Chapter 68: Lord Ryuji Truly Deserves His Reputation as a Taijutsu Powerhouse
Uzui Tengen didn't say anything more.
"Since you've all reached an agreement, follow me; I'll get you some tools... we can't just rely on Mr. Ryuji alone."
Tamayo said, the corners of her mouth curling up slightly as she thought about having a large supply of demon blood for experiments at any time in the future.
She was happy!
Muzan, just wait; sooner or later, I will drag you down to Hell!
Uzui Tengen glanced at Ryuji, who merely shrugged and said nothing.
Ryuji and Uzui Tengen followed Tamayo to her hidden residence in Asakusa, Tokyo.
It was a Western-style building disguised as a regular clinic, with the faint scent of herbs and disinfectant lingering in the air.
The location was carefully chosen, perfectly avoiding various sources of sunlight.
Along the way, Yushiro's expression was very unpleasant; having his leg cut off was one thing, that was nothing.
But this damn Ryuji actually dared to hold Lady Tamayo's hand!
Unforgivable!
"Yushiro, don't be angry..."
Tamayo gently brushed her hand across Yushiro's forehead, comforting him softly:
"This way, we can research the medicine faster. I'll have to trouble you to go and prepare the tools."
A shy smile appeared on Yushiro's face as he nodded, but when he looked at Ryuji, his expression turned cold as if he were performing a Sichuan opera face-change.
With a cold snort, he ran to the back of the house.
Ryuji didn't care; it was just a teenage brat being jealous. He'd just give him a beating later.
"He's a good boy, he just likes me too much..."
Tamayo watched Yushiro's departing figure and spoke softly, tucking a stray lock of hair behind her ear before looking at Ryuji: "Come, let's have some tea. That child still needs some time, and I happen to have some things to ask you..."
Ryuji raised an eyebrow; coincidentally, he also had some information he wanted to ask Tamayo.
In the tea room, they exchanged basic intelligence, including Muzan's appearance and other details.
At the same time, they established a method for future contact.
They would communicate through Chachamaru, the calico cat Tamayo kept. The cat had a small box on its back that could be used to deliver letters and blood samples, making it both discreet and efficient.
Everything was pretty much the same as in the original story.
The only difference was... Tamayo kept asking about Tsugikuni Yoriichi, which left Ryuji somewhat speechless.
He only received the message in a dream... Could he really understand Tsugikuni Yoriichi through memories like Tanjiro?
Wasn't that a joke?
To stop Tamayo from asking about Tsugikuni Yoriichi,
Ryuji suddenly had a flash of inspiration and asked, "Lady Tamayo, you've lived here for centuries. I'd like to ask you about a certain Family."
Tamayo picked up the teacup on the table and took a light sip: "Please, go ahead."
"A samurai Family, the head of which has the surname Ishikawa..."
"Ishikawa..."
Tamayo muttered it twice, thought for a moment, then set down her teacup and nodded:
"I seem to have heard of them... I remember now!"
"In the north of the city, there is a Kendo dojo. It seems the actual controller is the Ishikawa Family."
Ryuji asked curiously, "Actual controller? Can you be more specific?"
Tamayo looked at Ryuji, nodded, and continued: "I can. That Kendo hall has been open for a long time..."
At this point, she gave a self-deprecating smile and sighed inwardly. She had hidden herself so well.
The Demon Slayer Corps hadn't found her for decades, yet this time, because of Uzui Tengen's keen hearing and Ryuji's unreasonable perception, she had been completely exposed.
"Oh? There's such an unexpected gain?"
Uzui Tengen became interested.
No wonder they hadn't found even a trace of the Ishikawa Family despite searching for so long; it turned out they were hidden so deeply.
Tamayo continued, taking a sip of tea: "To hide myself, I must have an understanding of the distribution of surrounding forces."
"That Kendo dojo is said to inherit an ancient style from the Edo period called 'Buddha Sword'."
She paused and then added: "But what I know is limited to that..."
"That's enough. Thank you, Lady Tamayo."
Ryuji and Uzui Tengen glanced at each other, both seeing the excitement in the other's eyes.
Soon, they obtained the blood collection tools Yushiro had made and headed straight for the Kendo dojo in the north of the city.
"Buxinkan, looks like this is the place. When I came earlier, the doors weren't open..."
Uzui Tengen raised an eyebrow and looked at Ryuji, saying, "What flamboyant luck. If a conflict breaks out in a moment, hold back your strength..."
He had changed into a samurai kimono and wasn't carrying his nichirin blades. Tokyo's sword ban was too strict, and it was easy to get caught by the police.
Having to ask the Master to bail him out then would be unsightly.
Hearing this, Ryuji's mouth twitched: "Wait, aren't we here to apply as students? Why does it sound like we're here to challenge the dojo?"
As he spoke, he stepped into the very Japanese-style Kendo hall, looked around, and asked:
"Is anyone here?"
Following his shout, a middle-aged man slowly walked out from the inner room of the Kendo hall, his gaze sharp and his steps steady.
He was like a sharp blade drawn from its scabbard.
"I am the master of Buxinkan, Watanabe. May I ask who you two are?"
He quickly scanned the two. Seeing the calluses on Uzui Tengen's hands, his eyes became even sharper: "Are you two here to challenge the dojo?"
As his voice fell, a dozen burly men holding katanas emerged from all around the dojo, surrounding the two in a tense atmosphere.
Ryuji glanced at Uzui Tengen, speechless. Was Uzui Tengen's luck really this bad?
How come the bad predictions came true while the good ones didn't... "We are here to apply as students."
Uzui Tengen said with a smile, completely unfazed by these samurai.
"Apply as students? Advanced swordsmen of the Dual-wielding style are coming to apply as students?"
Watanabe looked at Uzui Tengen and said softly, "At least deal with the calluses on your hands and your footwork... Just what are you here for!"
Ryuji heard this middle-aged man named Watanabe identify Uzui Tengen as a dual-wielding swordsman at a glance.
He realized this man was an expert.
"We are looking for members of the Ishikawa Family..."
Hearing this, Watanabe's pupils contracted slightly, and he quickly said, "The people you're looking for aren't here. Please leave."
After speaking, he signaled to the samurai behind him:
"Escort the guests out!"
Something's fishy!
Ryuji and Uzui Tengen exchanged a look. Why so panicked? There was definitely something fishy!
"Let's barge in flamboyantly... It has nothing to do with demons, so watch your strength."
Uzui Tengen leaned in and whispered into Ryuji's ear.
Ryuji simply cracked his wrists:
"Understood!"
Seeing Ryuji's movement, Watanabe's brow furrowed: "Do you want to cause trouble?"
Ryuji smiled and said, "How could that be..."
Suddenly, he reached out to grab Watanabe's shoulder. His speed was extremely fast, and he caught Watanabe directly.
"They're challengers! Everyone, attack!"
Watanabe, held by Ryuji, shouted loudly:
"Don't worry about me!"
Those samurai holding katanas swarmed forward, attacking Ryuji with an Aura that suggested they were willing to strike Watanabe down as well!
"They're really swinging!"
Ryuji threw Watanabe aside, knocking several people over. He then moved his feet, his entire body becoming like a phantom as he wove through the crowd.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
A series of dull thuds rang out. Those aggressive samurai were like wheat being mown down, flying out one after another.
They fell to the ground groaning, unable to get back up.
Watanabe, who had managed to stand up, narrowed his eyes. He knew they had encountered a tough opponent today.
"Don't hold back! Use the Buddha Sword!"
He roared, and the remaining few samurai immediately adopted a strange stance.
The Aura on their bodies changed instantly, and a faint energy began to flow between them.
Even the swords in their hands seemed to become a bit heavier.
"That's the sound!!"
Uzui Tengen shouted excitedly: "This is the kind of power I encountered before. Except for the rhythm, there's no difference!!"
Ryuji's gaze sharpened. Qi?
These samurai were all Outcasts!
"Heat Breath."
He opened his mouth, and a blast of scorching flames suddenly erupted, the powerful impact instantly forcing all the remaining samurai back.
"Where are the Hie Ninjass?"
Uzui Tengen took the opportunity to rush forward, holding a blade to Watanabe Takehito's neck and asking coldly:
"Where is your Ninja Head? Why are you hunting Demon Slayer Corps Members, and why are you collaborating with evil demons!"
Watanabe was stunned by these words. Ninja Head? Demon Slayer Corps? Collaborating with demons?
He then seemed to realize something, and his expression became uneasy: "You're not from Hiei?"
Uzui Tengen was also stunned: "We're from the Demon Slayer Corps. Could it be..."
Watanabe breathed a sigh of relief and said softly: "It must be a misunderstanding. Everyone, stop!"
At Watanabe's shout, the samurai besieging Ryuji stopped instantly, retreating several steps while looking nervously at the two.
"Gentlemen, my apologies. It seems there has been a misunderstanding..."
He briefly explained that the Hie Ninjass had been very active recently, making everyone tense. Just as they had activated this dojo, someone came looking for the Ishikawa Family.
It was a bit of a knee-jerk reaction... Moreover, seeing how heavy the training marks were on Ryuji and his companion, they had thought they were ninjas coming for revenge.
"Our apologies!"
"Our apologies!" X10
Ryuji looked at the group of bruised and swollen people performing a full kowtow before him and couldn't help but rub his nose.
Gosh, this was a bit hard to take—beating someone up and then having them kneel and apologize.
"Since the misunderstanding is cleared up, please introduce us. We want to talk to the head of the Ishikawa Family."
After a series of rigorous checks including body searches and changing clothes, the two finally met the current head of the Ishikawa Family through an iron protective screen.
Ishikawa Reno.
"Greetings to the two of you from the Demon Slayer Corps. My apologies for meeting you this way..."
"It's fine. One can't be too careful, I understand. How much do you know about the Hie Ninjass?"
Ryuji sat on the chair, leaning back and asking softly, looking like a mafia boss.
"I'm sorry, Lord, I don't know much more than your Demon Slayer Corps. But I do know why those ninjas are kidnapping swordsmen!"
Ishikawa Reno looked at Ryuji and said word by word: "It's for that demonic blade! For sword training!"
Ryuji's eyes lowered. Demonic blade... hirumaru!
"Demonic blade? What demonic blade?"
Uzui Tengen frowned and asked: "Please speak plainly, Lord. Thank you."
Ishikawa Reno spoke about the legends and origins of the demonic blade hirumaru: "During the Edo period... that is the origin of hirumaru."
Ryuji nodded and asked again: "Then do you know..."
Ishikawa Reno shook his head: "I don't. We are also looking for the location of the Hie Ninjass... we haven't received any news."
Ryuji and Uzui Tengen exchanged a look; the lead had gone cold again... Helplessly, the two had a sumptuous dinner at the Ishikawa residence.
"Lord Ryuji truly deserves his reputation as a taijutsu powerhouse; this flamboyant appetite is no joke!"
Ishikawa Reno's eyes shone as he watched Ryuji eating wildly. Such physical fitness, such genes—if only he could stay in the Ishikawa Family... and this Uzui Tengen too, though it's a pity he's already married.
"Haha, Lord is joking."
Uzui Tengen laughed softly, stuffing a piece of fried cutlet into his mouth.
After eating and drinking their fill, Ishikawa Reno gave the two of them two well-crafted Western-style pistols as a gesture of friendship.
Leaving the Ishikawa residence, they headed back toward the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters.
"Are you really not going to stay here? The Ishikawa Family is very rich and powerful."
Uzui Tengen said with a smile to Ryuji, who was playing with the pistol: "I think it's quite flamboyant..."
"Stop joking, Brother Uzui. Why didn't you stay?"
"I'm married! I have three wives who love me very much!" Uzui Tengen said as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
Ryuji: "..."
Damn, he had forgotten this guy was a winner at life.
"Caw! Caw! To the southwest! A member is calling for help!"
The urgent message from the crows broke the silence of the night.
Ryuji and Uzui Tengen exchanged a look and, without hesitation, changed direction and rushed there at full speed.
When they arrived, the scene was already a tragic Shura Field. Three hideous demons, mixed with a bunch of black-clad ninjas, were besieging several already scarred Demon Slayer Corps Members.
"Hold on, reinforcements are on the way! We are the Demon Slayer Corps, we must never give up!"
"They are clearly human, why are they helping demons!"
"Damn it... I can't die, I absolutely cannot die!"
Various wails and roars echoed across this open space.
Ryuji recognized the black-haired young man leading them at a glance; it was Kumeno Masachika.
Without a word, the two of them burst into the formation like tigers into a flock of sheep.
"Pillar of Fist! Sound Hashira!"
Kumeno Masachika saw the two and shouted loudly, ignoring his own injuries:
"Quick, go save Sanemi!"
"He... to protect us, he lured away a Lower Rank demon called Ubume!"
"Lower Rank?"
Uzui Tengen licked his lips, Battle Intent igniting in his eyes: "It's been a long time since I've encountered such a flamboyant opponent!"
"Ryuji, leave these small fry to you. That Lower Rank is mine!"
"Alright."
Ryuji didn't hesitate and nodded in agreement.
Ubume?
He glanced at the wounded Kumeno Masachika; it seemed this was it... the battle where Shinazugawa Sanemi becomes a Hashira!
In the original story, Kumeno Masachika sacrificed himself and Shinazugawa Sanemi killed the Lower Rank... Uzui Tengen's trip was destined to be in vain.
Moreover, these ninjas and demons were all pure military merit points in his eyes!
"Saved..."
"It's the Pillar of Fist and the Sound Hashira!"
"Wonderful!"
The surviving Demon Slayer Corps Members saw the two top combatants arrive, and their taut nerves finally relaxed, erupting in cheers of survival.
Uzui Tengen's figure vanished instantly, heading in the direction Kumeno Masachika had pointed to support Shinazugawa Sanemi.
Meanwhile, Ryuji charged into the ninja ranks. Those ninjas still tried to use their proud hidden weapons and combined attack techniques against Ryuji.
But before Observation Haki, every movement was like a slow-motion movie, clear as day.
Ryuji simply swung his fists.
Every punch was precise and lethal.
Those ninjas, who had been silenced and couldn't even scream, fell one by one like puppets with their strings cut.
A flood of military merit point notifications flashed frantically in Ryuji's mind.
The surrounding Demon Slayer Corps Members were completely stunned.
"This... is this the strength of the Pillar of Fist?"
"Is this the fighting prowess of the Pillar of Fist who has the strength to kill an Upper Rank?!"
"Those ninjas are as fragile as babies before him!"
They watched the figure strolling through the battlefield, taking a life with every move.
Their eyes were filled with extreme awe, admiration, and even fanaticism.
That was no longer a Realm a human could reach.
Soon, the battlefield was cleared.
Uzui Tengen returned with a wounded but still fiercely-eyed Shinazugawa Sanemi.
"Tsk, how un-flamboyant."
Uzui Tengen curled his lip, but a faint, hard-to-detect smile of relief was on his face: "I regret it a bit, coming all this way for nothing."
Although he said he regretted it, he was happy inside.
The Demon Slayer Corps was about to gain another Wind Hashira... Ryuji ignored this duplicitous fellow, helped the members treat their wounds slightly, and then led them back toward the Demon Slayer Corps headquarters.
During their chat, he learned that these members were precisely the second batch of trainees he was supposed to train.
As for Shinazugawa Sanemi and Kumeno Masachika, they were just unlucky passersby... Upon returning to headquarters, Ryuji immediately reported the cooperation with Tamayo to Ubuyashiki Kagaya.
"You've done well, Ryuji."
After listening, Ubuyashiki Kagaya showed an extremely relieved smile.
He didn't convene a Hashira Meeting, nor did he have the slightest suspicion; he simply said gently:
"I trust your judgment completely. I leave this matter entirely in your hands."
This unreserved trust warmed Ryuji's heart.
In the following days, Ryuji began the hellish training for the second batch of members, and the training ground echoed daily with one scream after another.
Before long, the fully recovered Shinazugawa Sanemi also officially welcomed his promotion meeting.
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