Chapter 22: Flashy Moves
Uzui Tengen pulled Ryuji up and chuckled, "Alright, the rest is up to your own Satori."
He patted Ryuji's shoulder and said, "Remember, combat is a flashy festival! It's a movement full of changes and surprises! You must vary your Moves more."
Then, he hesitated for a moment before adding, "The long sword doesn't seem to suit you. I think you could try switching to a short sword; your Taijutsu is very good... Well, just take that as a suggestion."
Listening to Uzui Tengen's words, Ryuji nodded seriously:
"I'll remember that."
"Mm, next is Mr. Rengoku's instruction. He might not be in a great mood today, so pay a bit of attention."
After Uzui Tengen finished speaking, regardless of Ryuji's reaction, he looked toward Rengoku Shinjuro at the edge of the field: "Mr. Rengoku, it's time for your flashy appearance!"
Ryuji raised an eyebrow. In a bad mood? That was likely because Rengoku Ruka was ill... Just as he was thinking this, with a shua sound, a flash of fire swept past Ryuji's eyes.
Rengoku Shinjuro looked at Ryuji and sighed softly, "What's the point... Come on."
Hearing these words of someone forced to work, Ryuji's lips twitched; he guessed this guy was going to slack off.
As expected, Rengoku Shinjuro merely swung his wooden sword perfunctorily twice at Ryuji before ending the instruction.
He left the headquarters without looking back, not even greeting Ubuyashiki Kagaya.
"Father!"
A clear and energetic voice rang out.
A youth with the same flame-colored hair but eyes as bright as the sun chased after him.
It was the big brother, Rengoku Kyojuro!
He bowed deeply to Ubuyashiki Kagaya and Ryuji: "I am terribly sorry! My Lord! Ryuji-kun! My father... because Mother is seriously ill, he is acting out of worry. Please, you must forgive his rudeness!"
Ryuji spread his hands; he didn't mind the Flame Hashira's attitude.
After all, teaching is a favor, while not teaching is his right; he didn't owe Ryuji anything... Ubuyashiki Kagaya smiled and waved his hand: "It's alright, Kyojuro. Go and accompany your father."
"Yes!"
Rengoku Kyojuro bowed again and chased after his father's silhouette.
Watching Rengoku Kyojuro's back, Ryuji's eyes narrowed slightly. This time, I definitely won't let you fight alone, Big Brother!
He looked at Ubuyashiki Kagaya and said softly, "Thank you, My Lord. I have gained much this time."
This was the truth; his understanding of Breathing Techniques had deepened. He estimated that after practicing a few more times back home, he could align his breathing and strength into a single rhythm.
"Mm, as long as you've gained something. By the way, Ryuji, several swordsmen just proposed the idea of challenging you. What do you think?"
Ubuyashiki Kagaya asked.
"Sure, I have no problem with that. It's also a good chance to try applying what I've learned."
Ryuji agreed immediately: "Let them come."
"Did you hear that? Those who wish to challenge may take the field... but pay attention to safety," Ubuyashiki Kagaya said loudly.
"Yes!"
"Thank you, My Lord!"
"We'll be in your care, Ryuji-kun!"
As the words fell, several swordsmen from the Demon Slayer Corps leaped forward.
However, compared to their courage, their skills were far lacking... Ryuji just swung a few times, easily suppressing these people with pure strength and defeating them effortlessly.
It didn't even serve as proper training.
"Next."
Ryuji pulled a swordsman up and called out to the crowd.
But there was no response; they were all shocked by Ryuji's power. It was understandable, after all, he was a powerful swordsman who could trade Moves with the Hashira.
Even though the Hashira hadn't gone all out.
"No one else? Then I'll be leav—"
Before he could finish, a somewhat gloomy voice came over: "Hey, woodchopper, I'll be your opponent."
The speaker was a short youth with a long white snake wrapped around his neck.
Most of his face was covered in bandages, revealing only a pair of heterochromatic eyes with a sharp, cold gaze.
"Oh oh, this will be worth watching! It's Iguro Obanai, who's always challenging the strong!"
"I heard he's a Genius swordsman who created his own Breathing Technique. For someone like him, becoming a Hashira is only a matter of time..."
The swordsmen at the edge of the field began to whisper among themselves.
Uzui Tengen grew interested as he watched the two, saying to Himejima Gyomei beside him, "Oh? Isn't that the child Mr. Rengoku rescued?"
"Yes, he is a very talented child. He created his own Breathing Technique..."
Himejima Gyomei spoke softly, then shook his head, "Unfortunately, he has become increasingly arrogant. namu amida butsu."
Himejima Gyomei understood in his heart.
Ever since Iguro Obanai created his own Serpent Breathing, his sword skills had improved daily, but his ego had also grown higher and higher, to the point of looking down on everything.
However, he was likely going to suffer a setback this time.
"This is their first flashy meeting, right? Why does it feel like there's some sort of conflict?" Uzui Tengen asked curiously.
"namu amida butsu, Iguro Obanai seems to have been challenging the strong... he seems very eager to become a Hashira."
Himejima Gyomei said softly:
"But as for the specific reason, I do not know."
Never mind them not knowing, even Ryuji on the field was baffled.
What was going on? This was the first time he'd met the real Iguro Obanai!
Where did this hostility come from?
"Serpent Breathing, Second Form: Venom Fangs of the Narrow Head!"
Without waiting for Ryuji's consent, Iguro Obanai attacked directly. He moved like a venomous snake, quickly reaching Ryuji's rear and aiming straight for the back of his neck!
The speed was fast, and the sword path was incredibly tricky!
But, it could be blocked!
Ryuji stopped wondering why. Since the opponent made a Move, he would fight. He'd ask questions after the battle!
He put his left hand behind his back, wrapping it in Armament Haki, while his right hand's wooden sword thrust from the left toward his rear!
If Iguro underestimated him, this one Move would put him on the ground!
"Oh? How cautious!"
Ryuji turned around, staring intently at Iguro Obanai who had withdrawn to create distance. He felt speechless; yet another agile opponent... he estimated he'd have to use a counter-attack strategy again.
Iguro Obanai looked at the ready Ryuji, his face still cold, but his heart was in turmoil.
Initially, when he saw Ryuji use his hand to block, he thought this guy was just mediocre.
But... his intuition told him to get away!
A snake's intuition was always very accurate!
Sure enough, he felt danger from Ryuji's left hand, though he didn't know why an empty hand would be dangerous.
This guy was hiding his strength. No, or perhaps the Hashira were too strong, so he hadn't shown his true power at all.
He wasn't someone those ordinary swordsmen could compare to... he had to put in some effort!
Thinking this, he continued his rapid advance, followed by several illogical slashes rushing toward Ryuji!
"Serpent Breathing, First Form: Winding Serpent Slash!"
Slashes appeared, shifting left and right, up and down, like a living giant serpent slithering around Ryuji, searching for every possible opening.
Ryuji fell into a passive state of taking hits again.
But he didn't panic.
He knew clearly that this type of technical swordsman had strong explosive power, but their endurance was bound to be a weakness!
And he, of all people, did not lack stamina or defense!
Defensive counter-attack!
Moreover, he had Kami-e!
Thinking this, he focused all his attention on perception, making his whole body relax like a piece of paper, light and airy.
Six out of ten of Iguro Obanai's attacks were dodged by Ryuji by a hair's breadth!
"What a flashy Move!"
Uzui Tengen widened his rose-red eyes and said very excitedly, "What a surprise!"
He hadn't expected this clumsy-looking kid to have such a miraculous Move!
"This seems to be a special defensive movement. It should be predicting the opponent's actions through some medium like air currents or sound, and then using the smallest possible movement to dodge! It's incredibly flashy!"
At this point, Uzui Tengen suddenly realized something and laughed with a bit of anger: "This kid didn't go all out when he fought us! It seems he didn't take us seriously..."
"It's not a derivative of Stone Breathing, is it?"
Himejima Gyomei didn't speak, but two lines of tears flowed from his eyes as he shook his head.
"Good, good, good! I'll remember you, Ryuji!"
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