A "life-flashing-before-one's-eyes" moment refers to the phenomenon where, as a person is about to die, scenes from their past surface in their mind.
In the story, Tanjiro triggered this multiple times— even Nezuko experienced it once.
Yuko herself had gone through something similar before. At the time, she had even joked that this must be some kind of Demon Slayer tradition.
Why did even she get to experience a life-flash moment?
Because the situation back then had been dangerous enough, and it coincided with the awakening of her mark, her memory of it was especially vivid.
At the time, although she did see the two older brothers' appearances, according to what she later learned from Yoriichi, he actually had no idea what she was truly good at.
So in the end, a life-flash moment was simply a product of the subconscious.
But that led to another problem.
In the Demon Slayer world, ghosts actually exist.
Originally, the plot relied on triggering a life-flash moment to unleash hidden potential and achieve a desperate counterattack—but now she had saved the person instead. Who knew what would happen if that trigger never activated?
To be safe, Yuko directly began teaching Tanjiro constant Total Concentration and the training of Sun Breathing, to prevent any situation where he wouldn't be able to "activate his cheat."
That said, she wasn't in a rush, because constant Total Concentration was never something that could be mastered quickly. It required steady accumulation.
Just maintaining it during sleep alone wasn't something that could be achieved in a day or two.
"You just mastered Water Breathing, so changing your breathing habits now is naturally difficult. But the Kagura dance isn't unfamiliar to you. I believe this transition will go smoothly."
Tanjiro nodded solemnly. "I'll work hard!"
A strange breathing sound emerged from his mouth, and his face quickly grew strained.
Just maintaining the state of Total Concentration made him feel like he was suffocating.
The breathing method of the Hinokami Kagura was even more unbearable than Water Breathing.
Demon Slayer swordsmen fought demons with their very lives.
The principle behind Breathing Styles was to expand the lungs so more oxygen would enter the bloodstream, thereby effectively stimulating muscles and bones to enhance physical strength.
Total Concentration—and especially Constant—is the act of stimulating the body to its absolute limit, even maintaining it continuously.
While ordinary use of Breathing Styles does benefit the body's health, once one enters Total Concentration, the burden on the body continuously intensifies.
This was precisely why so many Demon Slayer swordsmen were people whose families had been destroyed by Muzan.
Because without hatred, it was extremely difficult to sustain that kind of conviction.
"Sun Breathing, First Form: Dance!"
Holding his blade in both hands, Tanjiro stepped forward and swung with all his strength, unleashing a circular slash wrapped in orange-red flames.
This is really exhausting!
My lungs feel like they're going to burst!
Cold sweat seeped from the corner of Tanjiro's forehead.
Yet at the same time, he could truly feel what Miss Yuko had meant by this style being more suitable for him.
It was incredibly powerful.
Far stronger than Water Breathing.
Although thinking this made him feel somewhat disloyal to Master Urokodaki, he truly felt the difference.
Yuko stepped forward and slightly raised Tanjiro's hands. "Lift your hands a bit higher. Your footwork is too stiff."
The Hinokami Kagura was Sun Breathing itself, and the essence of this style had been passed down through the Kamado family for generations.
It had to be said—Tanjiro was truly a genius. He had memorized all the forms after seeing them only once.
But after hundreds of years of transmission, minor deviations were inevitable.
The angle of the wrist, the movement of the feet, the rhythm of the breath—each had slight flaws, preventing Sun Breathing from reaching its full power.
Fortunately, Sun Breathing was also one of Yuko's specialties, so she could correct Tanjiro's mistakes little by little.
"Yes!" Tanjiro responded energetically.
He actually wanted to ask why Miss Yuko knew the Hinokami Kagura so well, and why she called it Sun Breathing.
If she hadn't pointed it out, he would never have linked the Kagura with a Breathing Style.
But since Miss Yuko didn't explain, she must have had her own reasons.
Yuko gave a small nod. "Mm. You're very spirited."
She wasn't very good at dealing with people full of boundless energy.
Because her own personality was the complete opposite.
In the open clearing, Tanjiro struggled to maintain Constant breathing while simultaneously training in the sword forms of Sun Breathing.
It was grueling training, but his growth was visible to the naked eye.
"To think… it's actually the legendary Origin Breathing," Urokodaki Sakonji said at some point as he appeared beside Yuko, watching Tanjiro's determined figure with a sigh of emotion.
"It really is powerful."
Compared to when Tanjiro used Water Breathing, his current strength was far superior. Urokodaki no longer doubted that he would pass the Final Selection.
With his experience, Tanjiro's current strength already reached at least the Kanoto–Kanoe ranks within the Demon Slayer Corps.
For a moment, Urokodaki couldn't help wondering whether he had delayed this child's growth.
Yuko seemed to see through his thoughts and shook her head. "It's simply because Sun Breathing suits Tanjiro better."
"The breathing style that suits you best is always the strongest."
That was, of course, just a comforting statement—because in truth, against demons, Sun Breathing really was stronger than all other styles.
But if it were used to kill people, she felt Moon Breathing was even more dominant.
"If Master Urokodaki hadn't laid such a solid foundation for him, he wouldn't have been able to use Sun Breathing so easily."
Urokodaki, behind his mask, revealed no expression.
Since the day he had seen the souls of Sabito, Makomo, and the other children he had trained, Yuko felt that the burden on this old man's shoulders had lightened considerably.
They probably hadn't told him the true reality of the Final Selection—otherwise, the old man would surely have fallen into deep self-blame.
…
In the days that followed, Urokodaki never went up the mountain again. He entrusted Tanjiro entirely to Yuko's instruction until the day the Final Selection arrived.
"You still can't use Sun Breathing for long periods. It's best to treat it as your trump card. But remember—never forcefully switch breathing styles mid-breath."
"With your current abilities, passing the Final Selection won't be difficult. What matters most is your mindset."
Yuko gave him these reminders.
Without realizing it, she herself had become the nagging, overly cautious type.
Tanjiro nodded seriously. "I understand."
…
"Tanjiro."
"Miss Yuko?"
Out of nowhere, Yuko said, "You already know my identity, don't you?"
"…Yes." Tanjiro hesitated briefly, then nodded.
Yuko gave a faint smile. "That's right. I'm the same as Nezuko."
The aura of demons and humans were completely different. Even Nezuko, who had never eaten a human, possessed an aura vastly different from before.
It might have worked on ordinary people, but for someone with an extraordinarily sharp sense of smell like Tanjiro—and with Yuko's food intake being so small for such a long time—it was impossible to hide it forever.
Moreover, Master Urokodaki surely knew as well. Like Tanjiro, that old man also had a keen sense of smell.
He simply hadn't exposed it.
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Currently at chapter 363 for advance chapters
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