"You're lying! It's clearly your problem!"
Uzumaki Naruto pointed at Uzui Tengen, unconvinced, and shouted, "Your Breathing Style requires understanding musical scores and melodies! It's not Ninja-like at all! I'm not learning it!"
Although Uzumaki Naruto knew deep down that his inability to learn Uzui Tengen's Sound Breathing was probably his own fault, he would absolutely never admit it.
"This great lord was originally a rogue Ninja, so I haven't been a Ninja for a long time!"
Uzui Tengen pressed down on Uzumaki Naruto's head and said indifferently, "Kid, being a Ninja has no future. You'd better go learn Wind Breathing from Shinazugawa obediently."
"Hmph! I would have done that anyway without you telling me!" Uzumaki Naruto grumbled as he stomped back to Shinazugawa Sanemi's side.
...
Shinazugawa Sanemi listened to their exchange in silence, completely speechless.Did either of you even ask for my opinion?
He looked at Uzumaki Naruto standing beside him, still fuming, and tightened his grip on the hilt of his sword, feeling an urge to clean house.
He had personally witnessed Uzumaki Naruto's performance during Uzui Tengen's Sound Breathing test. If he hadn't already tested Naruto himself and confirmed his extraordinary compatibility with Wind Breathing, he might have believed he had misjudged the kid.
This brat was simply at two extremes—utterly incompatible with Sound Breathing, yet terrifyingly suited for Wind Breathing.
"It seems quite lively here."
A gentle voice suddenly sounded out.
A young woman wearing a haori patterned like butterfly wings walked over gracefully, a warm smile on her face, and asked curiously, "Mr. Uzui, Mr. Shinazugawa, what are you discussing?"
She was one of the Demon Slayer Corps' Eight Pillars—the Insect Pillar, Kocho Shinobu.
"Oh, it's Shinobu."
Uzui Tengen immediately smiled and waved when he saw her. Pointing at Uzumaki Naruto, he said, "Shinazugawa brought back a kid and claims he has talent comparable to Tokito."
"Oh?"
Kochou Shinobu glanced at Uzumaki Naruto with curiosity, her eyes narrowing slightly as she smiled. "Is that so?"
"Fake!"
Uzui Tengen waved dismissively and said with disdain, "This great lord has already flamboyantly tested him. He has no talent whatsoever."
"That's clearly your problem!"
Uzumaki Naruto immediately retorted angrily. "Your Breathing Style isn't flamboyant at all—and it's not Ninja-like either!"
"You stinking brat, are you looking for a fight?"
Uzui Tengen's face darkened as he glared at Naruto. "How dare you say I'm not flamboyant? Watch it, or I'll deal with you!"
"Do you want to fight?!"
Uzumaki Naruto rolled up his sleeves, refusing to back down. "I'm not afraid of you, you rogue Ninja bastard!"
"Enough!"
Shinazugawa Sanemi punched Uzumaki Naruto on the head and said irritably, "Calm down. You're embarrassing me."
At this point, he deeply regretted bringing Uzumaki Naruto here.
"Ow!" Uzumaki Naruto cried out, clutching his head. Only then did he notice several additional figures had gathered nearby.
The man closest to them had bandages wrapped around his face, heterochromatic eyes—left green, right gold—and flame-like yellow hair flowing down his back. His sharp gaze was fixed on Uzumaki Naruto, carefully observing him.
Farther away stood a young man gazing blankly at the sky, his expression distant and unfocused.
Even farther off was another figure wearing a haori with different patterns on each side, standing apart from everyone else, clearly unsociable.
"Mr. Shinazugawa…"
Uzumaki Naruto quietly asked after scanning the group, "Are these the Pillars of the Demon Slayer Corps?"
He could feel an overwhelming pressure radiating from them.
"That's right."
Shinazugawa Sanemi nodded, then suddenly grabbed Uzumaki Naruto by the back of his collar and yanked him forward. Facing the Pillars, he said bluntly, "This kid's name is Uzumaki Naruto. He's a genius I picked up on the road, and from now on, he's my Son."
Perhaps fearing Uzumaki Naruto would repeat the same farce he'd just pulled with Uzui Tengen, Shinazugawa made his stance clear immediately.
Obanai Iguro: "A genius?"
Kyojuro Rengoku: "Hahaha! For Shinazugawa to take a Son, this young man's talent must be truly exceptional!"
Muichiro Tokito: "What shape was that cloud again…?"
Tomioka Giyu: "You all can't see me, so please just pretend I don't exist."
"Silence."
A towering man dressed in monk-like robes slowly approached, tears streaming constantly from his pale eyes as he spoke in a deep, steady voice. "Whatever the matter, it can wait. Master Ubuyashiki Kagaya is about to arrive."
This was the strongest among the Pillars—the Stone Pillar, Gyomei Himejima.
At his words, all expressions turned solemn as the Pillars simultaneously faced the hall ahead.
At that moment, two young girls emerged and announced clearly, "Master Ubuyashiki Kagaya has arrived!"
Uzumaki Naruto looked on curiously as a frail-looking man slowly stepped out of the residence. He had a handsome face, but grotesque scars covered his eyes, leaving them pale and sightless.
This was the current head of the Demon Slayer Corps—Ubuyashiki Kagaya.
Standing behind him was a young woman with long cherry-pink braids and large, light leaf-green eyes. Wearing a revealing uniform and short skirt, she stood shyly with her head lowered, her cheeks faintly flushed.
"Good morning."
Ubuyashiki Kagaya smiled gently as he spoke. His voice carried a soothing warmth, like a soft breeze that calmed the soul.
"Master Ubuyashiki Kagaya!"
The Pillars spoke in unison and knelt respectfully.
"No need for formalities."
Ubuyashiki Kagaya raised a hand gently and continued, "I am grateful that you have all gathered safely for this Pillar Meeting. Even more gratifying, however, is the arrival of a powerful new comrade."
He turned slightly and said softly, "Mitsuri, please greet everyone."
"Yes, Master Ubuyashiki Kagaya!"
The young woman stepped forward shyly. "Hello everyone, my name is Mitsuri Kanroji. Please take care of me from now on." She bowed deeply.
The Pillars nodded in acknowledgment. They were already familiar with her strength and had no objections to her promotion as the Love Pillar.
"Master Ubuyashiki Kagaya!"
Shinazugawa Sanemi spoke immediately, his voice firm. "On my return journey, I encountered a young man with exceptional talent. I wish to take him as my Son. I hope you will grant your permission."