, the Demon Slayer Corps has 8 Hashira: Insect Hashira Shinobu Kocho, Mist Hashira Muichiro Tokito, Snake Hashira Obanai Iguro, Love Hashira Mitsuri Kanroji, Stone Hashira Himejima, me, Water Hashira Giyu Tomioka, and Wind Hashira Sanemi Shinazugawa."
Uzui paused, and tears welled up in Tanjiro's eyes.
"And Flame Hashira Kyojuro Rengoku, who sacrificed himself a while ago."
Seiichi sighed. He had indeed come too late, unable to change many things, yet he hadn't come too late, as there were still many things he could change.
Since he had come to this world, not leaving something behind or changing something would be disloyal to his Way Heart and Sword Heart.
"If there are regrets, then change them."
Seiichi thought to himself.
"That's about it. As for the rest, you should find out once we reach Headquarters. Oh, by the way, as a Hashira, you can take an apprentice to pass on your techniques."
Uzui added.
"I understand. I'm already looking forward to meeting new friends. Uzui, could we exchange some experiences regarding Breathing Styles?"
With the casual chat over, Seiichi was ready to start exchanging ideas with the swordsmanship masters. Only through mutual verification could one grow. Working alone would only lead to a dead end.
"Alright!"
Uzui laughed heartily.
Seiichi began to exchange swordsmanship insights with Uzui. Tanjiro and Inosuke listened nearby, while Zenitsu remained sprawled, though the twitching of his ears indicated he was listening intently.
"Open panel."
Name: Kamiya Seiichi
Strength: Tier 1
Spiritual Power: 150 / 150
Basic Skills: Japanese Mastery (750 / 7500), Basic Swordsmanship - Masterful (6000 / 50000)
Supernatural Abilities: Normal Breathing - Constant (863 / 1000), Water Breathing - Beginner (10 / 100), Sound Breathing - Beginner (10 / 100), Sun Breathing - Beginner (? / 1000)
Temporary Talent: Close to the Way
Evaluation: Tier 1 Normal!!!
Normal, Elite, Supreme... why does it sound like boss rankings from a low-quality online game?
Putting those aside, after one battle, Seiichi's strength was about to enter a new level!